# NTSB investigations, WA: In flight encounter with weather

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 99 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX08MA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08MA007.md): Cessna 208B · Naches, WA · Accident · 10 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2007 · N430A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's impaired physiological state due to hypoxia, the pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation, and his…
- [NTSB SEA07CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA183.md): Cessna 172N · Greenwater, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2007 · N733XW · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight encounter with a sudden windshift during the takeoff initial climb, to which the certified flight instructor responded by aborting the takeoff and landing off the end of the runway. The ditch was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB SEA07FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA148.md): Cessna 210-5 (205) · Quilcene, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2007 · N8308Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident included the low clouds which obscured the rising, mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA06LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA112.md): de Havilland DHC-3T · Port Townsend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2006 · N606KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's height above the water during a precautionary landing which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were glassy water conditions, fog, and the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC.
- [NTSB SEA06FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA147.md): Cessna 421C · Carson, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2006 · N69KM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Icing conditions, clouds and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather were factors.
- [NTSB SEA06CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA001.md): Cessna 150D · Greenwater, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 2, 2005 · N4175U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertently flying into IMC weather conditions, his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed for flight, and his subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into trees. Contributing factors were the fog and the trees.
- [NTSB SEA05FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA013.md): Cessna 172P · Olympia, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2004 · N53161 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA169.md): Cessna A185F · Toutle, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2004 · N7562Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, trees, a low ceiling and no suitable terrain available for the landing were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA154.md): Cessna 182P · Port Angeles, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2004 · N79404 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain clearance from trees. Trees, mountainous terrain, dark night conditions, clouds and VFR flight into IMC were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA134.md): Cessna 150C · Mazama, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2004 · N7815Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the weather conditions and his failure to maintain the initial takeoff climb, which resulted in a collision with trees during an emergency landing. Contributing factors were the unfavorable wind and high density…
- [NTSB SEA03FA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA165.md): Cessna 320D · Mazama, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 2003 · N4178T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain, trees and mountain obscuration were factors.
- [NTSB SEA03LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA037.md): Cessna 172S · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2003 · N912LB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the rime icing conditions, and the soft terrain encountered on the off runway rollout.
- [NTSB SEA03LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA019.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC-135 P1 · Loon Lake, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2002 · N311MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while in cruise flight, and an excessive descent rate. Factors include falling snow, whiteout conditions and dark night conditions.
- [NTSB SEA03FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA013.md): Cessna 172P · Malaga, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2002 · N65564 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and up sloping terrain. Contributing factors were clouds, trees, and uphill terrain. The pilot’s performance and judgment were likely impaired by the effects of…
- [NTSB SEA01FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01FA070.md): Cessna 182P · Fairfield, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2001 · N21565 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance over trees, resulting in a collision with trees, separation of a wing and uncontrolled collision with terrain. Factors included the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, dark night…
- [NTSB SEA00LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA034.md): Cessna 182S · Kennewick, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1999 · N374TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight into known icing conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach, resulting in a hard landing. Factors included: icing conditions; the pilot's improper decision to continue to his…
- [NTSB SEA99LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA165.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Eatonville, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1999 · N7832N · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate inflight planning/preparation and terrain clearance not maintained. Mountainous terrain, cloudy conditions and delayed remedial action are factors
- [NTSB SEA99FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA126.md): Cessna T-337 G-P · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1999 · N98C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering below low ceilings. Factors include low ceilings and inadequate in-flight planning.
- [NTSB SEA99LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA025.md): Cessna 177 · Bellingham, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 1998 · N2355Y · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and the pilot's failure to maintain altitude. VFR flight into IMC conditions and cloudy weather conditions were factors.
- [NTSB SEA98LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA070.md): Cessna 172N · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 1998 · N6468D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor.
- [NTSB SEA97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA113.md): Cessna 207 · Roche Harbor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 18, 1997 · N7405 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate remedial action upon encountering a downdraft on final approach. The downdraft was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA97LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA050.md): Cessna 180J · Lopez, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 1997 · N42376 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to initiate flight into marginal VFR conditions at night which led to inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain. Factors contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB SEA97LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA030.md): Cessna 421B · Olympia, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1996 · N8005Q · Substantial damage
  > inoperative deicing equipment, due to multiple wing boot holes and malfunctioning control/shuttle valves; subsequent build-up of airframe (wing) ice; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the flare for landing. Factors relating to the…
- [NTSB SEA96FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA175.md): Mooney M20E · Purdy, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1996 · N9360M · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to pilot spatial disorientation and loss of control of the aircraft. Factors were: pilot self-induced pressure, night conditions, low ceilings, and…
- [NTSB SEA95LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA172.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sekiu, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1995 · N98350 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather necessitating a landing on a highway. The weather was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA95FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA093.md): Cessna 152 · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 6, 1995 · N855DA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance with the terrain.
- [NTSB SEA93LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA095.md): Rolladen-Schneider LS4A · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 1993 · N7DZ · Substantial damage
  > Misjudged weather evaluation. Factors include high winds encountered on approach.
- [NTSB SEA93FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA026.md): Beech A60 · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1992 · N100EK · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, his failure to prevent the aircraft from exceeding the never exceed speed (vne), and subsequent exceeding of the design stress limits of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: weather…
- [NTSB SEA93LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA012.md): Cessna 172P · Lind, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1992 · N62731 · Substantial damage
  > The aircraft encountered rough terrain during the landing roll after the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing in an open field, due to deteriorating weather.
- [NTSB SEA92LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA144.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1992 · N36031 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop and aircraft impact with terrain. A factor relating to the accident was the gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB SEA92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA039.md): Ercoupe 415-C · Hansville, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 1992 · N86964 · Destroyed
  > The inadequate preflight preparation and improper inflight decision by the student pilot who was not qualified to conduct the flight. A factor relating to the accident was the adverse weather conditions.
- [NTSB SEA91LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA226.md): Ryan Navion · Chelan, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 1991 · N4111K · Substantial damage
  > Poor in flight planning/decision by the pilot in command. Factors to the accident were: down drafts, proper alignment was not maintained and inadequate remedial action.
- [NTSB SEA91FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA119.md): Stinson 108-2 · Gold Bar, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 1991 · N9715K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to remain clear of the obstacles (trees). The adverse weather condition (fog) was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA91FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA061.md): Cessna 172M · Bellingham, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 1991 · CGJNM · Destroyed
  > VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude and/or cleareance from the mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the adverse weather and terrain conditions.
- [NTSB SEA91FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA060.md): Cessna 172N · Bellingham, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 1991 · CGIXI · Destroyed
  > VFR flight by the non-instrument rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude and/or clearance from the mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the adverse weather and…
- [NTSB SEA91LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA018.md): Champion 7ECA · Bremerton, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1990 · N7584U · Destroyed
  > The pilot did not maintain altitude.
- [NTSB SEA91FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA019.md): Cessna 206 · Pullman, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 1990 · N5184U · Destroyed
  > The pilot displayed inadequate inflight planning and decision making. Factors to the accident were: the weather was obscured, the dark night condition, and a proper altitude not maintained.
- [NTSB SEA90LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA155.md): Taylorcraft BC-65 · Chehalis, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1990 · N27454 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty crosswind ws a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA90FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA171.md): Lake LA-4 · Onalaska, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1990 · N68DG · Destroyed
  > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather and terrain conditions.
- [NTSB SEA90FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA071.md): North American Navion H · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1990 · N285RM · Destroyed
  > Pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and inadvertent flight into IMC conditions. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling and visibility weather conditions, the mountainous/hill terrain, the pilot's lack of instrument qualification and his lack of…
- [NTSB SEA90FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA039.md): Piper PA28-180 · Castle Rock, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 1990 · N8859J · Destroyed
  > The pilot lost control of the airplane which entered a stall/spin that the pilot did not recover from.
- [NTSB DCA90MA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA90MA011.md): British Aerospace BAE-3101 · Pasco, WA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Dec 27, 1989 · N410UE · Destroyed
  > The flightcrew's decision to continue an unstabilized instrument landing system (ILS) approach that led to a stall, most likely of the horizontal stabilizer, and loss of control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's…
- [NTSB SEA90FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA028.md): Cessna 210-5 (205) · Rainier, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1989 · CFOXF · Destroyed
  > Continued flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from wooded mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the weather/terrain conditions.
- [NTSB SEA90FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA019.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Vancouver, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1989 · N8289P · Destroyed
  > The pilot in command's inadequate preflight planning, pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC conditions and the pilot's lack of instrument qualifications. Contributing to the accident was the low ceiling, fog and the pilot's lack of recent experience.
- [NTSB SEA90FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA133.md): Cessna 172M · Snoqualmie, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1989 · N73422 · Destroyed
  > Intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions and poor weather evaluation by the pilot.
- [NTSB SEA90FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA005.md): Hughes 369D · Bothell, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1989 · N8613F · Destroyed
  > The pilot failed to determine weather conditions before the flight, his attempt to fly VFR in IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance altitude. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, rain and fog weather conditions.
- [NTSB SEA90FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA002.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Cougar, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1989 · CGUVU · Destroyed
  > Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance above mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain were related factors.
- [NTSB SEA89LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA127.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1989 · N56759 · Destroyed
  > Improper in-flight planning/descision by the pilot, which resulted in the aircraft entering a box canyon with insufficient speed and altitude to maneuver out of the confined area. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's continued flight into known…
- [NTSB SEA89FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA186.md): American AA-1A · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1989 · N9473L · Destroyed
  > Attempted flight into known adverse weather conditions. Factors include clouds, downdrafts, high winds.
- [NTSB SEA89LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA054.md): Cessna 185 · Bellingham, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 1989 · N79PK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for the loss of lift due to ice accumulation on the wings, his failure to control the rate of descent, and poor inflight decision making. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=WA&occurrence=240&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'WA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 240)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=240&state=WA

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.