# NTSB investigations, 2003: 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 3 · 122 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB LAX04FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA076.md): Agusta A109A · Redwood Valley, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N25RX · Destroyed > The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a collision with rising… - [NTSB LAX04LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA074.md): Beech B55 · Angwin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · N20480 · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in a low fuel state and a precautionary landing in rough terrain. - [NTSB CHI04FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA044.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Brooklyn, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2003 · N3733W · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate planning/decision resulting in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his… - [NTSB CHI04FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA043.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2003 · N155BM · Destroyed > The unqualified pilot's continued flight into known instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience and the low ceiling. - [NTSB ATL04LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA055.md): MBB BK117A3 · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2003 · N911WJ · Substantial damage > The pilot continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and experienced spatial disorientation, loss of aircraft control, and in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to follow company… - [NTSB LAX04FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA081.md): Cessna 150J · Corona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N61303 · Destroyed > The student pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control as a result of spatial disorientation. - [NTSB ANC04FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04FA015.md): Cessna P210N · Tonopah, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2003 · N4674A · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to follow approved instrument flight procedures, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstacles/terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident are snow and low clouds. - [NTSB ANC04LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA014.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Larson Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2003 · N3983W · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power for an unknown reason while maneuvering, which resulted in the pilot ditching the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling and a snow squall. - [NTSB ATL04FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA049.md): Cessna 441 · Vestavia Hills, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2003 · N441W · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climb in icing conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall / spin of the airplane and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. A factor was the accumulation of airframe ice. - [NTSB LAX04FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA061.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Chino Hills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2003 · N16264 · Destroyed > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by which he conducted VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions. Mountainous terrain, dark night conditions and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing are contributing… - [NTSB ANC04LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA010.md): deHAVILLAND DHC-2 · Kodiak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2003 · N13VF · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance, which resulted in a collision with terrain during the final landing approach. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of a… - [NTSB LAX04GA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04GA051.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 22, 2003 · N7292W · Destroyed > The pilots inadequate preflight planning and intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to this accident was the fact that it was a dark night with no moon illumination. - [NTSB FTW04FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA024.md): Cessna 550 · Mineral Wells, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2003 · N418MA · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane while executing a simulated engine failure on final approach. A factor was the windshear. - [NTSB FTW04FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA022.md): Cessna 210M · Tolar, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2003 · N777SG · Destroyed > The pilot's improper pre-flight planning and loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the fog. - [NTSB LAX04LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA041.md): Daughters T18C · Needles, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2003 · N647C · Destroyed > the pilot's continuation of a visual flight rules (VFR) flight into an area of adverse weather, which resulted in an encounter with moderate to severe turbulence and in-flight breakup of the airplane. - [NTSB NYC04LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA024.md): Cessna 150H · Bruceton Mills, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2003 · N23178 · Substantial damage > The pilot's physical impairment due to alcohol and his improper decision to attempt flight with a low cloud ceiling, low visibility, after consuming alcohol. A related factor in the accident was the low cloud ceiling. - [NTSB NYC04IA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04IA023.md): Cessna 208B · Bangor, ME · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2003 · N805TH · Minor damage > The pilot's inability to see through the windshield, which was obscured due to icing conditions. This resulted in the pilot's inadequate flare, and a subsequent hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the wing icing. - [NTSB DEN04LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA019.md): Boeing 737-500 · Denver, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2003 · N956UA · No damage > the in-flight encounter with heavy to moderate turbulence. - [NTSB LAX04FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA031.md): Cessna 421B · Kelso, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2003 · N444AM · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument conditions between cloud layers and with reduced visibility due to smoke that resulted in an in-flight loss of control from spatial disorientation, and the structural overload of the airframe during the… - [NTSB LAX04LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA009.md): Luscombe 8F · Murrieta, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 2003 · N1918B · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Fog and rising terrain were contributing factors. - [NTSB FTW04FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA007.md): Bell 206L-3 · W. Cameron 509 · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2003 · N81671 · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms, the low ceilings, and the miscommunication between the pilot and the company's communication center in… - [NTSB FTW04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA004.md): Colliander RV-8 · Van, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2003 · N27JW · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors were the low ceilings, rain, and fog. - [NTSB LAX04FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA002.md): Lockheed P2V · East Highlands, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2003 · N299MA · Destroyed > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. - [NTSB DEN04FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04FA002.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Teasdale, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2003 · N7357W · Destroyed > The student pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the student pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, the low ceiling, the rain, the student… - [NTSB CHI03LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA315.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Chanute, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2003 · N122CC · Substantial damage > The pilot 's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in both his in-flight encounter with weather, and the loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the night conditions, fog, and the pilot becoming lost and… - [NTSB ATL03FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA137.md): Mooney M-20C · Monticello, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2003 · N2764W · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance and collision with trees. A factor was low ceiling. - [NTSB LAX03LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA297.md): Eurocopter France AS 350 BA · Hilo, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2003 · N5206J · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were fog, rough/uneven terrain, and spatial disorientation. - [NTSB LAX03LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA276.md): Mooney M20K · Novato, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2003 · N252AK · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to attempt VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions during the dark early morning takeoff, which resulted in spatial disorientation and lead to a collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. - [NTSB ANC03FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03FA106.md): Cessna T206H · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2003 · N72598 · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident were weather conditions consisting of clouds/mist and low ceilings, and the… - [NTSB LAX03LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA271.md): Mooney M20C · Watsonville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2003 · N707JH · Substantial damage > the non-instrument rated pilot's intentional continuance of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance with terrain. - [NTSB ATL03LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA131.md): Cessna 172M · Hendersonville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2003 · N19929 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather. The downdraft was a contributing factor. - [NTSB FTW03LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA209.md): Pilatus PC-6/C-H2 · Vigo Park, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2003 · N394R · Destroyed > The loss of propeller pitch control for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX03FA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA282.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Encinitas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2003 · N8049V · Destroyed > The student pilot's spatial disorientation and inadvertent descent into the ocean while maneuvering to avoid inclement weather. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision due to his improper approval of his student's preflight preparation… - [NTSB CHI03LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA267.md): Beech BE-76 · Hammond, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2003 · N1812S · Substantial damage > The pilot exceeded the design limits of the wings when he pulled out of an inadvertent spiral after he lost control of the airplane while operating in IMC conditions. Additional factors included the pilot's flight from VMC to IMC conditions, the turbulence in… - [NTSB NYC03LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA177.md): Boeing 737-800 · Wooster, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2003 · N329TZ · No damage > An inadvertent encounter with turbulence during descent. - [NTSB NYC03CA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA179.md): Cessna 172RG · Glens Falls, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2003 · N9673B · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control during the flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and the pilot's improper decision to land during thunderstorm activity. - [NTSB DEN03LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA142.md): McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81 · Greeley, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2003 · N814ME · No damage > the inflight encounter with severe turbulence. - [NTSB FTW03LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA195.md): Airbus Industrie A340-300 · Walnut Ridge, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2003 · D-AIGK · Minor damage > The flight crew's inadequate evaluation of the weather and their decision to continue the along the route of flight resulting in an encouter with severe turbulence. Contributing factors were the captain's instructions to continue food servicing in the cabin,… - [NTSB DEN03LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA139.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Crowheart, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2003 · N2973T · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning (attempting to exceed aircraft's published certificated performance), the pilot not obtaining sufficient altitude to clear the terrain (not possible), and the pilot's inadequate in flight planning/decision making.… - [NTSB CHI03FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA246.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Clarkfield, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2003 · N4577T · Destroyed > The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain and his continued VFR flight into IMC during cruise flight. A factor was the low ceilings. - [NTSB MIA03LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA155.md): McDonnell Douglas MD-82 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2003 · N7527A · No damage > The pilot-in-command's failure to sufficiently deviate to avoid known weather, and his failure to activate the seatbelt sign to ensure flight attendants and passengers were seated, which resulted in a passenger receiving serious injuries when the flight… - [NTSB IAD03FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA069.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Galion, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2003 · N577SK · Destroyed > The pilot's improper in-flight decision making and flight into known adverse weather conditions while maneuvering to land. Also causal was the pilot's failure to regard the pre-flight weather briefing. Factors were the thunderstorm, rain, wind gusts and hail. - [NTSB CHI03LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA242.md): Teratorn · Elbow Lake, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2003 · UNREG · Destroyed > The pilot's intentional flight into known fog and failure to maintain aircraft control during cruise flight. A factor was the fog, and the low altitude flight. - [NTSB LAX03FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA241.md): Bell 206B · Waialeale,Kauai, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2003 · N37741 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance/altitude while descending over mountainous terrain, and his continued flight into adverse weather. Factors contributing to the accident were clouds and a low ceiling. - [NTSB NYC03CA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA169.md): Boeing 757-251 · Wadsworth, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 22, 2003 · N504US · No damage > An in-flight encounter with turbulence. - [NTSB CHI03LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA237.md): Boeing B777-222 · Chicago, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2003 · N779UA · No damage > The turbulence encountered during the descent which seriously injured a passenger returning to her seat after the seat belt sign was activated. A factor was that it was not possible for the returning passenger to comply with the lit seat belt sign. - [NTSB DEN03LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA128.md): Grob G103 Twin Astir · Morgan, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2003 · N27TA · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to fly low over a mountain ridge. Contributing factors included the wind shear, altitude/clearance, and the… - [NTSB DEN03LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA126.md): National Ballooning 858 · Louisville, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2003 · N9011J · Substantial damage > The pilot's inability to control the balloon. Contributing factors include the high winds, the attempted remedial action by the pilot, the building, fence, and transmission wires. - [NTSB ANC03LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA071.md): Cessna 208B · Kotzebue, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2003 · N410GV · No damage > The airplane encountered unforecast turbulence, which resulted in serious injury to the pilot. - [NTSB NYC03FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA148.md): Beech F-35 · Middlesboro, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2003 · N205 · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to descend into clouds, and his exceeding the maximum speed and design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight breakup and subsequent collision with terrain. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=2003&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 year(c."eventDate") = 2003 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&year=2003 --- 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.