# NTSB investigations, 2004: 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 · 115 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB NYC05LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA033.md): Cessna 172N · Mount Gilead, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2004 · N737AZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the rapidly deteriorating weather.
- [NTSB NYC05CA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA037.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Johnstown, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2004 · N300WE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in airframe ice with subsequent degradation of aircraft performance, and inadequate airspeed during the landing flare.
- [NTSB CHI05FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA042.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Glenwood, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2004 · N587C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to execute a missed approach and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from terrain and obstructions. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, his decision to delay descent…
- [NTSB LAX05FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA045.md): Cessna T310R · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2004 · N592DM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to attempt flight into known adverse weather conditions beyond the capability of the airplane and his failure to ensure that the airplane's wings were free of ice and/or snow contamination that accumulated while the airplane was on the…
- [NTSB MIA05FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05FA028.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Dubbs, MS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N56960 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his in-flight loss of control, resulting in overstress of the airframe and subsequent structural failure.
- [NTSB LAX05FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA034.md): Beech A36 · Lake Havasu, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N6111C · Destroyed
  > the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions leading to spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control.
- [NTSB DEN05LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA023.md): Cessna 152 · Lyons, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N48943 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his intentional VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
- [NTSB LAX05FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA023.md): Cessna 182Q · Lebec, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2004 · N95902 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain, low ceilings, and turbulence.
- [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 CHI05FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA020.md): Beech A36 · Downing, MO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2004 · N55448 · Destroyed
  > The pilot not maintaing airplane control during cruise flight. Factors present were night and thunderstorm conditions.
- [NTSB CHI05FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA016.md): Cessna P210N · Wautoma, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2004 · N5485W · Destroyed
  > The pilot not maintaining airplane control during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions after reporting a loss of gyros leading to his exceeding the design load limits of the wings. Factors were the clouds, the deteriorated vacuum manifold…
- [NTSB LAX05FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA015.md): Learjet 35A · San Diego, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2004 · N30DK · Destroyed
  > The failure of the flight crew to maintain terrain clearance during a VFR departure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain, and the air traffic controller's issuance of a clearance that transferred the responsibility for terrain clearance from the…
- [NTSB LAX05LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA014.md): AMS Flight Carat A · Minden, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2004 · N418AP · Destroyed
  > the pilot's likely inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions created by the rapidly changing cloud conditions that resulted in his spatial disorientation and exceeding the glider's ultimate design loads while in a spiral dive, which resulted…
- [NTSB ATL05FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05FA008.md): Beech F33A · Flat Rock, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2004 · N18303 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. Factors were low ceilings and fog.
- [NTSB DEN05FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05FA012.md): Beech F35 · Chester, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2004 · N3889B · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the briefing recommendation, fog, mist, and observation.
- [NTSB CHI05LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA012.md): Cessna 150M · Ashley, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2004 · N63439 · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and his not maintaining aircraft control during cruise flight. Factors present were the night condition and low ceilings.
- [NTSB ATL05FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05FA010.md): Beech B-55 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2004 · N322WW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot initiated flight into known adverse weather conditions (thunderstorms), which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent in-flight collision with the ground.
- [NTSB ANC05FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05FA008.md): Piper PA-18 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 2004 · N4126E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with water during maneuvering flight. Factors contributing to the accident were fog and low ceilings.
- [NTSB DEN05FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05FA011.md): Cessna 182R · Idaho Springs, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2004 · N9437H · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain, and his inadequate planning and decision making resulting in VFR flight into IMC. Contributing factors include the pilot's self-induced pressure to arrive at his destination, the low ceiling and the fog.
- [NTSB NYC05FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA001.md): Cessna 172N · Germantown, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2004 · N2771J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud conditions.
- [NTSB NYC05CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA004.md): Boeing Stearman B75-N1 · Jaffery, NH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 9, 2004 · N49738 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft wind condition and the airplane's inability to climb, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind conditions.
- [NTSB DEN05CA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA009.md): Thunder and Colt 180A · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 9, 2004 · N784TC · No damage
  > the balloon pilot's improper in-flight planning and failure to maintain aircraft control during descent into high winds resulting in a hard landing and subsequent serious injury to a passenger. Factors contributing to the accident were the high winds and…
- [NTSB DFW05CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA004.md): Schweizer SGS 1-26E · El Paso, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 8, 2004 · N17911 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude during a local soaring flight. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the landing.
- [NTSB FTW05CA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW05CA001.md): Aerostar S-60A · Austin, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 4, 2004 · N70466 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive descent rate during the execution of a high wind landing, resulting in a hard landing. A factor was the high wind.
- [NTSB DEN05LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA004.md): Worner Balloon Works NL-1000 · Chama, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2004 · DOYES · Destroyed
  > the lightning strike and subsequent failure of the balloon's envelope, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB MIA04LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA134.md): Boeing 767-232 · Caribbean Sea · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2004 · N109DL · No damage
  > An inadvertent encounter with severe turbulence during cruise, which resulted in a flight attendant being injured.
- [NTSB MIA04LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA133.md): Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 · Vega Baja, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2004 · N902GD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning which resulted in an inflight encounter with weather (low ceilings and thunderstorms), his loss of aircraft control, and an inflight collision with the ocean during uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB CHI04FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA284.md): Cessna 182Q · Morris, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2004 · N735VY · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation that resulted flight into night instrument meteorological conditions and a subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night experience and the low cloud ceiling at…
- [NTSB LAX04FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA329.md): Bell 206B · Kalaheo, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Sep 25, 2004 · N16849 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into an area of turbulent, reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control of the helicopter. Contributing to this accident was…
- [NTSB SEA04GA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04GA192.md): Cessna U206G · Essex, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Sep 20, 2004 · N206SM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misidentification of the airplane's location, which resulted in his improper decision to fly into the wrong drainage, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing a turn to reverse course after he realized his navigational error.…
- [NTSB LAX04LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA324.md): Cirrus SR-22 · Peters, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2004 · N931CD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather and the subsequent encounter with the outer boundaries of a level 5 thunderstorm, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane.
- [NTSB CHI04LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA264.md): Cessna 401 · New Century, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2004 · N408TE · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during approach to an alternate airport. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, his flight into adverse weather,…
- [NTSB ATL04CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA188.md): Cessna 172L · Kill Devil Hlls, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 17, 2004 · N986AC · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight encounter with a downdraft on final approach, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with the ground.
- [NTSB SEA04FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA190.md): Cessna U206F · Stanley, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2004 · N20GV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain aircraft control.
- [NTSB IAD04LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA050.md): Embraer EMB-135KL · Clyde, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2004 · N810AE · No damage
  > An unexpected encounter with clear air turbulence.
- [NTSB DEN04CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04CA132.md): Cameron Balloons A-210 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2004 · N4503V · No damage
  > the passenger losing her balance during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the increased wind velocity.
- [NTSB ANC04LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA098.md): de Havilland DHC-3 · McGrath, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2004 · N197TT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings due to smoke, rain, and mist.
- [NTSB SEA04MA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04MA167.md): Bell 407 · Battle Mountain, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2004 · N2YN · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper decision to take the direct route over mountainous terrain, the dark night conditions, and the pressure to complete the mission induced by the…
- [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 CHI04LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA231.md): Stephen T-Bird TBT06 · Gobles, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2004 · N655DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in an encounter with a downdraft that exceeded the climb capabilities of the airplane. The downdraft and the trees were factors.
- [NTSB NYC04LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA193.md): Globe Swift GC-1B · Wolfeboro, NH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2004 · N78176 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind condition. The windshear was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB IAD04LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA036.md): Cessna 172M · Brownville Junc, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2004 · N12959 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.
- [NTSB FTW04FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA208.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Burnet, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2004 · N927RP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. A contributing factor was the cloudy weather.
- [NTSB CHI04FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA215.md): Jorgensen Velocity XL-RG · Belvidere, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2004 · N190J · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's VFR flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in an inverted flat spin, in-flight breakup, and explosion.
- [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 DCA04MA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA04MA061.md): Boeing 777 · Miami, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Major investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2004 · N797AN · No damage
  > the in-flight encounter with unforecasted clear air turbulence.
- [NTSB NYC04FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA170.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Wheeling, WV · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2004 · N7710M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing an instrument approach. A factor was the night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ATL04FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA159.md): Beech 36TC · Sylvester, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2004 · N1525M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in flight into thunderstorms resulting in an in-flight breakup of the airframe.
- [NTSB NYC04LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA168.md): Airbus Industrie A319 · Flat Rock, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2004 · N812AW · No damage
  > An inadvertent encounter with turbulence in clouds during descent.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=2004&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") = 2004
  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=2004

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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.
