# NTSB investigations, CA: On ground/water encounter with terrain/water 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 · 63 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB SEA08CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA018.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Stockton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 1, 2007 · N4153M · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a ditch while taxiing. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and the ditch. - [NTSB LAX07IA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07IA008.md): Gulfstream G1159B · Burbank, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2006 · N113AR · No damage > The pilot's improper decision to continue to taxi onto an unusable taxi area clearly marked as such. A finding in the accident was the incorrectly depicted EMAS area on the approach chart. - [NTSB LAX07CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA013.md): Aviat A-1A · Woodlake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2006 · N40AW · Substantial damage > the collapse of the landing gear during the landing roll out due to an encounter with rough uneven terrain. Also causal was the pilot's in-flight decision to land on the unsuitable mountainous uneven terrain with hidden obstructions. - [NTSB LAX06CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA021.md): Dirks Glaser DG-300 · California City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 29, 2005 · N30AS · Destroyed > the pilot's inadvertent retraction of the gear and failure to deploy the spoilers, and his subsequent failure to attain a proper touchdown point. - [NTSB LAX05CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA111.md): Cessna 172A · Emigrant Gap, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 11, 2005 · N4682G · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his selection of an unsuitable landing area, resulting in an encounter with a snow-covered runway. - [NTSB LAX04CA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA130.md): Cessna 172S · Riverside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2004 · N262TA · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper alignment with the taxiway. Factors in the accident were the dusk lighting conditions and pilot not understanding the ground control taxi clearance. - [NTSB LAX04CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA085.md): Cessna 172N · Hayfork, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2004 · N390BV · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt a landing on a snow covered runway without ascertaining the depth of the snow cover. - [NTSB LAX03CA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA286.md): Beech 58 · Kneeland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2003 · N258SJ · Substantial damage > poor braking action due to the undulating runway surface and crumbling asphalt resulting in an on ground encounter with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the necessity for the pilot to fly an increased approach angle due to the trees at the approach… - [NTSB LAX02LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA094.md): Cessna 172N · Madera, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2002 · N1977F · Substantial damage > The pilot's becoming lost/disoriented. - [NTSB LAX00LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA298.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2000 · N16411 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the runway during approach for landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate and improper preflight planning and in-flight decision. - [NTSB LAX00TA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00TA186.md): McDonnell Douglas 500N · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 8, 2000 · N955SD · Substantial damage > The combined failure of the operator management and the check pilot to ensure the landing area was suitable for the slide on landing. Factors were the high vegetation that entangled the skids, resulting in the abrupt stop and nose down movement of the… - [NTSB LAX98LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA242.md): Enstrom F28A · Pleasanton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1998 · N288Q · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action and the student pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM. A factor was the downhill terrain. - [NTSB LAX98LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA231.md): Cessna 182RG · Cameron Park, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 1998 · N4825R · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to initiate a turn to exit the runway at an excessive rate of speed. - [NTSB LAX98LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA130.md): Cessna 150A · Apple Valley, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 1998 · N6640T · Substantial damage > The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. - [NTSB LAX97LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA233.md): Cessna 152 · Madera, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1997 · N64954 · Substantial damage > the student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff. - [NTSB LAX97LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA153.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Healdsburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1997 · N8188X · Substantial damage > The loss of pressure in the landing gear normal brake system for undetermined reasons requiring the pilot to make an intentional ground loop to stop the aircraft. - [NTSB LAX97LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA077.md): Cessna 140 · Emigrant Gap, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1996 · N76857 · Substantial damage > the pilot's misjudgment of altitude/clearance while attempting a precautionary landing on a closed, snow covered runway. - [NTSB LAX97LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA045.md): Air Tractor AT-401 · Calexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1996 · N1014N · Substantial damage > the pilot's premature lift-off from the runway and his failure to attain adequate airspeed. - [NTSB LAX96LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA316.md): Cessna 172F · Ocotillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1996 · N5543R · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment. The sun glare and proximity of rocks were related factors. - [NTSB LAX96LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA320.md): Piper PA-28-236 · Paradise, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 1996 · N627WB · Substantial damage > The pilot's attempted flight into known adverse weather conditions. - [NTSB LAX95LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA147.md): Robinson R-22B · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 1995 · N8320A · Substantial damage > the unsuitable terrain selected by the pilots. - [NTSB LAX93LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA219.md): Cessna 182Q · Concord, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 15, 1993 · N735HD · Substantial damage > The passenger/dual student's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight. - [NTSB LAX93LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA256.md): Cessna 150M · Lakeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 1993 · N6566G · Substantial damage > The student pilot's delayed flare and improper bounced landing recovery technique which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise and a collision with the runway. A factor in the accident was the student's lack of total experience. - [NTSB LAX93LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA073.md): Robinson R-22B · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1992 · N2338M · Substantial damage > A failure of the dual student (second pilot) to properly perform the touch down, and properly assess the terrain at the point of touch down, of an intentional autorotation. Contributing to the accident was a failure of the flight instructor (first pilot) to… - [NTSB ATL92IA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92IA151.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 · Los Angeles, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1992 · N803DE · Minor damage > The pilot in command's improper use of the aircraft flight controls (elevator) during the landing, which resulted in the aircraft tail contacting the runway surface. - [NTSB LAX92LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA259.md): Grumman G-164B · Robbins, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 1992 · N48658 · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate wing tip clearance between the aircraft and a dirt bank paralleling the airstrip. - [NTSB LAX92LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA256.md): Lake 200 · Clearlake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1992 · N67C · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation of the wind on the Lake and his delay in lift-off. Contributing to the accident was the rough water that existed on the unsheltered section of the Lake. - [NTSB LAX91LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA362.md): Schweizer G164B · Verona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1991 · N7501K · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper planning/decision to depart from a runway with high vegetation along the edge and subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB LAX91LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA312.md): Cessna 172N · Mariposa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1991 · N6521J · Substantial damage > The pilot misjudging his planned approach. A down-sloping runway surface was a factor in the accident. - [NTSB LAX91LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA167.md): Cessna 414A · Avenal, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1991 · N242AR · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control after striking a dirt berm during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to ensure that the airport was adequate for his intended operations. - [NTSB LAX91LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA047.md): Balloon Works Firefly 8-24 · Poway, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1990 · N7113U · Minor damage > The pilot's failure to obtain a proper touchdown point. Contributing factors which related to the basket's tipping over were the pilot's misjudging the wind direction and the wind's relative high speed. - [NTSB LAX90LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA161.md): Piper PA28-140 · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 1990 · N4343F · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. - [NTSB LAX90FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA148.md): McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10F · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1990 · N68056 · Substantial damage > Pilot failed to adhere to established landing procedures, maintain a stabilized approach, and allowed the airspeed to go below the predicted v. - [NTSB LAX90LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA122.md): Boeing 737-300 · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 1990 · N306AW · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper rotation during takeoff. - [NTSB LAX90LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA077.md): Cessna 182Q · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 1990 · N759KM · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout. - [NTSB LAX90LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA100.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 1990 · N222ES · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper handling of the airplane during taxi. - [NTSB LAX90LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA099.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Big Bear, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 1990 · N2134E · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance between the aircraft wing tip and the snow bank. A factor in the accident was the snow berms alongside the runway. - [NTSB LAX89DVA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA08.md): Schweizer G-164B · Livingston, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 18, 1989 · N8371K · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff on unsuitable terrain. A factor was the water on the airstrip. - [NTSB LAX89DVG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVG02.md): Knowles Thorp T-18 · Lincoln, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Dec 4, 1988 · N77KK · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoffs and landings on a local flight. During one of those landings he indicated that the right wheel locked up and caused the aircraft to veer to the right. He stated that he subsequently lost control of the aircraft… - [NTSB LAX88DVG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG09.md): Schweizer G-164B · Robbins, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 30, 1988 · N3633C · Substantial damage > During landing roll, after an aerial application flight, the sprayboom became entangled in weeds. The airplane ground looped and nosed over. There were no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane at the time of the accident. - [NTSB LAX88DVG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG06.md): Cessna 188 · Upper Lake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jun 23, 1988 · N4946Q · Destroyed > The acdt occurred drg an aerial app flt. The pilot reported that he had flown 6 or 7 flights earlier in the day. Each flight the load was reduced due to the increasing temperature of the day. Just prior to the accident, the pilot reported that the takeoff… - [NTSB LAX88LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA156.md): Eiriavion PIK 20D · Saint Helena, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 1988 · N1NZ · Minor damage > The flight departed vacaville gliderport on an aero tow. The plt intended to fly to calistoga, CA and return. After passing st. Helena, CA, the thermal activity began to decrease. The plt executed a 180 deg turn to return to vacaville. When the flt was over… - [NTSB LAX87LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA228.md): Cessna 120 · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1987 · N76546 · Substantial damage > A Cessna 120 landed left of the runway on a rough dirt area and nosed over. The pilot indicated that the airport is not lighted. The runway is equipped with white reflectors and the taxiways are equipped with amber reflectors. The pilot stated he was unable… - [NTSB LAX86LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA352.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Likely, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1986 · N8085W · Substantial damage > The airplane departed san jose airport (sjc), san jose, CA on a business flight in an area near Likely, CA. The pilot intentionally landed on an open dirt area to obtain a soil sample. During the landing roll-out the airplane's left main gear separated after… - [NTSB LAX86LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA194.md): Cessna 150H · Davis, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1986 · N50007 · Substantial damage > The acft landed on a privately own ranch dirt airstrip. The plt reported the landing was normal, but during the landing roll the acft nosewheel struck a small ditch causing it to nose over onto its back. The pilot did not report any preimpact acft… - [NTSB LAX86LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA019.md): Beech 24R · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 1985 · N9323S · Substantial damage > The acft collided with a ditch during taxi to takeoff. The plt was taxiing into the sun and went into the ditch when the taxiway turned to the rt. The plt said he was blinded by the rising sun. - [NTSB SEA85LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA191.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Coalinga, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 1985 · N6927P · Substantial damage > The plt mistakenly landed on a pvt airstrip and during a x-wind landing made a go around due to a gust of wind. The acft struck a dirt berm with the right wing and the right main gear. - [NTSB LAX85LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA209.md): Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 1985 · N20HS · Substantial damage > The plt attempted to land the glider near the rwy threshold in order to be ready for an immediate relaunch. He reported that he was aware of vegetation, located along the edge of the rwy, but said that he misjudged its height. The right wing contacted the… - [NTSB LAX85LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA172.md): Cessna 152 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 1985 · N95491 · Substantial damage > According to the plt she flared too late and was too close to the left side of the 50 ft wide rwy at touchdown. The acft veered left on the lndg roll and the left main gear struck a snowbank. The plt tried to steer out of the snowbank but the nose gear also… - [NTSB LAX85LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA140.md): Cessna 177RG · Ukiah, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 1985 · N2180Q · Substantial damage > On a dark night, the plt failed to observe that the taxiway (on which he was taxiing) made a 90 deg turn to connect with the beginning of the rwy. Where the taxiway turned, the acft continued straight ahead & went into a 3 ft deep ditch. There were no taxiway… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?state=CA&occurrence=320&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" = 'CA' 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" = 320) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=320&state=CA --- 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.