# NTSB investigations, 2003, CA

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 4 · 182 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX04LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA083.md): Cessna 210 · Rialto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2003 · N6539X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his fuel mismanagement and his delay in initiating remedial action which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
- [NTSB LAX04CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA082.md): Cessna 172N · Angels Camp, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2003 · N461BD · Substantial damage
  > the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were factors.
- [NTSB LAX04LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA079.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2003 · N53879 · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the pin that secured the right rudder pedal to the brake cylinder arm due to improper installation of the pin. Also causal was the manufacturer's confusing maintenance instructions regarding the installation of the right rudder pedal pin and…
- [NTSB LAX04LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA089.md): Cessna 172L · Vacaville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2003 · N7668G · No damage
  > the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
- [NTSB LAX04FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA077.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Avalon, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N3747U · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to properly execute the published missed approach procedure.
- [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 LAX04FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA075.md): Learjet 24B · Helendale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Dec 23, 2003 · N600XJ · Destroyed
  > A loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.
- [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 LAX04LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA073.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Temecula, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2003 · N7189U · Substantial damage
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA070.md): Luscombe 8E · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 18, 2003 · N1338B · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
- [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 LAX04FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA068.md): Cessna 182P · Watsonville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N1595M · Destroyed
  > a loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. A contributing factor was the pilot/owner's failure to comply with the appropriate Airworthiness Directive.
- [NTSB LAX04FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA067.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Redlands, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N1225D · Destroyed
  > a loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently turning off the magnetos and his failure to initiate an autorotation and to maintain main rotor rpm. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of an over-the-counter medication that impaired his…
- [NTSB LAX04FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA066.md): Cessna 421C · Claremont, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2003 · N6887L · Destroyed
  > the pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.
- [NTSB LAX04CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA065.md): Beech 58P · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 9, 2003 · N58JG · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the vehicle while taxiing.
- [NTSB LAX04LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA062.md): Cessna 172N · Snelling, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2003 · N739SU · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation caused by the failure of the engine driven oil pump.
- [NTSB LAX04FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA064.md): Iniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 650 TC · Placerville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2003 · N14XL · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to fully remove an accumulation of ice and frost on the wings, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly configure the flaps for takeoff.
- [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 LAX04LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA060.md): Cessna 172S · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2003 · N396TA · Substantial damage
  > loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA058.md): Cessna 525 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 2003 · N15C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and to initiate a timely go-around when visual contact with the runway was lost.
- [NTSB LAX04LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA055.md): Goodyear GZ-20A · Gardena, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2003 · N10A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed go-around during final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a fence. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from obstructions.
- [NTSB LAX04FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA057.md): Wing D-1 · Rosamond, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2003 · N8602J · Destroyed
  > The flying pilot's failure to obtain/maintain control of the airplane during practice stalls, which resulted in the inadvertent entry into a spin.
- [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 LAX04LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA047.md): Beech A36TC · Visalia, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2003 · N52AM · Substantial damage
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA045.md): OMF OMF-100-160 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2003 · N290MF · Minor damage
  > the pilot's failure to either brief the passenger about disembarking from an airplane with the propeller running or to shutdown the engine during the passenger's disembarkation. The night lighting condition and the passenger's lack of familiarity with…
- [NTSB LAX04LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA050.md): Boeing 747-422 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2003 · N178UA · Substantial damage
  > a tail strike due to a combination of the wind shifting from a headwind to a tailwind during rotation, and the pilot's control inputs for the crosswind condition.
- [NTSB LAX04LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA044.md): American Champion 7GCAA · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2003 · N124WD · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a sign and an unoccupied airplane.
- [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 LAX04LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA039.md): Zivko Edge 540-T · King City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2003 · N540RC · Substantial damage
  > The after market manufacturer's improper application of a crankshaft, which exceeded the original manufacturer's intended use. A factor in the accident was the oil covering the windscreen, which restricted the pilot's ability to see.
- [NTSB LAX04LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA038.md): Cathaway RV-6A · Saticoy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2003 · N102RC · Destroyed
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of a loose B-nut fitting for the carburetor fuel inlet line, which allowed fuel to leak out.
- [NTSB LAX04FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA037.md): Robinson R22 Beta II · Torrance, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2003 · N206TV · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilot of the R22 to comply with an ATC clearance.
- [NTSB LAX04LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA034.md): Canadair T33 · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2003 · N99192 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during low altitude maneuvers.
- [NTSB LAX04LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA033.md): Davidson-Thorpe T-18 · Coalinga, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2003 · N66MY · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and hi failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
- [NTSB LAX04LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA030.md): Cessna 310C · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2003 · N6674B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed on the approach resulting in an overrun.
- [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 LAX04LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA029.md): North American T-28B · Hornbrook, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2003 · N28AF · Destroyed
  > a catastrophic engine failure from oil exhaustion due to inadequate maintenance installation of the lubricating system hoses.
- [NTSB LAX04LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA028.md): Mooney M20K · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2003 · N1147N · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to configure the airplane properly for the go-around which resulted in degraded climb performance, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The tailwind was a contributing factor.
- [NTSB LAX04LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA027.md): Piper PA 28-161 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N39494 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > the pilot of the other airplane's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the collision with the Cessna 172R.
- [NTSB LAX04LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA025.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N15192 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path on final approach and his failure to ensure adequate clearance from obstacles. The dark night was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX04CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA026.md): Piper PA-20 · Petaluma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N7409K · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB LAX04CA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA024.md): Cessna 172N · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N738YL · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow engine out emergency procedures as defined by the pilot operating handbook.
- [NTSB LAX04CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA023.md): Cessna 172M · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2003 · N80543 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX04LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA022.md): American AA-1 · San Martin, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2003 · N5968L · Substantial damage
  > The absence of compression in two of the airplane's four cylinders, and the pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain the engine in an airworthy condition, which resulted in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX04LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA020.md): Cessna 170 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 2003 · N3979V · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to determine the security of his seat, and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX04LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA016.md): Beech A36 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2003 · N700TT · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to thermal fatigue failure of the first stage turbine wheel resulting in release of a section of its rim. The thermal fatigue was due to the engine exceeding its temperature limits during one or more start cycles.
- [NTSB LAX04LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA015.md): Bell UH-1B · Durham, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2003 · N234SJ · Substantial damage
  > Separation of the power turbine shaft retaining bolt resulting in extensive power turbine area damage and a loss of shaft output power.
- [NTSB LAX04TA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA018.md): Bell UH-1H · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 15, 2003 · N114FD · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of a planetary reduction gear.
- [NTSB LAX04CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA013.md): Cleveland Orson Starduster II SA-300 · Stockton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2003 · N379C · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from the parked airplane.
- [NTSB LAX04LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA012.md): Rockwell International S-2R · Lemoore, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2003 · N7950V · Substantial damage
  > a loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA011.md): Cessna 172RG · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N6543V · Substantial damage
  > The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=2003&state=CA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?state=CA&year=2003

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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.
