NTSB investigations, CO

133 cases where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with terrain/water”.

Cases per year

19822026
NTSB investigations, CO per year, 1982–2026: 133 cases
19828
19838
19846
19854
19864
19877
19885
19896
19904
19915
19925
19932
19946
19953
19967
19978
19983
19999
20003
20017
20025
20035
20042
20057
20074

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\" = 'CO' 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\" = 230)
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB DEN08FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, improper in-flight planning and decision making, the dark night, and the controller's failure to issue a safety…Oct 5, 2007 · N590GM · DestroyedNTSB DEN07CA154Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172R · Fort Collins, COThe student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.Aug 13, 2007 · N249FS · Substantial damageNTSB DEN07CA102Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportEagle RND Helicycle · Erie, COThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the helicopter impacting onto the airport ramp. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's failure to establish the landing flare in time.Jun 21, 2007 · N15XH · Substantial damageNTSB DEN07CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 120 · La Salle, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground. Contributing factors included the pilot's intentional low pass and his misjudging his altitude.Jan 17, 2007 · N1670V · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Lone Tree, COThe pilot's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Aug 14, 2005 · N425SG · DestroyedNTSB DFW05FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Parker, COThe pilot’s failure to fly a stabilized instrument approach at night which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were; the dark night, low clouds, the inadequate design and function of the airport facility’s Minimum Safe Altitude…Aug 4, 2005 · N454MA · DestroyedNTSB DEN05FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Marble, COthe pilot's improper decision to perform a go-around, and failure to maintain clearance from terrain and obstacles during a go-around. Factors contributing to the accident include the pilot's lack of recency of experience and lack of mountain flying…Jun 29, 2005 · N44269 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05LA088Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Colorado Spring, COthe flight instructor and pilot's improper decision to continue the attempted high altitude takeoff when Vy airspeed was not obtained, and failure to abort the takeoff which resulted in an off-field landing and subsequent impact with terrain. A contributing…Jun 11, 2005 · N2FY · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Telluride, COthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident were the high, rising terrain and fatigue.Jun 9, 2005 · N81659 · DestroyedNTSB DEN05LA068Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Morrison, COthe pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM during the approach which resulted in a landing short of the helipad.Apr 13, 2005 · N5690K · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05LA060Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiel Emeraude CP-305 · Del Norte, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain for undetermined reasons.Mar 1, 2005 · N9091 · DestroyedNTSB DEN04CA085Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet Blanik L-13 · Durango, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain, and the low approach.Jun 3, 2004 · N99860 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN04CA058Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter France EC 130 B4 · Watkins, COthe dual student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors contributing to the accident were inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot, the high wind, the gusts, and the crosswinds.Apr 8, 2004 · N151AC · Substantial damageNTSB DEN03LA078Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Aurora, COinadequate infligt planning/decision by the flight crew and the check pilot's failure to initiate remedial action in a timely manner. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision of the check pilot, the check pilot's lack of recency…May 8, 2003 · N70TV · Substantial damageNTSB DEN03LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Estes Park, COthe failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors include the high density altitude and the pilot-in-command's improper in-flight planning.Apr 2, 2003 · N56SM · Substantial damageNTSB DEN03FA059Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Grand Junction, COthe pilot's poor judgment and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to go home.Mar 27, 2003 · N53008 · DestroyedNTSB DEN03LA053Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Kremmling, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and his failure to maintain safe clearance from the high terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the high terrain and the dark night.Mar 20, 2003 · N711TZ · Substantial damageNTSB DEN03LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Gateway, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the snow-covered runway.Mar 3, 2003 · N714NF · Substantial damageNTSB FTW02FA262Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Chromo, COThe flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance with the mountainous terrain during the cross-country flight. A contributing factor was the dark night light conditions.Sep 24, 2002 · N6227J · DestroyedNTSB FTW02FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Gypsum, COThe pilot's failure to perform remedial action and maintain clearance with the rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's poor planning/decision, the rising terrain, and the high density altitude.Aug 1, 2002 · N6444J · DestroyedNTSB DEN02LA083Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Georgetown, COthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a flight through high mountainous terrain, and the pilot committing himself to a mountainous flight path where terrain clearance was not possible. Contributing factors were the high density altitude weather…Jul 26, 2002 · CGKRA · Substantial damageNTSB DEN02FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Briggsdale, COcontrolled descent into terrain for reasons undetermined.Jun 7, 2002 · N9775R · DestroyedNTSB DEN02FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Boulder, COthe pilot's intentional suicidal flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's psychological depressive state, and his use of inappropriate medication.Jan 5, 2002 · N78035 · DestroyedNTSB DEN02FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Palmer Lake, COthe pilot intentionally restricting his external vision (turning his cabin lights up bright to practice night instrument approaches), and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance of the mountain. A contributing factor was the Air Traffic Controller’s…Oct 28, 2001 · N45E · DestroyedNTSB DEN01FA151Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Montrose, COthe pilot's intentional abrupt maneuver immediately after takeoff and the subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors were high density altitude weather conditions, and the airplane improper weight and balance.Aug 23, 2001 · N8HU · DestroyedNTSB DEN01LA130Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Gunnison, COthe pilot's failure to attain the proper climb rate, and his improper inflight planning/decision to attempt to cross mountainous terrain at an inadequate altitude. Contributing factors were the downdraft and the pilot's total lack of experience in mountain…Jul 28, 2001 · N401TA · DestroyedNTSB DEN01FA111Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Meeker, COthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance as a result of his drug induced impairment. A factor was his exceeding the airplane's gross weight limits.May 29, 2001 · N5999V · DestroyedNTSB DCA01MA034Accident · 18 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGrumman Gulfstream III · Aspen, COthe flight crew's operation of the airplane below the minimum descent altitude without an appropriate visual reference for the runway. Contributing to the cause of the accident were the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) unclear wording of the March 27,…Mar 30, 2001 · N303GA · DestroyedNTSB DEN01FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Howard, COthe pilot's continuation of a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were his failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, and his failure to obtain any in-flight…Mar 10, 2001 · N222ED · DestroyedNTSB DCA01MA017Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 200 · Strasburg, COThe pilot’s spatial disorientation resulting from his failure to maintain positive manual control of the airplane with the available flight instrumentation. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the loss of a.c. electrical power during instrument…Jan 27, 2001 · N81PF · DestroyedNTSB DEN01LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Fort Collins, COFailure by the pilot to follow instrument approach procedures and execute a missed approach when the runway environment was not in sight at decision height. A factor was low ceiling.Oct 28, 2000 · N238Z · Substantial damageNTSB DEN00FA127Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Aspen, COthe pilot's poor in-flight decision to fly up a valley with rapidly rising terrain, which resulted in the airplane colliding with the terrain due to its climb performance being exceeded. A contributing factors was the high, rapidly rising, mountainous terrain.Jul 8, 2000 · N4377V · DestroyedNTSB DEN00FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 · Estes Park, COA descent below the surrounding terrain, by the pilot, in IMC conditions. Factors were high mountainous terrain, clouds, inaccurate weather evaluation by the pilot, and the pilot's flight into IMC conditions.Apr 30, 2000 · N7421S · DestroyedNTSB DEN00FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Aspen, COthe pilot's improper decision to fly directly up the center of the valley and not circle climb to gain sufficient terrain clearance altitude. A factor was inadequate route performance planning by the pilot.Oct 23, 1999 · N9548A · Substantial damageNTSB DEN99FA157Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Villa Grove, COThe flight instructor's improper inflight decision to enter a narrow blind/box canyon, and his misjudgment of the vertical and lateral clearances. A factor was the downdrafts.Sep 1, 1999 · N4366D · DestroyedNTSB DEN99LA155Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-4 (AT-6) · Mack, COThe pilot misjudging his distance and altitude from the runway. A factor was the tall crops.Aug 28, 1999 · N7011C · Substantial damageNTSB DEN99LA152Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Salida, COAn inadvertent stall during an aborted landing. A factor was the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing.Aug 21, 1999 · N6249Z · Substantial damageNTSB DEN99LA128Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Limon, COThe pilot's selection of the wrong runway for takeoff. Factors were a direct tailwind and high density altitude that deteriorated the airplane's climb capability, and unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.Jul 24, 1999 · N4540A · Substantial damageNTSB DEN99FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPitts S-2B · Steamboat Sprgs, COIntentional aerobatics performed by the pilot at an altitude insufficient to make a safe recovery.Jul 5, 1999 · N321MB · DestroyedNTSB DEN99LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Grand Junction, COThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation for the runway and the environment in which he intended to fly. Factors were high-density altitude and a dirt runway.Jun 12, 1999 · N7556R · Substantial damageNTSB DEN99FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Gill, COThe pilot's intentional maneuvering at an unwarranted low altitude resulting in a collision with the ground. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious behavioral display and reduced lighting (dusk) conditions.Mar 14, 1999 · N6085A · DestroyedNTSB DEN99LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Longmont, COThe pilot's poor judgment by intentionally buzzing. A factor was an unfavorable wind that caused inadequate altitude/clearance to maneuver and avoid nearby houses.Jan 16, 1999 · N555NP · DestroyedNTSB DEN99FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Hayden, COThe pilot not following instrument procedures and subsequently descended to minimums prematurely. Factors were the mountainous terrain and the falling snow.Oct 28, 1998 · N35533 · DestroyedNTSB FTW98LA379Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Lamar, COThe pilot's failure to maintain climb airspeed, and inadvertently allowing the airplane to stall/mush. A factor was the embankment.Aug 28, 1998 · N704DL · Substantial damageNTSB FTW98LA335Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Franktown, COFlight at an altitude insufficient to clear terrain. Factors were the pilot's failure to reset or correct a precessing directional gyro, his becoming lost/disoriented, and dark night light conditions.Jul 27, 1998 · N5147N · Substantial damageNTSB FTW98FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A100 · Colo Springs, COFailure of the pilot to follow IFR Procedures and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA). A related factor was fog.Dec 21, 1997 · N100BE · DestroyedNTSB FTW97FA340Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Montrose, COInadequate preflight and in-flight planning, preparation and decision making. A related factor was the improper use of flaps.Sep 8, 1997 · N9043G · DestroyedNTSB FTW97FA299Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Colorado Spring, COfailure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures; and his failure to maintain proper altitude, while executing a missed approach from an attempted ILS approach. Related factors included: low ceiling, rain, fog, the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability,…Aug 5, 1997 · N258W · DestroyedNTSB FTW97LA297Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Creede, COThe pilot's intentional low altitude flight over mountainous terrain, inadequate altitude to clear surrounding obstacles, and his misjudging vertical clearance. A factor was the pilot's use of an inappropriate chart for navigation.Aug 3, 1997 · N179DD · DestroyedNTSB FTW97LA256Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLet Blanik L-13 · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot's improper inflight planning in that he allowed the glider to descend to too low an altitude and stray too far from the airport, exceeding the aircraft's glide capabilities. A factor was his failure to utilize maximum braking action.Jul 4, 1997 · N65378 · Substantial damage