The pilot’s failure to select and maintain an adequate terrain avoidance cruising altitude. Contributing factors were the dark conditions, the rising mountainous terrain and the controller’s failure to issue a terrain-related safety alert.
NTSB Accidents
Premature parachute deployment leads to loss of aircraft control
Aircraft control not possible by the pilot following a premature deployment of a parachute as a parachutist exited the jump airplane during cruise flight.
Poor pre-flight, full flap take-off lead to fatal LOC accident
The pilot’s inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with full flaps, and subsequent loss of control.
VFR into IMC fatal for two
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning and decision making which led to VFR flight into IMC and loss of aircraft control.
Depression medication cited in CFIT accident
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from high terrain while maneuvering.
Poor pre-flight planning leads to fuel exhaustion
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning and decision making, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Flight over friend’s riverside home ends tragically
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with the water.
Got fuel? This pilot didn’t and ended p in a cornfield
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
ATC contributes to fatal Arkansas accident
The pilot’s failure to fly the published instrument approach, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the air traffic controllers’ failure to provide known information that may have assisted the pilot in determining whether to continue with the approach or take alternate action.

