The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, the low ceiling weather conditions, and dark night conditions.
NTSB Accidents
January 2005 Accident Reports
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach for undetermined reasons.
December 2004 Accident Reports
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s improper in-flight emergency planning when he misjudged his available altitude and made a 270° turn away from the airport instead of proceeding directly to it, which resulted in him landing over a mile short of the runway in heavily wooded terrain.
December 2004 Accident Reports
The pilot’s incapacitation, resulting in a loss of aircraft control.
Poor situational awareness leads to CFIT
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.
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.

