# Final NTSB investigations: Flight instrument malf/fail

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA226.md): Cessna 182L · Tucson Estates, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2025 · N42725 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inability to stop the airplane on the runway during a rejected takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with a ditch.
- [NTSB WPR25LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA107.md): Cessna T207A · Tusayan, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2025 · N9317M · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with wind gusts, which resulted in a loss of control and a collapse of the nose landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA24LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA007.md): Cirrus SR22 · Martinsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2023 · N253BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff while distracted by primary flight display anomaly and terrain alerts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, which…
- [NTSB ERA23LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA135.md): Bombardier BD-100-1A10 · Windsor Locks, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Mar 3, 2023 · N300ER · Minor damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to remove the right side pitot probe cover before flight, their decision to depart with a No-Go advisory message following an aborted takeoff, and their selection of the incorrect non-normal checklist in flight, which resulted in an…
- [NTSB ANC23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA008.md): Raytheon C90A · Kaupo, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 15, 2022 · N13GZ · Substantial damage
  > Guardian Flight’s inadequate pilot training and performance tracking, which failed to identify and correct the pilot’s consistent lack of skill, and which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain his position inflight using secondary instruments to…
- [NTSB CEN21LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA232.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Whitewater, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 16, 2021 · N4144B · Substantial damage
  > An inflight instrument malfunction for reasons that could not be determined based on available information, which led to the pilot’s decision to activate the airframe parachute system.
- [NTSB ERA20FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA021.md): Piper PA28R · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 30, 2019 · N56258 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.
- [NTSB ERA19FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA130.md): Mooney M20C · Cashiers, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N6075Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.
- [NTSB CEN19LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA016.md): Rotorway 162 · Passaic, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2018 · N162RF · Substantial damage
  > The electrical short in the main rotor rpm indicating unit which provided an inaccurate indication to the student pilot and resulted in substantial damage during the precautionary autorotation.
- [NTSB WPR18FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA218.md): Mooney M20K · Baker City, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2018 · N231EC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the landing approach as a result of his diversion of attention after a series of non-essential aircraft systems became inoperative following the failure of the engine-driven vacuum pump,…
- [NTSB GAA18CA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA407.md): Beech 58 · Mackinac Island, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2018 · N66568 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to remove the pitot tube cover during the preflight inspection, which resulted in his delayed decision to reject the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA032.md): Cessna T207A · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2017 · N9825M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper in-flight fuel management and reliance on a faulty fuel gauge, which resulted in fuel starvation during approach for landing, and his failure to follow the emergency checklist after losing engine power.
- [NTSB CEN17LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA184.md): Mooney M20E · Dowling, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 15, 2017 · N9265M · Substantial damage
  > Innacurate airspeed indications due to contamination of the pitot-static system with insect remains, which resulted in a high approach and landing speed and subsequent runway overrun.
- [NTSB ERA17LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA163.md): Robinson R44 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2017 · N899GB · Substantial damage
  > A partial failure of the helicopter's engine tachometer due to the separation of one of the magnet assemblies and engine roughness, which precipitated the pilot’s initiation of an off-airport autorotation, during which he applied improper aft cyclic flight…
- [NTSB ERA16LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA082.md): Pilatus PC-12 · Savannah, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2016 · N978AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to follow proper procedures in response to a crew alerting system warning for high engine torque values, which necessitated an off-runway emergency landing during which the airplane sustained substantial damage due to postimpact fire.…
- [NTSB CEN15LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA149.md): Piper PA 32RT-300T · Lubbock, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2015 · N22267 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff after the airplane did not lift off as expected due to an inaccurate airspeed indication and tailwind condition, which resulted in a subsequent runway overrun.
- [NTSB ENG15IA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG15IA037.md): Boeing 787-8 · London, United Kingdom · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2014 · N26906 · Minor damage
  > A shutdown of the displays due to the inability to operate through a rapid transient radiated electric field brought on by a near field lightning strike. Contributing to the loss of displays for the remainder of the flight was the lack of guidance to the crew…
- [NTSB WPR14FA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA349.md): Beech V35B · Novato, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2014 · N1160T · Substantial damage
  > The instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual approach to the airport in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of situational awareness, the…
- [NTSB WPR14CA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA334.md): Jabiru USA Sport J250 SP · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 8, 2014 · N526FL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate approach which resulted in a long landing and runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN14FA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA278.md): Hermann Bjorn Lancair IV · Duluth, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2014 · N86NW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while operating in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, which was due to spatial disorientation resulting from erroneous heading and bank angle information shown on the primary flight display. Contributing…
- [NTSB ERA14FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA168.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Brunswick, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2014 · N923RS · Destroyed
  > An inflight failure of the airplane's only operating vacuum pump, which resulted in the loss of attitude information provided by vacuum-driven flight instruments. Also causal was the pilots' failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating in…
- [NTSB ERA13FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA275.md): Cessna 340A · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N217JP · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin after he climbed the airplane back into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to continue…
- [NTSB CEN12LA532](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA532.md): Cessna 177B · Evansville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2012 · N34283 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to an inaccurate attitude reference, which was caused by an impending (“in process”) failure of the bearing in the attitude indicator.
- [NTSB CEN12FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA164.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Albany, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2012 · N7147P · Substantial damage
  > The loss of flight instrumentation due to a failed vacuum pump while flying a night without a discernable horizon, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the continued…
- [NTSB WPR11FA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA415.md): Cessna 172M · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2011 · N5155Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s misjudged approach and landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was a lack of airspeed due to a blocked pitot tube.
- [NTSB ERA11LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA105.md): Cessna 172 · Dublin, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2010 · N4383Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper touchdown speed which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the undetermined malfunction of the airspeed indicator.
- [NTSB CEN10CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA283.md): Cessna 182A · Franksville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 2, 2010 · N4974D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and delay in aborting the takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN10LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA068.md): Beech V35 · Dodge City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2009 · N108L · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pitot heat system in icing conditions resulting in an inoperative airspeed indicator which led to an inadvertant stall while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly into known icing conditions.
- [NTSB ERA09FA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA376.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Raphine, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2009 · N578DC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while in instrument meteorological conditions following a reported instrumentation failure for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB DCA09IA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA09IA064.md): Airbus A330-323 · Kagoshima, Japan · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2009 · N805NW · No damage
  > Brief and temporary blockage of the pitot probes in cruise flight, most likely due to ice crystals aloft, leading to erroneous airspeed indications and airplane automation degradation as designed. Contributing to the incidents were design features of the…
- [NTSB ERA09CA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA333.md): Chatham Robert M RV6-A · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2009 · N55EC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the airspeed indicator that became inoperative during the landing approach.
- [NTSB CEN09CA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA342.md): Beech S35 · Decatur, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2009 · N8636Q · Substantial damage
  > Both pilots' inadequate preflight inspection and failure to identify the presence of dirt and insect larvae in the pitot tube, and the owner-pilot's attempt to turn off the runway and onto the taxiway at an excessive speed during the aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB DCA09IA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA09IA055.md): Airbus A330 · Los Cayes, Haiti · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 22, 2009 · PT-MVB · No damage
  > The final report for this incident was combined with and can be found under NTSB Investigation number, DCA09IA064.
- [NTSB CEN09LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA281.md): Cessna 551 · Stillwater, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 2009 · N740JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN09LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA276.md): Hawkins August E Aventura II · Griffith, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2009 · N20GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airspeed indicator due to separation of the pitot-static line at the left wing root.
- [NTSB NYC08FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA215.md): Cessna P337H · Cape Elizabeth, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2008 · N15EM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight in instrument meteorological conditions after experiencing an attitude indicator malfunction.
- [NTSB DFW08FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA056.md): Aero Commander 500B · Tulsa, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2008 · N712AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation and the pilot exceeding the design/stress limits of the aircraft. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's reported gyro problem, the dark night conditions, and prevailing instrument…

## 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."completionStatus" = 'Completed'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '334' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence?status=final

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