# NTSB investigations: VFR encounter with IMC

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 5 of 5 · 247 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR11FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA082.md): Aero Commander 114B · Lander, WY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2010 · N799RS · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight in instrument or marginal visual meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of…
- [NTSB ERA11FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA038.md): Cessna 210A · Aiken, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2010 · N6655X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA10FA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA503.md): Cessna 150F · Sweetwater, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2010 · N7915F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN10FA520](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA520.md): Cessna T210 · Mountain Home, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2010 · N2081U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into a known area of heavy rain and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control.
- [NTSB WPR10LA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA446.md): Bell 47G · Salinas, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2010 · N4427F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB ANC10FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10FA069.md): Piper PA-18-150 · McGrath, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2010 · N2413H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the airplane’s subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10FA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA397.md): Aero Commander 500-B · Burns, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2010 · N500FV · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after entering those conditions.
- [NTSB CEN10CA452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA452.md): Maule MX-7-180A · Pittsfield, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2010 · N17MX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during a precautionary off-field landing that he performed after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR10LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA259.md): Socata TB-20 · Happy Camp, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 22, 2010 · N3041Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to continue to operate under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with an embedded thunderstorm and rain showers and moderate to severe turbulence,…
- [NTSB ANC10CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA027.md): Cessna 182B · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 18, 2010 · N2266G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to enter adverse weather conditions, resulting in a loss of visibility and collision with terrain during a turn to reverse direction.
- [NTSB WPR10FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA142.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Groveland, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2010 · N4175A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into night instrument meteorological conditions during the landing approach, which resulted in an in-flight loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR10CA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA129.md): Maule M-5-235C · Kelton, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2010 · N9227E · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to take off and fly into marginal weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR10FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA120.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2010 · N293PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to take off in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in an encounter with low clouds, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing.
- [NTSB WPR10CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA106.md): Cessna 140 · Chico, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 9, 2010 · N3160N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.
- [NTSB ERA10FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA062.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Dennisville, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N4499T · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and overcontrol of the airplane and the subsequent in-flight structural failure. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN10LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA055.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Naytahwaush, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N7736N · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue the flight into known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN10LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA041.md): Wicks Air Center Hornet · Bonham, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2009 · N651WA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.
- [NTSB ERA10LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA007.md): Case Richard L VAN RV-6 · Magnolia, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2009 · N455RC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meterological conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the weather.
- [NTSB ERA09FA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA537.md): Eurocopter AS-350 · Georgetown, SC · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2009 · N417AE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and a loss of control of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate…
- [NTSB CEN09FA603](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA603.md): Cessna 182Q · Houma, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2009 · N96894 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09LA597](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA597.md): Piper PA-12 · Columbia, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2009 · N3234M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which included low ceilings and fog, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power as a result of water…
- [NTSB WPR09FA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA428.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Canyonville, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2009 · N2967P · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated and non-certificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA09FA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA487.md): Socata TB20 · Pavo, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2009 · N654GT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with embedded intense thunderstorms, heavy rain, and severe to extreme turbulence, resulting in an in-flight separation of the left wing due to overstress.
- [NTSB ERA09LA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA392.md): Noles Vance L Vans RV7A · Sanderson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2009 · N774US · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions with convective activity and thunderstorms. Contributing to the accident was his failure to get an adequate weather briefing.
- [NTSB CEN09PA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09PA348.md): Agusta A109E · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Final report · Jun 10, 2009 · N606SP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to take off from a remote, mountainous landing site in dark (moonless) night, windy, instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were an organizational culture that prioritized mission execution over aviation safety…
- [NTSB CEN09FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA340.md): Gulfstream American AA-5B · Humbird, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2009 · N448DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR09FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA176.md): Maule M-4-220C · Hungry Horse, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2009 · N2007U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of reduced visibility and snow showers during cruise flight, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB CEN09FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA195.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-1B · Golden, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2009 · N9646L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's recent usage of alcohol and his subsequent impairment.
- [NTSB ERA09FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA145.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Huntington, WV · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2009 · N8047C · Destroyed
  > (1) The pilot’s failure to perform adequate preflight planning and to use available in flight resources in a timely manner and (2) his decision to continue visual-flight-rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of an instrument…
- [NTSB ERA09LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA128.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Philadelphia, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2009 · N5013C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight weather planning and his continued VFR flight into IMC conditions resulting in an in-flight collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN09LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA056.md): Cessna 182M · Basalt, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2008 · N71276 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane in flight.
- [NTSB ERA09FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA022.md): Robinson R22 · Dryden, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2008 · N943MH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CHI08FA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA293.md): Robinson R44 II · Kenosha, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2008 · N999ZD · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain resulting in an in-flight collision with a house. Contributing to the accident was the night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the pilot's lack of experience of flying in IMC.
- [NTSB NYC08LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA310.md): Dufault Mark V Pitts S-1D · Ridgely, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2008 · N511MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation which resulted in an attempted landing in fog and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB DFW08FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA212.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Yuma, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2008 · N5476P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB DEN08FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA141.md): Cessna 182T · Georgia Pass, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2008 · N487TC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after inadvertantly encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to obtain a weather brief and the severe weather conditions.
- [NTSB DEN08LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA139.md): Dickey RV-6A · Muskogee, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2008 · N22163 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into an area of reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB ANC08FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08FA133.md): Cessna 182 · Juneau, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2008 · N9350X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB NYC08LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA223.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rockland, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2008 · N8776N · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot becoming spatially disorientated after inadvertently entering instrument flight conditions.
- [NTSB LAX08LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA154.md): Maule MX-7-235 · Boulder, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 23, 2008 · N5657Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight at low altitude in instrument weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from a power line. Contributing to the accident were low cloud and visibility conditions.
- [NTSB LAX08CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA150.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Rockport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2008 · N90930 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's performance of VFR flight into IMC, resulting in failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the fog.
- [NTSB NYC08FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA180.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cruso, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2008 · N64FP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions with moderate to severe turbulence prevailing. Contributing to the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence.
- [NTSB CHI08CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA131.md): Kuntz Kuntz 2000 GTS EFI · Dickinson, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2008 · N610RD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the precautionary landing at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot becoming lost after inadvertently encountering fog while en route, the night…
- [NTSB SEA08LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA105.md): Glasair Glasair III · Cheyenne, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2008 · C-GGTM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, snow and whiteout conditions.
- [NTSB CHI08LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA080.md): Cessna 140 · Grand Meadow, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2008 · N3537V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB DFW08FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA062.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · S. Padre Island, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2008 · N911VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the helicopter impacting the water. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, the low ceiling, dark night conditions, and…
- [NTSB LAX08FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA058.md): Cessna 340A · Cabazon, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2008 · N354TJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance while en route. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.

## 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."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '401')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/cases?page=5

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