NTSB investigations
247 cases where the defining event was VFR encounter with IMC.
Cases, newest first
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.\"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"
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.
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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA18TA142Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBarry Maggio Apollo AG-1 · Smith Beach, VAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing to avoid weather and a subsequent collision with power lines.NTSB ANC18LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Atqasuk, AKThe pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to level the airplane after the autopilot disconnected, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA18FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Hydro, OKThe pilot's decision to continue the night visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing was the pilot's lack of instrument/night currency, and his failure…NTSB WPR18FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrowning Gregory S Zodiac 601XL · Thompson's Station, TNThe sport pilot's decision to depart in and continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA18FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Cross City, FLThe pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN18FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Reeds Spring, MOThe noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making, which resulted in flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB CEN18FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Pittsford, VTThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA18FA022Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Fountain Run, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional 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 self-induced pressure to complete…NTSB ANC18FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Russian Mission, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR18FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Klamath Falls, ORThe noninstrument rated pilot's decision to depart on a cross-country flight with en route weather conditions forecasted to be less than visual meteorological conditions and then to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in…NTSB ERA17FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Philipp, MSThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, below a low overcast ceiling, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN17FA288Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith CH701SP · Laddonia, MOThe pilot's decision to take off at night and continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. which resulted in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented and losing control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's…NTSB ANC17FA039Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was (1) the inadequate preflight…NTSB ERA17FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Winchester, NHThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…NTSB CEN17LA244Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Stirum, NDThe pilot's decision to attempt flight with low-level fog in the area, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR17LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Carpinteria, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR17FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 C55 · Mountain Ranch, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration that resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB ANC17LA025Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's decision to depart into an area of degraded visual meteorological and flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA17FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Hopkinsville, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's overreliance on his…NTSB ANC17FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Chignik Lake, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Contributing to the accident was the company's failure to provide the pilot…NTSB WPR17FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB 20 Trinidad · Sierraville, CAThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR17FA065Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Panguitch, UTThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his poor decision-making.NTSB CEN17FA103Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR17FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Lake Hughes, CAThe pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain while attempting to operate under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).NTSB WPR17FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210K · Payson, AZThe non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decisions to begin and to continue a flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN17FA064Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-200 · Vienna, ILThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to descend through an overcast layer of weather during dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.NTSB WPR17FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Pukoo, HIThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions at night in rain, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA17CA008Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAlgimantas Jonusas RV-10 · Ashwood, VAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB ANC17MA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 208B · Togiak, AKThe flight crew's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility and their failure to perform an immediate escape maneuver after entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into…NTSB WPR16LA189Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 · Lopez Island, WAThe pilot's decision to land in an area of low visibility and ground fog, which resulted in collision with water.NTSB ANC16LA060Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Salcha, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB GAA16CA383Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Lenoir, NCThe pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an emergency descent through fog, a runway overrun on a wet grass runway, and a collision with a ditch and vegetation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to…NTSB ERA16CA197Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAmerican Champion 7GCBC · Warner, NHAn encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ANC16FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Skagway, AKThe 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 were the…NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB ERA16WA138Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B III · Angostura, ColombiaOn March 23, 2016, about 1211 universal coordinated time, a Bell 206B III, Colombian registration HK4764, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain and was consumed by a postcrash fire. Three of the four occupants were fatally injured, and one…NTSB CEN16LA128Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Longview, TXThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN16FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Wayne, NEThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA16WA081Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationBell 429 · Rostov-na-Dony, RussiaSubject: ERA16WA081 Bell 429, RA-01617, Rostov-na-Dony, Russia On January 1, 2016, about 0621 universal coordinated time, a Bell 429, Russian registration RA-01617, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent following a…NTSB CEN16LA084Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Warrenton, MOThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in the loss of visual reference to the ground and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees.NTSB WPR16FA041Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32RT-300T · Bakersfield, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct and continue the flight despite forecast and en route instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which were not conducive to safe operation under visual flight rules. Also causal to the accident was the…NTSB ERA16FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHinton Paul M RV 4 · Greenville, FLThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, in an airplane that was not approved for instrument flight, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent spatial disorientation…NTSB ERA16WA069Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationHawker Beech A36TC · Suvorovskaya, RussiaOn December 13, 2015, about 0826 Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), a Beech A36TC, Russian registration RA-2587G, registered to and operated by a private individual, experienced an in-flight loss of control and collided with terrain near Suvorovskaya Village,…NTSB ERA16FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTimothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt a flight under visual flight rules at night in instrument meteorological conditions to an unlit airstrip, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN16FA042Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Sandia Park, NMThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB GAA16LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Deadhorse, AKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance while attempting to land in flat light and whiteout conditions.NTSB ERA16LA003Accident · Serious injuriesClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportBeech S35 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ERA15FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Rowdy, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN15FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Batesville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…NTSB WPR15FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R - 301 · Townsend, MTThe pilot's decision to depart on and to continue a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent…