# 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 3 of 8 · 392 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB CEN19FA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA177.md): Beech A36 · Elida, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 2019 · N6150X · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing was the pilot not obtaining a weather… - [NTSB WPR19FA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA175.md): Robinson R44 · Two Harbors, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 18, 2019 · N7187D · Destroyed > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA19FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA181.md): Piper PA28R · Auburn Township, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2019 · N3933T · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was his inadequate weather planning, lack of experience flying at night and the deteriorating weather conditions. - [NTSB WPR19FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA148.md): Robinson R44 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which… - [NTSB CEN19FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA140.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Eagle Lake, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N713LA · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA19FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA163.md): Guimbal Cabri · Kent Island, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 4, 2019 · N572MD · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent descent into the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at a low altitude without… - [NTSB ERA19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA161.md): Cessna 172 · Tyrone, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2019 · N733KZ · Substantial damage > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain. - [NTSB ANC19TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA017.md): Cessna A185 · Nome, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 15, 2019 · N5163E · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB WPR19FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA103.md): Cirrus SR22 · Farmington, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 31, 2019 · N173CT · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB WPR19FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA086.md): Beech D55 · Stallion Springs, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2019 · N533Q · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions associated with mountain obscuration conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a weather… - [NTSB WPR19FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA084.md): Cirrus SR22 · Ely, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 16, 2019 · N917SR · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and icing conditions which resulted in a high rate of descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the inaccurate weather reporting… - [NTSB WPR19FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA079.md): Cessna 414 · Yorba Linda, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 3, 2019 · N414RS · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while climbing due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limits and subsequent in-flight break-up.… - [NTSB CEN19FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA078.md): Mooney M20K · Katy, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 31, 2019 · N56359 · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB WPR19FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA075.md): Piper PA28 · Oceanside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2019 · N37RV · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to depart on the night visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and collision with rising terrain. - [NTSB CEN19FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA072.md): Bell 407 · Zaleski, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2019 · N191SF · Destroyed > The NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was Survival Flight's inadequate management of safety, which normalized pilots' and operations control specialists' noncompliance with risk analysis procedures and resulted in the initiation of the… - [NTSB ERA19FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA003.md): Piper J3C · Fancy Gap, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2018 · N38811 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to undertake a flight into forecast instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his subsequent decision to continue the flight after encountering IMC, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.… - [NTSB CEN18WA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA390.md): Robinson R44 · Buttonville, Canada · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 25, 2018 · C-GMCT · Substantial damage > On September 25, 2018, about 1800 hours universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, Canadian registration C-GMCT, impacted terrain while diverting due to deteriorating weather conditions near the Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ),… - [NTSB GAA18CA538](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA538.md): Avid Avid Magnum · Carrabassett Valley, ME · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N2137G · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to initiate the flight in marginal visual flight rules over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological and downdraft conditions and the subsequent controlled flight into trees… - [NTSB CEN18FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA358.md): Beech B60 · Fort Walton Beach, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2018 · N1876L · Destroyed > The pilot's controlled flight into terrain after misidentifying the destination airport during a period of restricted visibility due to weather. - [NTSB ERA18FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA197.md): Piper PA32R · Lincolnton, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damage > The 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 the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete… - [NTSB ANC18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA053.md): De Havilland DHC 3 · Hydaburg, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2018 · N3952B · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA18FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA148.md): Piper PA34 · Bennington, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2018 · N1101X · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during a turn. - [NTSB WPR18FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA141.md): Cessna 182G · Cascade, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N2377R · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN18FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA168.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Lone Tree, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N507TX · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to fly the airplane at night in marginal weather conditions. - [NTSB ERA18TA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA142.md): Barry Maggio Apollo AG-1 · Smith Beach, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · May 6, 2018 · N141C · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR18LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA135.md): Cessna 152 · Tamiami, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 4, 2018 · N6198Q · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of control during an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart on the flight without obtaining approval to fly at night in accordance… - [NTSB ANC18LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA031.md): Cessna 208B · Atqasuk, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2018 · N814GV · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA18FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA114.md): Beech V35 · Hydro, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2018 · N7019N · Destroyed > The 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 CEN18LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA077.md): Bryk Steven L Velocity XL RG · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 16, 2018 · N787SB · Substantial damage > The airplane’s inadvertent encounter with unforecasted icing conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe icing, the airplane’s inability to maintain altitude, and a subsequent forced landing on rough terrain. - [NTSB WPR18FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA073.md): Piper PA 23-250 · Elko, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2018 · N54857 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in the flight over mountainous terrain into forecast instrument meteorological conditions, icing, and mountain wave, and resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB WPR18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA053.md): Browning Gregory S Zodiac 601XL · Thompson's Station, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2017 · N929GB · Substantial damage > The sport pilot's decision to depart in and continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA18FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA056.md): Beech G35 · Cross City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2017 · N354WD · Destroyed > The 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 CEN18FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA054.md): Piper PA28 · Reeds Spring, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2017 · N6433J · Destroyed > The 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 CEN18FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA037.md): Cessna 172G · Pittsford, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2017 · N4676L · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB ERA18FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA022.md): Piper PA32 · Fountain Run, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2017 · N3371W · Destroyed > The 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 ANC18FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA003.md): Cessna 210 · Russian Mission, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2017 · N8347Z · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB WPR18FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA001.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Klamath Falls, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2017 · N6083D · Destroyed > The 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 GAA17CA559](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA559.md): Cessna 182 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 27, 2017 · N9346G · Substantial damage > The airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing. - [NTSB CEN17FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA354.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Glenwood Springs, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N462SR · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning, his decision to depart into forecast instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight, and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which… - [NTSB ANC17FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA049.md): Piper PA-18AS · Tyonek, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2017 · N1905A · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night, marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB ERA17FA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA279.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Philipp, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2017 · N6082B · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN17FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA288.md): Zenith CH701SP · Laddonia, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2017 · N701XL · Destroyed > The 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 ANC17FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA039.md): Cessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 27, 2017 · N1749R · Destroyed > The 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 ERA17FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA241.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Winchester, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 2017 · N210MX · Destroyed > The 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 GAA17CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA388.md): Cessna 207 · Hope, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N9620M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN17LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA244.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Stirum, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2017 · N4196Y · Destroyed > The 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 WPR17LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA124.md): Piper PA28 · Carpinteria, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2017 · N2171D · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB WPR17FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA125.md): Beech 95 C55 · Mountain Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N3717Q · Destroyed > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration that resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. - [NTSB ANC17LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA025.md): Airbus AS350 · Juneau, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2017 · N207CH · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA17FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA180.md): Beech A36TC · Hopkinsville, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2017 · N1804E · Destroyed > The 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… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?page=4 ## 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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '401' 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/401/sequence?page=3 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.