# 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 7 of 8 · 392 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CEN11CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA132.md): Cessna T210L · Abilene, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2010 · N210BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 ERA11FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA074.md): Beech A36 · Theodore, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 2010 · N1860P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at night in deteriorating weather conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing.
- [NTSB CEN11FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA079.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Norfolk, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 2010 · N8675P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the flight into instrumental meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with a tree.
- [NTSB ERA11GA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11GA066.md): Cessna M337B · Avon Park, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Nov 18, 2010 · N1309 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.
- [NTSB CEN11LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA066.md): Gearn Geary D Swearingen SX300 · Milford, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2010 · N3ZX · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA11LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA048.md): Bean R E/R B Weld Glasair III · Winchester, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2010 · N7SY · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertent climb and entry into instrument meteorological conditions during a course reversal, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [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 ERA10LA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA511.md): Ballonbau Worner NL-1000/STU · Adriatic Sea, A1 · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2010 · N801NM · Substantial damage
  > The crew's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in destruction of the balloon envelope by lightning strike and the subsequent uncontrolled descent to the sea.
- [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 CEN10FA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA509.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walnut Grove, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N62AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation, resulting in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tail boom.
- [NTSB WPR10FA438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA438.md): Cessna 182C · Belgrade, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2010 · N8957T · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane 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 ANC10LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA071.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2010 · N3432W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA10CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA392.md): Cessna 172N · Elk Creek, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2010 · N172FL · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [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 ERA10CA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA337.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Great Barrington, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2010 · N30062 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's attempted visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10FA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA273.md): Piper PA-34-220T · Lincoln, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 30, 2010 · N44MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into an area of low ceilings and low visibility and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [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 WPR10FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA234.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2010 · N56626 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA10MA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10MA188.md): Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2010 · N855HW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt the flight into approaching adverse weather, resulting in an encounter with a thunderstorm with localized instrument meteorological conditions, heavy rain, and severe turbulence that led to a loss of control.
- [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 CEN10FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA141.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Marysville, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2010 · N930LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to initiate and continue a flight into instrument meteorological conditions that led to spatial disorientation and a loss of control during cruise flight.
- [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 WPR10LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA115.md): Cessna 172M · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N13073 · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN10CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA100.md): Cessna P172D · Cedar Rapids, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N8584X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a proper glidepath during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument proficiency.
- [NTSB CEN10FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA101.md): Cessna 172 · Holland, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2010 · N8405E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led to spatial disorientation resulting in an inadvertent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack…
- [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 ERA10FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA091.md): Cessna 172S · Kissimmee, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2009 · N5269X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and along the route of flight and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted…
- [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 ERA10CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA017.md): Piper PA28 · Lebanon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 10, 2009 · N43620 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into known deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 WPR10FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA005.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Black Canyon City, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2009 · N7471P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.
- [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 ERA09LA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA527.md): Cessna 172 · Lowndesville, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2009 · N5845A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation after entering instrument flight conditions.
- [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 ERA09FA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA417.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Boonsboro, MD · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2009 · N7189W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to depart on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight at night in adverse weather conditions in close proximity to rising mountainous terrain in a helicopter that was only certified to be operated under VFR and his subsequent failure…
- [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 CEN09LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA350.md): Peterson Allen L Dragonfly II · Arthur, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2009 · N360KK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the use of a over-the-counter medication with sedative effects and spatial disorientation.
- [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…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?page=8

## 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=7

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