# NTSB investigations, 2023: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2023 · N4209W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact.
- [NTSB WPR24FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA040.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Mertzon, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 26, 2023 · N7763W · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overconfidence.
- [NTSB GAA24WA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA043.md): Rockwell 112 · Kasberg, Grünau im Almtal, Austria · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 25, 2023 · D-ELPO · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA23FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA384.md): Cessna 150K · Gilford, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 30, 2023 · N6312G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during visual flight rules flight in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s motivation to depart on the flight despite being made aware that conditions…
- [NTSB CEN23FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA283.md): Beech A36 · Rayville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2023 · N15RP · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach to the destination airport and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA285.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Burlington, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2023 · N100PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA23WA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA177.md): Socata Rallye 180 · Arkösund, Norrköping, Sweden · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jun 18, 2023 · HA-BNS
- [NTSB CEN23FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA187.md): Cessna 172 · Chambers, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2023 · N2946U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Skwentna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2023 · N704T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR23FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N424SW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA164.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Johns Island, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 25, 2023 · N21480 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement and…
- [NTSB ERA23FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA131.md): Cessna 150G · Hillsville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 27, 2023 · N2991J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and…
- [NTSB WPR23FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA083.md): Piper PA-34-220T · New Harmony, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 4, 2023 · N814WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2023
  AND 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?year=2023

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