NTSB investigations
392 cases where the sequence of events included 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 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"
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 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
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 CEN11CA132Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna T210L · Abilene, TXThe pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB WPR11FA082Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 114B · Lander, WYThe 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 ERA11FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Theodore, ALThe 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 CEN11FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Norfolk, NEThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight into instrumental meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with a tree.NTSB ERA11GA066Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna M337B · Avon Park, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.NTSB CEN11LA066Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGearn Geary D Swearingen SX300 · Milford, IAA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA11LA048Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBean R E/R B Weld Glasair III · Winchester, TNThe 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 ERA11FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210A · Aiken, SCThe 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 ERA10LA511Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBallonbau Worner NL-1000/STU · Adriatic Sea, A1The 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 ERA10FA503Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Sweetwater, TNThe 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 CEN10FA520Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Mountain Home, ARThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into a known area of heavy rain and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB WPR10LA446Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Salinas, CAThe pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN10FA509Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walnut Grove, ARThe pilot’s loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation, resulting in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tail boom.NTSB WPR10FA438Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Belgrade, MTThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB ANC10FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · McGrath, AKThe 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 WPR10FA397Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500-B · Burns, ORThe 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 ANC10LA071Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ERA10CA392Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Elk Creek, VAThe student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB CEN10CA452Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule MX-7-180A · Pittsfield, ILThe pilot's loss of directional control during a precautionary off-field landing that he performed after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.NTSB ERA10CA337Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Great Barrington, MAThe pilot's attempted visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR10FA273Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Lincoln, MTThe 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 WPR10LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 · Happy Camp, CAThe 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 WPR10FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.NTSB ERA10MA188Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TNThe 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 ANC10CA027Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182B · Port Alsworth, AKThe 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 CEN10FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Marysville, OHThe 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 WPR10FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Groveland, CAThe 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 WPR10CA129Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Kelton, UTThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to take off and fly into marginal weather conditions.NTSB WPR10FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe 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 WPR10LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Joshua Tree, CAThe 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 CEN10CA100Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna P172D · Cedar Rapids, IAThe 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 CEN10FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Holland, MIThe 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 WPR10CA106Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Chico, CAThe pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.NTSB ERA10FA091Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Kissimmee, FLThe 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 ERA10FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Dennisville, NJThe 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 CEN10LA055Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Naytahwaush, MNThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue the flight into known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN10LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWicks Air Center Hornet · Bonham, TXThe pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.NTSB ERA10CA017Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Lebanon, VAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into known deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA10LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCase Richard L VAN RV-6 · Magnolia, NCThe 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 WPR10FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Black Canyon City, AZThe 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 ERA09FA537Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350 · Georgetown, SCThe 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 CEN09FA603Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Houma, LAThe pilot’s decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN09LA597Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Columbia, MOThe 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 ERA09LA527Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lowndesville, SCThe 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 WPR09FA428Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Canyonville, ORThe 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 ERA09FA487Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB20 · Pavo, GAThe 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 ERA09FA417Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Boonsboro, MDThe 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 ERA09LA392Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNoles Vance L Vans RV7A · Sanderson, FLThe 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 CEN09LA350Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPeterson Allen L Dragonfly II · Arthur, NEThe 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 CEN09PA348Accident · 2 fatalClass 1Final reportAgusta A109E · Santa Fe, NMThe 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…