NTSB investigations, CA
36 cases where the sequence of events included VFR encounter with IMC.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
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"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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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
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 WPR25FA257Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 140 · Shelter Cove, CAOn August 17, 2025 about 1521 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89447, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…NTSB CEN24MA111Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…NTSB WPR22FA172Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV10 · Sausalito, CAThe pilot’s improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR22FA054Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Visalia, CAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR22LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Holtville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after becoming spatially disoriented when the helicopter entered low-level haze/fog.NTSB WPR22FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150L · Dunsmuir, CAThe non-certificated pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR20LA319Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T182 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR20CA089Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 208 · Eureka, CAThe pilot's delayed response to initiate a go-around during a night visual approach over water after the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of forward visibility and subsequent impact with the water.NTSB DCA20MA059Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CAThe 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 likely self-induced pressure…NTSB WPR19FA175Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Two Harbors, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR19FA086Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech D55 · Stallion Springs, CAThe 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 WPR19FA079Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 414 · Yorba Linda, CAThe 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 WPR19FA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Oceanside, CAThe 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 GAA17CA559Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Diego, CAThe airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing.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 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 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 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 WPR15FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P337G · Santa Paula, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR15FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.NTSB WPR15FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Sutter Creek, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to…NTSB WPR14TA149Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58A · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's decision to attempt a mission at night with known en route weather conditions below operating minimums, likely due to self-induced pressure, and then continue flight beyond the alternate landing airport as weather conditions deteriorated, which…NTSB WPR13FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Yosemite Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain situational awareness and sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR13CA065Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Tehachapi, CAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued descent into instrument meteorological conditions during the landing approach and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR13FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeropro CZ A240 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR11FA230Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCameron Lancair Legacy · Pioneer, CAThe pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions at an insufficient altitude to clear terrain.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 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 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 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 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 LAX08CA188Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Lodi, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue the flight into an area of obscured visibility and his failure to maintain clearance above obstacles.NTSB LAX08CA150Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Rockport, CAThe pilot's performance of VFR flight into IMC, resulting in failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the fog.NTSB LAX08FA058Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Cabazon, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance while en route. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.