NTSB investigations, FL

19 cases where the sequence of events included VFR encounter with IMC.

Cases per year

20092026
NTSB investigations, FL per year, 2009–2026: 19 cases
20092
20101
20111
20121
20132
20142
20152
20172
20182
20222
20231
20251

Latest 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\" = 'FL' 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.

NTSB ERA25FA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Pierson, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FLThe 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…Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA180Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269A · Fort White, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.Apr 2, 2022 · N7057L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA142Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-12IS · Big Pine Key, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and his improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility in moderate precipitation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial…Feb 27, 2022 · N123RR · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA358Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B60 · Fort Walton Beach, FLThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain after misidentifying the destination airport during a period of restricted visibility due to weather.Aug 30, 2018 · N1876L · DestroyedNTSB WPR18LA135Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Tamiami, FLThe 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…May 4, 2018 · N6198Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Cross City, FLThe 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.Dec 21, 2017 · N354WD · DestroyedNTSB ERA17LA113Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Daytona Beach, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (fog) during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.Feb 24, 2017 · N255JB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHinton Paul M RV 4 · Greenville, FLThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, in an airplane that was not approved for instrument flight, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent spatial disorientation…Dec 18, 2015 · N77BP · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · New Smyrna Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in night, instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the outcome was the radar controller's failure to…Jan 14, 2015 · N757ZM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14CA189Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMoore Thomas O Zenith Stol CH701 · Frostproof, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to divert due to deteriorating weather.Apr 8, 2014 · N12369 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA117Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Stuart, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into dark night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and subsequent impact with water.Feb 8, 2014 · N2571U · DestroyedNTSB ERA13FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Lutz, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of instrument…Feb 24, 2013 · N2895U · DestroyedNTSB ERA13FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Yeehaw Junction, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the copilot's improper evaluation of the weather…Feb 14, 2013 · N104DR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Quincy, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to maintain controlled flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to take off in deteriorating…Jan 23, 2012 · N73JK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12MA122Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Green Cove Springs, FLThe pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the pilot’s improper decision was his self-induced pressure to complete the trip.Dec 26, 2011 · N5016M · DestroyedNTSB ERA11GA066Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna M337B · Avon Park, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.Nov 18, 2010 · N1309 · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Dec 8, 2009 · N5269X · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jul 8, 2009 · N774US · Substantial damage