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NTSB investigations, 2012

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

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

20082026

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Latest cases

Query with 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") = 2012 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

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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2012
    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 year(c."eventDate") = 2012
  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 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.Dec 17, 2012 · N9524M · Substantial damage NTSB ERA13WA089Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA34 · Zulia, ColombiaOn December 12, 2012, about 1530 universal coordinated time (1030 local time), a Piper PA-34-200T, Colombian registration HK4477G, was destroyed when it impacted rising mountainous terrain in the vicinity of La Cuchilla, near Zulia, Norte de Santander,…Dec 12, 2012 · HK4477G · Destroyed 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.Dec 8, 2012 · N8595V · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Correctionville, IAThe pilot’s failure to perform a go-around after encountering thick fog at night.Dec 2, 2012 · N1566Z · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320E · San Marcos, TXThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.Nov 1, 2012 · N10PM · Substantial damage NTSB ERA13FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355 · Erwinna, PAThe pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in subsequent spatial disorientation, uncontrolled descent, and impact with trees and terrain.Oct 17, 2012 · C-FXGM · Substantial damage 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.Oct 15, 2012 · N72AH · Substantial damage NTSB ERA13FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Coolbaugh Township, PAThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions due to self-imposed pressure to complete the trip, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.Oct 10, 2012 · N108MF · Substantial damage NTSB WPR13FA008Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Laramie Peak, WYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.Oct 9, 2012 · N110UM · Destroyed NTSB CEN13FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Intracoastal City, LAThe pilot’s decision to attempt a local flight in marginal visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with instrument metrological conditions shortly after takeoff.Oct 5, 2012 · N406AL · Substantial damage NTSB CEN12FA639Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Teddys Peak, COThe pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, including fog and mountain obscuration, and his failure to maintain clearance with known rising terrain along the route of flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Sep 13, 2012 · N58119 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC12CA089Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule M-5-210C · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot's delayed decision to turn around while flying through a narrow mountain pass, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.Aug 18, 2012 · N319X · Substantial damage NTSB ERA12FA467Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrenholt Larry R RV-4 · Cedartown, GAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.Jul 20, 2012 · N25UA · Substantial damage NTSB ANC12FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Fairbanks, AKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions likely leading to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and in-flight structural failure.Jul 19, 2012 · N432LT · Destroyed NTSB WPR12FA305Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Salina, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.Jul 14, 2012 · N86AA · Substantial damage NTSB ERA12FA438Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Moscow, TNThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.Jul 11, 2012 · N764RV · Substantial damage NTSB WPR12FA255Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mountain Home, IDThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.Jun 9, 2012 · N8990N · Substantial damage NTSB WPR12CA213Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRotherwick HR Glasair III · Darby, MTThe pilot’s loss of directional control during an emergency landing on a paved highway.May 17, 2012 · N471B · Substantial damage NTSB CEN12FA196Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Glencoe, MNThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the design limits of the airplane being exceeded and an in-flight breakup.Mar 21, 2012 · N3871N · Substantial damage NTSB ANC12LA026Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland Beaver DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's decision to depart in marginal visual meteorological conditions, and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.Mar 13, 2012 · N82SF · Substantial damage NTSB ERA12FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna LC42-550FG · Salisburry, NCThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.Mar 2, 2012 · N167ZP · Destroyed NTSB WPR12FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Show Low, AZThe pilot’s encounter with low clouds/low visibility conditions during the initial climb, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.Feb 4, 2012 · N445GH · Substantial damage NTSB 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 damage