# NTSB investigations: Loss of visual reference

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.

Page 1 of 2 · 98 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN27LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN27LA014.md): Cessna 210N · Gonzales, LA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Oct 13, 2026 · N1329U
- [NTSB WPR26LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA230.md): Stephen Aberle Chipper CH-2A · Alva, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2026 · N618SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to taxi the tailwheel-equipped airplane over uneven terrain while operating with limited forward visibility, which resulted in the left main landing gear entering a hole.
- [NTSB WPR25LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA262.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Burlington, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2025 · N877DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid the light pole, which resulted in a collision with the light pole and subsequent ground impact.
- [NTSB WPR25LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA201.md): Lancair IV · Alpine, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2025 · N124GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of visual reference during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with water.
- [NTSB WPR25LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA194.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Helena, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2025 · N50476 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
- [NTSB ANC25LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2025 · N531AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA211.md): Cessna U206 · Falun, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2025 · N932DB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot experiencing the featureless terrain illusion during the approach which gave the perception that the airplane was at a higher altitude over the glassy water surface than it was, resulting in the airplane impacting the water.
- [NTSB ERA24FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA283.md): Piper PA46 · Trout Creek, NY · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N85PG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control in flight due to spatial disorientation during a climb to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB ERA24LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA227.md): Brallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N446KW · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the overwater flight in conditions conducive to the…
- [NTSB WPR24FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA057.md): Cessna 172G · Independence, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 17, 2023 · N3992L · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with an obstacle while landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA339.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Silverton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2023 · N350WW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water.
- [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA125.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.
- [NTSB ANC23LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA022.md): Cessna U206F · Chugiak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 14, 2023 · N9572G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in flat light conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a snow berm.
- [NTSB WPR23LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA103.md): Piper PA-12 · Porterville, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 4, 2023 · N3969B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA23LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA057.md): Cessna 175 · Gilford, NH · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 10, 2022 · N7223M · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the approach to land in conditions where he was unable to see in front of the airplane due to sun glare, which resulted in in a collision a building.
- [NTSB WPR22LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA125.md): Eurocopter AS332L1 · Azusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 20, 2022 · N950SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree after encountering brownout conditions and a loss of visual reference during the approach to land.
- [NTSB ANC22LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA022.md): Cessna U206F · Newhalen, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2022 · N1853Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA073.md): Mooney M20C · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.
- [NTSB CEN22FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA067.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Houston, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 9, 2021 · N3865K · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN21LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA281.md): Schweizer SGS 1-35 · Wellington, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N2851H · Substantial damage
  > The glider pilot’s loss of visual references during the landing approach resulting in an off-airport landing on rough sloping terrain.
- [NTSB WPR21FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA143.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350-B3 · Palmer, AK · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 28, 2021 · N351SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately respond to an encounter with whiteout conditions, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the (1) operator’s inadequate pilot training program and pilot competency checks,…
- [NTSB CEN21FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA150.md): Aviat A-1B · Berwyn, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2021 · N166WW · Destroyed
  > A loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain as a result of spatial disorientation during cruise in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA021.md): Robinson R44 · Pahrump, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2020 · N500DL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface.
- [NTSB CEN20FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA010.md): Cessna 172 · Aberdeen, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2019 · N6483B · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19WA574](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA574.md): Cirrus SR22 · Pedreguer, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 15, 2019 · F-HAMP · Destroyed
  > The government of Spain has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CIRRUS SR22 airplane that occurred on September 15, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Spain's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB ERA19FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA234.md): Cirrus SR22 · Americus, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N921CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart in dark instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB GAA19CA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA423.md): Cessna 182 · Salmon, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2019 · N4876N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing on a wet grass runway and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the wet runway which degraded braking.
- [NTSB GAA19WA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19WA417.md): De Havilland DHC2 · Chibogamau, Canada · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 12, 2019 · C-GRHF · Substantial damage
  > The government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a DE HAVILLAND DHC2 airplane that occurred on July 12, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the…
- [NTSB ERA19FA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA191.md): Agusta A109 · New York, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N200BK · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate the flight into marginal visual flight rules and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA19FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA163.md): Guimbal Cabri · Kent Island, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 4, 2019 · N572MD · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent descent into the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at a low altitude without…
- [NTSB ERA19FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA116.md): Piper PA28 · Fellsmere, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 5, 2019 · N556PU · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation following an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the pilot and the flight school to ensure that the…
- [NTSB WPR19FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA025.md): Cessna 182 · Redding, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2018 · N2629R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control after takeoff in dark night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA010.md): Vans RV8 · Culpeper, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N804RL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of attitude orientation while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC18TA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18TA070.md): Cessna U206 · Willow, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 9, 2018 · N8070Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain control during a night landing pattern crosswind turn due to spatial disorientation and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR18FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA232.md): Hughes 369 · Granger, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2018 · N530FU · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to not follow the training syllabus and allow the low-level high-speed flight.
- [NTSB ANC18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA053.md): De Havilland DHC 3 · Hydaburg, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2018 · N3952B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA215.md): Page Russell L Long EZ · Wakefield, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 13, 2018 · N27RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the canopy before flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and In-flight Canopy Opening checklist…
- [NTSB WPR18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA113.md): Schweizer G 164B · Stockton, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2018 · N3629E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA18LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA094.md): Cessna 172 · Ocean City, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2018 · N615JA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's flight in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with water for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA18CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA095.md): Cessna 150 · Nampa, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2018 · N3229V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disoriention during a night flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ANC18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA014.md): Cessna 172 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2017 · N537HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the landing after a loss of visual cues during a night landing.
- [NTSB WPR17LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA181.md): Rans S9 · Athol, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2017 · N519TB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of pitch attitude and ground proximity awareness, which resulted in an unintentionally steep initial climb and an overcorrection into a steep descent and ground impact.
- [NTSB GAA17CA474](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA474.md): Cessna 210 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2017 · N9664X · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath during the approach to the runway over glassy water and in glaring sun conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA388.md): Cessna 207 · Hope, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N9620M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA225.md): Weatherly 620B · Lewistown, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 10, 2017 · N9004M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during low-altitude maneuvers in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ERA17FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA139.md): Mooney M20J · Aberdeen, MS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2017 · N643RJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after takeoff in dark night conditions for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA17CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA147.md): Cessna A185 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N185AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system.
- [NTSB ANC17LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA011.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Unalaska, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2016 · N7085K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during a precautionary landing in whiteout conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA422.md): Cessna 195 · Hillsborough, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 6, 2016 · N4026A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point and loss of directional control and her subsequent excessive brake application, which resulted in a nose-over.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/cases.md?page=2

## 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 c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '402')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/cases

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