# 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 2 of 2 · 99 cases ## Cases, newest first - [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. - [NTSB ANC16LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA022.md): Airbus AS350 · Juneau, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 2016 · N194EH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on approach to land in flat light conditions. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the inadequately restrained internal cargo, which shifted forward during the impact and struck the… - [NTSB ERA16FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA143.md): Robinson R44 · Canadensis, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2016 · N776JM · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds. - [NTSB ERA16LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA106.md): Piper PA28 · Destin, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 2016 · N2209W · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to turn the airplane away from the lighted airport at low altitude, over water, with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB GAA16CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA077.md): Piper PA 28 · California, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N432FL · Substantial damage > The student pilot's descent below the prescribed final approach path at night, and flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's descent, which resulted in a collision with trees and impact with the ground. - [NTSB ERA16FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA032.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Cornelia, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2015 · N57WV · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA16FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA031.md): Flight Design Ctls · Queens, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2015 · N622BT · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, over water with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with the water. - [NTSB WPR16FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA014.md): Piper PA 28R-180 · Morongo Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2015 · N4972J · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's improper inflight decision-making to attempt to outclimb clouds along his planned route rather than reverse course, which resulted in his inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, spatial disorientation, and… - [NTSB GAA16CA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA016.md): Central Missouri State Univ HP 14 · Jackson, NH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2015 · N102MW · Substantial damage > The glider pilot's decision to descend into a broken to overcast cloud layer, which resulted in encountering instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot parachuting from the glider. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of planning for an… - [NTSB WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247.md): Cessna 172P · Townsend, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. - [NTSB ERA15FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA299.md): Piper PA-28R · Marathon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2015 · N54380 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the… - [NTSB ERA15FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA178.md): Hughes 369D · Cherokee, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2015 · N555JC · Substantial damage > The pilot's spatial disorientation during a low-level river crossing in rainy, gray, reduced visibility meteorological conditions, which resulted in the helicopter's subsequent descent and impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… - [NTSB CEN15FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA171.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Eufaula, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 2015 · N919EM · Destroyed > The flight's inadvertent encounter with night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot turning the helicopter and subsequently descending into trees and terrain due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB WPR15FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA082.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Tooele, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2015 · N383GM · Substantial damage > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to depart into low visibility conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance due to his use of the sedating antihistamine,… - [NTSB WPR14LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA322.md): Schweizer G 164B · Tulelake, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2014 · N3627R · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering during low-altitude operations. - [NTSB CEN14CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA368.md): Mckenzie Douglas E Stol CH750 · Dodgeville, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2014 · N792MC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff resulting in an impact with a tree and terrain. - [NTSB WPR14CA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA115.md): Bell 47G 5A · Greenfield, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 18, 2014 · N715BH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power pole during low-altitude maneuvering flight. - [NTSB ERA14LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA111.md): Gates Learjet 35A · Ft. Lauderdale, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 2014 · N979RF · No damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the ground power unit was disconnected from the airplane via hand signals from the lineman providing ground services before taxiing, which resulted in an injury to the lineman. - [NTSB ERA14CA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA021.md): Cessna A185F · Northeast Carry, ME · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 19, 2013 · N93037 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to take off for an intended night water landing, and his subsequent loss of depth perception during that landing attempt. - [NTSB WPR13CA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA326.md): Cessna A185F · Cascade, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 14, 2013 · N185BW · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach due to the sun glare that obscured the pilot's vision. - [NTSB WPR13CA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA235.md): Swanson Tiger Moth 80 · Lynden, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 17, 2013 · N928VS · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach and his obscured vision due to the sun glare. - [NTSB CEN13CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA206.md): Cessna T206H · Sabinal, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 13, 2013 · N7824G · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to properly identify the airstrip, which resulted in him landing the airplane off of the airstrip in soft soil causing the nose over. - [NTSB ERA13CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA122.md): Amirkhanian Shahram Charl Commander · Westminster, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 29, 2013 · N393GX · Substantial damage > Impact with power lines due to the pilot’s obscured vision due to the low angle of the sun, which prevented the pilot from seeing the lines. - [NTSB CEN13FA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA135.md): Cessna 208B · Pellston, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2013 · N1120N · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent controlled descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was lack of visual reference due to night conditions. - [NTSB WPR13FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA080.md): Bell 206 · Delano, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2013 · N828AC · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in low visibility, dark night conditions. - [NTSB ERA13WA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13WA068.md): Embraer 810D · Chapada dos Guimaraes, Brazil · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 1, 2012 · PT-VRV · Substantial damage > On November 1, 2012, at 1950 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), an Embraer Aircraft model EMB-810D (Piper Design PA-34-220T), Brazilian registration PT-VRV, operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged following an encounter with weather and a… - [NTSB ANC13CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA006.md): Piper PA-18-125 · Cordova, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 20, 2012 · N3360P · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during takeoff. - [NTSB ERA12LA562](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA562.md): Republic RC-3 · Cedar Bluff, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2012 · N6072K · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing. - [NTSB WPR12CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA183.md): Bell 206B · Arvin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 25, 2012 · N969W · Substantial damage > The pilot did not maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering. - [NTSB CEN12CA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA221.md): Air Tractor AT-402A · Ganado, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 2, 2012 · N4544S · Substantial damage > The improper positioning of the hopper vent, which allowed chemicals to escape and cover the airplane's windshield. - [NTSB ERA12WA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12WA113.md): Robinson R44 · Sao Bento do Sul, Brazil · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 9, 2011 · PR-KLA · Substantial damage > On December 9, 2011 at 1630 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44, Brazilian registration PR-KLA, operated by SASH Locacao de Veiculos LTDA, as a personal flight, impacted terrain in the vicinity of Fazenda Coqueiros, Sao Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina,… - [NTSB CEN12CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA065.md): Cessna 182J · Alexandria, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2011 · N3051F · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the night landing. - [NTSB ANC11TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11TA110.md): Bell 206 B3 · Seward, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 23, 2011 · N204PA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during hover in deteriorating weather and flat light conditions, which resulted in a tail rotor strike. - [NTSB CEN11FA557](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA557.md): Piper PA-23 · Millersburg, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2011 · N2286P · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain during the landing approach in night conditions and fog. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning. - [NTSB CEN11CA545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA545.md): Ayres S2R-G6 · Forest City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 28, 2011 · N331BF · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during an aerial application run, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a windmill. - [NTSB CEN11FA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA468.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2011 · N42333 · Substantial damage > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain. - [NTSB CEN11CA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA314.md): Prichard Kevin Legacy 2K · Kansas City, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2011 · N50KP · Substantial damage > The pilot's misjudgment of the landing area, which resulted in the airplane touching down on a grass area adjacent to the runway and between parallel taxiways. - [NTSB WPR11LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA076.md): Taylorcraft BC12-65 · College Place, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2010 · N36041 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to abort the landing when he lost sight of the runway due to sun glare, and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind. - [NTSB CEN10CA539](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA539.md): Cessna A185F · Rushville, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2010 · N714AL · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due to the sun glare. - [NTSB ERA10LA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA421.md): Cessna 172R · Key West, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2010 · N2435X · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation during night, over-water, low-ambient-light conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ocean. - [NTSB ANC10LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA071.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2010 · N3432W · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. - [NTSB WPR10LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA115.md): Cessna 172M · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N13073 · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR09FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA158.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Corona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2009 · N55962 · Substantial damage > The pilot did not maintain airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience. - [NTSB ANC09CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA020.md): Beech 65-A90-1 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 16, 2009 · N418SP · Substantial damage > The pilot's misidentification of the runway surface during landing. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered terrain, and low-light conditions. - [NTSB CEN09LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA116.md): Learjet 45XR · Telluride, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2009 · N279AJ · Substantial damage > The failure of both pilots to positively identify the runway prior to landing. - [NTSB LAX08LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA198.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Ash Fork, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2008 · N586AE · Substantial damage > The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout… - [NTSB NYC08FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA155.md): SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 · Belfast, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2008 · N601RH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation during an aerobatic maneuver. - [NTSB ANC08LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA046.md): Piper PA-32 · Koliganek, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2008 · N8327S · Substantial damage > The pilot's VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with snow-covered terrain during a turn to reverse direction. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings, flat lighting conditions, and the snow-covered terrain. - [NTSB ANC08LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA042.md): Cessna 180 · White Mountain, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 2008 · N66036 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadvertent flight into flat light/whiteout conditions over snow-covered terrain. ## 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?page=2 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.