# 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 5 · 242 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA27LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA27LA017.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Kinnelon, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Oct 20, 2026 · N744CJ
- [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 ERA26LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA140.md): Beech A36 · Gulf Shores, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Mar 8, 2026 · N66519 · Destroyed
  > On March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR26LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA095.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Alpine, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N59SE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA077.md): Cessna 150A · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 5, 2026 · N7235X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s partially obscured vision due to sun glare.
- [NTSB WPR26LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA059.md): Waco RNF · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 14, 2025 · N110Y · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The biplane pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the low-wing airplane while taxiing.
- [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 ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [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 CEN24FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA243.md): Waco YKC · Selden, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N14137 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which had not been forecast at the time of departure, and which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 21, 2024 · N331BS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…
- [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 ERA24FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA120.md): Piper PA32 · Jackson, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 24, 2024 · N8963N · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB ERA24FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA096.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 23, 2024 · N737VC · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.
- [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 ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA24FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA003.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N802JR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience,…
- [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 ERA23LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA328.md): Cessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CB · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2023 · N13384 · Destroyed
  > The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN23LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA311.md): Air Tractor AT-802 · Benson, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2023 · N22FK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline. Contributing to the accident was the degraded visibility due to the smoke in the area.
- [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 CEN23FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA239.md): Mooney M20R · Watertown, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2023 · N1025C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the prohibited substance; however, the extent of impairment could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN23FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA220.md): Vans RV7 · Gibbon, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 2, 2023 · N977RV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ANC23LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA036.md): Piper PA31 · Point Thomson, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N34WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Skwentna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2023 · N704T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR23FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA172.md): Cessna 172S · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.
- [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 CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR23FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA083.md): Piper PA-34-220T · New Harmony, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 4, 2023 · N814WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR23LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA053.md): Aviat A-1C-180 · Morgan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2022 · N60WY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.
- [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 WPR22FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA266.md): Holland Mike RV9A · Tryon, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 25, 2022 · N192MH · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, and in-flight breakup of the airplane…
- [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 WPR22FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA101.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…
- [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 CEN22FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA082.md): Cessna 172 · Hardy, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 26, 2021 · N5798T · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to fuel…
- [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 ERA22FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA083.md): Cessna 182 · Statesboro, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2021 · N5776B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA22WA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA029.md): Cessna P210N · Dornbirn, Austria · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 11, 2021 · N731MT · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR22FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA021.md): Cessna 150L · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2021 · N5268Q · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR22FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA011.md): Cessna 175 · Reserve, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 15, 2021 · N7584M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reduced forward visibility due to the sun.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '402' 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
```

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

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