# 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 3 of 5 · 242 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB GAA18CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA069.md): Weaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.
- [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 ERA18FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA022.md): Piper PA32 · Fountain Run, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2017 · N3371W · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…
- [NTSB GAA18CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA015.md): Thomas G Parkhurst Kitfox IV · Sidney, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2017 · N37TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a loss of ground reference during landing in glaring sun conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
- [NTSB WPR18FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA001.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Klamath Falls, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2017 · N6083D · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument rated pilot's decision to depart on a cross-country flight with en route weather conditions forecasted to be less than visual meteorological conditions and then to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in…
- [NTSB CEN17FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA362.md): Mitsubishi MU 2B-40 · Ainsworth, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2017 · N73MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ANC17FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA049.md): Piper PA-18AS · Tyonek, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2017 · N1905A · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night, marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [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 ANC17LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA040.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N4138M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.
- [NTSB ANC17FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA039.md): Cessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 27, 2017 · N1749R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was (1) the inadequate preflight…
- [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 GAA17CA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA421.md): Aviat A 1 · Dixie, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N368HY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to landing with sun glare and downdraft conditions, which resulted in the airplane landing in a ravine short of the runway.
- [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 CEN17LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA244.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Stirum, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2017 · N4196Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to attempt flight with low-level fog in the area, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC17LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA025.md): Airbus AS350 · Juneau, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2017 · N207CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to depart into an area of degraded visual meteorological and flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual references and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC17FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA021.md): Cessna 208B · Chignik Lake, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 1, 2017 · N803TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Contributing to the accident was the company's failure to provide the pilot…
- [NTSB CEN17FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA168.md): Pilatus PC 12 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2017 · N933DC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb after takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions and moderate turbulence.
- [NTSB WPR17FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA105.md): Socata TB 20 Trinidad · Sierraville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 2017 · N28070 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous 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 GAA17CA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA215.md): Cessna 182 · Blue Earth, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 3, 2017 · N8889X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the night, visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain while on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper use of an electronic flight…
- [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 WPR17FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA055.md): Mooney M20J · Lake Hughes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2017 · N6201N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain while attempting to operate under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- [NTSB WPR17FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA045.md): Cessna T210K · Payson, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2017 · N272EF · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decisions to begin and to continue a flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 CEN17LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA043.md): Beech 200 · Moorhead, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2016 · N80RT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a positive climb rate during an attempted missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions that were at/near approach minimums, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR17FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA021.md): Hughes 369 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2016 · N81GG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions at night in rain, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA444.md): P Z L -Warszawa-Cnpsl PZL 104 Wilga · Austin, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2016 · N65ZA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during the base to final turn, which resulted in a forced landing, and an intentional aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's excessive braking, which resulted in a nose over…
- [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 ANC16FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16FA023.md): Airbus AS350 · Skagway, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 7, 2016 · N94TH · 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. Contributing to the accident were the…
- [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 GAA16CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA091.md): Cessna 177 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 28, 2015 · N29533 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during the touchdown and the subsequent attempted aborted landing which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA074.md): Hinton Paul M RV 4 · Greenville, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2015 · N77BP · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [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 GAA16CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA066.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 5 · West Point, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2015 · N28295 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly a traffic pattern following an aborted instrument landing in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference to the runway, an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA042.md): Cessna 182G · Sandia Park, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2015 · N2440R · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA16CA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA058.md): Cessna 172 · Greeley, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 15, 2015 · N4256Q · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The pilot of the following airplane failed to maintain adequate spacing during the taxi to the runway, resulting in a collision with the lead airplane.
- [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 GAA16CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA067.md): Taylorcraft BC12 65 · New Lisbon, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2015 · N33939 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, resulting in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA032.md): Philip D Anderson 601 · Hemet, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2015 · N467SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's descent rate during a precautionary landing, which resulted in hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to secure the canopy before takeoff, which precipitated the precautionary landing.
- [NTSB GAA16LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA031.md): Airbus AS350 · Deadhorse, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2015 · C-GSLY · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance while attempting to land in flat light and whiteout conditions.
- [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 ERA16LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA003.md): Beech S35 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2015 · N449CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [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 GAA15CA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA205.md): Boeing B75N1 · Shelter Island, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2015 · N5820V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?page=4

## 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?page=3

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