# NTSB investigations, TX: 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.

## Latest cases

- [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 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 CEN19FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA140.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Eagle Lake, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N713LA · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent 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 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 CEN15CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA095.md): Cessna 152 · Mount Pleasant, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2014 · N787PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines.
- [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 CEN13FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA039.md): Cessna 320E · San Marcos, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2012 · N10PM · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN13FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Blanco, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2012 · N474FA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions and marginal visual flight rules weather conditions.
- [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 CEN10LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA041.md): Wicks Air Center Hornet · Bonham, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2009 · N651WA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.
- [NTSB DEN08FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA101.md): Bell 407 · Huntsville, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2008 · N416PH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in its impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the limited outside visual reference due to the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB DFW08FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA057.md): Piper PA46-500TP · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2008 · N169CA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to execute an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to recent use of over-the-counter medication.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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?state=TX

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