# NTSB investigations, WA: 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 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 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 WPR15FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA212.md): Beech A35 · Mazama, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2015 · N8749A · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR14CA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA019.md): Robinson R44 - II · Sedro Woolley, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2013 · N414CC · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during initial climb and his improper decision to continue flight, which resulted in an in-flight impact with a tree and an emergency descent that resulted in a…
- [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 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 LAX08FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA246.md): Cessna 172N · McMurray, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2008 · N75558 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'WA' 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=WA

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