OpenAirDocs.org

Fatal NTSB investigations, 2015

13 cases where the sequence of events included Loss of visual reference.

Cases per year

20082026

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2015
    AND c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    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"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ERA16FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHinton Paul M RV 4 · Greenville, FLThe 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…Dec 18, 2015 · N77BP · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA042Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Sandia Park, NMThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.Nov 16, 2015 · N2440R · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Cornelia, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.Nov 5, 2015 · N57WV · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Queens, NYThe 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.Nov 5, 2015 · N622BT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-180 · Morongo Valley, CAThe 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…Oct 17, 2015 · N4972J · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Townsend, MTThe 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.Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Marathon, FLThe 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…Aug 10, 2015 · N54380 · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Mazama, WAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.Jul 11, 2015 · N8749A · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.May 21, 2015 · N1842F · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Rowdy, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.May 21, 2015 · N26886 · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Cherokee, ALThe 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…Apr 6, 2015 · N555JC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Eufaula, OKThe 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.Mar 13, 2015 · N919EM · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tooele, UTThe 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,…Jan 9, 2015 · N383GM · Substantial damage