NTSB investigations
242 cases where the sequence of events included Loss of visual reference.
Cases, newest first
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 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.
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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN11FA557Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Millersburg, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with terrain during the landing approach in night conditions and fog. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.NTSB CEN11CA545Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-G6 · Forest City, IAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout during an aerial application run, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a windmill.NTSB ANC11FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Juneau, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to reach his destination.NTSB ERA11FA412Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Erwin, NCThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in dark night conditions.NTSB CEN11FA468Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, INThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN11CA314Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPrichard Kevin Legacy 2K · Kansas City, MOThe pilot's misjudgment of the landing area, which resulted in the airplane touching down on a grass area adjacent to the runway and between parallel taxiways.NTSB ERA11CA226Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna U206C · Bridgeport, CTThe pilot's delayed decision to perform a go-around which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR11LA076Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-65 · College Place, WAThe 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 CEN10CA539Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Rushville, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due to the sun glare.NTSB WPR10LA446Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Salinas, CAThe pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA10LA421Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Key West, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation during night, over-water, low-ambient-light conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ocean.NTSB ANC10LA071Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB WPR10FA273Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Lincoln, MTThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into an area of low ceilings and low visibility and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from mountainous terrain.NTSB ANC10CA027Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182B · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's decision to enter adverse weather conditions, resulting in a loss of visibility and collision with terrain during a turn to reverse direction.NTSB WPR10LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Joshua Tree, CAThe certified flight instructor's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with terrain.NTSB CEN10LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWicks Air Center Hornet · Bonham, TXThe pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.NTSB WPR10FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Black Canyon City, AZThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN09FA603Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Houma, LAThe pilot’s decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR09FA391Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion Navion A · Adrian, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the aircraft and led to an in-flight structural failure.NTSB CEN09CA500Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna P210N · Wheeling, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.NTSB CEN09PA348Accident · 2 fatalClass 1Final reportAgusta A109E · Santa Fe, NMThe pilot's decision to take off from a remote, mountainous landing site in dark (moonless) night, windy, instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were an organizational culture that prioritized mission execution over aviation safety…NTSB CEN09FA340Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5B · Humbird, WIThe pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN09CA269Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet L-23 Super Blanik · Adrian, MIThe flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the strong, gusting crosswind during landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to attempt flight with known adverse weather approaching the airport.NTSB WPR09FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Corona, CAThe pilot did not maintain airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.NTSB WPR09LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Cave Creek, AZThe pilot's misjudged landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the brownout condition created by the dust cloud that interfered with the pilot's perception of proximity to the ground, and the glare interference from the parked fire vehicles headlights…NTSB ANC09CA020Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 65-A90-1 · Soldotna, AKThe pilot's misidentification of the runway surface during landing. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered terrain, and low-light conditions.NTSB ERA09CA134Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Manteo, NCThe pilot's failure to follow the missed approach procedure while landing with a low ceiling.NTSB CEN09LA116Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLearjet 45XR · Telluride, COThe failure of both pilots to positively identify the runway prior to landing.NTSB ERA09FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Gallatin, TNThe pilot's inadvertent descent into water as a result of the dark night and limited outside visual references.NTSB NYC08LA310Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDufault Mark V Pitts S-1D · Ridgely, MDThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation which resulted in an attempted landing in fog and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB DFW08FA212Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Yuma, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ANC08FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Juneau, AKThe 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 was the…NTSB LAX08FA246Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · McMurray, WAThe 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.NTSB LAX08LA198Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Ash Fork, AZThe pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout…NTSB NYC08LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Rockland, METhe non-instrument rated pilot becoming spatially disorientated after inadvertently entering instrument flight conditions.NTSB DEN08FA101Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Huntsville, TXThe 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 MIA08FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Cedar Key, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water during a dark night approach to a coastal airport.NTSB DEN08FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Gothenburg, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's recent usage of Marihuana, his impaired judgement and decision making, and the low visibility weather…NTSB NYC08FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSIAI-Marchetti SF-260 · Belfast, METhe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation during an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ANC08LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Koliganek, AKThe pilot's VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with snow-covered terrain during a turn to reverse direction. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings, flat lighting conditions, and the snow-covered terrain.NTSB ANC08LA042Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · White Mountain, AKThe pilot’s inadvertent flight into flat light/whiteout conditions over snow-covered terrain.NTSB DFW08FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · San Antonio, TXThe 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.