NTSB investigations, AZ

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

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, AZ per year, 2008–2026: 10 cases
20081
20092
20141
20171
20191
20212
20251
20261

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 c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AZ' 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"

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 WPR26LA077Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150A · Coolidge, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s partially obscured vision due to sun glare.Jan 5, 2026 · N7235X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA059Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWaco RNF · Phoenix, AZThe biplane pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the low-wing airplane while taxiing.Dec 14, 2025 · N110Y · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Marana, AZThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA166Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Williams, AZThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in night visual meteorological conditions.Apr 16, 2021 · N2506N · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20FA034Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Flower Pot, AZThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing was…Dec 8, 2019 · N5557Q · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210K · Payson, AZThe 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.Jan 2, 2017 · N272EF · DestroyedNTSB WPR14TA236Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Mesa, AZThe loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the decoupling of the engine’s turbine and compressor sections. Contributing to the decoupling was the excessive wear of the turbine-to-compressor coupling components due maintenance personnel’s placement…Jun 8, 2014 · N504MP · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Oct 4, 2009 · N7471P · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Feb 23, 2009 · N353P · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Jun 27, 2008 · N586AE · Substantial damage