# Sensory ability/limitation

- Type: NTSB finding section
- Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › [Physical](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0201) › Sensory ability/limitation
- NTSB code: 020115
- Cases: 45
- In the probable cause: 31
- Fatal cases: 26
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020115/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020115/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020115

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 0 / 1
- 2009: 1 / 2
- 2010: 4 / 4
- 2011: 0 / 1
- 2012: 4 / 5
- 2013: 2 / 3
- 2014: 1 / 1
- 2015: 4 / 5
- 2017: 3 / 4
- 2019: 2 / 3
- 2020: 4 / 5
- 2021: 2 / 4
- 2022: 2 / 2
- 2023: 2 / 2
- 2024: 0 / 2
- 2026: 0 / 1

## Findings

- [Visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): 32 cases, 22 in the probable cause
- [Sensory ability/limitation, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011500): 5 cases, 4 in the probable cause
- [Vestibular function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011530): 5 cases, 3 in the probable cause
- [Color-vision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011520): 2 cases, 1 in the probable cause
- [Hearing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011525): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 10 cases
- [Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250): 7 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 5 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 4 cases
- [Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200): 3 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 2 cases
- [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 2 cases
- [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases
- [Hazardous material leak/spill](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450): 1 cases
- [Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d): 1 cases
- [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 1 cases
- [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65): 1 cases
- [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j): 1 cases
- [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b): 1 cases
- [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a): 1 cases
- [Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schempp-hirth-ventus-2b): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 12 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 11 cases
- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 11 cases
- [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 6 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 6 cases
- [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 4 cases
- [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 4 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 4 cases
- [Adequacy of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021015) (Organizational issues): 3 cases
- [Glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030) (Environmental issues): 3 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA145), Mar 24, 2026: Classic Waco YMF (N43000), Galveston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The biplane pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing, which included the failure to perform S-turns to compensate for limited forward visibility.
- [NTSB WPR24LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA286), Aug 23, 2024: Cessna 182P (N9989E), Stanley, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control in reduced visibility conditions due to a wind gust, which resulted in a collision with a trailer.
- [NTSB WPR24LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA068), Jan 8, 2024: Cessna 421C (N421TP), Carson City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: Airport personnel’s failure to properly prioritize their response actions, including updating the airport’s automated weather observation system recording in a timely manner to notify incoming pilots…
- [NTSB WPR24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA069), Dec 23, 2023: Taylorcraft BC12-D (N43415), Whitefish, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the airport authorities to renew the airport closure NOTAM for the airport. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot’s inability to see the runway closure sign.
- [NTSB CEN23FA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA333), Jul 29, 2023: Rotorway 162F (N193AZ), Oshkosh, WI, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited…
- [NTSB CEN23MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23MA034), Nov 12, 2022: Boeing B17 (N7227C), Dallas, TX, destroyed, 6 fatal. Probable cause: the air boss’s and air show event organizer’s lack of an adequate, prebriefed aircraft separation plan for the air show performance, relying instead on the air boss’s real-time deconfliction…
- [NTSB ANC22LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA070), Sep 3, 2022: Piper PA-18-150 (N119CC), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain centerline in dusk light conditions which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB WPR22LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA069), Dec 22, 2021: Cessna 172N (N6280F), Auburn, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN22LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA074), Dec 13, 2021: Mini-MAX 1600R Sport (UNREG), South Bend, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s low-level flight and poor visual lookout which resulted in collision with a light pole on final approach and the pilot’s improper decision to operate an airplane under the influence of…
- [NTSB WPR21LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA269), Jul 10, 2021: Cessna 172R (N996RA), Petaluma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing following a partial loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and hampered visual function.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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