# Visual function

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › [Physical](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0201) › [Sensory ability/limitation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020115) › Visual function
- NTSB code: 02011510
- Cases: 32
- In the probable cause: 22
- Fatal cases: 18
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510

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

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

## Defining events in these cases

- [Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250): 6 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 6 cases
- [Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200): 3 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 3 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 2 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 2 cases
- [Hazardous material leak/spill](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450): 1 cases
- [Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380): 1 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 1 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236): 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
- [Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-schleicher-asw-27-18): 1 cases
- [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-1): 1 cases
- [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 10 cases
- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 9 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 8 cases
- [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 4 cases
- [Glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 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 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 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 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 CEN21LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA286), Jun 21, 2021: Ayres S2R-T34 (N4328P), Leoti, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of visibility in the cockpit due to foam created by the chemicals loaded in the hopper, which resulted in his inability to maintain airplane control during low-level flight and an…
- [NTSB CEN21FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA043), Nov 6, 2020: Beech J35 (N617Q), Fredericksburg, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot of the J35’s failure to maintain clearance from the M35, which resulted in a midair collision and the J35 pilot’s subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA291), Aug 18, 2020: Team Rocket F1 Rocket (N88XK), Finelyville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane’s speed and altitude during the landing approach, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.…
- [NTSB ANC20LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA074), Jul 31, 2020: De Havilland DHC-2 (N4982U), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage, 7 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were (1) the PA-12 pilot’s decision to fly with a known severe vision deficiency that had resulted in…

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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