# Vestibular 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) › Vestibular function
- NTSB code: 02011530
- Cases: 5
- In the probable cause: 3
- Fatal cases: 4
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011530/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011530/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011530

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

- 2009: 1 / 2
- 2010: 1 / 1
- 2012: 1 / 1
- 2021: 0 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 3 cases
- [Flight instrument malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334): 1 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 1 cases
- [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n): 1 cases
- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 1 cases
- [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 1 cases
- [Beech 35-C33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Runway lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Airport lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017010) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Use of equip/info, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Action/decision, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Recent instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031050) (Personnel issues): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [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 CEN12FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA164), Feb 21, 2012: Piper PA-24-250 (N7147P), Albany, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of flight instrumentation due to a failed vacuum pump while flying a night without a discernable horizon, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of…
- [NTSB CEN10FA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA392), Jul 14, 2010: Beech 35C33 (N5827S), Tolar, TX, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at night over a rural area, due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN10FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA044), Nov 8, 2009: Beech A36 (N91TD), Spring Branch, TX, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to this accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in flying…
- [NTSB CEN09FA601](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA601), Sep 24, 2009: Cessna T210 (N9734Y), Hilltop Lakes, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of control of the airplane in dark night light conditions due to the pilot’s spatial disorientation.

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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