# Alcohol - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › [Physical](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0201) › [Impairment/incapacitation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020120) › Alcohol - NTSB code: 02012015 - Cases: 87 - In the probable cause: 81 - Fatal cases: 53 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 6 / 6 - 2009: 5 / 5 - 2010: 6 / 6 - 2011: 7 / 7 - 2012: 6 / 6 - 2013: 3 / 4 - 2014: 7 / 7 - 2015: 7 / 7 - 2016: 5 / 6 - 2017: 2 / 2 - 2018: 3 / 4 - 2019: 5 / 6 - 2020: 2 / 3 - 2021: 1 / 2 - 2022: 9 / 9 - 2023: 2 / 2 - 2024: 3 / 3 - 2025: 2 / 2 ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 28 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 10 cases - [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 7 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 6 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 5 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 5 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 4 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 4 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 3 cases - [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 3 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 4 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 3 cases - [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11): 2 cases - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 2 cases - [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l): 2 cases - [Universal Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-2): 1 cases - [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p): 1 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 1 cases - [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350): 1 cases - [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 34 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 31 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 15 cases - [Prescription medication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012025) (Personnel issues): 13 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 13 cases - [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 12 cases - [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 9 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 9 cases - [Illicit drug](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012020) (Personnel issues): 9 cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 9 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB WPR26LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA046), Nov 9, 2025: Michael W Verzwyvelt SS-7 Super Sport (N14PM), Boise, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with obstacles while on approach. - [NTSB ANC25LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA036), Apr 25, 2025: Stinson 108 (N9308K), North Pole, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was his impairment from the effects of alcohol consumption. - [NTSB CEN25LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA049), Nov 24, 2024: Piper PA-28-140 (N6575W), Camdenton, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s poor flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ERA24LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA297), Jul 4, 2024: Buckeye Dream Machine (UNREG), Bainbridge, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and… - [NTSB ERA24LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA134), Mar 9, 2024: Cessna 150 (N1703Q), Clay, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to attempt a VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to… - [NTSB CEN23FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA201), May 24, 2023: Cessna 182T (N577TZ), Grand Isle, LA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with the ocean. - [NTSB CEN23LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA178), May 6, 2023: Airbus Helicopters EC130 (N254DM), Carta Valley, TX, no damage. Probable cause: The right rear-seat passenger’s improper judgement to release his restraint system and depart the helicopter while in a hover, which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries. Contributing to the… - [NTSB CEN23FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA050), Nov 28, 2022: Cessna 170 (N2710D), Gage, OK, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilots’ loss of airplane control, resulting in an impact with terrain during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the airplane owner’s impairment due to his use of… - [NTSB ERA22FA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA422), Sep 17, 2022: Wren Ronnie D Titan II (N709RD), Citra, FL, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of… - [NTSB WPR22FA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA254), Jul 16, 2022: Stucky Steven D RV-7 (N283S), Topeka, KS, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while performing an aerobatic maneuver on takeoff, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, a subsequent aerodynamic… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.