# NTSB investigations: Alertness/Fatigue

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

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## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA105.md): Cessna 441 · Pflugerville, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 31, 2026 · N441EC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff due to a flat nose wheel tire which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue which delayed the rejected takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN26LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA033.md): Cessna 182H · Lakeview, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 30, 2025 · N2040X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the improper flap position during landing, and the pilot being fatigued.
- [NTSB WPR24LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA265.md): Bell 407 · Raft River, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…
- [NTSB ERA24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA030.md): Cessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2023 · N140FS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA257.md): Cessna 550 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N819KR · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…
- [NTSB WPR23LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA212.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Colusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2023 · N6750K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.
- [NTSB ERA23FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA164.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Johns Island, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 25, 2023 · N21480 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement and…
- [NTSB ERA23FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA001.md): Cessna 172S · Hermantown, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N262TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long…
- [NTSB WPR22FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA354.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sisters, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2022 · N7063R · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement due to fatigue.
- [NTSB DCA22LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA126.md): Boeing 757-236 · Tulsa, OK · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2022 · N949FD · No damage
  > The flight crew’s misidentification of the intended landing runway. Contributing to the incident were (1) the flight crew’s failure to perceive and correctly interpret visual and auditory indicators – including electronic guidance – that they were approaching…
- [NTSB ERA22LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA145.md): Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 C-2 · Abingdon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2022 · N29VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter skids while landing on a dolly at night, which resulted in the skids becoming entangled with the dolly and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue as a result of the time the accident…
- [NTSB WPR22FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA101.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…
- [NTSB WPR21FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA231.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rush Valley, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 18, 2021 · N6323R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misidentification of a mountain pass at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s overconfidence based on her previous aviation experience and fatigue due to both the time of the flight…
- [NTSB ERA20CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA260.md): Robinson R44 · Whitehall, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2020 · N350DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a known obstacle while landing from a hover.
- [NTSB CEN20CA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA247.md): Cub Crafters CC19-180 · Fredericksburg, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2020 · N97LL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The pilot being fatigued likely contributed to his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC20CA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA054.md): Cessna 120 · Gulkana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2020 · N72536 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during final approach to landing, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during an attempted go-around.
- [NTSB CEN20LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA136.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.
- [NTSB ANC20CA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA032.md): Cessna 172 · Big Lake, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2020 · N52168 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to initiate the takeoff roll from a snow-covered taxiway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a snow berm.
- [NTSB CEN19MA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19MA312.md): Convair 440 · Monclova, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Major · Final report · Sep 11, 2019 · N24DR · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with trees, and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s fatigue due to the overnight flight schedule.
- [NTSB GAA18CA577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA577.md): Aviat A1 · Grand Island, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2018 · N811YD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind and crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.
- [NTSB CEN18FA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA149.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Hazelhurst, WI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2018 · N127LN · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of fatigue during cruise flight at night.
- [NTSB GAA18CA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA174.md): Cessna P210 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 20, 2018 · N81MT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were pilot fatigue and his failure to use the before landing checklist.
- [NTSB CEN18FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA053.md): Cessna T210M · Oldenburg, IN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2017 · N761YZ · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 4 piston, which resulted in an attempted forced landing in dark night conditions and a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's situational…
- [NTSB ANC18LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA005.md): Raytheon B200 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2017 · N363JH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing, which resulted in a gear-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue and complacency.
- [NTSB DCA17IA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17IA148.md): Airbus A320-211 · San Francisco, CA · Incident · No injuries · Class 1 · Incident · Final report · Jul 8, 2017 · C-FKCK · No damage
  > The flight crew's misidentification of taxiway C as the intended landing runway, which resulted from the crewmembers' lack of awareness of the parallel runway closure due to their ineffective review of notice to airmen (NOTAM) information before the flight…
- [NTSB ERA17LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA189.md): Beech 58 · Augusta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 2017 · N9132S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane for landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s fatigue and self-induced distractions.
- [NTSB ERA17FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA181.md): Mitsubishi MU2B · Eleuthera, Bahamas · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 15, 2017 · N220N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional flight into an area of known icing and convective thunderstorm activity, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA17LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA096.md): Beech 200 · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2017 · N60RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear were down and locked before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB CEN17FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA072.md): Cessna 525 · Cleveland, OH · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2016 · N614SB · Destroyed
  > Controlled flight into terrain due to pilot spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue, mode confusion related to the status of the autopilot, and negative learning transfer due to flight guidance panel and attitude indicator…
- [NTSB WPR16FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA172.md): Beech A36 · Sparks, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2016 · N985CA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's selection of a landing runway which, given the wind and traffic conditions, was susceptible to high crosswinds and the translation of wake turbulence across its approach path, and the controller's and pilot's failure to ensure separation from the…
- [NTSB GAA16CA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA320.md): Beech 77 · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2016 · N60189 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff over the maximum takeoff weight in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an inability to climb above terrain, a forced landing, and a collision with a road sign. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN16LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA206.md): Beech A23-24 · Clintonville, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 30, 2016 · N5771V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath during the night visual approach, which resulted in impact with a runway threshold light, and his improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB WPR16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA087.md): North American AT 6A · Astoria, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2016 · N7055D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.
- [NTSB GAA16CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA121.md): Glines Kenneth Tailwind W 8 · Big Bear, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 25, 2016 · N1983T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent landing off the left side of the snow-covered runway, resulting in a ground loop and nose over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA108.md): Cessna 180 · Sussex, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 15, 2016 · N64251 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact, a ground loop, and a nose over.
- [NTSB ERA16FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA043.md): Beech A36TC · Orlando, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2015 · N7FG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning to join the final approach leg of the airport traffic pattern with full airplane-nose-up trim, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an…
- [NTSB GAA15CA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA263.md): Piper PA 28R-200 · Doylestown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2015 · N1125X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to land with sufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue during the flight.
- [NTSB ERA15FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA326.md): Piper PA44 · Houlton, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2015 · N553MD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's descent below the published minimum descent altitude in night instrument meteorological conditions without visual contact with the runway environment, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB ERA15LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA202.md): Beech D95 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2015 · N8950U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for landing. Contributing to the accident were pilot fatigue, distraction, and complacency and the failure of the landing gear warning horn to sound for reasons that could not be determined based on the…
- [NTSB CEN15FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA190.md): Cessna 414A · Bloomington, IL · Accident · 7 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2015 · N789UP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN15LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA117.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Goodland, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2015 · N66906 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management and failure to conduct the engine failure emergency procedures and his improper conduct of the forced landing, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and the subsequent high-energy impact with…
- [NTSB WPR14TA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14TA149.md): Bell OH-58A · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 27, 2014 · N497E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt a mission at night with known en route weather conditions below operating minimums, likely due to self-induced pressure, and then continue flight beyond the alternate landing airport as weather conditions deteriorated, which…
- [NTSB DCA13MA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13MA133.md): Airbus A300 - F4 622R · Birmingham, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Aug 14, 2013 · N155UP · Destroyed
  > the flight crew's continuation of an unstabilized approach and their failure to monitor the aircraft's altitude during the approach, which led to an inadvertent descent below the minimum approach altitude and subsequently into terrain. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB ERA13CA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA362.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Fredericksburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 12, 2013 · N4969J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning and his failure to obtain a weather briefing at his intermediate stops, resulting in a missed approach at his destination and subsequent fuel exhaustion. The pilot’s fatigue due to lack of sleep may…
- [NTSB CEN13LA464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA464.md): Piper PA-36-300 · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2013 · N3789E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree at the completion of an agricultural spray run. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to accept a high level of risk to spray a small field bordered by multiple obstacles and his fatigue…
- [NTSB DCA13MA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA13MA120.md): Boeing 777-200ER · San Francisco, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jul 6, 2013 · HL7742 · Destroyed
  > The flight crew's mismanagement of the airplane's descent during the visual approach, the pilot flying's unintended deactivation of automatic airspeed control, the flight crew's inadequate monitoring of airspeed, and the flight crew's delayed execution of a…
- [NTSB CEN13FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA324.md): Weatherly 620B · Ludlow, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2013 · N350WR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was task- and/or work-related fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR13LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA233.md): Schweizer G-164D · Butte City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 2013 · N83110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an encounter with wake turbulence while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to extended hours of wakefulness and high workload.
- [NTSB WPR13LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA215.md): Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A+ · Somerton, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2013 · N911RN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue due to his working at a time when he normally would…
- [NTSB CEN13FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA219.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 2013 · N55093 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering between two convective storms that likely produced low-level windshear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's relatively low overall flight experience and low night flight experience, which…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020135/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '020135'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020135/cases

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