NTSB investigations
601 cases where NTSB found Perception/orientation/illusion.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 39 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2010 | 33 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 44 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\", '020220')) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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", '020220')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN26LA128Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Larose, LAThe pilot’s improper fuel planning and his failure to adequately monitor the fuel level during flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of attention performing the task,…NTSB ANC26LA011Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150K · Anchorage, AKThe flight instructor’s unintentional selection of the wrong, snow-covered landing surface, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB DCA26LA047Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Chicago, ILUnited Airlines flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the parked Envoy Airlines airplane while taxiing in winter weather conditions.NTSB WPR26LA053Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTecnam P2008 · Blackfoot, IDThe student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and clearance from trees while maneuvering at night.NTSB CEN26LA036Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Gueydan, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid birds.NTSB CEN25LA356Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSikorsky S-76 · Round Mountain, TXThe flight crew’s failure to properly identify the heliport in dark night conditions, which resulted in the flight crew attempting to land and a subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB ANC25LA083Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A-1B · Chisana, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ANC25LA082Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna U206F · Yakutat, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance during approach in gusting wind conditions to a remote airstrip, resulting in a collision with brush.NTSB ANC25LA081Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208B · Anchorage, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a landing touchdown with insufficient runway remaining and a subsequent runway overrun and a collision with a fence.NTSB ANC25LA067Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRockwell International 690B · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff resulting in a gear-up landing on the runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s momentary distraction from within the airplane.NTSB WPR25LA201Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLancair IV · Alpine, WYThe pilot’s loss of visual reference during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with water.NTSB ANC25LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.NTSB CEN25LA211Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna U206 · Falun, WIThe pilot experiencing the featureless terrain illusion during the approach which gave the perception that the airplane was at a higher altitude over the glassy water surface than it was, resulting in the airplane impacting the water.NTSB ANC25LA043Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177RG · Snohomish, WAThe pilot’s decision to continue the landing attempt with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a fence.NTSB ERA25LA199Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182A · Ocala, FLThe pilot’s decision to depart on the flight with known electrical issues and his subsequent loss of situational awareness (geographic position), which resulted in his eventual decision to perform an off-airport landing.NTSB CEN25LA140Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Cash, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an excavator during low-altitude aerial application operations.NTSB ERA25FA143Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Greenville, NCThe pilot’s loss of airplane control shortly after climbing into instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation (somatogyral illusion).NTSB WPR25LA110Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control after the door opened during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm that the door was properly closed before departure.NTSB ERA25FA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Pierson, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB DCA25LA117Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 737-832 · Seattle, WAThe Japan Airlines flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the parked Delta Air Lines aircraft while taxiing in congested ramp conditions.NTSB ANC25LA012Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s improper airspeed management which resulted in a bounced landing and insufficient airspeed to perform a go around procedure.NTSB ERA25LA087Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172K · Southport, NCThe pilot’s loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision, which resulted in the subsequent overstress of the airplane during recovery.NTSB WPR25LA036Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180 · Owinza, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water during a low pass over a lake.NTSB ANC24FA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · King Salmon, AKThe pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.NTSB WPR24LA303Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206H · Big Bend-Gold Bar, WAThe pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN24FA327Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NEThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB CEN24FA326Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S19 · Crofton, NEThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of low cloud cover and precipitation which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR24FA257Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WYThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an…NTSB ERA24FA323Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Trenton, METhe pilot’s aggressive pitch and power control inputs while executing a missed approach, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN24LA279Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Revolt · Rochelle, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during a low-level turn, that resulted in an impact with the ground.NTSB WPR24FA238Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Helena, MTThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness during the water scoop due to task overload while operating in a multi-airplane tactical firefighting environment, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the airplane’s collision…NTSB CEN24FA243Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWaco YKC · Selden, KSThe pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which had not been forecast at the time of departure, and which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR24FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Arco, IDA midair collision between two airplanes during aerial application operations due to both pilots’ insufficient awareness of their proximity to each other and their failure to see and avoid each other. Contributing to the accident was the operator and both…NTSB ERA24LA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBrallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the overwater flight in conditions conducive to the…NTSB WPR24FA156Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.NTSB ERA24FA217Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Franklin, TNThe pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…NTSB ERA24LA171Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · South Kingstown, RIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN24LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Muncie, INThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control while maneuvering outside established instrument approach procedures in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN24MA111Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…NTSB ERA24FA104Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Clearwater, FLAn in-flight engine compartment fire due to a partially loose flexible fuel hose b-nut at the fuel metering unit. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s inability to visually identify the destination airport at night, which prolonged the…NTSB ERA24FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Weston, FLThe pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.NTSB CEN24FA064Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Christoval, TXThe instrument-rated pilot and a passenger departed on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight. After about 4.5 hours, while approaching the first planned fuel stop, the airplane was in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). According to air traffic…NTSB WPR24FA040Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Mertzon, TXThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overconfidence.NTSB ERA24FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s…NTSB ERA24LA030Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe 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 DCA24LA043Incident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 787 · Chicago, ILThe flight crew’s misperception of the distance required to safely pass the hangar and failure to request additional ground handling support while taxiing, which resulted in a collision with a hangar. Contributing to the accident was United Airlines…NTSB ERA24FA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NHThe pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience,…NTSB WPR24FA002Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Moab, UTThe pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA23FA384Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150K · Gilford, NHThe pilot’s loss of control during visual flight rules flight in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s motivation to depart on the flight despite being made aware that conditions…NTSB ERA23FA358Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.