NTSB investigations, GA

30 cases where NTSB found Perception/orientation/illusion.

Cases per year

20092026
NTSB investigations, GA per year, 2009–2026: 30 cases
20093
20111
20123
20132
20142
20154
20161
20172
20182
20192
20201
20214
20221
20232

Latest 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'GA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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.

NTSB ERA23FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Watkinsville, GAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an in-flight overload separation of the right wing during the uncontrolled descent.Apr 26, 2023 · N123DS · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GAThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and…Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA405Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Hartwell, GAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control following a perceived undetermined problem with the airplane’s gyroscopic instrumentation.Sep 10, 2022 · N3670D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Statesboro, GAThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.Dec 8, 2021 · N5776B · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA014Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.Oct 13, 2021 · N9126P · DestroyedNTSB ERA21FA362Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Monticello, GAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions during a dark night and over unlit terrain, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.Sep 16, 2021 · N888DV · DestroyedNTSB ERA21FA140Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R182 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into low instrument meteorological conditions.Feb 26, 2021 · N3652C · DestroyedNTSB ERA20FA096Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 501 · Fairmount, GAThe pilots’ loss of control in flight in freezing instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation and the cumulative effects of task saturation.Feb 8, 2020 · N501RG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20FA021Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.Oct 30, 2019 · N56258 · DestroyedNTSB ERA19FA234Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Americus, GAThe pilot’s decision to depart in dark instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s self-induced pressure to…Jul 24, 2019 · N921CD · DestroyedNTSB ERA19FA071Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 20, 2018 · N188CW · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA198Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Brunswick, GAThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to see and avoid an airplane holding short of the runway on the taxiway and the flight instructor’s lack of situational awareness.Feb 22, 2018 · N410ER · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Rhine, GAThe student pilot's decision to take off from a partially-lit grass runway in dark night, marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, and an aerodynamic stall.Sep 20, 2017 · N3875J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA23 · Chatsworth, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…Jul 1, 2017 · N44HJ · DestroyedNTSB ERA17FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227 · Camilla, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate and continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.Dec 6, 2016 · N765FA · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Climax, GAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by the combined effects of multiple medications and drugs.Nov 9, 2015 · N164GP · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Cornelia, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.Nov 5, 2015 · N57WV · DestroyedNTSB GAA15CA216Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150M · Ellijay, GAThe pilot's failure to attain and maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.Aug 5, 2015 · N3568V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15CA152Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182L · Waycross, GAThe pilot's failure to use any airport guidance while taxiing, which resulted in geographic disorientation and a takeoff attempt from an inadequate length and unsuitable surface.Mar 10, 2015 · N42667 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14FA168Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Brunswick, GAAn inflight failure of the airplane's only operating vacuum pump, which resulted in the loss of attitude information provided by vacuum-driven flight instruments. Also causal was the pilots' failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating in…Mar 24, 2014 · N923RS · DestroyedNTSB ERA14FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · LaGrange, GAThe pilot's overreaction to a perceived conflict with a tow plane and glider on an intersecting runway, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the glider tow operator to follow…Feb 22, 2014 · N36638 · DestroyedNTSB ERA14FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Dawsonville, GAThe pilot’s in-flight loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while operating in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limitations and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…Dec 3, 2013 · N87NF · DestroyedNTSB ERA14FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Tifton, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.Oct 18, 2013 · N11ML · DestroyedNTSB ERA13FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Lake Park, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to depart in dark, night marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control.Dec 11, 2012 · N840DS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Savannah, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while operating in night, instrument meteorological conditions, due to spatial disorientation.Nov 18, 2012 · N78304 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA190Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Swainsboro, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.Feb 18, 2012 · N47863 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA12CA021Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 757-351 · Atlanta, GAthe failure of the captain of N303DQ to maintain a safe clearance from N583NW that was stopped on the taxiway.Dec 9, 2011 · N583NW · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310J · Lawrenceville, GAThe pilot’s loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, as a result of spatial disorientation.Oct 30, 2009 · N308J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09CA216Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Atlanta, GAThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with a parked airplane.Mar 18, 2009 · N748CD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09FA185Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Carrollton, GAThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.Mar 8, 2009 · N1913M · Destroyed