NTSB investigations, 2012
32 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
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2012
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.
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2012 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
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 WPR13FA073Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B100 · Libby, MTThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions likely due to his geographic disorientation (lost). Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to fly at night with a…NTSB WPR13FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Yosemite Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain situational awareness and sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN13FA096Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BK 117 A-3 · Compton, ILThe inadvertent encounter with inclement weather, including snow, freezing rain, and reduced visibility conditions, which led to the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control.NTSB WPR13CA065Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Tehachapi, CAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued descent into instrument meteorological conditions during the landing approach and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR13CA064Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Roosevelt Lake, AZThe pilot's visual disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the lake.NTSB CEN13LA088Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Rochester, MNThe pilot’s spatial disorientation during the instrument approach in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below decision height and impacting terrain outside the lateral limits of the localizer. Contributing…NTSB WPR13LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Kahului, HIThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control while operating over water in dark night conditions with reduced visibility due to rain in the area.NTSB ERA13LA075Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Albemarle, NCThe student pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller.NTSB CEN13FA085Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Greensburg, INThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation.NTSB 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.NTSB ERA13FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355 · Erwinna, PAThe pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in subsequent spatial disorientation, uncontrolled descent, and impact with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR13FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeropro CZ A240 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR13FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Marana, AZThe pilot’s flight in dark night conditions with no visual reference and his subsequent spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN13FA010Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blanco, TXThe pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions and marginal visual flight rules weather conditions.NTSB CEN13FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Intracoastal City, LAThe pilot’s decision to attempt a local flight in marginal visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with instrument metrological conditions shortly after takeoff.NTSB WPR13FA001Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Beatty, NVThe pilot’s inadequate flight planning, subsequent loss of situational awareness, and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines during a dark night approach to a closed, unlit runway.NTSB CEN13FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Gary, INThe pilot's loss of control during an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were deficient approach control services and the pilot's loss of positional awareness.NTSB CEN12FA633Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Willard, MOThe pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation experienced in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA12FA527Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Abingdon, VAThe pilot's improper decision to make a low-level departure over water in dark night conditions without lights, which resulted in controlled flight into the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's likely spatial disorientation due to a vestibular…NTSB DCA12CA122Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus A330 · Dulles, VAthe A330 flightcrew's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the DHC-8-400 that was stopped on the lead in line of the gate.NTSB ANC12FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Fairbanks, AKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions likely leading to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and in-flight structural failure.NTSB WPR12FA305Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Salina, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA12FA438Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Moscow, TNThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR12CA284Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 210-5 · West Glacier, MTThe pilot elected to abort the takeoff without sufficient runway available to land and stop the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the illusion created by the rising terrain, which influenced the pilot's decision to abort the takeoff.NTSB DCA12CA082Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 747 · Chicago, ILthe B747 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the EMB135 that was stopped on a taxiway.NTSB ERA12FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna LC42-550FG · Salisburry, NCThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB ERA12FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Key West, FLThe non-night-qualified pilot's improper decision to depart in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation, loss of control, and impact with water.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR12FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Show Low, AZThe pilot’s encounter with low clouds/low visibility conditions during the initial climb, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA12FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Quincy, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to maintain controlled flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to take off in deteriorating…NTSB CEN12FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177A · North Vernon, INThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.