NTSB investigations
51 cases where NTSB found Visual illusion/disorientation.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 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\", '02022015')) 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", '02022015')) 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 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 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 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 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 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 CEN23LA355Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Waco, TXThe solo student pilot’s improper descent path which resulted in a hard landing on the nose wheel and subsequent bounced landing.NTSB ANC23FA056Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Wainwright, AKThe pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude over a large body of water toward featureless terrain, which resulted in a loss of visual clues and controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR23FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.NTSB WPR23LA145Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Elko, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA103Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Porterville, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR23LA053Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A-1C-180 · Morgan, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.NTSB CEN23FA046Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra EA300 · Wonder Lake, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent path to the runway after he became disorientated by sun glare while on final approach, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA22LA209Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Oakland, FLThe pilot’s decision to continue the low-altitude aerial application flight over water conditions that degraded his depth perception, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the water.NTSB ERA22LA206Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Lake Apopka, FLA collision with water following a loss of visual reference to the water surface due to sun glare.NTSB ANC22LA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 BA · Valdez, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in flat light conditions, which resulted in landing short of the intended landing spot and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC22LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Deadhorse, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in flat light conditions, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CAThe 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 ERA21LA264Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Tampa, FLThe pilot’s improper landing flare while making a power off practice autorotative landing. Contributing was the decreased visual cues provided by the recently paved runway during the night landing conducted with the aid of night vision goggles.NTSB CEN21LA123Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3F-50 · Weidman, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a low approach over a snow-covered runway. Contributing to the accident was the loss of depth perception due to the bright sunlight and snow.NTSB WPR20LA246Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Elgin, NVThe trailing pilot’s failure to maintain separation from the lead airplane during a fire retardant deployment flight, which resulted in the trailing airplane flying through a plume of retardant and the trailing pilot’s subsequent loss of visibility that led…NTSB WPR20LA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenair CH601 · Maricopa, AZThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness and descent below pattern altitude during the landing approach, which resulted in collision with terrain at night.NTSB ERA20LA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArion Lightning LS-1 · Mount Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the…NTSB ANC20CA018Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR19FA026Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportZenith CH601 · Overgaard, AZThe pilot’s failure to monitor the airport’s visual approach path indicator during the final approach to the upsloping runway, which resulted in a low approach path and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR18FA245Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Prescott, AZThe pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain an approach path that provided clearance from the terrain due to a visual illusion in dark night conditions.NTSB ERA17LA201Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Gordonville, FLThe pilot's failure to properly configure the mixture control for landing due to disorientation because he had the airport diagram upside down, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB ANC16LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on approach to land in flat light conditions. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the inadequately restrained internal cargo, which shifted forward during the impact and struck the…NTSB GAA16CA212Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Poplar Grove, ILThe pilot's visual disorientation and failure to monitor the altimeter during a night approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA15FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Marathon, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the…NTSB 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.NTSB WPR14CA366Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Black Rock City, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's disorientation as a result of dust which reduced visibility.NTSB ERA14FA288Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-500TP · White Plains, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion). Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart and his decision to depart in low-ceiling and…NTSB CEN13FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Guymon, OKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off in deteriorating…NTSB ANC13FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Nikolai, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering inside a box canyon and the airplane’s subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual…NTSB CEN13CA206Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna T206H · Sabinal, TXThe pilot’s failure to properly identify the airstrip, which resulted in him landing the airplane off of the airstrip in soft soil causing the nose over.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 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 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 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.NTSB DCA11CA084Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBombardier CL600 2D24 · Boston, MAthe B767 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the CRJ900 that was stopped on a taxiway.NTSB WPR11LA233Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPalmer RV6A · Cody, WYThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual illusion and disorientation due to the flat light conditions.NTSB ERA11GA207Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A185F · Ashland, MEAn inadvertent encounter with localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB WPR11LA076Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-65 · College Place, WAThe pilot's failure to abort the landing when he lost sight of the runway due to sun glare, and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind.NTSB ERA11FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Pearlington, MSThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain likely due to spatial disorientation, while flying over sparsely lighted terrain at night.NTSB CEN10LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWicks Air Center Hornet · Bonham, TXThe pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation in fog and/or low-level clouds.NTSB ERA09LA527Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lowndesville, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation after entering instrument flight conditions.NTSB ANC09CA020Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 65-A90-1 · Soldotna, AKThe pilot's misidentification of the runway surface during landing. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered terrain, and low-light conditions.NTSB CEN09MA117Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76C · Morgan City, LA(1) the sudden loss of power to both engines that resulted from impact with a bird (red-tailed hawk), which fractured the windshield and interfered with engine fuel controls, and (2) the subsequent disorientation of the flight crewmembers, which left them…NTSB DCA09FA009Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportGeneral Atomics MQ-9 · Sierra Vista, AZthe failure of the pilot to timely flare the aircraft to the appropriate attitude, likely associated with the different sight picture after switching cameras, resulting in a bounced landing; and the evaluator pilot’s lack of timely recognition and…