# NTSB investigations: Spatial disorientation 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. Page 1 of 8 · 358 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA25FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA143.md): Raytheon A36 · Greenville, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N566C · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control shortly after climbing into instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation (somatogyral illusion). - [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB ERA25LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA087.md): Cessna 172K · Southport, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 19, 2024 · N7085G · Substantial damage > The 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 ANC24FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA089.md): Bell 206B · King Salmon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 7, 2024 · N306FW · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN24FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N9626K · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. - [NTSB CEN24FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA326.md): Rans S19 · Crofton, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N519JR · Destroyed > The 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 WPR24FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA257.md): Pilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WY · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2024 · N357HE · Destroyed > The 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 ERA24FA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA323.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Trenton, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 25, 2024 · N990PT · Destroyed > The 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 CEN24FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA243.md): Waco YKC · Selden, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N14137 · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA24LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA227.md): Brallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2024 · N446KW · Destroyed > The 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 WPR24FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA156.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 19, 2024 · N22MW · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA24FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA217.md): Beech V35 · Franklin, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2024 · N47WT · Destroyed > The 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 CEN24LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA144.md): Piper PA28 · Muncie, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2024 · N8438B · Destroyed > The 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 CEN24MA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24MA111.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Feb 10, 2024 · N130CZ · Destroyed > The 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 ERA24FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA096.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 23, 2024 · N737VC · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN24FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA064.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Christoval, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 14, 2023 · N188PC · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR24FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA040.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Mertzon, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 26, 2023 · N7763W · Destroyed > The 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 ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · Destroyed > The 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 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 ERA24FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA003.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N802JR · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA23FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA384.md): Cessna 150K · Gilford, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 30, 2023 · N6312G · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA23FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA358.md): Cirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 3, 2023 · N420PB · Destroyed > The 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. - [NTSB ERA23LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA328.md): Cessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CB · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2023 · N13384 · Destroyed > The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB CEN23FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA239.md): Mooney M20R · Watertown, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2023 · N1025C · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the prohibited substance; however, the extent of impairment could not be determined. - [NTSB CEN23FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA190.md): Beech E-90 · Winslow, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N522MJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s poor preflight decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without a functional autopilot system, which resulted in spatial disorientation and his failure to maintain aircraft control while flying in IMC during the… - [NTSB WPR23FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA188.md): Cessna T182T · Albany, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2023 · N665B · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to conduct flight into an area of icing in an airplane that was prohibited from such conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall/spin, and the pilot’s spatial disorientation… - [NTSB ERA23FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA209.md): Cessna 177B · Watkinsville, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2023 · N123DS · Destroyed > The 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. - [NTSB ERA23FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA181.md): Piper PA32R · Venice, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 6, 2023 · N635BD · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation during the initial climb and subsequent steep banking descent into water. - [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control. - [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 CEN23FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA125.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · Destroyed > The pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight. - [NTSB WPR23MA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23MA113.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Stagecoach, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Feb 25, 2023 · N273SM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the disengagement of the autopilot for undetermined reasons, as… - [NTSB CEN23FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA084.md): Piper PA46 · Yoakum, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 17, 2023 · N963MA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · Destroyed > The 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… - [NTSB WPR23FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA083.md): Piper PA-34-220T · New Harmony, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 4, 2023 · N814WT · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB ANC23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA008.md): Raytheon C90A · Kaupo, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 15, 2022 · N13GZ · Substantial damage > Guardian Flight’s inadequate pilot training and performance tracking, which failed to identify and correct the pilot’s consistent lack of skill, and which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain his position inflight using secondary instruments to… - [NTSB CEN23FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA057.md): Cessna 210-5(205) · Cleburne, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 5, 2022 · N8149Z · Destroyed > An in-flight loss of control as a result of spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB ERA23FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA079.md): Piper PA28 · Venice, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 4, 2022 · N4676F · Substantial damage > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during takeoff in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb and a subsequent descent into the water. - [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 ERA22FA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA405.md): Beech 95-B55 · Hartwell, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 10, 2022 · N3670D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control following a perceived undetermined problem with the airplane’s gyroscopic instrumentation. - [NTSB ERA22FA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA314.md): Cessna 210C · Shelby, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2022 · N3659Y · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to commence the flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to… - [NTSB WPR22FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA210.md): Mooney M20K · Camarillo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2022 · N305L · Destroyed > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control after entering instrument meteorological conditions shortly after takeoff. - [NTSB WPR22FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA172.md): Vans RV10 · Sausalito, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 6, 2022 · N54MG · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB CEN22FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA145.md): Piper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 17, 2022 · N8357Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ERA22LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA142.md): Vans RV-12IS · Big Pine Key, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2022 · N123RR · Destroyed > The pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and his improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility in moderate precipitation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial… - [NTSB CEN22FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA131.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Fostoria, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 23, 2022 · N3952W · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control in night instrument meteorological conditions during the procedure turn of an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain. - [NTSB ERA22LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA120.md): Pilatus PC-12/47E · Beaufort, NC · Accident · 8 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2022 · N79NX · Destroyed > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, inadequate inflight monitoring of the airplane’s flight parameters, and his failure to regain control of the airplane following entry into an inadvertent aerodynamic stall. The pilot’s likely spatial disorientation… - [NTSB WPR22FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA073.md): Mooney M20C · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/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", '02022025')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.