# NTSB investigations: Geographic disorient (lost)

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA199.md): Cessna 182A · Ocala, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2025 · N174A · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA22LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA326.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33A · Waynesville, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N3616Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness (geographic position), which resulted in his inability to locate the intended landing runway and his decision to perform an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB CEN21LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA156.md): Cessna 170 · Poplar Bluff, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2021 · N9515A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to make a precautionary landing in a field that contained soft terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly without a printed VFR sectional chart to identify the…
- [NTSB ERA20CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA300.md): Cessna 182 · Millington, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2020 · N3707U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misidentification of a corn field for the destination airport’s runway, and a subsequent aerodynamic stall at low altitude while attempting to land.
- [NTSB ANC19FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA029.md): Maule M6 · Moose Pass, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N56512 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's geographic disorientation and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid mountainous terrain, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA18CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA095.md): Cessna 150 · Nampa, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2018 · N3229V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disoriention during a night flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA073.md): Brock Steiner Sport Copter Vortex · Spanish Fork, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2017 · N395SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain situational and geographic awareness during the flight, which resulted in him becoming lost and exhausting the gyroplane’s fuel.
- [NTSB GAA18CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA069.md): Weaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.
- [NTSB CEN18LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA014.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Gustavus, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2017 · N105MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disorientation while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern in dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below a normal approach path and a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB WPR17FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA101.md): Icon A5 · Lake Berryessa, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 2017 · N184BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mistaken entry into a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain while at a low altitude for reasons that could not be…
- [NTSB WPR17FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA021.md): Hughes 369 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2016 · N81GG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions at night in rain, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA330.md): Cessna 152 · Clearlake Oaks, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2016 · N67889 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's deviation from his original flight plan, which resulted in becoming lost in mountainous terrain at night, fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a collision with power lines during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247.md): Cessna 172P · Townsend, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB GAA15CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA153.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 5A · Mackay, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2015 · N9887U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's disorientation in mountainous terrain and course deviation into a canyon, which resulted in the airplane's inability to out climb terrain and a forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC15MA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15MA041.md): Dehavilland DHC-3 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · 9 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jun 25, 2015 · N270PA · Substantial damage
  > (1) the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain; and (2) Promech's company culture, which tacitly endorsed flying in…
- [NTSB ERA15CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA152.md): Cessna 182L · Waycross, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2015 · N42667 · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR13FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA073.md): Beech B100 · Libby, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2012 · N499SW · Destroyed
  > The 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 ERA12CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA082.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Brooksville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 22, 2011 · N497DA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect identification of the runway, which resulted in an off-airport landing and subsequent collision with objects.
- [NTSB CEN12LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA060.md): Cessna 180 · Eau Claire, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2011 · N3606C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s disorientation during a night flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing, and his inadequate directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the loss of the airplane’s electrical system power.
- [NTSB WPR11LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA318.md): Piper PA-22-108 · Frazier Park, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2011 · N4901Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing in soft terrain and a subsequent nose over.
- [NTSB CEN10CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA092.md): Cessna 150L · Brownstown, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 5, 2010 · N10401 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the student pilot becoming lost/disoriented in flight.
- [NTSB ERA09CA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA328.md): Trick Trikes Storm Thunder · Raleigh, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2009 · N2598E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on approach for landing.
- [NTSB WPR09CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA181.md): Max A Boesiger Jr Pulsar · Riddle, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2009 · N610RJ · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing to the accident was fatigue, as reported by the pilot.
- [NTSB CEN09LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA128.md): Probst Baby Ace D · Kilgore, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2009 · N610DD · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness, resulting in him being lost.
- [NTSB NYC08CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA275.md): I.C.A.-Brasov IS-26B2 · Fincastle, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2008 · N4281B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's geographic disorientation, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate landing site.
- [NTSB ANC08LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA095.md): Cessna T210 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2008 · N59214 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that there was sufficient fuel on board the airplane for the planned flight, and his inadequate flight planning and navigation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and ditching short of the planned destination. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CHI08CA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA131.md): Kuntz Kuntz 2000 GTS EFI · Dickinson, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2008 · N610RD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the precautionary landing at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot becoming lost after inadvertently encountering fog while en route, the night…

## 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", '02022030'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030/cases

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