NTSB investigations

14 cases where NTSB found Cognitive limitation.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 14 cases
20082
20101
20111
20131
20151
20171
20191
20232
20243
20251

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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '020230'))
  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 WPR26LA071Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot’s intentional deployment of the airframe parachute system due to task-saturation in instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 23, 2025 · N272HM · Substantial damageNTSB DCA24LA318Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer ERJ 170-100 LR · Chicago, ILThe flight crew’s misidentification of the intended landing runway, which resulted in an approach to and landing on the wrong runway due to their planned continuation bias. Contributing to the incident was the flight crew’s decision to continue the approach…Sep 25, 2024 · N772MR · No damageNTSB WPR24LA265Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Raft River, IDThe pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA238Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Helena, MTThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness during the water scoop due to task overload while operating in a multi-airplane tactical firefighting environment, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the airplane’s collision…Jul 10, 2024 · N10122 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA064Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Christoval, TXThe 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…Dec 14, 2023 · N188PC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCubcrafters CCK-1865 · Twisp, WAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a rock during an aborted landing on a hillside, the collision with which resulted in damage to the aileron system that precluded subsequent control of the airplane.Oct 1, 2023 · N56DV · Substantial damageNTSB DCA19MA143Accident · Minor injuriesClass 2 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737 · Jacksonville, FLAn extreme loss of braking friction due to heavy rain and the water depth on the ungrooved runway, which resulted in viscous hydroplaning. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s inadequate guidance for evaluating runway braking conditions and…May 4, 2019 · N732MA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · New Castle, DEThe pilot's loss of helicopter control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation and the cumulative effects of task saturation.May 25, 2017 · N62UP · DestroyedNTSB CEN15FA190Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Bloomington, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the…Apr 7, 2015 · N789UP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Elkmont, ALA stuck exhaust valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at low altitude. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s decision to fly at a low altitude, which reduced his forced landing options when the loss of engine power occurred; and poor…Nov 30, 2013 · N8878E · DestroyedNTSB WPR11FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTrusty Thorp T-18 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight, which resulted from his impairment or incapacitation due to multiple medical conditions and sedating medication.Jun 20, 2011 · N851LT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA277Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRutter Herbert G Long EZ · Wakefield, VAThe pilot’s failure to properly align the airplane with the final approach path to the runway and his subsequent loss of control during his attempts to correct the flight path. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s progressive cognitive decline due to…May 21, 2010 · N91HR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHeisler Lancair Legacy · Parowan, UTThe pilot failed to secure the canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his inability to control the aircraft during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from prescription medications and possible obstructive sleep apnea.Oct 18, 2008 · N151HT · Substantial damageNTSB DFW08LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEvektor Aerotechnik Sportstar · St Charles, MOThe student pilot's failure to maintain control due to his task saturation as a result of his failure to set the pitch trim to the neutral position before takeoff.Aug 5, 2008 · N411EV · Substantial damage