# NTSB investigations: Low ceiling

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 4 · 190 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 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 WPR24FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA270.md): Cessna 182K · Augusta, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2024 · N2764Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24FA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA294.md): Cessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N2198G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.
- [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 ANC24FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA032.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2024 · N95744 · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.
- [NTSB ERA24LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA134.md): Cessna 150 · Clay, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2024 · N1703Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt a VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB WPR24FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA037.md): Cessna P210N · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2023 · N1400 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate flight and fuel planning and his decision to fly in night instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of recent instrument flight.
- [NTSB ERA23FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA182.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Jesup, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 6, 2023 · N911TK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a loss of control while maneuvering for a visual landing in low ceiling and low visibility conditions. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN23FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA031.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Bignell, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 9, 2022 · N234PM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s flight into low instrument flight rules conditions and turbulence, which resulted in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total instrument experience.
- [NTSB ERA23FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA048.md): Beech A36 · Harlan, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2022 · N84R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions during an approach to land at an airport in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s hazardous…
- [NTSB ERA23FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA006.md): Beech A36 · Arundel, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2022 · N902AT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an unstabilized approach, descent below published minimum altitudes, and collision with terrain.
- [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 WPR22FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA255.md): Aeronca 7BCM · Lake McMurray, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 16, 2022 · N2588C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 ANC22FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA053.md): Champion 7EC · Valdez, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 12, 2022 · N4340C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [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 ERA22FA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA149.md): Cessna 182Q · Panama City, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 9, 2022 · N182XT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s deviation from the final approach course during a night instrument approach with low instrument meterological conditions, which resulted in an impact with heavily wooded terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue…
- [NTSB CEN22FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA073.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · LaPlace, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 14, 2021 · N150AS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly in instrument conditions.
- [NTSB ERA22FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA083.md): Cessna 182 · Statesboro, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2021 · N5776B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR22FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA026.md): Ayres S-2R · Shafter, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2021 · N8960Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA22FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N637HP · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA21FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA140.md): Cessna R182 · Gainesville, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 26, 2021 · N3652C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into low instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN21FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA125.md): Cessna 177RG · Galt, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 8, 2021 · N8080G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions consisting of low ceilings and icing and his failure to remain clear of terrain while attempting to remain below the clouds, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA085.md): Cessna 210L · Midway, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2020 · N2246S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to complete the flight to work in an emergency room.
- [NTSB CEN21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA075.md): Piper PA32 · Windom, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2020 · N8178Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA044.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Dunn Center, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2020 · N3606A · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN21FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA026.md): Grumman AA5 · Woodbranch, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N26136 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN20LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA248.md): Piper PA32R · Zavalla, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2020 · N315AM · Destroyed
  > The non-certificated pilot’s poor decision-making as he attempted to land at an unlit airstrip in night instrument conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s collision with terrain short of the runway.
- [NTSB CEN20LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA118.md): Piper PA32R · Rensselaer, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 11, 2020 · N599ST · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s failure to establish a climb while initiating a missed approach after conducting an instrument approach below weather minimums.
- [NTSB ERA20FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA020.md): Cessna 414 · Colonia, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 29, 2019 · N959MJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a circling instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall and spin.
- [NTSB CEN20FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA010.md): Cessna 172 · Aberdeen, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2019 · N6483B · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA003.md): Lancair Legacy · Bixby, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 6, 2019 · N10LG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN19FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA271.md): Cessna U206 · Hopedale, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 18, 2019 · N5364Q · Destroyed
  > The controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), resulting from the pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA240.md): Beech F33 · Hatboro, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N4082S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA234.md): Cirrus SR22 · Americus, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N921CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart in dark instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB WPR19FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA172.md): Nanchang CJ6 · Porter Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2019 · N269AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued flight into marginal visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA140.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Eagle Lake, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N713LA · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA139.md): Mooney M20J · Moose Lake, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 8, 2019 · N111JP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after departing into a snowstorm.
- [NTSB ERA19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA161.md): Cessna 172 · Tyrone, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2019 · N733KZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA150.md): Cessna 172 · New York, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 14, 2019 · N5296H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to initiate a flight into low instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in six missed approaches at two airports and a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the external pressure the…
- [NTSB CEN19FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA095.md): Bell 407 · Galliano, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 10, 2019 · N577AL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control during cruise flight as a result of spatial disorientation while operating the helicopter in close proximity to terrain in marginal meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA110.md): Sikorsky HH-60L · Tullahoma, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Feb 28, 2019 · N260MW · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.
- [NTSB CEN19FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA082.md): Cessna 421 · Canadian, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 15, 2019 · N421NS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while in instrument meteorological conditions with icing conditions present, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA18FA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA251.md): Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 · Woburn, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N2536T · Destroyed
  > The pilots' loss of control during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA18FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA167.md): Raytheon 58 · Springfield Township, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2018 · N218BL · Destroyed
  > A loss of control due to spatial disorientation while climbing after departure in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience.
- [NTSB ERA18FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA150.md): Piper PA28 · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2018 · N6177W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb in instrument meteorological conditions.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/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", '03035010'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases

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