# NTSB investigations: Low visibility

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 · 175 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA037.md): Cessna 150F · Wilder, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2024 · N8110S · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 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 ANC24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA069.md): Beech A35 · Gustavus, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2024 · N410B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 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 WPR24FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA057.md): Cessna 172G · Independence, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 17, 2023 · N3992L · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with an obstacle while landing.
- [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 WPR23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA257.md): Cessna 550 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N819KR · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…
- [NTSB CEN23FA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA285.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Burlington, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2023 · N100PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA220.md): Vans RV7 · Gibbon, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 2, 2023 · N977RV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.
- [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 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 CEN23LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA028.md): Beech E-90 · Slidell, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2022 · N809DM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in low visibility conditions.
- [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 ANC23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA002.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2022 · N3432W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [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 ANC22LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA025.md): Cessna 172P · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 21, 2022 · N98763 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue the visual-flight-rules flight into low visibility conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA153.md): American AA-1 · Bay Minette, AL · Incident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 11, 2022 · N5774L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during taxi, which resulted in a taxiway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the incident were the low visibility conditions that existed at the airport around the time of the incident.
- [NTSB WPR22FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA068.md): Gates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 28, 2021 · N880Z · Destroyed
  > The flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…
- [NTSB WPR22LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA069.md): Cessna 172N · Auburn, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 22, 2021 · N6280F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN22FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA023.md): Beech P35 · Harrison, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N8625M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the flight into instrument and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a timely weather briefing.
- [NTSB WPR22FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA021.md): Cessna 150L · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2021 · N5268Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA004.md): Cessna 340A · Santee, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 11, 2021 · N7022G · Destroyed
  > Loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA21FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA362.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Monticello, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 16, 2021 · N888DV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions during a dark night and over unlit terrain, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N4529J · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB CEN21FA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA300.md): Beech 35-33 · Roff, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2021 · N302Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during low-level nighttime flight.
- [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 CEN21LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA104.md): Piper PA-24-250 · New Hudson, MI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 2, 2021 · N8347P · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of an instrument rating and the low visibility at the time…
- [NTSB CEN21LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA087.md): Piper PA12 · Gilliam, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2020 · N2569M · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s encounter with poor weather conditions resulting in his performing a precautionary landing to a cornfield and subsequently nosing over.
- [NTSB ERA20LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA335.md): Piper PA28 · Union, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2020 · N33859 · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the development of carburetor icing.
- [NTSB ERA20LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA314.md): Zenair CH750 Cruzer · Boaz, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2020 · N656BN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into an area of low clouds.
- [NTSB CEN20LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA367.md): Cirrus SR22 · Lawrenceville, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2020 · N607SR · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain as a result of his failure to properly execute an instrument approach and maintain clearance from trees in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unfamiliarity with a…
- [NTSB ERA20LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA262.md): Beech F33 · Malbis, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 29, 2020 · N3156W · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart in deteriorating weather conditions, which led to restricted visibility and the pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the pilot’s poor decision-making was…
- [NTSB WPR20LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA169.md): Cessna 175 · Redlands, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2020 · N9217B · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA108.md): Mooney M20K · Sylmar, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 13, 2020 · N777WP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control of the airplane.
- [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 ANC20CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA023.md): Robinson R44 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Feb 21, 2020 · N716JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA089.md): Cessna 208 · Eureka, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2020 · N24MG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delayed response to initiate a go-around during a night visual approach over water after the airplane entered instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of forward visibility and subsequent impact with the water.
- [NTSB ANC20LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA020.md): Cessna 208 · Hooper Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 5, 2020 · N454SF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart from a contaminated runway, and his failure to make a timely decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not accelerating as expected. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart in limited visibility…
- [NTSB CEN20MA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20MA044.md): Piper PA 31T · Lafayette, LA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Dec 28, 2019 · N42CV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN20FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA032.md): Cessna 208 · Victoria, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 10, 2019 · N4602B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the inoperative attitude indicator and horizontal situation indicator on the pilot’s side of the cockpit, and the pilot’s failure to reference the flight instruments…
- [NTSB CEN20FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA022.md): Pilatus PC12 · Chamberlain, SD · Accident · 9 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 30, 2019 · N56KJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent, low-altitude aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in reduced static longitudinal stability and his…
- [NTSB ANC20FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20FA007.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Cooper Landing, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 30, 2019 · N4087G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during gusty wind and reduced visibility night conditions.
- [NTSB CEN20FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA019.md): Raytheon A36 · San Marcos, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 20, 2019 · N88855 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [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 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 WPR19FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA256.md): Piper PA32 · La Grande, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 8, 2019 · N6300Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA19CA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA401.md): Cessna 172 · Vineyard Haven, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2019 · N677DM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with a tree.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/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", '03035015'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases

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