# Haze/smoke

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › [Ceiling/visibility/precip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030350) › Haze/smoke
- NTSB code: 03035020
- Cases: 21
- In the probable cause: 14
- Fatal cases: 11
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 3 / 3
- 2009: 0 / 1
- 2010: 0 / 2
- 2011: 0 / 1
- 2012: 1 / 2
- 2015: 0 / 1
- 2016: 1 / 1
- 2018: 1 / 1
- 2019: 1 / 1
- 2020: 3 / 3
- 2021: 1 / 1
- 2023: 2 / 2
- 2024: 1 / 2

## Defining events in these cases

- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 6 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 3 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 2 cases
- [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 2 cases
- [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 2 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases
- [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 1 cases
- [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 1 cases
- [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 1 cases
- [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l): 2 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181): 1 cases
- [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f): 1 cases
- [Croman SH-3H](https://openairdocs.org/model/croman-sh-3h): 1 cases
- [Cessna 310F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310f): 1 cases
- [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f): 1 cases
- [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k): 1 cases
- [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 9 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 4 cases
- [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 3 cases
- [Glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030) (Environmental issues): 2 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB ANC24LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA071), Jul 29, 2024: Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir (N8485W), Huntsville, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to navigate in hazy conditions, which resulted in a forced landing in a field and a collision with a pole.
- [NTSB WPR24FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA255), Jul 26, 2024: Air Tractor AT-802A (N805DG), Izee, OR, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.
- [NTSB CEN23LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA311), Jul 14, 2023: Air Tractor AT-802 (N22FK), Benson, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN23FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA257), Jun 23, 2023: Avid Magnum (N103DG), Beaver Island, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering in low visibility conditions due to smoke and haze.
- [NTSB WPR21FA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA321), Aug 16, 2021: Cessna 182H (N8477S), Bountiful, UT, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The decision of both pilots to fly into a steep canyon, which resulted in the airplane being unable to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was their…
- [NTSB ERA21LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA041), Nov 9, 2020: Mooney M20C (N3296F), Laconia, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an approach in sun glare and hazy conditions.
- [NTSB WPR20LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA304), Sep 13, 2020: Cessna 172 (N3720R), Seeley Lake, MT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA295), Sep 4, 2020: Beech 35 (N818S), Three Rivers, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.
- [NTSB ERA19FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA240), Aug 8, 2019: Beech F33 (N4082S), Hatboro, PA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR19FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA025), Nov 16, 2018: Cessna 182 (N2629R), Redding, CA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control after takeoff in dark night instrument meteorological conditions.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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