# Clouds - 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) › Clouds - NTSB code: 03035025 - Cases: 108 - In the probable cause: 63 - Fatal cases: 95 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 9 / 11 - 2009: 2 / 12 - 2010: 1 / 6 - 2011: 2 / 8 - 2012: 0 / 3 - 2013: 3 / 4 - 2014: 5 / 6 - 2015: 7 / 9 - 2016: 5 / 6 - 2017: 7 / 8 - 2018: 1 / 2 - 2019: 6 / 7 - 2020: 5 / 8 - 2021: 1 / 5 - 2022: 5 / 8 - 2023: 4 / 5 ## Defining events in these cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 48 cases - [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 24 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 20 cases - [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 8 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 1 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases - [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 1 cases - [Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332): 1 cases - [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 1 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22): 6 cases - [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p): 3 cases - [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 3 cases - [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 3 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 3 cases - [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2): 2 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 2 cases - [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260): 2 cases - [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 2 cases - [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161): 2 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 51 cases - [Spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025) (Personnel issues): 50 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 48 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 27 cases - [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 25 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 24 cases - [Mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010) (Environmental issues): 17 cases - [Below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075) (Environmental issues): 12 cases - [Low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010) (Environmental issues): 9 cases - [Total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030) (Personnel issues): 8 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA053), Dec 3, 2023: Beech C23 (N76SB), Midland, VA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to descend below the minimum decision altitude of the instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual references distinctively identified and with the visibility… - [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270), Jun 17, 2023: Piper PA-30 (N7628Y), Ebensburg, PA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB CEN23FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA239), Jun 14, 2023: Mooney M20R (N1025C), Watertown, WI, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the prohibited… - [NTSB WPR23FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA172), Apr 30, 2023: Cessna 172S (N575ND), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his… - [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109), Jan 13, 2023: Piper PA-28-180 (N4254T), Dawsonville, GA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to… - [NTSB WPR22FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA347), Sep 14, 2022: Skiles Kenneth C RV-6A (N992KS), Preston, ID, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB WPR22FA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA345), Sep 13, 2022: Piper PA46 (N43605), Seligman, AZ, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations,… - [NTSB WPR22FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA266), Jul 25, 2022: Holland Mike RV9A (N192MH), Tryon, NE, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the… - [NTSB CEN22LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA320), Jul 14, 2022: Cessna 210 (XB-RXC), Kendleton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper in-flight planning and fuel management that resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB WPR22FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA210), Jun 10, 2022: Mooney M20K (N305L), Camarillo, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control after entering instrument meteorological conditions shortly after takeoff. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.