NTSB investigations
45 cases where NTSB found Obscuration.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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\", '03035030')) 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.
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", '03035030')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN24FA327Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NEThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB ANC24LA069Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A35 · Gustavus, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA24FA294Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.NTSB WPR24FA202Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NMThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…NTSB CEN23LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150G · Pocahantas, IAThe pilot’s landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's encounter with adverse weather conditions which led to structural icing that affected flight characteristics…NTSB ERA22FA096Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TNThe pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech S35 · Andrews, NCThe pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.NTSB ERA21LA124Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 441 · Belvidere, TNThe pilot’s failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure by prematurely descending the airplane below the final approach fix altitude to fly under the low ceiling conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN20LA186Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206 · Center, TXThe non-instrument rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions (clouds) which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inflight loss of control.NTSB WPR19FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.NTSB ERA19FA130Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Cashiers, NCThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.NTSB WPR19FA086Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech D55 · Stallion Springs, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions associated with mountain obscuration conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a weather…NTSB WPR19FA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20F · Diablo, CAThe student pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility night conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR18FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Cascade, IDThe non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA17CA404Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 · King Vale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.NTSB WPR17FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 C55 · Mountain Ranch, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration that resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB CEN17FA103Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB WPR16FA006Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Hope, IDThe pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to cross mountainous terrain and her subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the weather conditions and flight plan.NTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Townsend, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN15FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · El Paso, TXThe pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into known instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR14FA188Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Cody, WYThe non-instrument rated pilots’ decision to continue flight into known instrument meteorological conditions over mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA14FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-1 · Vonore, TNThe pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA13CA389Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent inability to maintain clearance with terrain.NTSB ANC13GA036Accident · 3 fatalClass 1Final reportEurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control. Also causal was the Alaska Department of Public Safety's punitive culture and…NTSB WPR13FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Saratoga, WYThe pilot’s decision to attempt flight into approaching adverse weather, which led to his low-level flight, encounter with mountain obscuration and moderate turbulence, and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the severity of the pilot’s…NTSB WPR13FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Bondurant, WYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering around weather.NTSB CEN12FA639Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Teddys Peak, COThe pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, including fog and mountain obscuration, and his failure to maintain clearance with known rising terrain along the route of flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC12LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse course.NTSB ANC12CA089Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule M-5-210C · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot's delayed decision to turn around while flying through a narrow mountain pass, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA12FA409Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90GT · Morgantown, WVThe pilot's inadequate preflight route planning and in-flight route and altitude selection, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a communications tower in possible instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's…NTSB WPR12FA255Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mountain Home, IDThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR12FA098Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Morgan, UTThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s poor planning and continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.NTSB ANC11CA092Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Deadhorse, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR11FA319Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Verlot, WAThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into clouds and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in an area of reduced visibility, low clouds, and mountain obscuration.NTSB WPR11FA241Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Cold Springs, NVThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a controlled collision with terrain.NTSB CEN11FA347Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Taos, NMThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of situational awareness, and a possible encounter with icing conditions.NTSB CEN11CA046Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes J/Hughes J Rand-Robinson · Pearland, TXThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was an engine oil leak which partially obscured the pilot’s forward vision.NTSB CEN10LA575Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Basehor, KSThe pilot's improper touchdown point during landing and his delayed decision to execute a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's vision being obscured by the rain.NTSB WPR10FA459Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Coeur d'Alene, IDThe pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in an area of low cloud ceilings.NTSB WPR10FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.NTSB WPR10GA113Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 182R · Corvallis, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while operating into a known area of mountain obscuration due to low clouds, precipitation, and mist.NTSB WPR09LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Cave Creek, AZThe pilot's misjudged landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the brownout condition created by the dust cloud that interfered with the pilot's perception of proximity to the ground, and the glare interference from the parked fire vehicles headlights…NTSB ERA09FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International 690B · Rio Grande, PRThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX08CA188Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Lodi, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue the flight into an area of obscured visibility and his failure to maintain clearance above obstacles.