# NTSB investigations: Obscuration

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.

## Latest cases

- [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 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 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 WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 21, 2024 · N331BS · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN23LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA091.md): Cessna 150G · Pocahantas, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2022 · N2930J · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA22FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA096.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 29, 2021 · N544SC · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA001.md): Beech S35 · Andrews, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 3, 2021 · N876T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.
- [NTSB ERA21LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA124.md): Cessna 441 · Belvidere, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2021 · N44776 · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN20LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA186.md): Cessna T206 · Center, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2020 · N51610 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions (clouds) which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inflight loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR19FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA146.md): Aviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2019 · N236AM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA130.md): Mooney M20C · Cashiers, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N6075Q · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR19FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA086.md): Beech D55 · Stallion Springs, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2019 · N533Q · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR19FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA083.md): Mooney M20F · Diablo, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 9, 2019 · N3270F · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR18FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA141.md): Cessna 182G · Cascade, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N2377R · Destroyed
  > The 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 GAA17CA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA404.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · King Vale, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2017 · N357PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.
- [NTSB WPR17FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA125.md): Beech 95 C55 · Mountain Ranch, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N3717Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration that resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN17FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA103.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Shreveport, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2017 · N598PB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA140.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2016 · N911GF · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR16FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA006.md): Cessna 182 · Hope, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2015 · N6184F · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247.md): Cessna 172P · Townsend, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN15FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA174.md): Cessna 182Q · El Paso, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2015 · N735KF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into known instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR14FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA188.md): Mooney M20C · Cody, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 6, 2014 · N6704U · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilots’ decision to continue flight into known instrument meteorological conditions over mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA163.md): Dehavilland DHC-1 · Vonore, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2014 · N540FM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA13CA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA389.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Blairsville, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2013 · N447JP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC13GA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13GA036.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Final report · Mar 31, 2013 · N911AA · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR13FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA138.md): Cessna 172M · Saratoga, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 2013 · N5129R · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR13FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA053.md): Cessna 182D · Bondurant, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2012 · N61LN · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering around weather.
- [NTSB CEN12FA639](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA639.md): Mooney M20J · Teddys Peak, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2012 · N58119 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC12LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA097.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Coldfoot, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2012 · N82016 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse course.
- [NTSB ANC12CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA089.md): Maule M-5-210C · Coldfoot, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2012 · N319X · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA12FA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA409.md): Raytheon C90GT · Morgantown, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2012 · N508GT · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR12FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA255.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Mountain Home, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2012 · N8990N · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR12FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA098.md): Cessna 210 · Morgan, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2012 · N9619T · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC11CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA092.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Deadhorse, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 4, 2011 · N83283 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR11FA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA319.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Verlot, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2011 · N8721C · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR11FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA241.md): Cessna R172K · Cold Springs, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 29, 2011 · N9831V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a controlled collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN11FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA347.md): Beech F33A · Taos, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2011 · N1533Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of situational awareness, and a possible encounter with icing conditions.
- [NTSB CEN11CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA046.md): Hughes J/Hughes J Rand-Robinson · Pearland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 29, 2010 · N128JH · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN10LA575](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA575.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Basehor, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2010 · N6484R · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR10FA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA459.md): Cessna T210N · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2010 · N111NA · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR10FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA234.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2010 · N56626 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10GA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10GA113.md): Cessna 182R · Corvallis, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N702 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR09LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA125.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Cave Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2009 · N353P · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA09FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA078.md): Rockwell International 690B · Rio Grande, PR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2008 · N318WA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA188.md): Piper PA-36-375 · Lodi, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2008 · N3859E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue the flight into an area of obscured visibility and his failure to maintain clearance above obstacles.

## 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", '03035030'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases

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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.