# Below VFR minima - 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) › Below VFR minima - NTSB code: 03035075 - Cases: 184 - In the probable cause: 148 - Fatal cases: 159 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 17 / 17 - 2009: 8 / 10 - 2010: 2 / 9 - 2011: 4 / 12 - 2012: 3 / 8 - 2013: 3 / 4 - 2014: 12 / 13 - 2015: 15 / 18 - 2016: 8 / 8 - 2017: 22 / 23 - 2018: 14 / 14 - 2019: 12 / 16 - 2020: 4 / 5 - 2021: 8 / 9 - 2022: 3 / 3 - 2023: 6 / 7 - 2024: 6 / 7 - 2025: 1 / 1 ## Defining events in these cases - [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 87 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 49 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 31 cases - [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 5 cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 3 cases - [Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337): 2 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases - [Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390): 1 cases - [Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360): 1 cases - [Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cirrus Design SR22](https://openairdocs.org/model/cirrus-design-sr22): 5 cases - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 5 cases - [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 4 cases - [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2): 3 cases - [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t): 3 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 3 cases - [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250): 3 cases - [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b): 3 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 3 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 3 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 129 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 75 cases - [Spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025) (Personnel issues): 70 cases - [Mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010) (Environmental issues): 34 cases - [Weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020) (Personnel issues): 33 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 33 cases - [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 30 cases - [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 25 cases - [Total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030) (Personnel issues): 22 cases - [Qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010) (Personnel issues): 20 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA25LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA130), Feb 26, 2025: Piper PA-28-235 (N43DN), Manchester, VT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe icing and a subsequent aerodynamic… - [NTSB ANC24FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA089), Sep 7, 2024: Bell 206B (N306FW), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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… - [NTSB CEN24FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA327), Aug 26, 2024: Piper PA-28-140 (N9626K), Wayne, NE, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. - [NTSB CEN24FA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA295), Jul 31, 2024: Piper PA-28-180 (N903US), Irene, SD, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. - [NTSB WPR24FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA257), Jul 26, 2024: Pilatus PC-12/47E (N357HE), Recluse, WY, destroyed, 7 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s… - [NTSB ANC24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA069), Jul 20, 2024: Beech A35 (N410B), Gustavus, AK, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN24LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA144), Apr 1, 2024: Piper PA28 (N8438B), Muncie, IN, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control while maneuvering outside established instrument approach procedures in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an… - [NTSB ERA24FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA120), Feb 24, 2024: Piper PA32 (N8963N), Jackson, OH, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering. - [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077), Dec 30, 2023: Zenith Stol CH701 (N4209W), Marienville, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact. - [NTSB ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036), Nov 14, 2023: Piper PA-28-180 (N7806W), Micanopy, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane… 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.