NTSB investigations
671 cases where NTSB found Light condition.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 68 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 43 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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\", '030360')) 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", '030360')) 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 WPR26LA182Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to land at night on a runway without illuminated runway lights. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to review NOTAMs for a nightly airport closure.NTSB WPR26LA095Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Alpine, WYThe pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR26LA077Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150A · Coolidge, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s partially obscured vision due to sun glare.NTSB ANC26LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Eek, AKThe pilot’s loss of directional control when the airplane encountered snow and ice on the runway while landing at night in gusting crosswind conditions.NTSB WPR26LA053Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTecnam P2008 · Blackfoot, IDThe student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and clearance from trees while maneuvering at night.NTSB CEN26LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180K · Lakeview, ARThe pilot’s decision to continue an approach that resulted in a long landing and inability to stop prior to the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident were the light conditions and a road with vehicles on it immediately adjacent to the end of the…NTSB CEN26LA035Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Grantsburg, WIThe collision with a white-tail deer during the landing in dark night visual conditions.NTSB WPR26LA025Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Queen Creek, AZThe pilot’s improper runway alignment and failure to maintain clearance from powerlines. Contributing to the accident was sun glare, which obscured the pilot’s view of the runway.NTSB ERA26LA015Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB 10 · New Milford, CTThe pilot’s decision to depart from an unlit turf runway at night, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and subsequent runway excursion.NTSB CEN26LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Bonilla, SDThe pilot’s inadequate flight planning and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the precautionary off-airport landing.NTSB ERA25LA371Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Rossville, TNThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the airplane’s path during takeoff toward the setting sun. Contributing was the undetected worn and fractured tailwheel locking pin.NTSB CEN25LA397Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDe Havilland DH82 · Harvard, ILThe pilot’s failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a collision with cornstalks. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s partially obscured vision due to sun glare.NTSB ERA25LA363Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · White Plains, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper glidepath during a night visual approach, which resulted in a collision with the runway lighting system. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s momentary disorientation due to glare from the runway approach lighting…NTSB CEN25LA356Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSikorsky S-76 · Round Mountain, TXThe flight crew’s failure to properly identify the heliport in dark night conditions, which resulted in the flight crew attempting to land and a subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN25LA354Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Baldwin City, KSThe pilot’s decision to continue the night landing without runway lights which resulted in the runway overrun.NTSB CEN25LA350Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172R · Ardmore, OKThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.NTSB ANC25LA092Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Juneau, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.NTSB DCA25LA267Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 787 · North Charleston, SCThe ground crews improper parking of N247BZ, which left its tail protruding into the taxiway, and the JA986A flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance while taxiing.NTSB WPR25LA194Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Helena, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.NTSB ANC25LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.NTSB ERA25LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Mogadore, OHThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.NTSB ERA25FA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Pierson, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB DCA25MA108Accident · 67 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DCThe Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…NTSB ERA25LA104Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Smyrna, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate approach path, resulting in the airplane contacting a tree during a landing approach at night.NTSB ERA25LA085Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 15AC · Loganville, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance of trees during an attempted go-around in sun glare.NTSB ANC25LA011Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Honolulu, HIA temporary reduction in the airplane’s braking effectiveness during engine start following an exterior wash, which resulted in its uncommanded forward movement and collision with a parked airplane. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s delayed…NTSB ERA25LA073Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Atlanta, GAThe vehicle driver’s inadequate visual lookout while driving on a non-licensed vehicle roadway in restricted visibility conditions, which resulted in a collision with a taxiing airplane.NTSB ERA25LA060Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2012 Traveller · Boston, MAThe tug crew’s inadequate visual lookout while towing an airplane at night and their failure to identify a stationary airplane within sufficient time/distance to stop.NTSB WPR25LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 172S · Prescott, AZThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a fence during taxi. Contributing to the accident was the low light conditions and obstacles adjacent to the deice bay.NTSB ERA25FA037Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150F · Wilder, TNThe student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN25LA016Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Springfield, MOThe flight instructor’s inability to confirm landing gear position before landing due to the sun glare which resulted in gear up landing. Contributing to the accident was an undetected tripped circuit breaker for the landing gear and the inoperative gear…NTSB CEN24LA368Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Lexington, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.NTSB WPR24LA265Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Raft River, IDThe pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB CEN24LA276Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Cornland, ILThe pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.NTSB ANC24LA068Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDehavilland Beaver U-6A · Pedro Bay, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was sun glare.NTSB ERA24LA320Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Port St. Lucie, FLThe pilot’s failure to correctly identify the airport runway, which resulted in a landing on a road and contact with a power line. Contributing to the outcome was the sun glare.NTSB ERA24LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 305 · Painted Post, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in runway excursion and collision with a ditch.NTSB ANC24LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180H · Soldotna, AKThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.NTSB ANC24LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMichael G Darby Dard 1 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.NTSB CEN24LA116Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCub Crafters CCX-2000 · Laotto, INThe pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.NTSB WPR24LA090Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Lewistown, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s encounter with low light conditions and snow-covered terrain.NTSB ERA24LA113Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Melbourne, FLThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to correctly identify the runway centerline prior to initiating the nighttime takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a runway edge light and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN24LA112Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.NTSB ERA24FA104Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Clearwater, FLAn in-flight engine compartment fire due to a partially loose flexible fuel hose b-nut at the fuel metering unit. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s inability to visually identify the destination airport at night, which prolonged the…NTSB ERA24LA118Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FLTail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.NTSB ERA24FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Weston, FLThe pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.NTSB CEN24FA094Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Hydro, OKThe helicopter’s inflight collision with cackling geese, resulting in an inflight breakup.NTSB ERA24FA077Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PAThe 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 CEN24FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Canton, TXThe pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.NTSB ANC24LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.