# NTSB investigations: Light condition

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.

Page 1 of 14 · 671 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA182.md): American AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2026 · N5832L · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR26LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA095.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Alpine, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N59SE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA077.md): Cessna 150A · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 5, 2026 · N7235X · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC26LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA005.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Eek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2025 · N4112D · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR26LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA053.md): Tecnam P2008 · Blackfoot, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 10, 2025 · N208CM · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and clearance from trees while maneuvering at night.
- [NTSB CEN26LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA040.md): Cessna 180K · Lakeview, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2025 · N2697K · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN26LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA035.md): Cessna 172 · Grantsburg, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2025 · N9490H · Substantial damage
  > The collision with a white-tail deer during the landing in dark night visual conditions.
- [NTSB WPR26LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA025.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Queen Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 20, 2025 · N699PG · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA26LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA015.md): Socata TB 10 · New Milford, CT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2025 · N28170 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN26LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA019.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Bonilla, SD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2025 · N53853 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate flight planning and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the precautionary off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA371.md): North American T-6G · Rossville, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2025 · N888WV · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN25LA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA397.md): De Havilland DH82 · Harvard, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2025 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA25LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA363.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · White Plains, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2025 · N47630 · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN25LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA356.md): Sikorsky S-76 · Round Mountain, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2025 · N36RP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN25LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA354.md): Cessna 152 · Baldwin City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2025 · N89585 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the night landing without runway lights which resulted in the runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN25LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA350.md): Cessna 172R · Ardmore, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2025 · N5181A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB ANC25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA092.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Juneau, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2025 · N149TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB DCA25LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA267.md): Boeing 787 · North Charleston, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2025 · JA986A · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR25LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA194.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Helena, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2025 · N50476 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
- [NTSB ANC25LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 30, 2025 · N531AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA25LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144.md): Schweizer 269C · Mogadore, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N262LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.
- [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB DCA25MA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25MA108.md): Bombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DC · Accident · 67 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 30, 2025 · N709PS · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The 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 ERA25LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA104.md): Cessna 182 · Smyrna, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 17, 2025 · N21254 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate approach path, resulting in the airplane contacting a tree during a landing approach at night.
- [NTSB ERA25LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA085.md): Aeronca 15AC · Loganville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 25, 2024 · N6665K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance of trees during an attempted go-around in sun glare.
- [NTSB ANC25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA011.md): Raytheon C90A · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2024 · N438CA · Substantial damage
  > A 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 ERA25LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA073.md): Cessna 560 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2024 · N981AG · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA25LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA060.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2012 Traveller · Boston, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 25, 2024 · N651CA · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR25LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA032.md): Textron 172S · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N679ER · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA25FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA037.md): Cessna 150F · Wilder, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2024 · N8110S · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN25LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA016.md): Piper PA-30 · Springfield, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2024 · N7577Y · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN24LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA368.md): Bell 206 · Lexington, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2024 · N92PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB WPR24LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA265.md): Bell 407 · Raft River, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276.md): Bell 206 · Cornland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N26UK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.
- [NTSB ANC24LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA068.md): Dehavilland Beaver U-6A · Pedro Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2024 · N65223 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was sun glare.
- [NTSB ERA24LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA320.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Port St. Lucie, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2024 · N89LF · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA24LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA268.md): Cessna 305 · Painted Post, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 12, 2024 · N5309G · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC24LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA040.md): Cessna 180H · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N91224 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC24LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA019.md): Michael G Darby Dard 1 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 18, 2024 · N696AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB CEN24LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA116.md): Cub Crafters CCX-2000 · Laotto, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 19, 2024 · N358AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
- [NTSB WPR24LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA090.md): Enstrom 280FX · Lewistown, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 15, 2024 · N899JS · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA24LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA113.md): Piper PA28 · Melbourne, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2024 · N650FT · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN24LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA112.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2024 · N4054Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.
- [NTSB ERA24FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA104.md): Beech V35 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 2, 2024 · N6659L · Destroyed
  > An 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 ERA24LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA118.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N521LS · Substantial damage
  > Tail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.
- [NTSB ERA24FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA096.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 23, 2024 · N737VC · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN24FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA094.md): Bell 206 · Hydro, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 21, 2024 · N295AE · Destroyed
  > The helicopter’s inflight collision with cackling geese, resulting in an inflight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2023 · N4209W · Destroyed
  > 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 CEN24FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA073.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Canton, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 27, 2023 · N858RC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.
- [NTSB ANC24LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA009.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Palmer, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2023 · N21FY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030360/cases.md?page=2

## 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", '030360'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030360/cases

---
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.