NTSB investigations
671 cases where NTSB found Light condition.
Cases, newest first
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 ERA20LA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArion Lightning LS-1 · Mount Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the…NTSB CEN20CA115Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMooney M20K · New Orleans, LAThe pilot's improper decision to turn the airplane from the runway onto the taxiway at an excessive speed, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with a taxiway sign.NTSB WPR20LA101Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Needles, CAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons due to a lack of available evidence.NTSB CEN20LA113Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Clark, MOThe fatigue failure of the pneumatic line for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing.NTSB ANC20CA029Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Sterling, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting an area of deep snow. A factor associated with the accident was flat light conditions.NTSB ANC20CA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC20CA022Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Koyuk, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a landing in flat light conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.NTSB ANC20FA017Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Tuntutuliak, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility, including likely flat light and/or white out conditions, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the operator’s inadequate operational…NTSB ANC20LA020Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Hooper Bay, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart from a contaminated runway, and his failure to make a timely decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not accelerating as expected. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart in limited visibility…NTSB WPR20FA063Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TR182 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight.NTSB WPR20CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night.NTSB WPR20CA060Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150 · Twentynine Palms, CAThe pilot's poor preflight planning, during which he failed to verify the proper procedure to activate the runway lights; his inability to locate the airport without lighting; and the airplane’s subsequent low-fuel state as he circled looking for the airport,…NTSB WPR20FA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Goodyear, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines due to his impairment from cannabis.NTSB WPR20FA034Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR-22 · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions.NTSB WPR20FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Jackpot, NVThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while departing in dark night conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s limited experience flying in night conditions.NTSB GAA20CA071Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Luis, COThe pilot's improper pitch attitude during landing on rising terrain in flat light conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ANC20LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32R · Goodnews Bay, AKThe pilot’s failure to monitor the airplane instruments during a night visual flight rules departure in dark light conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane’s descent into water.NTSB GAA20CA068Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportIcon A5 · Chester, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach angle in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with treetops and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB WPR20FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · Missing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA28R · Shelter Cove, CAUndetermined due to lack of available evidence.NTSB ANC20CA006Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Moose Pass, AKThe pilot's improper approach, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while landing in dusk conditions, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB CEN20FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Aberdeen, SDThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20FA002Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Asheboro, NCThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience.NTSB CEN19FA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Prairie Grove, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night.NTSB CEN19FA323Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · London, OHThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering toward the final leg of the traffic pattern and facing the rising sun, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover.NTSB ERA19FA266Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 210 · Marathon, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water.NTSB GAA19CA525Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Charleston, WVThe pilot's improper approach path at night and his misjudgment of the landing point, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with the runway's engineered materials arrestor system.NTSB ERA19FA251Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Tappahannock, VAThe pilot's inability to land on the runway in dark night conditions with reported smoke in the cockpit, which necessitated the deployment of the airplane's parachute system.NTSB ANC19TA044Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3Final reportCessna 180 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and subequent impact with the island.NTSB ERA19FA234Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Americus, GAThe pilot’s decision to depart in dark instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and pilot-rated passenger’s self-induced pressure to…NTSB WPR19LA201Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · King City, CAA landing gear collapse following an undetermined loss of electrical power, which prevented the landing gear from fully extending.NTSB GAA19CA421Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportWillie Bennett Glastar · Lompoc, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a night landing, which resulted in impact with a tree.NTSB GAA19CA401Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with a tree.NTSB ERA19FA210Accident · 7 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportAgusta AW139 · Big Grand Cay, BahamasThe pilots’ decision to takeoff over water in dark night conditions with no external visual reference, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent collision with the water. Also causal was the pilots’ failure to adequately monitor their…NTSB CEN19FA185Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportAgusta A109 · Brainerd, MNThe pilot's spatial disorientation during an instrument approach in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA19CA354Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · La Ward, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an aerial application flight in sun glare conditions.NTSB ERA19FA181Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Auburn Township, OHThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was his inadequate weather planning, lack of experience flying at night and the deteriorating weather conditions.NTSB CEN19FA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R172 · Mertzon, TXThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA19FA155Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBellanca 1730 · Henderson, KYThe student pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack at a low altitude, in the airport traffic pattern, following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing…NTSB CEN19FA120Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Lake, MSThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s loss of control while flying in dark night instrument meteorological weather conditions with convective activity, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its structural limitations and experiencing an in-flight breakup.…NTSB ERA19LA144Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R22 · Clover, VAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff at night without adequate runway lighting.NTSB CEN19LA116Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBerkey S-6ES · Lafe, ARThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath while landing toward the sun, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR19FA095Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American T28 · Compton, CAThe failure of the T-28 pilot to see and avoid the Cessna while landing with reduced visibility due to sun glare, which resulted in a collision on the runway. Contributing to the accident was his failure to use the airport's common traffic advisory frequency…NTSB CEN19LA092Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Union Center, SDThe ambulance driver’s failure to see the helicopter’s rotating main rotor blades in dark night conditions, which resulted in the ambulance’s inadvertent collision with the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the ambulance driver's failure to follow…NTSB ERA19FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Louisburg, NCThe pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control following takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB GAA19CA153Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Princeton, NJA collision with deer on the runway while landing at night and the airport's lack of a complete perimeter fence.NTSB WPR19FA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Oceanside, CAThe pilot’s improper decision to depart on the night visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and collision with rising terrain.NTSB WPR19TA061Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206 · Yuma, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.NTSB CEN19LA051Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23 · Beaver Island, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see a visible horizon due to the dark night lighting conditions and limited…NTSB ERA19FA070Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a visual approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night.NTSB ERA19FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Apalachicola, FLThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain as a result of his spatial disorientation during departure in dark nighttime conditions.