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 WPR16FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 34-200T · Flagstaff, AZA departure flight path that consisted of several unexplained turns during the initial climbout, and terminated in a high-speed descent and ground impact. The reason(s) for the turns and descent could not be determined due to lack of definitive evidence.NTSB ERA16FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Destin, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff, while maneuvering over water during dark night conditions.NTSB GAA16CA411Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech F33 · Blythe, CAThe pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed to climb and her exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during takeoff initial climb at night, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.NTSB WPR16FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Zamora, CAThe failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision. Also causal was the other pilot's use of two sedating antihistamines and two impairing medication and the effect of sun glare on his visual lookout, which…NTSB WPR16LA138Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Brookings, ORThe pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness during the departure turn in dark night conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.NTSB CEN16LA242Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCzech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · Wyoming, MNThe pilot’s inadequate flight planning and navigation for a flight at night, which resulted in his having to conduct a precautionary landing on an interstate highway due to low fuel and impacting the post of a wire road divider.NTSB GAA16CA334Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHubbard William H Lightning · Kokomo, INThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare at night, which resulted in an impact with a runway light and runway sign.NTSB GAA16CA350Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 24 · Springfield, MOThe pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was in the down and locked position prior to touchdown.NTSB GAA16CA330Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Clearlake Oaks, CAThe pilot's deviation from his original flight plan, which resulted in becoming lost in mountainous terrain at night, fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a collision with power lines during a forced landing.NTSB GAA16CA312Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28 · Gilmer, TXThe student pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remediation when the student cut the base to final turn short, resulting in a wire strike and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB WPR16FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell S2R · De Smet, IDThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.NTSB ANC16LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on approach to land in flat light conditions. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the inadequately restrained internal cargo, which shifted forward during the impact and struck the…NTSB GAA16CA212Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Poplar Grove, ILThe pilot's visual disorientation and failure to monitor the altimeter during a night approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA16CA251Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Church Hill, MDThe pilot's decision to land on an unlighted grass airstrip at night, resulting in landing long, a loss of directional control, and collapsed landing gear producing substantial damage to the landing gear attachment point and left wing.NTSB CEN16FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 A90 1 · Slidell, LAThe unstable approach in black-hole conditions, resulting in the airplane overshooting the runway extended centerline and descending well below a safe glidepath for the runway. Contributing to the accident was the lack of monitoring by the copilot allowing…NTSB CEN16LA139Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402 · Beyersville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain visual separation from the power line due to a lack of identifiable and contrasting features, which led to an inflight collision with the line while maneuvering in gray, hazy conditions.NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe 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 WPR16FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Alpine, WYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb in dark night conditions with no visual reference, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB GAA16LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPinkston Randy T RV-7 · Tavernier, FLThe pilot's misidentification of a parallel roadway for the runway and the airplane's subsequent collision with numerous objects during landing.NTSB ERA16LA106Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Destin, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to turn the airplane away from the lighted airport at low altitude, over water, with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR16FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Springville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB WPR16FA065Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · San Pedro, CAThe failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid each other as they converged nearly head-on, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was sun glare on the pilot.NTSB CEN16LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Sturtevant, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a landing at dusk, which resulted in impact with a moving ground vehicle. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative precision approach path indicator.NTSB WPR16FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Santa Rosa, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in night…NTSB GAA16CA097Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 175 · Seeley Lake, MTThe pilot' failure to identify the plowed runway width in dusk and flat light conditions, which resulted in a touchdown left of the runway center, an impact with a snow berm, and a ground loop.NTSB WPR16FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar S A YAK 52 · Alpine, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC16LA012Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Anaktuvuk Pass, AKThe pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating, flat light weather conditions, which resulted in impact with mountainous, snow-covered terrain.NTSB DCA16IA036Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Seattle, WAthe flight crew's misidentification of the taxiway as the landing runway.NTSB ERA16FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHinton Paul M RV 4 · Greenville, FLThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, in an airplane that was not approved for instrument flight, which resulted in an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent spatial disorientation…NTSB WPR16FA037Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · McFarland, CAThe pilot's loss of control and collision with terrain while attempting a course reversal after inadvertently entering an area of reduced visibility weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience with night time…NTSB ERA16FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTimothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt a flight under visual flight rules at night in instrument meteorological conditions to an unlit airstrip, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN16FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Keytesville, MOThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to operate in dark night conditions with low clouds, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of methamphetamine, which impaired his…NTSB GAA16CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5 · West Point, VAThe pilot's decision to fly a traffic pattern following an aborted instrument landing in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference to the runway, an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR16LA028Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lancaster, CAThe flight instructor's failure to comply with published instrument approach procedures during an instrument approach in dark night, visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the controller's…NTSB CEN16FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Richmond, MOThe airplane's impact with trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing in dark night conditions following a partial loss of engine power. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination did…NTSB WPR16LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · San Jose, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll at night, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB GAA16CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Alcoa, TNThe pilot's failure to identify the taxiway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain while turning off the runway at night.NTSB ERA16FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Queens, NYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, over water with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with the water.NTSB CEN16LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Chicago, ILThe failure of the driver of the service vehicle to yield to the taxiing airplane, which resulted in a near-collision and tail strike.NTSB CEN16LA016Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lancaster, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a night visual approach, which resulted in impact with a power line. Contributing to the accident was an inoperative precision approach path indicator.NTSB ERA16LA003Accident · Serious injuriesClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportBeech S35 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA300Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 177RG · Aztec, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with shrubs.NTSB GAA15CA290Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172M · Shiocton, WIThe pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR15LA264Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas A4N · Phoenix, AZThe pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s distraction during the downwind leg and his difficulty seeing the landing gear indicators due to the sun angle and shadows.NTSB ERA15FA359Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoatright Waylon RV10 · Alma, GAThe noncertificated pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in his overweight, improperly-loaded airplane in dark night conditions at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB ANC15FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC 3T · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's decision to depart in dark night, visual meteorological conditions over water, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to determine the airplane's…NTSB ERA15FA348Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Somerset, NJThe pilot's attempted 180-degree return to the runway immediately after takeoff in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with…NTSB ERA15FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA44 · Houlton, METhe pilot's descent below the published minimum descent altitude in night instrument meteorological conditions without visual contact with the runway environment, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the…NTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Townsend, MTThe 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 ERA15FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Marathon, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the…