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 CEN15FA347Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Harrisburg, ILThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark, night conditions and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN15FA342Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Harbor Springs, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees during the approach in dark, night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB GAA15LA217Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369E · Whitefish, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and a level attitude while hovering over water at night during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor contacting the surface of the water.NTSB CEN15LA341Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Atkinson, ILThe pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB CEN15FA325Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Truth or Consequences, NMThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark night conditions without a solo night flight endorsement and his subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA15CA264Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHaphey Bruce Frederic Mustang II · Palatka, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a balked landing and attempted go-around in dark night conditions and without a landing light, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech C23 · Long Beach, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering to land at night, which resulted in a collision with terrain/objects. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of oversight by ATC; failing to insure that the fully operational VASI…NTSB GAA15CA114Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 16 · Tollville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane impacting a rice field and nosing over.NTSB GAA15CA108Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5B · Springhill, LAUnintentional collision with a deer during landing in dusk visual conditions.NTSB GAA15CA043Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportShort Bros SD 360-300 · Greer, SCThe fuel truck driver's inattention, which resulted in backing over a warning cone and into the horizontal stabilizer of the airplane.NTSB CEN15FA190Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Bloomington, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA15CA176Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech V35B · Wetumpka, ALThe pilot's use of an incorrect radio frequency when attempting to turn on the runway lights, resulting is an attempt to land the airplane while aligned with airport hangar lights.NTSB CEN15FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Batesville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…NTSB GAA15LA027Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCub Crafters CC18 180 · Westfield Township, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a base-to-final turn while landing toward the sun.NTSB ERA15FA144Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Norfolk, VAThe pilot's failure to properly execute the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight planning and his decision to conduct the flight in instrument meteorological conditions at night into forecast moderate…NTSB CEN15LA144Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Denver, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff from a slush-covered runway at night.NTSB CEN15LA146Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-180 · Haviland, KSThe loss of torque on the No. 4 cylinder through bolts, which led to the subsequent failure of the piston, the liberation of the connecting rod, the separation of the No. 4 cylinder from the crankcase in cruise flight, and the airplane’s subsequent impact…NTSB CEN15FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 500TP · Lubbock, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation and light ice accumulation while operating in night, instrument meteorological conditions with gusting wind.NTSB ANC15FA009Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Wasilla, AKBoth pilots’ inadequate visual lookout and failure to see and avoid each other while in level cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the obscuration of the other pilot’s visibility due to sun glare.NTSB WPR15CA097Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchneider Richard J Alaskan Bushmaster · Newburg, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll into sunlight, which restricted his visibility.NTSB WPR15FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 36 · Mountain Pass, CAAn in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.NTSB WPR15LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot's inadequate instrument scan during cruise flight, which resulted in his failure to notice a loss of engine oil pressure. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the oil pressure transducer supply line, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a…NTSB ERA15FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · New Smyrna Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in night, instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the outcome was the radar controller's failure to…NTSB CEN15FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Vaughn, NMThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN15LA077Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNew Piper PA 32R-301T · Springfield, MOThe pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of…NTSB CEN15CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Mount Pleasant, TXThe pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines.NTSB CEN15LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter MD 900 · Highlandville, MOThe pilot's inability to identify the power line during the initial approach in night visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to avoid the power line once he identified it on final approach.NTSB CEN15CA086Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWilliams Glenn RV 8A · San Antonio, TXUnintentional collision with a deer at night.NTSB WPR15FA039Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Gilroy, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while flying at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the obscuration of the pilot’s visibility due to sun glare.NTSB ERA15FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hinton, VAThe flight instructor’s decision to conduct a night training flight in mountainous terrain without conducting or allowing the student to conduct appropriate preflight planning and his lack of situational awareness of the surrounding terrain altitude, which…NTSB CEN15FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Boulder, COThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined by the postaccident examination, which was limited due to impact damage and postcrash fire.NTSB CEN15CA013Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Ann Arbor, MIThe collision with a deer during a night takeoff.NTSB CEN15FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Wichita Falls, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control when he applied power to execute a go-around at a low airspeed in dark, night conditions, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB CEN14FA522Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Plano, ILThe pilot’s failure to recognize the airplane’s low altitude and arrest the airplane’s descent on approach to the airport in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded night…NTSB WPR14FA382Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-180 · Saratoga, WYThe pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff in dark, night conditions, which resulted in his controlled flight into terrain due to the lack of ground references or natural horizon.NTSB ANC14CA078Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180H · Nenana, AKThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing during dark night conditions.NTSB CEN14CA481Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Plymouth, INThe sun glare and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR14FA349Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Novato, CAThe instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual approach to the airport in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of situational awareness, the…NTSB CEN14FA437Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair LC 40 550FG · Ranger, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control shortly after takeoff as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions, the pilot's low overall night and instrument flight time, and his lack of recent night flights.NTSB ERA14FA377Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Senoia, GAThe noninstrument-rated 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 subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB CEN14FA369Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAgusta A109E · Newkirk, NMThe pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN14LA361Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Monte Vista, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around following impact with a barley crop, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB CEN14LA309Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchumacher Challenger II · St. Joesph, ILThe total loss of engine power due to a lack of lubrication following the in-flight failure of the mechanical oil injection pump. Contributing to the accident was the temporary obscuration of the pilot's forward visibility due to sun glare during the forced…NTSB WPR14FA243Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDittenber Thomas J Auriga · Echo Bay, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for landing to an unlit runway in dark night conditions.NTSB ERA14FA283Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Daytona Beach, FLA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident condition of the wreckage. Contributing to the accident was the pilots' decision to turn back to the airport, which led to…NTSB CEN14FA265Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Watkins, COThe pilot’s loss of control and subsequent aerodynamic stall due to spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to his cell phone use while maneuvering at low-altitude.NTSB ERA14LA244Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Brooksville, FLThe pilot’s loss of directional control while landing at night, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with airport signage. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of electrical power, which necessitated the pilot having to land without…NTSB WPR14LA177Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirplane Factory Ltd The Sling · Daggett, CAThe pilots’ failure to maintain clearance from terrain while operating in dark night, visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to enable the aural terrain warning system.NTSB CEN14FA224Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Highmore, SDThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into known deteriorating weather conditions at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to remain clear of an unlit wind turbine. Contributing to the accident was the inoperative obstruction light on the wind…NTSB ERA14CA267Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7AC · Port Gibson, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was sun glare.