NTSB investigations, CA

67 cases where NTSB found Light condition.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, CA per year, 2008–2026: 67 cases
200812
20094
20101
20112
20124
20134
20144
20156
20167
20175
20184
20195
20204
20212
20232
20261

Latest 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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.

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.May 12, 2026 · N5832L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Diego, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.May 24, 2023 · N791AM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA054Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Visalia, CAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 5, 2021 · N7933M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA240Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206 · Apple Valley, CAThe pilot's distraction due to adjusting the radio while taxing at night, which resulted in a taxiway excursion and subsequent impact with terrain.Jun 23, 2021 · N881HP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA312Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBeechcraft C90A · Fortuna, CAA collision with a deer while landing at night.Aug 31, 2020 · N982SB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA101Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Needles, CAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons due to a lack of available evidence.Mar 5, 2020 · N123CE · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night.Jan 12, 2020 · N8408E · Substantial damageNTSB 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,…Jan 4, 2020 · N45069 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · Missing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA28R · Shelter Cove, CAUndetermined due to lack of available evidence.Oct 25, 2019 · N4958J · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jul 21, 2019 · N3268C · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 15, 2019 · N345BP · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Mar 14, 2019 · N5440F · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB 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.Jan 29, 2019 · N37RV · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA025Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Redding, CAThe pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control after takeoff in dark night instrument meteorological conditions.Nov 16, 2018 · N2629R · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Merced, CAThe pilot's improper glidepath during a landing at night, which resulted in a collision with approach lights.Nov 4, 2018 · N2956B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…May 11, 2018 · N803FC · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA169Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind conditions, which exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind and resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear.Mar 16, 2018 · N473CC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's loss of situational awareness shortly after takeoff over a sparsely lit area in dark night conditions, which resulted in a rapid descent to ground impact.Nov 20, 2017 · N24987 · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA063Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · San Diego, CAAn in-flight collision with a bird.Nov 20, 2017 · N172SX · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA048Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172M · Chico, CAAn in-flight collision with a bird.Nov 19, 2017 · N9678Q · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA559Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Diego, CAThe airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing.Sep 27, 2017 · N9346G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA092Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Whittier, CAThe pilot's impaired decision-making due to alcohol intoxication and his improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.Apr 4, 2017 · N55339 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Upland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 22, 2016 · N6912C · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Aug 1, 2016 · N6728X · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Jul 23, 2016 · N502WC · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jun 22, 2016 · N67889 · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Feb 11, 2016 · N911TS · DestroyedNTSB 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.Feb 5, 2016 · N9872R · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Jan 29, 2016 · N9362P · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Dec 11, 2015 · N408FC · DestroyedNTSB 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…Nov 13, 2015 · N78CR · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Nov 8, 2015 · N21679 · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Jun 19, 2015 · N24022 · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jan 21, 2015 · N999CJ · DestroyedNTSB 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…Jan 16, 2015 · N232LT · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Nov 8, 2014 · N5612C · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Aug 19, 2014 · N1160T · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Apr 30, 2014 · N511NG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Columbia, CAThe pilot’s unstabilized night visual approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of all three landing gear.Jan 27, 2014 · N350WA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Fresno, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane at night with a diagnosed medical condition that degraded…Dec 27, 2013 · N251JM · DestroyedNTSB WPR13LA286Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182T · San Diego, CABoth pilots’ failure to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing during nighttime conditions, which resulted in an on-ground collision.Jun 24, 2013 · N411CP · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA119Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Acton, CAThe pilot's decision to conduct a flight in dark night conditions with an illuminated cockpit light that degraded his visibility and his ability to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent while maneuvering, which resulted in controlled flight into…Feb 10, 2013 · N59518 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Delano, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in low visibility, dark night conditions.Jan 2, 2013 · N828AC · DestroyedNTSB WPR13FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CAThe pilot's failure to regain airplane control following a sudden rapid descent during cruise, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to make the flight with a failed vacuum pump, particularly at high…Nov 11, 2012 · N700EM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12CA403Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R-R1340 · Brawley, CAThe pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff in high temperatures with a tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare.Sep 7, 2012 · N4020A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA369Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301T · South Lake Tahoe, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examinations revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation and the pilots’ decision to continue the departure…Aug 26, 2012 · N588ET · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36 · Panoche, CAThe pilot’s lack of situational awareness regarding the surrounding terrain while descending during dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Mar 15, 2012 · N364AB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180D · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a telephone line while flying at a low altitude in dusk lighting conditions.Jul 4, 2011 · N6451X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Chester, CAThe pilot's loss of control while maneuvering to land, most likely due to spatial disorientation.Jan 7, 2011 · N5866S · Substantial damage