# Low light - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › [Light condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030360) › Low light - NTSB code: 03036015 - Cases: 36 - In the probable cause: 19 - Fatal cases: 10 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 6 / 7 - 2009: 2 / 5 - 2011: 0 / 5 - 2012: 0 / 1 - 2016: 2 / 5 - 2017: 0 / 2 - 2019: 1 / 1 - 2021: 0 / 1 - 2022: 1 / 2 - 2023: 2 / 2 - 2024: 4 / 4 - 2025: 1 / 1 ## Defining events in these cases - [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 6 cases - [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 4 cases - [Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200): 4 cases - [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 4 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 3 cases - [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 2 cases - [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 2 cases - [Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310): 2 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases - [Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 2 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases - [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 2 cases - [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108): 1 cases - [Aerospatiale AS350BA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350ba): 1 cases - [Raytheon C90A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-c90a): 1 cases - [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p): 1 cases - [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12): 1 cases - [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k): 1 cases - [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 8 cases - [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 7 cases - [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 7 cases - [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 6 cases - [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 5 cases - [Descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040) (Aircraft): 5 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 4 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 4 cases - [Spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025) (Personnel issues): 4 cases - [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 4 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119), Feb 14, 2025: Cessna 208 (N40EA), Pierson, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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 ANC25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA011), Dec 21, 2024: Raytheon C90A (N438CA), Honolulu, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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.… - [NTSB WPR25LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA032), Nov 7, 2024: Textron 172S (N679ER), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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 WPR24LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA265), Aug 3, 2024: Bell 407 (N20BH), Raft River, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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… - [NTSB CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276), Jul 21, 2024: Bell 206 (N26UK), Cornland, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire. - [NTSB WPR23LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA339), Sep 9, 2023: Eurocopter France AS350B2 (N350WW), Silverton, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water. - [NTSB WPR23FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA172), Apr 30, 2023: Cessna 172S (N575ND), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The 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… - [NTSB ANC22LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA070), Sep 3, 2022: Piper PA-18-150 (N119CC), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain centerline in dusk light conditions which resulted in impact with trees. - [NTSB CEN22LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA120), Feb 12, 2022: Cessna 172N (N737SY), Murphysboro, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during approach for landing. - [NTSB WPR21LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA193), May 11, 2021: Cessna 172R (N47AF), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- 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.