# NTSB investigations: Low light

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Raytheon C90A · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2024 · N438CA · Substantial damage
  > 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. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s delayed…
- [NTSB WPR25LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA032.md): Textron 172S · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N679ER · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Bell 407 · Raft River, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damage
  > 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 ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…
- [NTSB CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276.md): Bell 206 · Cornland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N26UK · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Silverton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2023 · N350WW · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Cessna 172S · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2023 · N575ND · Substantial damage
  > 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 destination airport.
- [NTSB ANC22LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA070.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2022 · N119CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain centerline in dusk light conditions which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB CEN22LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA120.md): Cessna 172N · Murphysboro, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 12, 2022 · N737SY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during approach for landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA193.md): Cessna 172R · Chandler, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 11, 2021 · N47AF · Substantial damage
  > 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 ANC20CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA006.md): Piper PA18 · Moose Pass, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2019 · N645DT · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA18CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA069.md): Weaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.
- [NTSB GAA17CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA160.md): Cessna 152 · Madill, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 26, 2017 · N6132Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a hangar while taxiing at night.
- [NTSB GAA16CA494](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA494.md): Beech B23 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2016 · N4002T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA312.md): Piper PA 28 · Gilmer, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 11, 2016 · N6700J · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA16LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA135.md): Pinkston Randy T RV-7 · Tavernier, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2016 · N705RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misidentification of a parallel roadway for the runway and the airplane's subsequent collision with numerous objects during landing.
- [NTSB CEN16LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA097.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Sturtevant, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2016 · N1572J · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA16CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA097.md): Cessna 175 · Seeley Lake, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 5, 2016 · N9493B · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR12FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA091.md): Cessna T206H · Show Low, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2012 · N445GH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with low clouds/low visibility conditions during the initial climb, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ANC11CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA097.md): Piper PA-12 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2011 · N3654M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misidentification of the runway environment in dusk light conditions.
- [NTSB WPR11FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA304.md): Cessna 180D · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2011 · N6451X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a telephone line while flying at a low altitude in dusk lighting conditions.
- [NTSB CEN11FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA247.md): Stinson 108 · Dickens, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2011 · N97383 · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to fly in night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA11FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA146.md): Cessna 172S · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2011 · N6345L · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to recognize or implement adequate remedial action to counter the effects of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the spatial disorientation experienced by one or both pilots.
- [NTSB ERA11FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA102.md): Cessna 310F · Orange, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2011 · N6725X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain separation from trees during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and lack of recent night flight experience.
- [NTSB WPR10FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA055.md): Aerospatiale AS350BA · Doyle, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N5793P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot became spatially disoriented while maneuvering on a dark night, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB CEN10LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA047.md): Cessna T182T · Loveland, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2009 · N652CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during dusk light conditions, and his failure to execute a go-around.
- [NTSB ERA10FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA028.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2009 · N98ZZ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during a night approach for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN09LA555](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA555.md): Destiny Powered Parachutes Destiny 2000 · Arcanum, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2009 · N5604B · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout in order to avoid the collision with an aircraft on final approach to land.
- [NTSB ANC09CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA020.md): Beech 65-A90-1 · Soldotna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 16, 2009 · N418SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misidentification of the runway surface during landing. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered terrain, and low-light conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA026.md): Holland Rotorway 162F · Rutland, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 10, 2008 · N162NJ · Substantial damage
  > The loss of torque due to a failure of a transmission drivebelt and the pilot's delayed landing flare during the autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the dusk light condition and the corn crop.
- [NTSB CHI08CA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA261.md): Ntbk Wag Aero Sport · Oxford, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2008 · N141ST · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged his approach path which resulted in insufficient altitude and the subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing to the accident were the trees and the dusk lighting conditions.
- [NTSB ANC08LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA088.md): Cessna 150 · Manley Hot Spgs, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2008 · N22563 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a ditch during the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident were low light conditions at dusk, and soft terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08CA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA223.md): Grumman Acft Eng G-164B · Patterson, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2008 · N6792Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering.
- [NTSB CHI08CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA178.md): Mooney M20K · Howell, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2008 · N252EM · Substantial damage
  > The collision with a deer during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the dusk light condition.
- [NTSB LAX08CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA186.md): Alon A2 · Sandpoint, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2008 · N1018S · Substantial damage
  > The airplane struck a deer on the runway while performing touch-and-go landings. Contributing to the accident was the dusk light condition.
- [NTSB LAX08CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA085.md): Ayres S2R-600 · Blythe, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 25, 2008 · N5674X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dusk light condition and the pressure the pilot felt to accomplish the flight.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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", '03036015'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases

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