# NTSB investigations: Dark

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.

Page 1 of 9 · 448 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA182.md): American AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2026 · N5832L · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ANC26LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA005.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Eek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2025 · N4112D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of directional control when the airplane encountered snow and ice on the runway while landing at night in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR26LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA053.md): Tecnam P2008 · Blackfoot, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 10, 2025 · N208CM · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and clearance from trees while maneuvering at night.
- [NTSB CEN26LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA035.md): Cessna 172 · Grantsburg, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2025 · N9490H · Substantial damage
  > The collision with a white-tail deer during the landing in dark night visual conditions.
- [NTSB ERA26LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA015.md): Socata TB 10 · New Milford, CT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2025 · N28170 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart from an unlit turf runway at night, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN25LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA356.md): Sikorsky S-76 · Round Mountain, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2025 · N36RP · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to properly identify the heliport in dark night conditions, which resulted in the flight crew attempting to land and a subsequent impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA354.md): Cessna 152 · Baldwin City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2025 · N89585 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the night landing without runway lights which resulted in the runway overrun.
- [NTSB CEN25LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA350.md): Cessna 172R · Ardmore, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2025 · N5181A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB DCA25LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA267.md): Boeing 787 · North Charleston, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2025 · JA986A · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The ground crews improper parking of N247BZ, which left its tail protruding into the taxiway, and the JA986A flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance while taxiing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144.md): Schweizer 269C · Mogadore, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2025 · N262LH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.
- [NTSB DCA25MA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25MA108.md): Bombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DC · Accident · 67 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 30, 2025 · N709PS · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…
- [NTSB ERA25LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA104.md): Cessna 182 · Smyrna, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 17, 2025 · N21254 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate approach path, resulting in the airplane contacting a tree during a landing approach at night.
- [NTSB ERA25LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA073.md): Cessna 560 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2024 · N981AG · Substantial damage
  > The vehicle driver’s inadequate visual lookout while driving on a non-licensed vehicle roadway in restricted visibility conditions, which resulted in a collision with a taxiing airplane.
- [NTSB ERA25LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA060.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2012 Traveller · Boston, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 25, 2024 · N651CA · Substantial damage
  > The tug crew’s inadequate visual lookout while towing an airplane at night and their failure to identify a stationary airplane within sufficient time/distance to stop.
- [NTSB ERA25FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA037.md): Cessna 150F · Wilder, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2024 · N8110S · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA113.md): Piper PA28 · Melbourne, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2024 · N650FT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to correctly identify the runway centerline prior to initiating the nighttime takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a runway edge light and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN24LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA112.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2024 · N4054Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.
- [NTSB ERA24FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA104.md): Beech V35 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 2, 2024 · N6659L · Destroyed
  > An in-flight engine compartment fire due to a partially loose flexible fuel hose b-nut at the fuel metering unit. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s inability to visually identify the destination airport at night, which prolonged the…
- [NTSB ERA24LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA118.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N521LS · Substantial damage
  > Tail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.
- [NTSB ERA24FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA096.md): Cessna 172 · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 23, 2024 · N737VC · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.
- [NTSB CEN24FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA094.md): Bell 206 · Hydro, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 21, 2024 · N295AE · Destroyed
  > The helicopter’s inflight collision with cackling geese, resulting in an inflight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2023 · N4209W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact.
- [NTSB CEN24FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA073.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Canton, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 27, 2023 · N858RC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.
- [NTSB DCA24LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA034.md): Boeing 717 · Kahului, HI · Incident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2023 · N494HA · Minor damage
  > The captain did not verify that the tow tractor had exited the area in front of the airplane before taxiing for departure. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and the absence of an illuminated hazard beacon on the tow tractor, which reduced its…
- [NTSB ERA24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA030.md): Cessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2023 · N140FS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue.
- [NTSB ERA24FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA003.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 8, 2023 · N802JR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience,…
- [NTSB WPR24FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA002.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Moab, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 2, 2023 · N7153R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA358.md): Cirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 3, 2023 · N420PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA350.md): Bell 206 · Carthage, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 6, 2023 · N288AE · Substantial damage
  > A collision with a fence during landing due to the crew’s reduced distance estimation and depth perception while using night vision goggles. Contributing to the accident was the low moon angle, which made viewing the fence more challenging.
- [NTSB ERA23LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA328.md): Cessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CB · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2023 · N13384 · Destroyed
  > The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN23FA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA315.md): Cessna 150 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2023 · N17043 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of airplane control in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA23LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA368.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Culpeper, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 15, 2023 · N1809H · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s impact with a deer while performing a takeoff at night.
- [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA427.md): Quad City Challenger · Indianola, MS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 14, 2023 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s loss of control during the night landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA207.md): Cessna 182Q · Kingman, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2023 · N94599 · Minor damage
  > The failure of the passenger to adequately maintain a safe distance from the airplane’s propeller and the determination to let the passenger exit the airplane with the engine running.
- [NTSB ERA23LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA222.md): Cessna 150M · Hernando, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2023 · N150VL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles during takeoff at night.
- [NTSB WPR23FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA153.md): Mullins David J JR Glastar · Cal-Nev-Ari, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 11, 2023 · N8488 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude for undetermined reasons while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA181.md): Piper PA32R · Venice, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 6, 2023 · N635BD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation during the initial climb and subsequent steep banking descent into water.
- [NTSB CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and…
- [NTSB CEN23FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA077.md): Cessna 150H · Auburn, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 12, 2023 · N22859 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control after a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing while maneuvering for forced landing in dark night visual meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA23FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA108.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.
- [NTSB DCA23LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA114.md): Bombardier CL-600-2D24 · New York, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 2, 2023 · N928XJ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > ITA Airways flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between their airplane and another airplane stopped on an adjoining taxiway.
- [NTSB CEN23LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA091.md): Cessna 150G · Pocahantas, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2022 · N2930J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's encounter with adverse weather conditions which led to structural icing that affected flight characteristics…
- [NTSB ANC23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA008.md): Raytheon C90A · Kaupo, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 15, 2022 · N13GZ · Substantial damage
  > Guardian Flight’s inadequate pilot training and performance tracking, which failed to identify and correct the pilot’s consistent lack of skill, and which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain his position inflight using secondary instruments to…
- [NTSB CEN23FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA057.md): Cessna 210-5(205) · Cleburne, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 5, 2022 · N8149Z · Destroyed
  > An in-flight loss of control as a result of spatial disorientation in night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA23FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA079.md): Piper PA28 · Venice, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 4, 2022 · N4676F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation during takeoff in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb and a subsequent descent into the water.
- [NTSB WPR23LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA032.md): Honda HA-420 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2022 · N789RJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent attempt to takeoff on a left side of runway, rather than the centerline of runway, which resulted in a collision with runway edge lights during the night time takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA23LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA031.md): Cessna 172P · Elizabethtown, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2022 · N63663 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to continue the taxi without visual reference to the surface, due to his vision being impaired by darkness and glare, which resulted in the airplane’s departure from the paved surface and impact with a ditch. Contributing was the flight…
- [NTSB CEN22LA441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA441.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Shell Lake, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2022 · N5152S · Substantial damage
  > A collision with a deer during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?page=2

## 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", '03036020'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases

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