# Flat 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) › Flat light
- NTSB code: 03036025
- Cases: 42
- In the probable cause: 27
- Fatal cases: 5
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 1 / 1
- 2009: 0 / 2
- 2010: 0 / 1
- 2011: 1 / 2
- 2012: 2 / 3
- 2013: 1 / 4
- 2016: 4 / 4
- 2017: 1 / 2
- 2018: 2 / 2
- 2019: 1 / 1
- 2020: 4 / 6
- 2021: 0 / 1
- 2022: 2 / 3
- 2023: 3 / 4
- 2024: 2 / 3
- 2025: 2 / 2
- 2026: 1 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 12 cases
- [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 5 cases
- [Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231): 4 cases
- [Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230): 4 cases
- [Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370): 3 cases
- [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 3 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 2 cases
- [Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090): 2 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2): 2 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases
- [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b): 2 cases
- [Weatherly 620B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620b): 1 cases
- [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19): 1 cases
- [Eurocopter AS 350 BA](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-ba): 1 cases
- [Aerospatiale AS350 B2 ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350-b2-ecureuil): 1 cases
- [Short Bros. & Harland SC7 SERIES 3](https://openairdocs.org/model/short-bros-harland-sc7-series-3): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012) (Aircraft): 14 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 12 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 12 cases
- [Snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015) (Environmental issues): 9 cases
- [Snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030) (Environmental issues): 8 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 8 cases
- [Visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015) (Personnel issues): 6 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 5 cases
- [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 4 cases
- [Low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015) (Environmental issues): 3 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA095), Jan 29, 2026: American Champion 8KCAB (N59SE), Alpine, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA092), Aug 22, 2025: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (N149TH), Juneau, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC25LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064), Jun 30, 2025: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N531AT), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA040), Jun 1, 2024: Cessna 180H (N91224), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC24LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA019), Mar 18, 2024: Michael G Darby Dard 1 (N696AK), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.
- [NTSB WPR24LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA090), Feb 15, 2024: Enstrom 280FX (N899JS), Lewistown, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s encounter with low light conditions and snow-covered terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA009), Dec 26, 2023: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 (N21FY), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ANC23LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA036), May 17, 2023: Piper PA31 (N34WM), Point Thomson, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA022), Feb 14, 2023: Cessna U206F (N9572G), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in flat light conditions which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a snow berm.
- [NTSB ANC23LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA011), Jan 2, 2023: Piper PA-18-150 (N94X), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in flat light conditions, resulting in the airplane to nose over.

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.

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