NTSB investigations
42 cases where NTSB found Flat light.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '03036025')) 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.
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", '03036025')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR26LA095Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Alpine, WYThe pilot’s inadvertent descent while operating in flat light conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC25LA092Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Juneau, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during takeoff from uneven, snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC25LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.NTSB ANC24LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180H · Soldotna, AKThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid an obstacle on the runway environment during takeoff roll. Contributing was flat light conditions.NTSB ANC24LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMichael G Darby Dard 1 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in soft snow, resulting in a nose over.NTSB WPR24LA090Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Lewistown, MTThe 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 ANC24LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC23LA036Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA31 · Point Thomson, AKThe pilot’s inadvertent descent below the published minimum descent altitude, while operating in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC23LA022Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna U206F · Chugiak, AKThe 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 ANC23LA011Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Kenai, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in flat light conditions, resulting in the airplane to nose over.NTSB WPR23LA053Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A-1C-180 · Morgan, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.NTSB ANC22LA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 BA · Valdez, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in flat light conditions, which resulted in landing short of the intended landing spot and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC22LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Deadhorse, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in flat light conditions, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC21LA029Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170A · Lime Village, AKThe pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse.NTSB ANC20LA046Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot’s controlled flight into flat snow-covered terrain in weather conditions that were conducive to flat light conditions.NTSB ANC20CA029Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Sterling, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting an area of deep snow. A factor associated with the accident was flat light conditions.NTSB ANC20CA023Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC20CA022Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Koyuk, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a landing in flat light conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.NTSB ANC20FA017Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Tuntutuliak, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility, including likely flat light and/or white out conditions, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the operator’s inadequate operational…NTSB ANC20LA020Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Hooper Bay, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart from a contaminated runway, and his failure to make a timely decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not accelerating as expected. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart in limited visibility…NTSB GAA20CA071Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Luis, COThe pilot's improper pitch attitude during landing on rising terrain in flat light conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA18CA375Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportTaylorcraft F19 · Goose Bay, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing in dusky, flat light conditions, which resulted in a tree strike.NTSB CEN18FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopters 369HM · Perrysburg, OHA loss of engine power due to snow or ice ingestion at an altitude that was insufficient to allow for engine re-ignition. Contributing to the accident were conditions, including altitude and flat light conditions, that precluded a successful autorotation to…NTSB GAA17CA225Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Lewistown, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during low-altitude maneuvers in flat light conditions.NTSB GAA17CA187Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA22 · Ruby, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in flat light conditions on a hard-packed snow-covered landing area.NTSB ANC16LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on approach to land in flat light conditions. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the inadequately restrained internal cargo, which shifted forward during the impact and struck the…NTSB GAA16CA097Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 175 · Seeley Lake, MTThe 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 WPR16FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar S A YAK 52 · Alpine, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC16LA012Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Anaktuvuk Pass, AKThe pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating, flat light weather conditions, which resulted in impact with mountainous, snow-covered terrain.NTSB ANC13CA042Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 207A · Newtok, AKThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to initiate a go-around.NTSB ANC13CA041Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Anaktuvuk Pass, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while hovering over an area of snow-covered terrain, in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB ANC13FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Nikolai, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering inside a box canyon and the airplane’s subsequent aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual…NTSB ANC13CA020Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185E · Skwentna, AKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse.NTSB ANC12CA036Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportShort Bros. & Harland SC7 Series 3 · Chefornak, AKThe pilot's misidentification of a nearby snow-covered road as the snow-covered runway in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC12CA029Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180 · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during low-level maneuvering.NTSB ANC12CA025Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Trading Bay, AKThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site in flat-light conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR11LA233Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPalmer RV6A · Cody, WYThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual illusion and disorientation due to the flat light conditions.NTSB ANC11CA021Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Chicken Lake, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain.NTSB ANC10CA040Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Seward, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while hovering in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB ANC09LA031Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350 B2 E · Haines, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC09LA021Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Nome, AKThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while on approach in flat light conditions.NTSB ANC08LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Koliganek, AKThe pilot's VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with snow-covered terrain during a turn to reverse direction. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings, flat lighting conditions, and the snow-covered terrain.