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NTSB investigations, 2020

17 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft maintenance event.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

20082026

Where

Latest cases

Query with 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2020 AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '040' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2020
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '040' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\"))
  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 year(c."eventDate") = 2020
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '040' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
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 ERA21LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe 415 · South Boston, VAThe improper installation of a fuel filter screen cover gasket, which resulted in its failure, fuel starvation, and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the unapproved fuel sight gauge, which obscured…Dec 6, 2020 · N2674H · Substantial damage NTSB ERA21LA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FLThe pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…Nov 23, 2020 · N3UH · Substantial damage NTSB CEN21LA049Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Circleville, OHThe total loss of engine power due to an accessory drive gear that backed out impeding the other gears.Nov 8, 2020 · N33DW · Substantial damage NTSB CEN21LA048Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Greenville, MIThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a low approach over the airport, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.Nov 7, 2020 · N9993W · Substantial damage NTSB CEN21LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Lebanon, OHImproper maintenance that resulted in a blocked crankcase breather port and a subsequent total loss of engine power.Oct 28, 2020 · N3537C · Substantial damage NTSB WPR21LA019Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGlasair III · Hayward, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance and inspection of the fuel filter.Oct 21, 2020 · N1YX · Substantial damage NTSB CEN21LA031Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Buda, TXAn improperly torqued oil line fitting during an engine overhaul, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.Oct 21, 2020 · N5932U · Substantial damage NTSB CEN21LA016Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox Classic 4 · New Carlisle, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control of the airplane during landing, which caused the airplane to nose over during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the main landing gear modification which increased the airplane’s tendency to nose over…Oct 13, 2020 · N47KC · Destroyed NTSB ERA21LA006Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Fulton, NYThe mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.Oct 4, 2020 · N6179U · Substantial damage NTSB CEN20LA377Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Coleman, MIThe pilot’s improper installation of the generator drive gear, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Sep 1, 2020 · N909C · Substantial damage NTSB CEN20LA294Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRockwell S2R · Harlan, IAThe fatigue fracture of the upper rudder hinge that resulted in a partial separation of the rudder from the airplane during a spray pass.Jul 20, 2020 · N1662S · Substantial damage NTSB ERA20CA246Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA22 · Cortland, NYThe mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate…Jul 13, 2020 · N2716P · Substantial damage NTSB CEN20LA263Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Eveleth, MNThe seizure of the airplane’s engine-driven fuel pump due to internal contamination, which led to a total loss of engine power. The source of the contamination could not be determined based on available evidence.Jul 5, 2020 · N4079R · Destroyed NTSB ERA20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Selma, ALThe mechanic’s failure to clean the oil suction screen during the most recent maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent total loss of engine power.Jun 10, 2020 · N543GS · Destroyed NTSB ERA20CA135Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAugustaWestland AW119MKII · Philadelphia, PAThe in-flight failure of the lower left side of the engine cowling due to the mechanic’s improper installation of the fasteners, which resulted in the cowling impacting all four main rotor blades.Mar 21, 2020 · N982SS · Substantial damage NTSB ANC20FA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 305 · Mokuleia, HIA separation of the left rudder cable due to inadequate maintenance, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain.Feb 22, 2020 · N65070 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC20LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA31 · Fairbanks, AKThe improper installation of a hydraulic line at the right main landing gear (MLG) unlock actuator, which resulted in a total loss of system hydraulic pressure and failure of the landing gear to extend. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the…Jan 12, 2020 · N4112K · Substantial damage