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NTSB investigations, IL

16 cases where the sequence of events included Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).

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 c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'IL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '120' 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 c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'IL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '120' 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 c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'IL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '120' 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 CEN26FA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Pittsfield, ILOn November 23, 2025, about 2137 central standard time (all referenced times are CST), a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, N47700, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pittsfield, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured, and the 2…Nov 24, 2025 · N47700 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN25LA311Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Monee, ILThe student pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and altitude resulting in a collision with the ground during the base to final turn.Aug 6, 2025 · N65818 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN25LA283Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hartsburg, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip.Jul 23, 2025 · N2371V · Substantial damage NTSB CEN20LA367Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Lawrenceville, ILThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain as a result of his failure to properly execute an instrument approach and maintain clearance from trees in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unfamiliarity with a…Aug 29, 2020 · N607SR · Destroyed NTSB CEN18LA082Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMatheny Larry E Christavia MK 1 · Grand Detour, ILThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude.Jan 20, 2018 · N746LM · Substantial damage NTSB GAA18CA069Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWeaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, ILThe 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.Dec 2, 2017 · N912GR · Substantial damage NTSB CEN17FA064Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-200 · Vienna, ILThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to descend through an overcast layer of weather during dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.Dec 31, 2016 · N2806R · Destroyed NTSB GAA16CA212Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Poplar Grove, ILThe pilot's visual disorientation and failure to monitor the altimeter during a night approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Apr 30, 2016 · N4242H · Substantial damage NTSB CEN15FA347Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Harrisburg, ILThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark, night conditions and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.Aug 10, 2015 · N9684U · Substantial damage NTSB CEN14FA522Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Plano, ILThe pilot’s failure to recognize the airplane’s low altitude and arrest the airplane’s descent on approach to the airport in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded night…Sep 29, 2014 · N37E · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13LA442Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13H/M74A · Streator, ILThe pilot's diverted attention during an agricultural application maneuver, which resulted in the helicopter impacting a corn field.Jul 29, 2013 · N10009 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13LA447Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Tamaroa, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an agricultural application maneuver.Jul 19, 2013 · N23L · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Morris, ILThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Feb 16, 2013 · N93747 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Kewanee, ILThe pilot's decision to initiate a visual night flight without recent night flight experience and his failure to maintain altitude during departure.Nov 23, 2009 · N1986M · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09LA061Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Downers Grove, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on final approach in night conditions, due to his impairment from recent use of alcohol, cocaine, and over-the-counter and prescription medications.Nov 16, 2008 · N759HF · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09MA019Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Aurora, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the 734-foot-tall lighted tower during the visual night flight due to inadequate preflight planning, insufficient altitude, and a flight route too low to clear the tower. Contributing to the accident was the air…Oct 16, 2008 · N992AA · Destroyed