NTSB investigations, 2021
39 cases where the sequence of events included Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).
Cases per year
| 2008 | 57 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 70 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 99 |
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 63 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2020 | 35 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 26 |
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2021
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2021 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 GAA22WA061Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 412 · Quillen-Neuquen district, ArgentinaNTSB WPR22LA069Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Auburn, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.NTSB WPR22LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Strawberry, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire during approach.NTSB CEN22LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMini-MAX 1600R Sport · South Bend, INThe pilot’s low-level flight and poor visual lookout which resulted in collision with a light pole on final approach and the pilot’s improper decision to operate an airplane under the influence of alcohol.NTSB CEN22FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to adhere to the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC22LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA22WA058Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Rauch, ArgentinaNTSB ERA22LA060Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Wilkes-Barre, PAThe pilot’s decision to commence the flight in marginal visual flight rules conditions at night, and his failure to maintain a safe altitude once instrument conditions were encountered.NTSB GAA22WA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna P210N · Dornbirn, AustriaNTSB GAA22WA024Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90 · Caratinga, BrazilNTSB WPR22LA030Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Newdale, IDThe flight instructor’s failure to monitor the flight to ensure terrain clearance during the dark night conditions.NTSB WPR22FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150L · Dunsmuir, CAThe non-certificated pilot’s improper decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA22WA177Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA34 · Königswinter, GermanyNTSB ERA22LA007Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Batavia, NYThe pilot’s failure to disengage the autopilot prior to climbing out of a fog bank.NTSB ERA22LA006Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172K · Williston, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing…NTSB ERA22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech S35 · Andrews, NCThe pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.NTSB GAA21WA249Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna F172 · Dala-Floda, SwedenNTSB ENG21WA041Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLet L410 · Kazachinskoye, RussiaNTSB ANC21FA069Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportDehavilland DHC-2 MK.I · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the FAA’s reliance on voluntary compliance with the Ketchikan…NTSB ANC21FA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172P · Eagle River, AKAn inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate as designed, and the mechanic’s failure to ensure the correct ELT was installed…NTSB GAA21WA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMooney M20 · Gothard, SwitzerlandNTSB CEN21FA305Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHawker Beechcraft G36 · Aspen, COThe pilot’s failure to navigate through mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA21WA163Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Leogane, HaitiNTSB ERA21LA270Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Waxhaw, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR21FA231Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Rush Valley, UTThe pilot’s misidentification of a mountain pass at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s overconfidence based on her previous aviation experience and fatigue due to both the time of the flight…NTSB CEN21LA271Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T210L · Buena Vista, COThe partial loss of engine power due to a vane failure in the engine-driven fuel pump.NTSB ERA21LA266Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPilatus B4-PC11 · Sterling, MAThe pilot’s misjudged approach angle which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN21FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · St. Louis, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate visual lookout to ensure clearance from the radio tower and its guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unnecessary use of his mobile device during the flight, which diminished his attention/monitoring…NTSB WPR21LA193Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172R · Chandler, AZThe pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions.NTSB ERA21FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna A188 · Pineview, GAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in collision with powerlines during an aerial application flight.NTSB GAA21WA062Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Colon and El Marques, Queretaro, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A-1 · Cave Spring, GAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB ERA21FA148Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Purcellville, VAThe pilot's improper decision to depart from the short turf runway with a tailwind.NTSB CEN21FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Galt, MOThe pilot’s decision to takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions consisting of low ceilings and icing and his failure to remain clear of terrain while attempting to remain below the clouds, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21LA124Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 441 · Belvidere, TNThe pilot’s failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure by prematurely descending the airplane below the final approach fix altitude to fly under the low ceiling conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA21WA016Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Sefferweich, GermanyNTSB ERA21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Boynton Beach, FLThe pilot’s controlled flight into the ocean at night due to his unrecognized spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with the tuning of his transponder while maneuvering over an area with reduced visual references.NTSB ERA21LA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKolb Firestar · Vineland, NJA steep descent and impact with terrain during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.