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Explosion (non-impact)

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NTSB defining event · CICTT: Fire

CICTT occurrence categories (PDF)CICTT phases of flight (PDF)

All 17 cases20 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
17 cases
In the sequence of
20 cases
Fatal cases
3
NTSB code
160

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where it was the defining event; in gray, cases where it came elsewhere in the sequence. The map shows the cases where it was the defining event. Events are coded with the final report, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008Defining eventElsewhere in the sequence2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\") AS defining
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = e.case_mkey
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" = '160' AND e.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In these cases

Phase of flight
  • Initial climb5
  • Enroute-cruise2
  • Takeoff2
  • Standing-engine(s) start-up2
  • Enroute-climb to cruise1
  • Enroute1
  • Takeoff-rejected takeoff1
  • Taxi-from runway1
  • Standing-engine(s) operating1
  • Prior to flight1
In the probable cause
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH defining AS (SELECT * FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"tier2Number\" = '160' AND \"isDefiningEvent\")
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Phase of flight' AS kind, e.\"tier1Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier1Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM defining e
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Finding in the probable cause', left(f.\"findingCode\", 8), max(f.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f ON f.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND f.aircrafts_position = e.aircrafts_position AND f.\"inProbableCause\"
  WHERE f.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND a.position = e.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 17

NTSB CEN27LA022Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedInvestigation openConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Springfield, MOOct 19, 2026 · N117RFNTSB ENG25WA037Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Muscat, OmanMay 31, 2025 · A4O-ML · Minor damageNTSB ENG25WA029IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Oslo, NorwayDec 28, 2024 · PH-BXM · Minor damageNTSB ANC24FA029Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDouglas C54D · Fairbanks, AKA loss of power of the No. 1 engine for reasons that could not be determined, and the incorrect installation of a B-nut fitting in the propeller feathering system, which allowed engine oil to spray onto the exhaust system when the propeller was feathered…Apr 23, 2024 · N3054V · DestroyedNTSB CEN21LA274Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech U-8F · Goodland, KSMaintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the airplane, which failed to detect and correct chafed electrical wiring and a degraded fuel bladder with holes, which resulted in ignition of fuel vapor and a right wing explosion.Jun 17, 2021 · N62069 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19LA215Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 65 · Sidney, NEThe improper maintenance of the outboard left wing, which allowed electrical arcing and leaking of the fuel sending unit and subsequently resulted in ignition of fuel vapors and an explosion of the outboard left wing.Jul 9, 2019 · N62069 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA221Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Baton Rouge, LAThe improper insulation of the anticollision light wiring, which resulted in the ignition of combustible fuel vapors in the outboard section of the right wing; the source of the fuel leak could not be determined due to fire damage.Jun 8, 2018 · N190RS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18WA401Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBeech 58 · Hautes-Alpes, FranceOn April 28, 2018, about 0720 UTC, a Beechcraft BE-58P, Swiss registry HB-GGP, operated by a private individual, experienced an uncontained engine failure while in cruise flight near the Hautes-Alpes, France. The pilot, the sole person on board was not…Apr 28, 2018 · HB-GGP · Substantial damageNTSB DCA18WA140Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationAirbus A320 · Orlando, FLThe Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a AIRBUS A320 airplane that occurred on April 14, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the TSB's investigation under the…Apr 14, 2018 · C-FTJR · Minor damageNTSB WPR16FA183Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Gilbert, AZAn inadvertent explosion of pyrotechnics, which were contained in a box that had been installed on the airplane's left main landing gear assembly spring leg which resulted in shrapnel striking the airplane's left wing and breaching the left wing fuel tank,…Sep 18, 2016 · N20844 · Destroyed
See all 17 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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '160')
  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.