OpenAirDocs.org

Aerodynamic stall/spin

Open the Markdown

NTSB defining event · CICTT: Loss Of Control (Inflight)

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

All 864 cases1,529 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
864 cases
In the sequence of
1,529 cases
Fatal cases
375
NTSB code
241

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\" = '241' 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 climb176
  • Maneuvering-low-alt flying128
  • Takeoff107
  • Maneuvering85
  • Approach-VFR pattern final72
  • Approach-VFR go-around63
  • Landing47
  • Approach-VFR pattern base35
  • Landing-flare/touchdown33
  • Approach17
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\" = '241' 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 · 864

NTSB WPR27FA012Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldInvestigation openGugger David RV-7A · Petaluma, CAOct 7, 2026 · N425DGNTSB WPR26FA330Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172N · San Diego, CAOn September 7, 2026, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734ZK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a…Sep 8, 2026 · N734ZK · DestroyedNTSB WPR26FA329Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fresno, CAOn September 5, 2026, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5, N6510L, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fresno, California. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…Sep 5, 2026 · N6510L · DestroyedNTSB WPR26FA320Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20C · Mount Hood, OROn August 31, 2026, about 1131 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2783W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…Aug 31, 2026 · N2783W · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openKrugh Patrick M Steen Skybolt · Big Bear, CAAug 28, 2026 · N43PK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26FA281Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-180 · Chandler, AZOn July 28, 2026, about 1949 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9062J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…Jul 29, 2026 · N9062J · DestroyedNTSB ERA26LA277Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRans S-6-S · Morgan, VTThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with water.Jul 20, 2026 · N528MW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA252Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportFairchild M-62A · Greenleaf, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during approach and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Jul 5, 2026 · N53953 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA213Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMoose SR 2500 · Sonoma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.May 27, 2026 · N135DS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26FA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportFokker DR1 Replica · Frankston, TXOn May 26, 2026, about 0810 central daylight time, an experimental Fokker DR1 airplane, N54517, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Frankston, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…May 26, 2026 · N54517 · Destroyed
See all 864 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\" = '241')
  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.