NTSB investigations
42 cases where the defining event was Settling with power/vortex ring state.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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 c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '244') 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."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '244') 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 ANC25LA099Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Petersville, AKThe pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a remote confined area, which resulted in rotor droop and a hard landing.NTSB ERA24LA327Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Russellville, KYThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm while maneuvering the helicopter low to the ground, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA24LA287Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350 · Sanford, FLThe helicopter pilot’s improper maneuvering at low altitude in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the helicopter entering a vortex ring state, and hard landing during a subsequent autorotation.NTSB WPR23LA061Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter EC 130 B4 · Waimea, HIThe pilot's loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to entering a vortex ring state condition, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN22LA033Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Freer, TXThe pilot’s encounter with ‘settling with power’ while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent hard landing.NTSB WPR21LA236Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH-1H · Townsend, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after an encounter with settling with power during approach at an altitude that was too low for recovery, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA21LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Raleigh, NCThe pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom, and impact with the ground.NTSB ERA20LA273Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter EC130 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot's entry into vortex ring state and his inability to arrest the helicopter's descent while maneuvering for landing.NTSB GAA19CA345Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportS M & T UH · Northway, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA19WA167Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBell 206 · Sabanalarga, ColombiaThe government of Colombia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL 206 helicopter that occurred on April 30, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Colombia's investigation under the provisions…NTSB ERA19TA153Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R22 · Bradenton Beach, FLThe pilot's improper decision to execute a low altitude turn that resulted in a strong tailwind and to reduce the airspeed to 0 knots and the flight instructor's diverted attention and inadequate monitoring, which resulted in the helicopter settling with…NTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.NTSB CEN17LA192Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Canon City, COThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA16LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter France AS350 · Jasper, GAThe pilot's loss of helicopter control due to vortex ring state, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the landing approach with a tailwind.NTSB CEN15LA224Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28F · Argyle, TXThe pilot and flight instructor's inadvertent encounter with settling with power during a confined area takeoff at an altitude that was too low for recovery.NTSB GAA15CA032Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Fort Davis, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during flight, which resulted in the helicopter impacting terrain.NTSB CEN15FA164Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus Helicopters (Eurocopte EC-130-B4 · St Louis, MOThe pilot's decision to land during unfavorable wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to settling with power. Contributing to the accident were the lack of an adequate approach path due to numerous obstructions and the lack of available…NTSB WPR15CA063Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 Ecureuil · Bicknell, UTThe pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB WPR14FA324Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportS.N.I.A.S. AS350B · Tahoma, CAThe pilot's loss of helicopter control due to settling with power while maneuvering for takeoff.NTSB WPR14CA290Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47K · Kingston, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach, which resulted in an excessive descent angle and settling with power.NTSB ANC14CA042Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an emergency landing on uneven terrain.NTSB CEN14CA252Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale AS 365 N2 Dauphin · Constantine, MIThe pilot's loss of control while entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN14CA082Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSikorsky S 76B · Port Fourchon, LAThe pilot's loss of control of the helicopter when it entered a settling with power condition during sudden gusty wind conditions on takeoff resulting in the helicopter subsequently impacting terrain.NTSB WPR13LA303Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Missoula, MTThe pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power and to maintain proper position relative to an external load, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB ERA13CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes TH-55A · Morgantown, WVThe pilot’s inadequate planning which resulted in an encounter with settling with power and descent into terrain during takeoff.NTSB WPR13CA057Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369D · Sheridan, ORThe pilot’s failure to prevent the helicopter from entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor blades impacting the truck.NTSB WPR13LA025Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Mariner · Lake Havasu, AZThe pilot’s unintentional and unrecognized entry into a vortex ring state as a result of conducting a course reversal turn into a tailwind while at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into water.NTSB WPR13LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R-44 II · Toutle, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain precise altitude control, which resulted in the helicopter entering a settling with power condition while hovering out of ground effect.NTSB ERA13LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-55B · Yorktown, NYThe pilot's improper decision to perform a downwind precautionary landing and the helicopter’s resultant settling with power and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN12LA282Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B-III · Flora, INThe pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power.NTSB ERA12LA063Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Palm Beach, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a low-altitude turn into gusty tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of translational lift and settling with power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.NTSB ERA11LA409Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Dayton, NJThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during an out-of-ground-effect hover, which resulted in a loss of control due to settling with power and loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB CEN11CA325Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Golden, COThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter at a high density altitude near terrain, which resulted in a settling with power condition.NTSB WPR11CA146Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Colusa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and an inadvertent encounter with settling with power while flying downwind.NTSB ERA11CA059Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E · Madison, FLThe pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers.NTSB CEN10CA469Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269B · Lakeview, MIThe pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.NTSB ERA10LA323Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Asheville, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain forward airspeed, which resulted in a settling with power encounter.NTSB ERA10CA134Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Fort Pierce, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with settling with power while hovering downwind.NTSB WPR10CA057Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Lyons, ORThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition while he was descending, and his improper initial remedial action.NTSB CEN09CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Kent, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.NTSB CHI08CA254Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-3B · Kenyon, MNThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the helicopter settling with power.NTSB ANC08LA076Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350 BA · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's incorrect actions during an out-of ground-effect hover, which resulted in the helicopter entering a main rotor ring vortex state, and a settling with power condition, producing an excessive descent rate and collision with terrain.