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Abrupt maneuver

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NTSB defining event · CICTT: Abrupt Maneuver

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

All 145 cases346 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
145 cases
In the sequence of
346 cases
Fatal cases
51
NTSB code
270

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\" = '270' 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
  • Maneuvering-low-alt flying17
  • Takeoff16
  • Initial climb14
  • Landing-landing roll10
  • Enroute-cruise9
  • Approach-VFR pattern final8
  • Maneuvering8
  • Enroute8
  • Landing-flare/touchdown6
  • Landing6
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\" = '270' 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 · 145

NTSB WPR26LA357Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openCessna 182Q · Water Valley, MSSep 19, 2026 · N88JD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA211Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPatsch Thorp T-18 · Hendersonville, NCOn May 15, 2026, about 1853 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Thorp T-18, N2KP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hendersonville, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was…May 15, 2026 · N2KP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA106Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Lafayette, INThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student during a stall recovery that developed into unusual attitude and exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed airspeed which resulted in structural damage to the airplane.Jan 28, 2026 · N51204 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26FA010Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBeech C90 · Fort Worth, TXOn October 12, 2025, about 1334 central daylight time, a Beech C90, N291CC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Oct 12, 2025 · N291CC · DestroyedNTSB WPR25LA246Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Fobes Hill, WAThe pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain.Aug 11, 2025 · N703WA · Substantial damageNTSB DCA25LA230Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 737 · Phoenix, AZThe abrupt application of brakes during taxi, which resulted in a sudden stop and caused a flight attendant to sustain a serious injury.Jun 8, 2025 · N27266 · No damageNTSB CEN25FA148Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAnusiewicz Cassutt III M · Haskell, OKOn April 8, 2025, about 1459 central daylight time, a Cassutt III M airplane, N5RR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Haskell, Oklahoma. The pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…Apr 8, 2025 · N5RR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA167Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportHiller UH12E · Rockledge, FLOn April 6, 2025, about 1020 eastern daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E, N48263, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rockledge, Florida. The private pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operated as a…Apr 6, 2025 · N48263 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA309Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CAThe CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.Sep 22, 2024 · N313YK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA305Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20F · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot’s evasive maneuver to avoid birds while on final approach at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree.Sep 8, 2024 · N9628M · Substantial damage
See all 145 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\" = '270')
  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.