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Birdstrike

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NTSB defining event · CICTT: Birdstrike

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

All 244 cases253 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
244 cases
In the sequence of
253 cases
Fatal cases
14
NTSB code
901

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\" = '901' 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 climb37
  • Enroute-cruise35
  • Enroute30
  • Takeoff23
  • Approach22
  • Enroute-descent21
  • Approach-VFR pattern downwind18
  • Maneuvering14
  • Enroute-climb to cruise14
  • Approach-VFR pattern final6
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\" = '901' 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 · 244

NTSB CEN27LA024AccidentLimited investigationInvestigation openEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2 · St. Louis, MOOct 19, 2026 · N3842NTSB ERA26LA337Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openAir Tractor AT-602 · Morven, GASep 13, 2026 · N686LA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA312Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openPiper PA24 · Fort Washington, MDAug 21, 2026 · N6969P · Substantial damageNTSB ENG26WA033OccurrenceClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Cancun, MexicoAug 8, 2026 · N27273 · Minor damageNTSB DCA26WA301Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignAirbus A321 · Brasilia, BrazilJul 29, 2026 · PT-XPF · Minor damageNTSB ERA26LA299Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Lakeland, FLAn in-flight collision with a bird while on approach.Jul 24, 2026 · N905KS · Substantial damageNTSB DCA26WA243Occurrence · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBombardier CL-600-2D24 · Montreal, CanadaJun 18, 2026 · N934XJ · Minor damageNTSB WPR26LA220Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Morgan Hill, CAAn in-flight collision with a bird.Jun 11, 2026 · N55231 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA26WA216IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737-8 · Liberia, Costa RicaMay 17, 2026 · N8723QNTSB ANC26LA038Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openTextron B300C · Salcha, AKMay 5, 2026 · N67RF · Substantial damage
See all 244 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\" = '901')
  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.