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Tie-down/mooring

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NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing

All 33 cases29 in the probable cause
Cases
33
In the probable cause
29 (88%)
Fatal cases
1
NTSB code
01011020

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 NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01011020') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  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 the same cases

Defining events
Aircraft models

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

Other findings
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '01011020'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.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
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '01011020') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  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 · 33

NTSB WPR26LA170Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBalony Kubicek Spol Sro BB100Z · Elk Grove, CAThe pilot’s delayed decision to deflate the balloon during a static display in windy conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a building. Contributing to the accident was the proximity of the balloon from structures during a static…Apr 27, 2026 · N355WC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA076Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Burnet, TXThe pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine, which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.Dec 31, 2025 · N559TX · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA042Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Marana, AZThe pilot’s improper starting procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.Nov 9, 2025 · N6495T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWolstenholme Dennis Pietenpol AIR Camper · Tullahoma, TNThe pilot’s failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of training in hand-propping procedures.Dec 12, 2024 · N161DW · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA310Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Wapakoneta, OHThe pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure resulting in the unoccupied airplane’s unintended movement and subsequent impact with a hangar.Jul 5, 2021 · N9149E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA149Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Port Townsend, WAThe pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.Mar 29, 2021 · N28461 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA090Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 · Cotulla, TXThe pilot's failure to remove the right skid trailer tie-down before attempting to take off, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.Feb 18, 2020 · N10786 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA119Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 175 · Lakeport, CAThe pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before pulling the propeller through, which resulted in the airplane rolling and subsequently colliding with a parked airplane.Jan 6, 2017 · N8148T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16CA264Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7BCM · Connellsville, PAThe pilot's failure to properly set the throttle and secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.Jul 20, 2016 · N1639E · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA162Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA24 · Homestead, FLThe pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence.Mar 26, 2016 · N55UA · Substantial damage
See all 33 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01011020'))
  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.