NTSB investigations
86 cases where NTSB found Passenger/crew doors.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 7 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01035210')) 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01035210')) 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 ERA26LA292Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/LT · Whitehouse, OHThe pilot’s failure to ensure the canopy was properly locked before flight, which resulted in the canopy opening during takeoff.NTSB CEN26LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Conroe, TXThe pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff.NTSB ERA26LA085Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field.NTSB WPR25LA110Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control after the door opened during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm that the door was properly closed before departure.NTSB ERA25LA070Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWilliam M Clapp CLAPP-SABERWING · Valdosta, GAA hard landing and subsequent gear collapse due to the pilot’s failure to securely close the airplane canopy and its subsequent opening on short final.NTSB ERA25LA063Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHoltz Rodney R Challenger II · Concord, NHThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and eventual stall/mush of the airplane while trying to secure an open door in flight.NTSB ERA24FA154Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20K · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed of the airplane while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the in-flight opening of the main cabin door, which resulted from the…NTSB ERA24FA097Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C99 · Londonderry, NHThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the cockpit door was secured before flight, which resulted in its separation during initial climb and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN23FA359Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV14 · Virden, ILThe pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an upset of the airplane, and a loss of control from which the…NTSB ERA23LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Discus CS · Woodstock, VAImproper repair of a crack by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a subsequent failure of the glider canopy.NTSB CEN23LA003Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A EMB-545 · Houston, TXThe crew failed to ensure the main entry door was locked before departure. Contributing to the accident was a corroded/jammed door sensor that provided an erroneous locked indication to the crew alerting system.NTSB ERA22LA352Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Nixon, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s right side door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident…NTSB WPR22FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CAThe failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.NTSB ERA21LA247Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGarrison Ronald L Zodiac 601 XL · Cumberland, MDAn inadvertent release of the canopy, which allowing the canopy to open during flight and led to an inflight loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of any safeguard to prevent the inadvertent opening of the canopy.NTSB WPR21LA142Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDavis Dan B Lancair Evolution · Phoenix, AZA malfunction of the main cabin door latching mechanism for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ANC20LA089Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 · Fort Greely, AKFailure of the door lock due to interference between the door and a cargo box.NTSB ERA20CA303Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportZenith CH601 · Punta Gorda, FLAn inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.NTSB GAA19CA266Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRyan John Steffey Subsonex · Latrobe, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while attempting to secure the canopy, which opened shortly after takeoff and resulted in the airplane impacting the ground and the main landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB GAA19CA372Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna T206 · Porterville, CAThe pilot's failure to verify that the rear cargo portion of the right cabin door was adequately secured before flight, which resulted in both portions of the door opening in flight and substantial damage to the fuselage.NTSB GAA18CA544Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHalladay Roy Lockheed · Denver, COThe pilot's failure to verify that the emergency canopy release was in the correct position when opening the canopy during landing, which resulted in the canopy separating from the airplane and subsequently impacting the empennage.NTSB WPR18TA239Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3Final reportEurocopter EC130 · Hilo, HIThe separation of the left sliding door in flight after it opened for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in damage to the main rotor blades.NTSB GAA18CA104Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGeldermann Bert E Lancair Legacy · Friday Harbor, WAThe pilot’s inability to maintain the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing hard short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the cockpit canopy opening in flight.NTSB GAA18CA077Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCzech Sport Aircraft a.s. Sport Cruiser · Sacramento, CAThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.NTSB CEN17FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV-12 · Fishers, INThe pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain pitch control following the in-flight opening of the canopy during the initial climb resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain and ground fire.NTSB GAA17CA489Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 170 · Axtell, KSThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to close a passenger door during a critical phase of flight.NTSB GAA17CA344Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter EC130 · Peach Springs, AZThe ground crewman’s failure to hold onto the passenger door while the main rotor was still rotating, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter and damaging the main rotor.NTSB WPR17LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/S · Pendelton, ORThe pilot’s failure to follow checklists to ensure the canopy was secured before takeoff.NTSB GAA17CA272Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportJohn Murphy JSX-2 · Chesterfield, MOThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the canopy was properly secured before takeoff, which resulted in an unstable landing flare and hard landing.NTSB CEN17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStamper RV-10 · Dubois, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low…NTSB GAA17CA046Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Kirksville, MOThe pilot’s improper compensation for changing wind during the landing flare, which resulted in an off-centered landing and a subsequent loss of directional control.NTSB CEN16LA329Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCollins RV6A · Pekin, ILThe pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his subsequent distraction and failure to maintain control while attempting to close the open canopy, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA16CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPzl-Swidnik PW 6U · Llano, CAThe pilot’s failure to properly secure the two aft canopy latches during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the canopy separating from the glider during the takeoff roll and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.NTSB ERA16LA274Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAlisport Silent 2 Targa · London, KYThe pilot's failure to properly secure the right side of the canopy before takeoff, and an in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering with an open canopy. Contributing to the pilot's failure to properly secure the canopy was the lack of a visual…NTSB ERA16LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter France EC 130 B4 · Shoals, WVThe improper locking of the rear passenger door by the specialty nurse, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter in flight.NTSB ERA16FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Farmington, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…NTSB GAA16CA060Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 56 · Hudson, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the open cabin door.NTSB WPR16LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThorp T 18 · Independence, ORA separation of the canopy mechanism during flight, which resulted in the pilot’s precautionary landing and the airplane’s subsequent collision with a fence post.NTSB GAA15CA295Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech V35B · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to properly secure the cabin door prior to takeoff, resulting in the door opening during takeoff, an aborted takeoff, runway overrun, and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN15FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBarrow Ted A ONE Easy · Battle Creek, MIThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight.NTSB ERA15LA292Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra · Baltimore, MDThe flight crew's failure to visually ensure that the cabin door locking pin was in place before takeoff.NTSB ERA15FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Holly Ridge, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.NTSB ERA15LA130Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobertson James F Velocity STD/RG E · Sebastian, FLThe pilot’s loss of airplane control after takeoff, which resulted in collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly secure the cabin door and trim the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in the cabin door opening…NTSB ERA15LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMDS Fying Zenith Zodiac CH 650 · Fort Pierce, FLThe inadequate modification of the airplane’s canopy latching mechanism, which resulted in the inadvertent opening of the canopy while on final approach to land and a subsequent loss of pitch control.NTSB CEN15TA035Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell UH1H · San Isidro, TXThe flight crew's failure to ensure that the sliding cabin door was properly secured before the flight.NTSB WPR14CA350Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1 34 · Marana, AZThe pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection which led to the canopy opening in flight and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent landing.NTSB ERA14LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMesserschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 · Hamburg, NYWear in the left cabin door assembly parts, which resulted in the door partially opening in flight, dislodging from the lower door track assembly, and then separating from the helicopter.NTSB ERA14LA218Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Middlesboro, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing approach due to his diverted attention to the partially opened main cabin door and the unsecured dog. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to securely latch the main cabin…NTSB ERA14LA180Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelpling Helen C Tango 2 · Ocala, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after the left cockpit canopy opened during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined due to fire damage.NTSB CEN14LA087Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaarten H Versteeg Zenith 601XL(B) · Leakey, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the canopy opened on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy latch before takeoff.NTSB CEN13LA308Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Elyria, OHThe failure of the canopy latch spring, which caused the canopy to open during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an improper part in the canopy latch assembly, which led to the failure of the canopy latch spring.