NTSB investigations, CA
143 cases where NTSB found Altitude.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 16 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Latest 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01062012'))
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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01062012')) 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 WPR26LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Montague, CAThe pilot’s inability to see and avoid a piece of loose wire in a field during an off-airport landing in a glider, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to maintain a safe position behind the tow airplane…NTSB WPR25LA112Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Waterford, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.NTSB WPR25LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206A · Lemoore, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR25LA039Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32-300 · Pomona, CAA total loss of engine power during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR24LA186Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman/Schweizer G-164D · Richvale, CAThe pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA302Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Cabazon, CAThe Skycrane flight crew’s decision to enter the Fire Traffic Area’s 7-nm NOCOM ring at an altitude significantly above their maximum cleared altitude, which resulted in their need for an aggressive descent into congested airspace and subsequent failure to…NTSB WPR23LA245Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CAThe pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Diego, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.NTSB ANC23FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 407 · Nuevo, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver in a steep bank at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · San Diego, CAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering to another runway after the engine cowling opened shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both the student pilot and flight instructor to conduct an adequate…NTSB WPR23LA082Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Watsonville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.NTSB CEN22FA375Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Waiex · Maxwell, CAA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons that resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA259Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB21 · San Marcos, CAThe failure of the mechanical fuel pump due to internal friction for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR22LA225Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-6 · Tahoe Vista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent water ditching.NTSB WPR22FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMeyer Fred J Hornet · Lucerne Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA150Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CAThe gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR22LA144Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Alpine, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while operating in a canyon, which resulted in an impact with terrainNTSB WPR22FA068Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB WPR22LA069Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Auburn, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.NTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR22LA007Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · San Juan Baptista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing.NTSB WPR21LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212HP · Weed, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an approach to a lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to release the full water bucket as the helicopter was settling, which reduced the helicopter’s out-of-ground-effect performance.NTSB WPR21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46R-350T · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s encounter with mountain wave activity with severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.NTSB WPR20LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Three Rivers, CAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.NTSB WPR20CA273Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS233 · Warner Springs, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB WPR20CA261Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Kernville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20LA169Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 175 · Redlands, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20CA153Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAyres S 2R · Artois, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a go-around.NTSB WPR20LA141Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Byron, CAThe tow airplane pilot’s loss of control resulting from the glider pilot’s failure to maintain a proper altitude behind the tow airplane, which caused the tail of the tow airplane to be lifted upward and the tow airplane to pitch nose down while at a low…NTSB WPR20CA127Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportFLIGHTstar 2 · Oakdale, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to take off through a large helicopter’s rotor wash, which resulted in his inability to gain altitude during takeoff.NTSB WPR20FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 140 · Sonora, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach for landing.NTSB WPR19FA175Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Two Harbors, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR19FA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Copperopolis, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.NTSB WPR19FA163Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Antioch, CAA loss of control while conducting low-altitude, high-speed maneuvers.NTSB WPR19FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A1 · Santa Ynez, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight in low visibility and mountainous obscuration conditions.NTSB WPR19FA080Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CAThe pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.NTSB WPR18FA237Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Descanso, CAThe pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,…NTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…NTSB WPR18LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Stockton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR18LA107Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · Browns Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines.NTSB GAA18CA140Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CAThe pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.NTSB WPR18LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Skyforest, CAThe pilot’s failure to establish the proper airspeed after departure and to maintain adequate clearance from a ridgeline in high-density and downdraft conditions and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an…NTSB WPR18CA048Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172P · Valley Springs, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering for landing and his decision to land on a surface with obstructions.NTSB GAA17CA551Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Santa Barbara, CAThe student pilot’s unstabilized hover, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB WPR17FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bolinas, CAThe non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.NTSB GAA17CA404Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 · King Vale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.NTSB WPR17FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChicco Miguel E Quicksilver Sport II · Point Mugu, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination in combination with the low cruise altitude selected by the pilots, which resulted in an ocean ditching. The lack of personal flotation devices likely…NTSB GAA17CA375Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportUrbanczyk Miroslaw Radio Flyer · Tehachapi, CAThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from residential buildings and trees in gusting wind conditions.NTSB WPR17LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Carpinteria, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.