Physical

NTSB finding subcategory · Personnel issues

Cases
674
In the probable cause
491 (73%)
Fatal cases
490
NTSB code
0201

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
Cases with Physical per year: 674 cases
200850
200945
201050
201162
201248
201345
201447
201556
201643
201739
201825
201931
202024
202121
202236
202322
202418
20259
20263
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\", '0201') 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.

Sections · 6

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT left(f.\"findingCode\", 6) AS code, max(f.\"tier3Name\") AS name,
    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
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '0201') AND f.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY cases DESC, code"

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

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\", '0201'))
  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\", '0201') 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 · 674

NTSB WPR26LA167Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Crownpoint, NMThe pilot’s failure to correctly identify the runway, which resulted in a landing on a residential driveway and collision with a gate.Apr 24, 2026 · N610PS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA145Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportClassic Waco YMF · Galveston, TXThe biplane pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout while taxiing, which included the failure to perform S-turns to compensate for limited forward visibility.Mar 24, 2026 · N43000 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA105Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 441 · Pflugerville, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff due to a flat nose wheel tire which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue which delayed the rejected takeoff.Jan 31, 2026 · N441EC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA046Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMichael W Verzwyvelt SS-7 Super Sport · Boise, IDThe pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with obstacles while on approach.Nov 9, 2025 · N14PM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA033Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182H · Lakeview, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the improper flap position during landing, and the pilot being fatigued.Oct 30, 2025 · N2040X · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA005Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Reedville, VAThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation by an episode of abnormal heartbeat due to heart disease during a takeoff attempt, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.Oct 4, 2025 · N289PS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA390Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCameron Balloons US Z-90 · Cedar Springs, MIThe passenger’s loss of balance during landing that resulted in a serious injury.Sep 9, 2025 · N418RX · No damageNTSB DCA25LA308Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Canada BD500 · Denver, COUnidentified burned debris in an aft galley oven, which generated smoke and odor in the cabin and led to an air turnback and subsequent evacuation, during which a serious injury occurred.Aug 31, 2025 · C-GYLQ · No damageNTSB ERA25LA197Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportArlie L Raber III Challenger 1 · Crestview, FLThe pilot’s decision to take off despite having problems controlling the airplane due to his physical stature.May 4, 2025 · N59BR · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25LA036Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · North Pole, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was his impairment from the effects of alcohol consumption.Apr 25, 2025 · N9308K · Substantial damage
See all 674 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\", '0201'))
  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.