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NTSB finding · Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation

All 67 cases57 in the probable cause
Cases
67
In the probable cause
57 (85%)
Fatal cases
65
NTSB code
02012020

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\", '02012020') 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\", '02012020'))
  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\", '02012020') 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 · 67

NTSB CEN24LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportApex CROSS-5X · Columbus, NEThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff.Sep 2, 2024 · N223CL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA297Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Bainbridge, GAThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use.Jul 4, 2024 · UNREG · DestroyedNTSB CEN24FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Clinton, MIThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s or flight instructor’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector valve between the Left Tank and Off…Jun 10, 2024 · N1039X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSwanson R/Swanson S RV-6 · Concord, CAA total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a separated fuel line and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's medical condition and the effects of multiple impairing substances.Jan 30, 2024 · N30AK · Substantial damageNTSB DCA23LA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Montgomery, ALThe ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion…Dec 31, 2022 · N264NN · Minor damageNTSB ERA22FA422Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of…Sep 17, 2022 · N709RD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Boulder City, NVThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane by exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering in a turning climb at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot was unable to…Jul 3, 2022 · N343BH · DestroyedNTSB WPR22FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Marana, AZThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.Dec 31, 2021 · N6796N · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA283Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBailey N Moyes Dragonfly · Charlestown, NHThe passenger’s decision to continue an unstable approach while at low altitude and in proximity to a known obstacle, which resulted in a collision with power lines.Jul 10, 2021 · N346FL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21FA242Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCameron Balloons US O-120 · Albuquerque, NMThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of impairing, illicit drugs.Jun 26, 2021 · N158NM · Destroyed
See all 67 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\", '02012020'))
  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.