OpenAirDocs.org

Alertness/Fatigue, general

Open the Markdown

NTSB finding · Personnel issues › Physical › Alertness/Fatigue

All 48 cases40 in the probable cause
Cases
48
In the probable cause
40 (83%)
Fatal cases
21
NTSB code
02013500

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\", '02013500') 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\", '02013500'))
  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\", '02013500') 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 · 48

NTSB ERA24LA030Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue.Oct 31, 2023 · N140FS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Johns Island, SCThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement and…Mar 25, 2023 · N21480 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Hermantown, MNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long…Oct 2, 2022 · N262TA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Sisters, ORThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement due to fatigue.Sep 22, 2022 · N7063R · DestroyedNTSB ERA20CA260Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Whitehall, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a known obstacle while landing from a hover.Jul 24, 2020 · N350DM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA247Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCub Crafters CC19-180 · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The pilot being fatigued likely contributed to his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.Jun 24, 2020 · N97LL · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20CA032Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Big Lake, AKThe pilot's improper decision to initiate the takeoff roll from a snow-covered taxiway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a snow berm.Mar 10, 2020 · N52168 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA577Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Grand Island, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind and crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.Sep 18, 2018 · N811YD · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA149Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Hazelhurst, WIThe pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of fatigue during cruise flight at night.Apr 27, 2018 · N127LN · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA174Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna P210 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were pilot fatigue and his failure to use the before landing checklist.Feb 20, 2018 · N81MT · Substantial damage
See all 48 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\", '02013500'))
  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.