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NTSB finding subcategory · Personnel issues

All 1,090 cases692 in the probable cause
Cases
1,090
In the probable cause
692 (63%)
Fatal cases
431
NTSB code
0203

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\", '0203') 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 · 4

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\", '0203') 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

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\", '0203'))
  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\", '0203') 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 · 1,090

NTSB CEN26LA246Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRotec Engineering Rally 3 · Hooker, OKThe total loss of engine power due to an engine seizure for undetermined reasons because the wreckage was disposed of before it could be examined.Jul 7, 2026 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA244Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCassutt Iiim · Odessa, TXThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which led to an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent…Jul 5, 2026 · N45889 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA245Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportXag P150 MAX · Wolcott, INThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the UAS during takeoff.Jul 2, 2026 · None · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA182Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA-5 · Jurupa Valley, CAThe pilot’s decision to land at night on a runway without illuminated runway lights. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to review NOTAMs for a nightly airport closure.May 12, 2026 · N5832L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA176Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCameron Balloons US C-80 · Rio Rancho, NMThe passenger’s improper hand placement on the basket upright during landing, which resulted in injury when the upright fractured during the basket’s bounce and drag sequence.May 3, 2026 · N4022X · No damageNTSB DCA26LA167Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 787-9 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)An unanticipated encounter with clear air turbulence while in cruise flight.Mar 29, 2026 · N23994 · No damageNTSB DCA26LA164Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 737-8 · Dulles, VAThe tug drivers improper positioning of the airplane during pushback, which resulted in the airplane’s jet blast impacting an active gate area during taxi and the subsequent injury to a maintenance technician. Contributing to the accident was the captain’s…Mar 24, 2026 · N17316 · No damageNTSB WPR26LA148Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportQuicksilver GT-400 · Chula Vista, CAThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a subsequent runway excursion.Mar 23, 2026 · N120LF · Substantial damageNTSB DCA26LA165Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus A320-232 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The airplane’s encounter with turbulence resulted in serious injuries to a flight attendant who was not seated due to completion of arrival compliance checks.Mar 19, 2026 · N605JB · No damageNTSB CEN26LA117Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · De Smet, SDThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.Feb 13, 2026 · N5071K · Substantial damage
See all 1,090 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\", '0203'))
  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.