NTSB finding · Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action

Cases
77
In the probable cause
73 (95%)
Fatal cases
16
NTSB code
02041020

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 Incorrect action sequence per year: 77 cases
200810
20094
20109
20117
20126
20136
20146
20151
20163
20176
20181
20191
20201
20212
20223
20236
20244
20251
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\", '02041020') 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

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\", '02041020'))
  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\", '02041020') 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 · 77

NTSB CEN25LA163Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMesserschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 · Hartford, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb at night from a confined area landing zone, that resulted in an impact with a tree, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain.Apr 25, 2025 · N880SL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA049Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SF50 · Mesa, AZThe pilot’s improper landing gear selection during the takeoff roll and failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff, which resulted in abnormal contact with the runway and a collapse of the nose landing gear.Nov 27, 2024 · N701MK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA397Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Kill Devil Hills, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.Sep 28, 2024 · N1281F · DestroyedNTSB WPR24LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRaytheon B200 · Billings, MTThe pilot's improper engine start, resulting in the engine starters remaining engaged and the generators not being activated, which led to the discharge of the airplane’s battery and subsequent total electrical failure after takeoff. Contributing to the…Mar 12, 2024 · N299AV · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA101Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLockwood AIR CAM · Ranchitos Las Lomas, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a meteorological evaluation tower.Jan 29, 2024 · N315GW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA242Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Newdale, IDThe premature retraction of the flaps by the student pilot, while just above the airplane’s stall speed. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and failure to regain aircraft control from the student pilot.Jun 27, 2023 · N730SC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA244Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Sturgis, SDThe pilot’s improper timing to initiate beta mode with the propeller and his failure to maintain directional during the full load landing that resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience with…Jun 18, 2023 · N290LA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA179Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 172S · Englewood, COThe pilot’s decision to adjust his seat during taxi, which resulted in his seat sliding aft, and subsequent loss of directional control.May 6, 2023 · N34BL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA171Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox IV · Gretna, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a turn immediately after takeoff.May 4, 2023 · N440RS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA162Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · Grand Canyon, AZThe airplane’s loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Apr 19, 2023 · N4166C · Substantial damage
See all 77 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\", '02041020'))
  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.