NTSB finding · Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation

Cases
110
In the probable cause
95 (86%)
Fatal cases
40
NTSB code
02061015

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 Weight/balance calculations per year: 110 cases
20084
200911
20107
201111
20123
20137
20147
20157
20168
20178
201812
20193
20204
20216
20222
20236
20241
20253
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\", '02061015') 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\", '02061015'))
  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\", '02061015') 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 · 110

NTSB ERA25LA379Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMccaa Robert T Avid/Kitfox Flyer · Oakland, PAThe pilot/owner’s failure to accurately determine the airplane’s weight and performance limitations before initiating the takeoff. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor’s improper engine power management and landing flare, which resulted in a…Sep 28, 2025 · N533SE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA266Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T337G · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power to one of the airplane’s two engines. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s loading of the airplane beyond its maximum gross…Jul 14, 2025 · N289 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA137Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36TC · Lititz, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff due to his distraction by the opening of the cabin door, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/mush condition at too low of an…Mar 9, 2025 · N347M · DestroyedNTSB CEN25LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and poor preflight inspection and decision-making, which led to a takeoff attempt above the airplane’s certified maximum takeoff weight with snow-contaminated wings, resulting in a rejected takeoff at an airspeed…Dec 27, 2024 · N753MB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · McCook, NEThe pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum…Oct 30, 2023 · N510KC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA007Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Martinsville, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff while distracted by primary flight display anomaly and terrain alerts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, which…Oct 12, 2023 · N253BC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Lake Placid, NYA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weight and balance planning and his aggressive low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.Oct 1, 2023 · N545PZ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IAThe pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb.Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA280Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA161Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a takeoff above the airplane’s maximum gross weight, a CG forward of the limit, and a tailwind component that prevented the airplane from climbing above trees.Mar 23, 2023 · N280KC · Destroyed
See all 110 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\", '02061015'))
  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.