NTSB investigations
267 cases where NTSB found Terrain, general.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 54 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Where
Latest 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\", '03021000')) 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.
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", '03021000')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ANC25LA121Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMaule M-4-210C · Lime Village, AKA collision with terrain during takeoff.NTSB WPR25LA246Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Fobes Hill, WAThe pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24LA265Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Raft River, IDThe pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB CEN24LA069Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Texarkana, ARThe pilot’s improper decision to attempt a go-around with full flaps extended, which resulted in decreased climb performance and led to a collision with trees.NTSB CEN24LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182R · Olathe, KSThe pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB CEN23LA357Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA25 · Hartington, NEThe pilot’s misperception of the rising terrain resulting in a collision with crops and terrain.NTSB CEN23LA300Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAcrosport II · Hertford, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with vegetation.NTSB CEN23LA212Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Light, ARThe pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.NTSB CEN23LA006Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar International S53A · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot’s inability to find a suitable landing area in a critical fuel situation and his decision to land on a highway, which resulted in the balloon impacting a bridge railing and terrain.NTSB CEN23LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Danville, ILThe pilot decision to perform a precautionary landing to a field with obstacles which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.NTSB WPR22LA305Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes Helicopters 369E · Ely, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN22LA384Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Kearney, NEThe pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB ERA21LA294Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTurbine Cubs Of Wyoming PA-18 Super CUB · Dinwiddie, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control while taxiing on soft ground, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB ERA21LA307Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Carrollton, ALThe pilot’s incorrect preflight planning and poor in-flight planning, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the damage was the inadvertent encounter with a hole during the forced landing.NTSB WPR21FA232Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKitfox Series 6 · Likely, CAThe pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA250Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · West Portsmouth, OHThe pilot’s improper use of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA21FA154Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s likely activation of the auxiliary fuel pump to “high” for undetermined reasons during takeoff, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to an excessively rich fuel-to-air mixture. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s…NTSB ANC21LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 185 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion onto soft terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot while…NTSB CEN20LA422Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 7AC · St. Clairsville, OHThe pilots improper fuel planning that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN20LA360Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180 · St Louis, MOA total loss of engine power due to improper maintenance of the mixture control cable and attachment hardware, which led to a forced landing into a congested area.NTSB WPR20LA278Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Harlowton, MTThe pilot’s failure to follow the appropriate takeoff procedures, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA261Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177RG · Salinas, PRContamination and corrosion within the fuel system that resulted in a blockage, starvation of fuel to the engine, and the total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN20CA152Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Enid, OKThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a power-off approach and go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion onto a field.NTSB CEN20LA107Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith CH601 · Cabool, MOThe loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 1 cylinder piston for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN20LA058Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Bandera, TXThe in-flight electrical fire, which resulted in smoke in the cabin and an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for the emergency landing.NTSB CEN20LA017Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB 30 Epsilon · Kalamazoo, MIA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the pilot’s attempted forced landing at low altitude and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBede BD5 · Camarillo, CAThe No. 4 connecting rod’s bearing shift and separation of the No. 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.NTSB CEN19LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans Vans RV-10 · Lancaster, TXA partial loss of engine power due to a faulty magneto/ignition system, which resulting in a forced landing.NTSB GAA19CA501Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's overapplication of brakes during landing on unimproved terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB GAA19CA361Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver Aircraft Northeast Sport · Ledgedale, PAThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in the precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain.NTSB CEN19FA072Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Zaleski, OHThe NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was Survival Flight's inadequate management of safety, which normalized pilots' and operations control specialists' noncompliance with risk analysis procedures and resulted in the initiation of the…NTSB ERA19LA031Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Elba, ALA leak in the pitot-static system for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in an airspeed indication error, an aborted takeoff, and a subsequent runway overrun.NTSB ERA19LA030Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Simsbury, CTMaintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the wheel brake system during the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the pilot's inability to control the airplane during the landing.NTSB ERA19LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-180 · Smithville, TNA total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice that formed during an extended ground delay.NTSB ERA18LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · St. Augustine, FLThe partial loss of engine power due to a fractured exhaust valve, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and a subsequent rollover.NTSB ERA18TA236Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 182 · Hanson, MAThe pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind.NTSB ERA18TA222Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportGlobe GC1B · Wellington, FLThe partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a sticking intake valve on the No. 3 cylinder.NTSB CEN18LA332Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Westbrook, MNA runway excursion during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB GAA18CA323Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Fuquay Varina, NCThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from overgrown brush during taxi, which resulted in entanglement with the brush and a subsequent impact with a tree.NTSB GAA18CA262Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot’s decision to continue flight in mountainous terrain with downdraft conditions, which necessitated a precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain.NTSB ERA18LA110Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBesarick Skybolt · Punta Gorda, FLA substantial oil leak, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and failure of the No. 2 connecting rod.NTSB ANC18LA021Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportFoxfly Foxdominator · Indiantown, FLThe pilot’s improper decision to attempt to take off in the gyroplane in strong gusting crosswind conditions, with insufficient distance to safely abort, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with a ditch and road embankment.NTSB CEN18FA078Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1H · Raton, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR18LA034Accident · Serious injuriesClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172P · San Jose, CAThe pilot's delayed decision to execute an emergency landing and his attempt to return to the airport following a partial loss of power due to wear on internal engine components, which prevented the engine from developing full-rated power during the…NTSB WPR18CA028Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStill Michael J Titan T-51 · Chandler, AZThe pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.NTSB CEN18FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Las Cruces, NMControlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.NTSB WPR18LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Tonopah, NVThe pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follow the POH emergency procedures, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent loss of…NTSB GAA17CA528Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Broomfield, COThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.NTSB ERA17LA288Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSmith AEROSTAR601 · Marietta, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model.NTSB GAA17CA492Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Quitman, MSThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions after passing a large hill.