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Wet/muddy terrain

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NTSB finding · Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain

All 110 cases33 in the probable cause
Cases
110
In the probable cause
33 (30%)
Fatal cases
2
NTSB code
03021035

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\", '03021035') 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\", '03021035'))
  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\", '03021035') 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 CEN26LA194Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLockwood AIR CAM · Hutchinson, KSThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.May 20, 2026 · N32F · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Graford, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor speed during a practice autorotation to soft terrain which resulted in a loss of control and roll over.Feb 19, 2026 · N940BH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA112Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172L · Romeo, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the soft, wet grass.Mar 7, 2025 · N7550G · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA313Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman G164 · Dyess, ARThe improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.Aug 9, 2024 · N6569 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA027Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA malfunction of the helicopter’s Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU)/Governor Controller for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to turn off the EMU/Governor Controller per the emergency checklist when the…Oct 26, 2023 · N141CD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA151Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLowe Bruce Skystr Ktfx IV-1200 · Susanville, CAThe pilot’s braking technique during an off airport precautionary landing on unforeseen soft terrain, which resulted in a nose over.Apr 5, 2023 · N1641E · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA100Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Denton, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.Feb 5, 2023 · N5442B · Substantial damageNTSB ANC22LA042Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportShort Bros. & Harland SC7 · Chisana, AKThe pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in the nosewheel collapsing.Jun 8, 2022 · N731E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA178Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Estancia, NMThe pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable surface which resulted in his loss of aircraft control.May 14, 2022 · N76190 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA009Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Albany, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.Oct 7, 2021 · N98241 · Substantial damage
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\", '03021035'))
  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.