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Runway/taxi/approach light

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NTSB finding · Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance

All 106 cases36 in the probable cause
Cases
106
In the probable cause
36 (34%)
Fatal cases
2
NTSB code
03022012

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\", '03022012') 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\", '03022012'))
  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\", '03022012') 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 · 106

NTSB ERA25LA363Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · White Plains, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper glidepath during a night visual approach, which resulted in a collision with the runway lighting system. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s momentary disorientation due to glare from the runway approach lighting…Sep 23, 2025 · N47630 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA357Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond DA42 · Mandan, NDThe pilot’s failure to perform a go-around following an unstable approach while landing with a tailwind, which resulted in the airplane touching down long on the runway with insufficient distance to stop. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s selected…Sep 1, 2024 · N705JP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA071Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Galliano, LAThe pilot’s failure to ensure the helicopter was clear of obstacles before takeoff from the helideck, which resulted in the helicopter’s right landing skid pivoting about a helideck perimeter light during takeoff and a dynamic rollover. Additionally, the…Dec 29, 2022 · N595RL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA032Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHonda HA-420 · Salt Lake City, UTThe pilot’s inadvertent attempt to takeoff on a left side of runway, rather than the centerline of runway, which resulted in a collision with runway edge lights during the night time takeoff.Nov 15, 2022 · N789RJ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA001Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Burnet, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with an unexpected quartering tailwind.Oct 2, 2022 · N72794 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA260Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Kelso, WAThe student pilot’s inadequate flare resulting in a loss of airplane control during landing with gusting wind conditions.Jul 12, 2022 · N43037 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA153Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportStoddard Hamilton Glasair Super II · Oxnard, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on final approach, which resulted in a collision with a runway approach light.Apr 16, 2022 · N90YY · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA349Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech D17S · San Diego / El Cajon, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with runway signage.Sep 21, 2021 · N1196V · Substantial damageNTSB ANC21LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180H · Soldotna, AKThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing touchdown and a left main landing gear collapse.Aug 13, 2021 · N3467Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA186Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Aspen, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on landing.Feb 28, 2021 · N6962S · Substantial damage
See all 106 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\", '03022012'))
  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.