NTSB investigations
53 cases where NTSB found Thermal lifting.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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\", '03031040')) 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", '03031040')) 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 ERA26LA311Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHPH Glasflugel 304CZ · Xenia, OHThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB ERA26LA199Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASW 27-18 · Greenwood, SCThe glider pilot’s encounter with a strong sink/loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.NTSB WPR26LA010Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGlasflugel STD Libelle 201B · Moriarty, NMThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB CEN25LA271Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPZL Swidnik PW-5 · Kerrick, TXThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB WPR25LA177Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRolladen Schneider LS-7WL · Tonasket, WAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB WPR25LA138Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Hood River, ORThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB ERA25LA181Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19 · Zephyrhills, FLThe pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and an encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with a fence.NTSB WPR24LA274Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir · Minden, NVThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and a subsequent collision with an obstacle during an off-field landing.NTSB WPR24LA216Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASH 31 MI · Parowan, UTThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain?flight.NTSB ERA24LA291Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Astir CS · Benton, NHAn encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in collision with trees.NTSB WPR23LA245Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CAThe pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA364Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Hood River, ORThe pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB ERA22LA407Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Mount Bethel, PAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight resulting in an off-airport landing and collision with powerlines.NTSB ERA22LA388Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher K7 · Mayville, NYThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB CEN22LA370Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Highland, ILThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB ERA22LA365Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26D · Windsor, VAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions, where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB WPR22LA223Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Lake Chelan, WAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to overfly a suitable landing site which resulted in an off-field landing in a lake.NTSB WPR22LA225Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-6 · Tahoe Vista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent water ditching.NTSB WPR22LA150Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CAThe gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR22LA007Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · San Juan Baptista, CAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing.NTSB WPR21LA290Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · Levan, UTThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight which resulted in an off-airport landing and a collision with a fence.NTSB WPR21LA235Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHPH Glasflugel · Winthrop, WAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.NTSB ERA21LA395Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchempp Hirth Ventus C · Wagener, SCImpact with trees during a forced landing in atmospheric lift conditions that were insufficient to maintain flight. Contributing was the pilot’s delayed decision to return to the airport.NTSB WPR20CA273Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS233 · Warner Springs, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB WPR20CA151Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportLet L 33 Solo · Arlington, WAThe loss of lift while on final approach which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.NTSB ERA20CA178Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportSchempp Hirth Ventus 2CT · Stuarts Draft, VAA loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed attempted engine start.NTSB ERA20CA151Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPipistrel Sinus · Townsend, TNThe motor glider's encounter with atmospheric lift conditions that were not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing and resulted in impact with vegetation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed decision to restart the…NTSB WPR19FA241Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlaser Dirks DG 300 Elan · Wilkeson, WAThe pilot’s delayed decision to land following a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in collision with trees during the landing approach.NTSB GAA19CA484Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCameron A 210 · Hume, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and a serious passenger injury.NTSB CEN19FA211Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportGrob G103 · Brandon, MSThe pilot's inadequate clearance from a tree during an attempted off-field landing.NTSB CEN19LA193Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R22 · Garwood, TXThe pilots' failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low level operations.NTSB WPR18TA192Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportSchempp Hirth Discus CS · Goldfield, NVThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric lift conditions that were not sufficient to maintain flight, which necessitated a forced landing on uneven terrain.NTSB GAA18CA377Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportJonker Sailplanes JS1-C · Panguitch, UTThe pilot’s inability to maintain altitude and his delayed decision to deploy the powered-glider’s engine, which necessitated an off-airport landing.NTSB GAA18CA314Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchleicher ASW · Nephi, UTThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a hard off-airport landing.NTSB GAA18CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS123 · Tunbridge, VTThe student glider’s inability to maintain altitude due to a loss of thermal lift, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB GAA18CA263Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1 26 · Springfield, VTThe pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient altitude after the glider encountered downdrafts during the approach, which resulted in the glider striking trees.NTSB GAA17CA427Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet L23 · Deatsville, ALThe student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees and power lines while landing.NTSB CEN17FA231Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportGefa-Flug AS-105-GD · Hartford, WIThe overpressurization failure of the airship envelope as a result of the airship's encounter with gusty wind conditions and thermal activity. Contributing to the accident was the jammed Plexiglass venting panel.NTSB GAA17CA196Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS126 · Bangor, PAThe glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB ERA16CA227Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPezetel SZD 48-1JANTAR STD 2 · Maysville, WVThe glider's encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB GAA16CA261Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRolladen-Schneider OHG LS3 · Blairstown, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees on final.NTSB WPR16LA108Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · California City, CAA directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperly set rudder travel limits.NTSB ERA15LA375Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Ventus 2CT · Blacksburg, VAA loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines during the off-airport landing attempt.NTSB WPR14CA138Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportDG Flugzeugbau DG 1000S · Wrightwood, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to maneuver the glider where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, resulting in an off airport landing.NTSB CEN13CA079Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · Boulder, COThe glider pilot's inability to locate an area of thermal lift.NTSB WPR13LA007Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASH25M · Kamuela, HIThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider after it encountered atmospheric conditions while maneuvering where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a stall and impact with terrain during the subsequent approach to land.NTSB WPR12CA278Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-36 · Bishop, CAThe glider’s encounter with insufficient atmospheric lift to maintain soaring flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing.NTSB ERA11CA288Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Athens, TNThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in a collision with power lines while making an off-airport landing.NTSB WPR10CA288Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBurkhart Grob G103C Twin III Acro · Minden, NVThe pilot's encounter with an area of degraded lift during cruise flight, resulting in a forced off-airport landing.NTSB ERA10CA291Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-36 · Jacksonville, FLThe glider pilot’s delayed decision to divert following a loss of thermal lift.