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Terrain induced turbulence

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NTSB finding · Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence

All 70 cases38 in the probable cause
Cases
70
In the probable cause
38 (54%)
Fatal cases
24
NTSB code
03032010

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\", '03032010') 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\", '03032010'))
  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\", '03032010') 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 · 70

NTSB ERA24LA317Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20J · Montauk, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in terrain induced turbulence, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion.Jul 14, 2024 · N8201R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZThe pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.Jun 8, 2024 · N518D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA247Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 · Southampton Township, NJThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low approach and subsequent go-around in turbulent wind conditions.Jun 5, 2024 · N208DB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA021Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · The Dalles, ORThe pilot’s encounter with severe turbulence at night which resulted in an extended downwind and collision with wires during the base turn.Oct 20, 2023 · N6308Q · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA174Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPool Cessna R172 · Victor, COThe pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance at the elevated density altitude…May 6, 2023 · N15188 · DestroyedNTSB WPR23FA137Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182S · Alcova, WYThe airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.Mar 21, 2023 · N314FR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Socorro, NMThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and loss of control in gusting wind.Dec 10, 2022 · N422B · Substantial damageNTSB DCA23LA086Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 737 · Denver, COThe flight’s encounter with mechanical turbulence.Nov 30, 2022 · N946WN · No damageNTSB CEN22LA380Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · McCarthy, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in turbulent weather conditions.Aug 7, 2022 · N171Q · Substantial damage
See all 70 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\", '03032010'))
  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.