OpenAirDocs.org

Variable wind

Open the Markdown

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

All 113 cases44 in the probable cause
Cases
113
In the probable cause
44 (39%)
Fatal cases
2
NTSB code
03034025

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\", '03034025') 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\", '03034025'))
  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\", '03034025') 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 · 113

NTSB CEN26LA300Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206H · Marble, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the final approach in variable and gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were localized wind effects associated with mountainous terrain and with nearby convective activity.Aug 21, 2026 · N464PM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA105Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Three Forks, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional during the landing roll with a variable wind.Feb 13, 2026 · N1491A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA349Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPipistrel Lsa S R L Virus 912 LSA · Lincoln Park, NJThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for variable wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control.Sep 16, 2025 · N272BH · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25LA109Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Kotlik, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in variable wind conditions.Sep 16, 2025 · N3816M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA314Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Goodland, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing and go-around with variable wind direction and speed.Aug 10, 2025 · N502WF · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25LA082Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna U206F · Yakutat, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance during approach in gusting wind conditions to a remote airstrip, resulting in a collision with brush.Aug 2, 2025 · N206GR · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25LA066Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Chenega, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting and variable wind conditions.Jun 28, 2025 · N55PT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA186Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKohut Mark A Murphy SR 2500 · Challis, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.Jun 18, 2025 · N6161C · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25LA049Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180J · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in variable and gusty wind, which resulted in a ground loop.Jun 8, 2025 · N605NB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA011Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPowrachute SKY Rascal · Peculiar, MOThe failure of the pilot to use appropriate engine power during descent in turbulent air which resulted in a loss of control.Oct 6, 2024 · N2565Q · Minor damage
See all 113 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\", '03034025'))
  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.