Updraft

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

Cases
14
In the probable cause
6 (43%)
Fatal cases
2
NTSB code
03034030

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
Cases with Updraft per year: 14 cases
20081
20101
20112
20122
20132
20151
20172
20181
20201
20241
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\", '03034030') 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

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\", '03034030'))
  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\", '03034030') 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 · 14

NTSB WPR24FA257Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WYThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an…Jul 26, 2024 · N357HE · DestroyedNTSB WPR21LA074Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar International S-60A · Peoria, AZThe pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.Dec 26, 2020 · N6534A · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA260Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Clarksville, TNThe pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind in variable crosswind and downdraft and updraft conditions on a wet runway, which resulted in a runway overrun.May 6, 2018 · N5419E · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA020Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150 · Pottsville, PAThe failure of the right rudder cable and subsequent loss of directional control during landing.Oct 22, 2017 · N22092 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA577Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Newport, RIThe student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.Sep 2, 2017 · N547CT · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA098Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1 26B · Mocksville, NCThe glider pilot over-ran the runway and impacted a structure after encountering a strong updraft on short final.May 30, 2015 · N8683R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA370Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Paradise, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-altitude maneuvering after encountering an updraft.Aug 13, 2013 · N9607S · DestroyedNTSB WPR13TA205Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell BHT407 · Big Fork, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering over mountainous terrain in strong up/downdrafts and possible mountain wave activity, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Apr 25, 2013 · N937GR · Substantial damageNTSB ANC12CA074Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Tynoek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jul 11, 2012 · N4272Z · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12CA118Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Poway, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.Feb 25, 2012 · N118MB · Substantial damage
See all 14 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\", '03034030'))
  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.