NTSB investigations
178 cases where NTSB found Downdraft.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 11 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
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\", '03034035')) 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", '03034035')) 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 CEN26LA196Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGuenther Glen A Searey LSX · Briarcliff, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and aircraft control during the base to final turn, which resulted in the airplane impacting the water. Contributing to the accident was reported downdraft wind conditions.NTSB WPR26LA196Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond DA40 · Wells, NVThe pilot’s inability to maintain climb performance and clearance from mountainous terrain due to a downdraft.NTSB WPR26LA180Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Marysvale, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft.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 WPR26LA123Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBrunner Donald G Kitfox · Rock Crossing, AZAn encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR26LA118Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLindstrand 260A · Casa Grande, AZThe hot air balloon’s encounter with downdraft wind conditions in mountainous terrain and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR26LA052Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCameron Balloons US A-225 · Albuquerque, NMThe balloon landing in increased wind, and the pilot’s inability to maintain the proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR26LA048Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A1 · Evanston, WYThe airplane’s encounter with downdrafts in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight through mountainous terrain in marginal weather conditions.NTSB ANC25LA100Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Sutton, AKThe airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN25LA251Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportScott Vincin Just Acft Highlander · Mancos, COThe airplane’s reduced climb performance during takeoff in mountainous terrain, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC25LA058Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108-8 · Alexander Creek, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s encounter with a downdraft that led to a rapid loss of altitude.NTSB CEN25FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Drake, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Contributing was mountain wave turbulence in the area.NTSB ANC24LA090Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18A 150 · Denali, AKFailure to maintain clearance from terrain due to the airplane’s encounter with windshear during takeoff.NTSB WPR24LA277Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech N35 · Sequim, WAAn encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR24LA264Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20F · Carrizozo, NMThe airplane’s encounter with a downdraft after takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB WPR24LA273Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGlasflugel Standard Libelle · Fields, ORThe glider’s encounter with a gusting wind and downdraft conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and a hard landing.NTSB WPR24LA247Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Stanley, IDA sudden wind shift which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent dynamic rollover and collision into water.NTSB ERA24LA284Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCorella Neil RV9A · Saluda, SCThe pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in variable wind conditions, which resulted in collision with trees.NTSB ERA24LA057Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 172S · Social Circle, GAAn encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a fence.NTSB WPR24LA058Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172P · Las Cruces, NMAn encounter with a downdraft during an approach to land, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ANC23FA074Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · St. Mary's, AKThe pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight characteristics resulting in a loss of airplane control during takeoff…NTSB ANC23LA081Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper/Gerbi Charles R PA 18-150 · Juneau, AKThe student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.NTSB ERA23LA348Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Pink Hill, NCThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for prevailing wind conditions during the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway.NTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB ANC23LA050Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A-1B · Matanuska Glacier, AKThe airplane’s encounter with downdrafts resulting in decreased performance insufficient to outclimb rising terrain.NTSB ANC23LA046Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering low-level, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA204Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 175A · Enterprise, UTThe pilot’s inability to maintain altitude during an initial climbout in mountainous terrain after encountering a suspected downdraft.NTSB CEN23LA191Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150F · Genoa, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around.NTSB WPR23FA173Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Big Bear, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed on short final while operating in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC23LA009Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 77 · Lihue, HIThe airplane’s exceedance of its critical angle of attack after encountering a downdraft during departure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA339Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Cougar, WAThe helicopter’s encounter with downdrafts during a low-altitude hovering maneuver while dipping for water.NTSB CEN22LA314Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Rogers, ARThe pilot’s failure to establish a stabilize approach criteria during low-level maneuvering to the runway, which resulted in a hard landing and contact with a hay bale.NTSB CEN22FA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHPH Spol Sro Glasflugel 304 MS · Rifle, COThe glider’s encounter with gusting tailwind and downdraft conditions that the pilot was unable to overcome.NTSB CEN22LA236Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s inability to compensate for a downdraft during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and subsequent loss of directional control.NTSB CEN22LA034Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Davis, TXThe pilot’s encounter of a downdraft from which there was insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB CEN22LA003Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing PT-17 · Winnie, TXThe pilot’s decision to takeoff from a road with obstacles in his flight path and his failure to maintain control of the airplane when encountering changing winds from approaching thunderstorms which resulted in the airplane impacting signal light cables.NTSB WPR21LA360Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182E · Warren, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering in a valley of mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN21LA454Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox IV · Ozark, ARThe pilot’s inability to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while he intentionally flew at a low-altitude during a practice for a short-takeoff-and-landing flight competition.NTSB WPR21LA308Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Reno, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR21FA211Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTextron 172S · Eden, UTThe flight instructor’s improper aeronautical decision-making, which led to an encounter with a downdraft at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and resulted in the instructor’s loss of airplane control and an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR21LA225Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLindstrand Balloons 90A · Dayton, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon due to an unexpected high surface wind and downdraft, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR21LA222Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Las Vegas, NVThe flight instructor’s failure to compensate for a downdraft during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR21LA176Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Oljato-Monument Valley, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while compensating for a downdraft during landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway on soft terrain and nosing over.NTSB WPR21LA056Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Howe, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR20CA267Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCameron A 315 · Jackson, WYThe balloon pilot’s inability to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing during un-forecasted weather, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR20CA262Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportHead AX8 88 · Jackson, WYThe balloon pilot’s inability to maintain altitude during un-forecasted weather, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR20CA218Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRans S6 · Richland, WAThe pilot's inability to arrest a descent rate or maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude near mountainous terrain that resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN20CA277Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportKitfox Kitfox Sport · Rand, COThe encounter with the downdrafts during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in decreased airplane's climb performance and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20LA216Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW27 · Ely, NVThe pilot’s loss of glider control while maneuvering near a mountain ridge in downdrafts and dry microbursts at an altitude that precluded recovery.NTSB WPR20CA197Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pioche, NVThe pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.