Visibility

NTSB finding · Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace

Cases
25
In the probable cause
19 (76%)
Fatal cases
4
NTSB code
03041020

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 Visibility per year: 25 cases
20083
20095
20112
20121
20132
20151
20162
20173
20181
20191
20202
20221
20251
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\", '03041020') 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\", '03041020'))
  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\", '03041020') 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 · 25

NTSB WPR26LA059Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWaco RNF · Phoenix, AZThe biplane pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the low-wing airplane while taxiing.Dec 14, 2025 · N110Y · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Naples, FLThe biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an on-ground collision with another airplane while taxiing.Feb 11, 2022 · N87G · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB ANC20CA067Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA32 · Naknek, AKThe PA-32 pilot's failure to see and avoid the other airplane.Jul 10, 2020 · N44851 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FA057Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportThunder Mustang TM-1 · Santa Clarita, CAEngine detonation that resulted in material deformation of the crankcase and led to engine failure and restricted cockpit visibility.Jan 4, 2020 · N151WR · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA138Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172RG · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear position light because his iPad was blocking his view of it and his feeling of being rushed during the approach and…Feb 13, 2019 · N5223V · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA319Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · San Diego, CAThe biplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the stopped airplane.Jun 3, 2018 · N786SA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA458Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRandall Marvin L Vans RV 3A · Spokane, WAThe other pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance and visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in his airplane colliding with the stationary airplane.Jul 28, 2017 · N16MR · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA223Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper J3C · New Carlisle, OHThe other pilot’s decision to land on an occupied runway and his failure to see and avoid the airplane.Apr 8, 2017 · N88470 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Edgewater, FLThe Cessna pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the Grumman during the transition to a different formation. Contributing to the accident was the stepped down configuration of the formation flight which was composed of dissimilar aircraft.Apr 1, 2017 · N8082A · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB GAA17CA053Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Valley Center, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and to see and avoid the airplane stopped on the edge of the runway.Oct 22, 2016 · N68117 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
See all 25 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\", '03041020'))
  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.