NTSB finding subcategory · Organizational issues

Cases
242
In the probable cause
167 (69%)
Fatal cases
109
NTSB code
0403

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 Support/oversight/monitoring per year: 242 cases
200823
200912
201015
201114
201222
201322
201414
201522
201614
201716
201812
201910
20203
20216
202211
202313
20249
20254
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\", '0403') 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.

Sections · 6

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT left(f.\"findingCode\", 6) AS code, max(f.\"tier3Name\") AS name,
    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
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '0403') AND f.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY cases DESC, code"

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\", '0403'))
  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\", '0403') 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 · 242

NTSB CEN25LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177A · Farlinville, KSA loss of engine power that resulted from fuel contamination when it was treated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (antiseptic) that contained water. Contributing to the accident were vague fuel treatment instructions provided by the operator.Feb 20, 2025 · N30413 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC25MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportTextron 208B · Nome, AKThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s inadequate airspeed management due to workload and degraded situation awareness and his improper inputs leading up to and during the aerodynamic…Feb 6, 2025 · N321BA · DestroyedNTSB WPR25LA089Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLockheed C-130A · Daggett, CAAn inflight upset due to an improperly secured load that resulted in serious injuries.Feb 1, 2025 · N466TM · No damageNTSB DCA25MA108Accident · 67 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DCThe Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…Jan 30, 2025 · N709PS · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB ANC25LA008Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCub Crafters CC18-180 · Anchorage, AKThe incorrect installation of the rear flight control stick, resulting in the pilot’s inability to control the pitch attitude, coupled with the pilot’s inadequate control system check before departure, all which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.Nov 2, 2024 · N55PK · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 206 · Chalkyitsik, AKA loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to ensure replacement filters were available for use during refueling operations.Sep 24, 2024 · N8255Q · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24LA079Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to follow the operator’s procedure manual and attempted to land at a remote landing zone in high wind conditions. Contributing factor was the pilot’s decision to not conduct a fly over of the landing site to determine wind condition which…Aug 18, 2024 · N783AK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA241Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Herriman, UTA hard landing following a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper idle setting of the helicopter’s engine. Contributing to the loss of engine power was the instructor’s reduction of engine power past that recommended by…Jul 13, 2024 · N6960 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Muncie, INThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control while maneuvering outside established instrument approach procedures in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…Apr 1, 2024 · N8438B · DestroyedNTSB DCA24LA097Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 777-222ER · Kelsey, NYThe airplane’s encounter with an unanticipated localized region of moderate-to-severe turbulence while in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) associated with strong upper-level wind shear and convective cells. Contributing to the severity of the…Feb 10, 2024 · N788UA · No damage
See all 242 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\", '0403'))
  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.