NTSB investigations

137 cases where the phase of flight was Prior to flight.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations per year, 1962–2026: 137 cases
20082
20094
201010
20113
20126
201310
20147
20156
20169
201713
201811
20198
20207
202111
20224
20237
20248
20256
20265

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
    crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
    current_codes AS (
      SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e.\"tier1Number\" AS INTEGER) AS code,
        row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e.\"isDefiningEvent\", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
      FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
      WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e.\"tier1Number\" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
        AND (e.\"isDefiningEvent\" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT \"mKey\" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE \"isPre1982\"))
    ),
    phases AS (
      SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
      FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
      UNION ALL
      SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\", w.main
      FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\"
      WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
    ),
    case_phases AS (
      SELECT p.*, c.\"eventDate\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
      FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = p.case_mkey
      LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
      WHERE c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
    )
  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 case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 100)
  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.

NTSB CEN27LA022Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedInvestigation openConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Springfield, MOOct 19, 2026 · N117RFNTSB ERA26LA314Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421 · Fulton, KYThe misfuelling of the airplane by the refueler. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to verify that the airplane had been properly fueled prior to departing on the accident flight.Aug 21, 2026 · N28RH · Substantial damageNTSB ENG26WA037IncidentClass 5 · ForeignAirbus A321 · Chiapa de Corzo, MexicoAug 14, 2026 · XA-VXINTSB ERA26LA288Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openBalony Kubicek Spol Sro BB45Z · Johnstown, PAJul 23, 2026 · N9532Z · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Conroe, TXThe pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff.May 13, 2026 · N292M · Substantial damageNTSB DCA26WA076AccidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Leeds, United KingdomDec 8, 2025 · G-JZHT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA085Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field.Nov 26, 2025 · N103T · Substantial damageNTSB DCA26WA007Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Balice, PolandOct 12, 2025 · EI-ILN · No damageNTSB CEN25LA332Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Air Force Academy, COThe student pilot’s failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection.Aug 21, 2025 · N1401E · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA315Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPatriot CX1900A · Centreville, ALThe pilot’s failure to detect and remove water contamination from the airplane’s fuel system before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb.Aug 20, 2025 · N150SP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA199Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182A · Ocala, FLThe pilot’s decision to depart on the flight with known electrical issues and his subsequent loss of situational awareness (geographic position), which resulted in his eventual decision to perform an off-airport landing.May 8, 2025 · N174A · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA358Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Canton, MIFatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.Sep 11, 2024 · N8969F · Substantial damageNTSB DCA24WA286AccidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · London, United KingdomAug 21, 2024 · 9H-QAA · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Honolulu, HIA failure of the flex plate yoke flange assembly due to incorrectly torqued bolts. Contributing was the maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the tail rotor flex plate assembly.Aug 19, 2024 · N740RH · Substantial damageNTSB DCA24WA257IncidentClass 4 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaJul 23, 2024 · P2-PXB · No damageNTSB ERA24LA250Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Vero Beach, FLExcessive side loading of the vertical stabilizer.Jun 7, 2024 · N287ND · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA194Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Hornell, NYA cabin fire as a result of a damaged lithium-ion battery pack.Apr 26, 2024 · N5632Q · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA099Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18A 150 · Dallesport, WAThe pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.Feb 27, 2024 · N518SW · Minor damageNTSB WPR24LA068Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421C · Carson City, NVAirport personnel’s failure to properly prioritize their response actions, including updating the airport’s automated weather observation system recording in a timely manner to notify incoming pilots of a runway closure, which resulted in an airplane striking…Jan 8, 2024 · N421TP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA030Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArrow Falcon Exporters UH-1H · Firebaugh, CAAn on-ground fuel fire for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive thermal damage.Nov 4, 2023 · N3053Q · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IAThe pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb.Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA183Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39ZA · Barnhart, TXA total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel from an undetermined source.May 2, 2023 · N343WT · Substantial damageNTSB DCA23WA282IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Munster/Osnabruck, GermanyApr 29, 2023 · TC-SOH · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB DCA23WA389IncidentClass 5 · ForeignAirbus A330 · Chennai, IndiaFeb 17, 2023 · 4R-ALA · Minor damageNTSB CEN23LA099Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Eau Claire, WIThe engine fire that began for undetermined reasons following numerous engine start attempts.Feb 5, 2023 · N9770J · DestroyedNTSB DCA23WA184Occurrence · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 767-300F · Derby, United KingdomFeb 4, 2023 · N370UP · No damageNTSB WPR23LA072Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 441 · Liberal, KSThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, failure to set the parking brake, and his decision to exit the airplane with engines running to remove a wheel chock, resulting in the airplane’s unintended movement and subsequent collision with a hangar.Dec 13, 2022 · N253SB · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22WA206Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Zurich, SwitzerlandSep 3, 2022 · TC-MKCNTSB WPR22LA154Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Deer Valley, AZThe fuelers improper action during the refueling process.Apr 17, 2022 · N808LF · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22WA076AccidentClass 5 · ForeignEmbraer ERJ190 · Copenhagen, DenmarkFeb 7, 2022 · OH-LKK · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22WA219AccidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Gwaska, NigeriaNov 21, 2021 · 5N-DAB · Substantial damageNTSB DCA21LA226Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B19 · Asheville, NCThe fuel truck driver backing up in the direction of the airplane without the use of marshallers.Sep 17, 2021 · N444ZW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA342Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 58 · Palo Alto, CAThe fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Sep 13, 2021 · N162DF · Substantial damageNTSB DCA21WA181IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 787 · Dublin, IrelandJul 16, 2021 · N873BB · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB GAA21WA083Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRans S6 · Toledo, SpainApr 3, 2021 · EC-YZE · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA149Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Port Townsend, WAThe pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.Mar 29, 2021 · N28461 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA21WA102IncidentClass 5 · ForeignMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Maiquetia, VenezuelaMar 18, 2021 · YV3445 · No damageNTSB CEN21LA174Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 95-B55 (T42A) · Colby, KSThe pilot’s failure to remove the towbar from the nose landing gear before takeoff, which resulted in a sustained adverse yaw condition, and his failure to adequately monitor the fuel system while circling the airport, which resulted in fuel starvation and…Mar 10, 2021 · N568P · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA138Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182F · Millville, IAThe inadequate maintenance/inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.Feb 24, 2021 · N3209U · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA133Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Alamo, TXThe partial loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.Feb 9, 2021 · N5679X · Substantial damageNTSB DCA21WA177Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 777 · London, United KingdomFeb 7, 2021 · G-STBA · No damageNTSB DCA21WA003AccidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737-4B6 · San Jose, Costa RicaOct 6, 2020 · HK5228NTSB GAA20WA146Incident · No injuriesClass 4 · ForeignChampion 8KCAB · Roskilde, DenmarkSep 10, 2020 · SCF-NP · No damageNTSB CEN20CA337Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportEvektor Aerotechnik L13 · Frankenmuth, MIThe pilot's failure to stow the speed brake prior to attempting takeoff.Aug 16, 2020 · N334BA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA231Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportDestiny XLT · Frankfort, OHThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the powered parachute, which resulted in his takeoff with twisted riser lines and impaired aircraft control.Jun 16, 2020 · UNREG · Minor damageNTSB ANC20LA050Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRockwell 500 · Aniak, AKA loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and ground personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel.May 29, 2020 · N909AK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportVans RV8 · Columbus, MSThe inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.Feb 15, 2020 · N7736T · DestroyedNTSB DCA20WA079Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 767 · Ciampino, ItalyThe government of Italy has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BOEING 767 airplane that occurred on January 20, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Italy's investigation under the provisions of…Jan 20, 2020 · SE-RLC · Minor damageNTSB DCA20WA025Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 787 · Pettirossi, ParaguayThe government of Paraguay has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a BOEING 787 airplane that occurred on November 22, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Paraguay's investigation under the…Nov 22, 2019 · EC-MNS · Minor damageNTSB GAA20CA025Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Key West, FLThe pilot’s and the passenger's improper decision to have the passenger attempt to move a wheel chock while the propeller was turning, which resulted in a serious injury.Oct 13, 2019 · N5522S · No damage