# NTSB investigations: Prior to flight

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 3 · 137 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN27LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN27LA022.md): Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Springfield, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Investigation open · Oct 19, 2026 · N117RF
- [NTSB ERA26LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA314.md): Cessna 421 · Fulton, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2026 · N28RH · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ENG26WA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG26WA037.md): Airbus A321 · Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Aug 14, 2026 · XA-VXI
- [NTSB ERA26LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA288.md): Balony Kubicek Spol Sro BB45Z · Johnstown, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Jul 23, 2026 · N9532Z · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN26LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA205.md): Vans RV4 · Conroe, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2026 · N292M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB DCA26WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26WA076.md): Boeing 737 · Leeds, United Kingdom · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 8, 2025 · G-JZHT · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA26LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA085.md): Burkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 26, 2025 · N103T · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB DCA26WA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26WA007.md): Boeing 737 · Balice, Poland · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 12, 2025 · EI-ILN · No damage
- [NTSB CEN25LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA332.md): Cessna 172 · Air Force Academy, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2025 · N1401E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA25LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA315.md): Patriot CX1900A · Centreville, AL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2025 · N150SP · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA25LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA199.md): Cessna 182A · Ocala, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2025 · N174A · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN24LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA358.md): Hughes 369 · Canton, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2024 · N8969F · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.
- [NTSB DCA24WA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24WA286.md): Boeing 737 · London, United Kingdom · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Aug 21, 2024 · 9H-QAA · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC24LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA077.md): Robinson R44 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2024 · N740RH · Substantial damage
  > A 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.
- [NTSB DCA24WA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24WA257.md): Boeing 737 · Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea · Incident · Class 4 · Foreign · Jul 23, 2024 · P2-PXB · No damage
- [NTSB ERA24LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA250.md): Piper PA28R · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N287ND · Substantial damage
  > Excessive side loading of the vertical stabilizer.
- [NTSB ERA24LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA194.md): Mooney M20E · Hornell, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2024 · N5632Q · Substantial damage
  > A cabin fire as a result of a damaged lithium-ion battery pack.
- [NTSB WPR24LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA099.md): Piper PA-18A 150 · Dallesport, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2024 · N518SW · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.
- [NTSB WPR24LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA068.md): Cessna 421C · Carson City, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 8, 2024 · N421TP · Substantial damage
  > Airport 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…
- [NTSB WPR24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA030.md): Arrow Falcon Exporters UH-1H · Firebaugh, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 4, 2023 · N3053Q · Substantial damage
  > An on-ground fuel fire for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive thermal damage.
- [NTSB CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR23LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA183.md): Aero Vodochody L-39ZA · Barnhart, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2023 · N343WT · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel from an undetermined source.
- [NTSB DCA23WA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23WA282.md): Boeing 737 · Munster/Osnabruck, Germany · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 29, 2023 · TC-SOH · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
- [NTSB DCA23WA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23WA389.md): Airbus A330 · Chennai, India · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 17, 2023 · 4R-ALA · Minor damage
- [NTSB CEN23LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA099.md): Piper PA-28-160 · Eau Claire, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 5, 2023 · N9770J · Destroyed
  > The engine fire that began for undetermined reasons following numerous engine start attempts.
- [NTSB DCA23WA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23WA184.md): Boeing 767-300F · Derby, United Kingdom · Occurrence · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 4, 2023 · N370UP · No damage
- [NTSB WPR23LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA072.md): Cessna 441 · Liberal, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2022 · N253SB · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB DCA22WA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22WA206.md): Boeing 737 · Zurich, Switzerland · Incident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 3, 2022 · TC-MKC
- [NTSB WPR22LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA154.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Deer Valley, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2022 · N808LF · Substantial damage
  > The fuelers improper action during the refueling process.
- [NTSB DCA22WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22WA076.md): Embraer ERJ190 · Copenhagen, Denmark · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 7, 2022 · OH-LKK · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DCA22WA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22WA219.md): Boeing 737 · Gwaska, Nigeria · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 21, 2021 · 5N-DAB · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DCA21LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21LA226.md): Bombardier CL-600-2B19 · Asheville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2021 · N444ZW · Substantial damage
  > The fuel truck driver backing up in the direction of the airplane without the use of marshallers.
- [NTSB WPR21LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA342.md): Beech 58 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2021 · N162DF · Substantial damage
  > The fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB DCA21WA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21WA181.md): Boeing 787 · Dublin, Ireland · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 16, 2021 · N873BB · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
- [NTSB GAA21WA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA083.md): Rans S6 · Toledo, Spain · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 3, 2021 · EC-YZE · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR21LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA149.md): Luscombe 8A · Port Townsend, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 29, 2021 · N28461 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.
- [NTSB DCA21WA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21WA102.md): Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Maiquetia, Venezuela · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Mar 18, 2021 · YV3445 · No damage
- [NTSB CEN21LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA174.md): Beech 95-B55 (T42A) · Colby, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2021 · N568P · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN21LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA138.md): Cessna 182F · Millville, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 24, 2021 · N3209U · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance/inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB CEN21LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA133.md): Aero Commander S2R · Alamo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2021 · N5679X · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.
- [NTSB DCA21WA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21WA177.md): Boeing 777 · London, United Kingdom · Incident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 7, 2021 · G-STBA · No damage
- [NTSB DCA21WA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21WA003.md): Boeing 737-4B6 · San Jose, Costa Rica · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 6, 2020 · HK5228
- [NTSB GAA20WA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA146.md): Champion 8KCAB · Roskilde, Denmark · Incident · No injuries · Class 4 · Foreign · Sep 10, 2020 · SCF-NP · No damage
- [NTSB CEN20CA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA337.md): Evektor Aerotechnik L13 · Frankenmuth, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2020 · N334BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to stow the speed brake prior to attempting takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN20CA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA231.md): Destiny XLT · Frankfort, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 16, 2020 · UNREG · Minor damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the powered parachute, which resulted in his takeoff with twisted riser lines and impaired aircraft control.
- [NTSB ANC20LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA050.md): Rockwell 500 · Aniak, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N909AK · Substantial damage
  > A 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.
- [NTSB CEN20CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA087.md): Vans RV8 · Columbus, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2020 · N7736T · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.
- [NTSB DCA20WA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20WA079.md): Boeing 767 · Ciampino, Italy · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Jan 20, 2020 · SE-RLC · Minor damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB DCA20WA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20WA025.md): Boeing 787 · Pettirossi, Paraguay · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Nov 22, 2019 · EC-MNS · Minor damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB GAA20CA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA025.md): Cessna 172 · Key West, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2019 · N5522S · No damage
  > The 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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100/cases

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.