NTSB investigations
133 cases where the phase of flight was Pushback/towing.
Cases, newest first
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 = 200)
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.
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 = 200)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 DCA11WA043Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing B777 · Paris, FranceOn April 10, 2011, at 0950 UTC, a Boeing 777, registration C-FIVM, operated by Air Canada, was substantially damaged during pushback at the Charles DeGaulle International Airport, Paris, France, when the tow bar fractured and struck the airplane. The flight…NTSB CEN11IA270Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135KL · Dubuque, IAThe airport authorities' improper decision to deactivate the jet bridge braking system which created an unsafe condition by the gate agents not being able to stop the bridge from impacting the airplane during a wind gust.NTSB CEN11IA198Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-823 · Southlake, TXThe tractor driver’s failure to confirm that the tow bar head/handle was secured correctly to the airplane.NTSB DCA11CA014Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Philadelphia, PAthe failure of the ground operations personnel to maintain awareness of the relative position of the two airplanes.NTSB WPR11LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Salt Lake City, UTThe tug driver’s loss of airplane control during pushback due to a loss of traction in slippery conditions on the ramp. Contributing to the accident was the ground crews’ and airline operators’ inadequate guidance with regard to pushback procedures during low…NTSB WPR10FA199Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-3H4 · Los Angeles, CAThe tug operator’s failure to comply with company procedures when parking an unoccupied baggage tug, and the failure of the tug’s seat switch to disengage the electric motor when weight was removed from the driver’s seat.NTSB ENG10IA016Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC8 · Cincinnati (CVG), OHFailure of the NLG cylinder occurred by intergranular rupture; coincidental to a chrome plating crack. The failure origin occurred along the inner surface of the cylinder and then propagated by stress corrosion cracking to the outer surface. A secondary crack…NTSB ENG09RA019Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Kuching, MalaysiaOn October 2, 2009, about 0818 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) a Malaysia Airlines, Boeing 737-400 airplane, registration 9M-MMR, suffered a collapsed left main landing gear during pushback from the gate at Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak,…NTSB DCA09FA025Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB145 · New York, NYThe tug driver's failure to comply with ramp safety procedures.NTSB WPR09FA068Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-351 · Seattle, WAThe failure of the tug operator and wing walker of the other airplane to maintain clearance with this aircraft during the pushback process in dark night. Also causal was the ramp controller's misinterpretation of the other airplane's gate location and her…NTSB DCA09FA022Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Los Angeles Intl Airport, CAThe first officer's unannounced advancement of the left engine throttle, which led to a sustained application of high thrust that caused the airplane to impact the tug.NTSB WPR09IA065Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-890 · Seattle, WAThe failure of the deicing crew to follow company procedures by not receiving confirmation from the flight crew before beginning to deice the airplane.NTSB WPR09IA033Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-700 · Salt Lake City, UTThe tug driver's failure to maintain situational awareness during the push back operation.NTSB NYC08LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Charlotte, NCThe tugdriver and wing walker's lack of communication and the tugdriver's failure to properly monitor the wing walker. Contributing to the accident was the lightning in the vicinity of the airport, which resulted in the ground crewmembers not wearing headsets.NTSB ENG08IA051Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Phoenix (PHX), AZThe failure of the MLG was due to cracking in the cylinder wall resulting from a fatigue mechanism which initiated at, and near the inner diameter (ID) surface, with propagation through the wall toward the outer diameter(OD) surface. Crack initiation was due…NTSB SEA08LA061Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · San Francisco, CAThe company tug operator's failure to maintain clearance with another aircraft during the pushback process. Also causal was the ground controller's failure to alert the pilot of the other aircraft and tug operator of this airplane of the simultaneous pushback…NTSB MIA07CA119Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 777-232 · Atlanta, GAThe flight attendant's inadvertent misstep on a ladder and falling during pushback resulting in serious injuries.NTSB LAX07LA189Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-24APF · Burbank, CAThe tow tractor driver's and mechanic's diverted attention resulting in the airplane rolling over the mechanic's foot. Also causal was the mechanic's failure to maintain clearance from the nose landing gear.NTSB NYC06IA207Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-524 · Newark, NJAn overload failure of the airplane's nose landing gear while being towed for repositioning.NTSB NYC06FA184Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Pittsburgh, PAThe airplane tug driver's inadvertent movement of the tug gear shift lever from forward to reverse, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapse. Contributing to the accident was the defective gear shift lever.NTSB NYC06LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135LR · Newark, NJThe captain's failure to follow company procedures, which resulted in pushback with the parking brake set. A factor was the larger than preferred tug.NTSB ATL06LA024Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-2S2F · Memphis, TNThe improper towing of the airplane by the tug operator which resulted in the shearing of the towbar shear pin and subsequent collision of the airplane and tug.NTSB CHI05LA179Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Chicago, ILThe pushback tow driver not maintaining visual lookout for the wing walker's visual signal, and the driver not maintaining clearance from the vehicle during the pushback for taxi. Factors to the accident were the standing vehicle behind the airplane, the…NTSB DEN05IA084Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-8-202 · Denver, COThe improper procedures conducted by the ground personnel and the flight crew's failure to coordinate procedures with the ground personnel during push back operation which resulted in the collision between the ground support vehicle and the airplane. A…NTSB NYC05LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-82 · Providence, RIThe vehicle driver's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with the airplane during push-back. A factor was the icy ramp area.NTSB DFW05LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSaab-Scania SF-340B · Fort Worth, TXThe ground personnel's failure to maintain clearance from the propeller. Contributing factors were the ground personnel's failure to comply with procedures/directives and the ground personnel's failure to properly use equipment.NTSB CHI04LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSaab-Scania Saab 340B · Romulus, MIThe visual lookout not maintained and the procedures not followed by the Push Tug Operator during the pushback. Factors were the parked airplane, the dark night, and the inadequate surveillance of the pushback by airline management.NTSB ATL04LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Miami, FLThe tug operator's loss of control and his failure to maintain clearance from the aircraft during pushback operations.NTSB LAX04LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 777-22B · San Francisco, CAthe failure of the taxiing Boeing 777's flight crew to maintain clearance from a Boeing 777 that was being pushed back from the gate. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the local ramp controller to caution either aircrew of a possible movement…NTSB NYC03LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135 · Flushing, NYThe inadequate visual lookout by the driver of a ground vehicle, and by ground support personnel, which resulted in a subsequent collision between the airplane and ground vehicle. A factor related to the accident was the failure of the pilot-in-command and…NTSB LAX03LA295Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DH-8-202 · Phoenix, AZthe ground agent's inadequate visual lookout during push back, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance between the airplanes.NTSB NYC03FA186Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Jamaica, NYA fractured nose gear spray deflector due to contact with a tow bar during pushback, which subsequently jammed and prevented nose gear extension during landing. A factor in this accident was the tow operator's failure to detect the damaged spray deflector.NTSB ATL03LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 717-200 · Atlanta, GAThe failure of the ground crew to follow powerback procedures and directives.NTSB NYC03LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135-KL · Boston, MAThe tug driver's failure to maintain directional control of the tug, which caused the tug to impact the airplane.NTSB DEN03FA070Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-88 · Denver, COthe flight crew's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in engine start with the throttles advanced and the subsequent impact with the tug. Contributing factors include, the flight crew's improper procedures/directives and failure to…NTSB CHI03IA055Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-83N · Indianapolis, INThe ground tow personnel not maintaining clearance from the de-icing vehicle during the tow back to the gate. Factors were the de-icing vehicle that parked by the airplane's left wing, the ground personnel not following the operator's towing…NTSB CHI02LA128Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-33N · Chicago, ILThe ground personnel handled the aircraft improperly during pushback from the gate by failing to maintain clearance with the other parked aircraft. The light rain and the parked airplane that was contacted were factors.NTSB ANC02FA023Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-82 · Anchorage, AKThe MD-11 flight crew's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing and the other's airplane's (MD-82) ground-marshaling personnel's failure to follow procedures/directives when they did not display an emergency stop signal to the crew of the MD-11. Factors…NTSB NYC02LA056Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 · Dulles, VAThe lack of direction from the operator on how to perform pushbacks on an icy ramp, which led to the tug driver positioning the tug at an angle to the nose of the airplane that allowed the airplane to move forward and strike the tug. Factors were the…NTSB ATL02LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-200 · Greenville, SCThe tug driver's failure to maintain control of the airplane during pushback resulting in the tug colliding with the airplane. A factor was ice on the ramp.NTSB CHI01LA331Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · Indianapolis, INthe inadequate crew/group coordination and the parking brakes not set by the pilot in command.NTSB NYC01LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135LR · Cleveland, OHAn overload force being exerted on the nosewheel gear assembly for undetermined reason.NTSB ATL01LA041Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-200 · Memphis, TNThe Powerback Coordinator's failure to follow powerback procedures which resulted in jet blast injuries to the wing walker. A factor was the stuck wheel chock.NTSB NYC00LA267Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-49R · Flushing, NYThe tug operator's inadequate visual lookout. A factor in this accident was the night light condition.NTSB CHI00FA244Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-264 · Chicago, ILthe fractured tow bar and the inadequate weld of the tow bar by an unknown person.NTSB NYC00IA100Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-88 · Boston, MAthe failure of the ground pushback crew to maintain an adequate clearance from a nearby airplane during pushback.NTSB NYC00LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F · Newark, NJThe tug operator's inadequate visual lookout.NTSB NYC00LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-232 · Flushing, NYwas the use of a defective tow bar, due to the lack of an adequate inspection by contract personnel, the airlines lack of an adequate preventative maintenance program for the tow bars, and the lack of oversight by the airline on the contract personnel who…NTSB LAX00LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus Industrie A-320-231 · Phoenix, AZThe airline's failure to fully review the obstruction clearances and revise the pushback procedures in an area of the ramp where new construction had impinged on the available ramp space. Also causal was the failure of the tug driver and the wing walkers to…NTSB LAX99LA302Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-322 · Los Angeles, CAThe lavatory service driver's failure to follow established company procedures and directives. A factor in the accident was the airline's use of a one person pushback procedure.