OpenAirDocs.org

Major NTSB investigations

41 cases where the phase of flight was Takeoff.

Cases per year

19622026

Where

Open the map

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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c.\"investigationClass\" = 'Class 1' OR c.\"caseType\" = 'Major - Launch')
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 300)
  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 DCA26MA024Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorPreliminary reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Louisville, KYOn November 4, 2025, about 1714 eastern standard time (EST), United Parcel Service (UPS) flight 2976, a Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) MD-11F airplane, N259UP, was destroyed after it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad…Nov 4, 2025 · N259UP · DestroyedNTSB ERA25MA106Accident · 7 fatalClass 2 · MajorPreliminary reportLearjet 55 · Philadelphia, PAOn January 31, 2025, at 1807 eastern standard time, a Learjet 55 airplane, Mexican registration XA-UCI (call sign MTS056) was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two pilots, two medical crewmembers, and two…Jan 31, 2025 · XA-UCI · DestroyedNTSB DCA23FA149Incident · No injuriesClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBoeing 737-79P · Austin, TXthe local controller’s incorrect assumption that the Southwest Airlines (SWA) airplane would depart from the runway before the Federal Express airplane arrived on the same runway, which resulted in a loss of separation between both airplanes. Contributing to…Feb 4, 2023 · N7827A · 2 aircraft · No damageNTSB DCA23LA125Incident · No injuriesClass 1 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 737-900ER · Queens, NYThe American Airlines flight 106 (AAL106) crew’s surface navigation error due to distractions caused by their performance of concurrent operational tasks during taxi, which resulted in a loss of situational awareness. Contributing to the incident was the air…Jan 14, 2023 · N914DU · 2 aircraft · No damageNTSB DCA22MA009Accident · Serious injuriesClass 2 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87) · Brookshire, TXThe jammed condition of both elevators, which resulted from exposure to localized, dynamic high wind while the airplane was parked and prevented the airplane from rotating during the takeoff roll. Also causal was the failure of Everts Air Cargo, the pilots’…Oct 19, 2021 · N987AK · DestroyedNTSB WPR19MA177Accident · 11 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Mokuleia, HIThe pilot’s aggressive takeoff maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control at an altitude that was too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident were (1) the operation of the airplane near its aft center of gravity…Jun 22, 2019 · N256TA · DestroyedNTSB DCA17FA076Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD80 · Ypsilanti, MIthe jammed condition of the airplane's right elevator, which resulted from exposure to localized, dynamic wind while the airplane was parked and rendered the airplane unable to rotate during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were (1) the effect of a large…Mar 8, 2017 · N786TW · Substantial damageNTSB DCA17FA021Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBoeing 767 · Chicago, ILThe failure of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 disk, which severed the main engine fuel feed line and breached the right main wing fuel tank, releasing fuel that resulted in a fire on the right side of the airplane during the takeoff roll. The HPT…Oct 28, 2016 · N345AN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15MA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Frisco, COAirbus Helicopters' dual-hydraulic AS350 B3e helicopter's (1) preflight hydraulic check, which depleted hydraulic pressure in the tail rotor hydraulic circuit, and (2) lack of salient alerting to the pilot that hydraulic pressure was not restored before…Jul 3, 2015 · N390LG · DestroyedNTSB ERA14MA271Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream Aerospace G IV · Bedford, MAThe flight crewmembers' failure to perform the flight control check before takeoff, their attempt to take off with the gust lock system engaged, and their delayed execution of a rejected takeoff after they became aware that the controls were locked.…Jun 1, 2014 · N121JM · DestroyedNTSB DCA14MA081Accident · No injuriesClass 2 · MajorFinal reportAirbus A320 - 214 · Philadelphia, PAthe captain's decision to reject the takeoff after the airplane had rotated. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's failure to follow standard operating procedures by not verifying that the airplane's flight management computer was properly…Mar 13, 2014 · N113UW · Substantial damageNTSB DCA11MA076Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream GVI · Roswell, NMThe National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: an aerodynamic stall and subsequent uncommanded roll during a one engine-inoperative takeoff flight test, which were the result of (1) Gulfstream’s failure…Apr 2, 2011 · N652GD · Substantial damageNTSB DCA09MA021Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-524 · Denver, COThe captain’s cessation of right rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the excursion, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain’s training and…Dec 21, 2008 · N18611 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA08MA098Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportLearjet LR60 · Columbia, SCThe operator’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane’s tires, which resulted in multiple tire failures during takeoff roll due to severe underinflation, and the captain’s execution of a rejected takeoff (RTO) after V1, which was inconsistent with her…Sep 20, 2008 · N999LJ · DestroyedNTSB CHI06FA210Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-100 · Sullivan, MOthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of power in the right engine due to the fracturing of compressor turbine blades for undetermined reasons. Contributing to some parachutists' injuries was the lack of a more effective restraint system…Jul 29, 2006 · N203E · Substantial damageNTSB DCA05MA031Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-1A11 · Teterboro, NJthe pilots' failure to ensure the airplane was loaded within weight and balance limits and their attempt to takeoff with the center of gravity well forward of the forward takeoff limit, which prevented the airplane from rotating at the intended rotation…Feb 2, 2005 · N370V · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05MA029Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2A12 · Montrose, COthe flight crew's failure to ensure that the airplane’s wings were free of ice or snow contamination that accumulated while the airplane was on the ground, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with upper wing contamination that induced the subsequent stall…Nov 28, 2004 · N873G · DestroyedNTSB DCA03MA022Accident · 21 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 1900D · Charlotte, NCthe airplane's loss of pitch control during take-off. The loss of pitch control resulted from the incorrect rigging of the elevator system compounded by the airplane's aft center of gravity, which was substaintially aft of the certified aft limit.…Jan 8, 2003 · N233YV · DestroyedNTSB DCA02MA026Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Dulles Airport, VAthe airplane's collision with two wild turkeys.Mar 9, 2002 · N622BR · Substantial damageNTSB DCA97MA059Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8-61 · Miami, FLThe airplane being misloaded to produce a more aft center of gravity and a correspondingly incorrect stabilizer trim setting that precipitated an extreme pitch-up at rotation, was (1) the failure of Fine Air to exercise operational control over the cargo…Aug 7, 1997 · N27UA · DestroyedNTSB CHI97MA017Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGulfstream G-IV · Wheeling, ILfailure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll in a gusty crosswind, his failure to abort the takeoff, and failure of the copilot to adequately monitor and/or take sufficient remedial action to…Oct 30, 1996 · N23AC · DestroyedNTSB DCA96MA068Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-88 · Pensacola, FLthe fracture of the left engine's front compressor fan hub, which resulted from the failure of Delta Air Lines' fluorescent penetrant inspection process to detect a detectable fatigue crack initiating from an area of altered microstructure that was created…Jul 6, 1996 · N927DA · Substantial damageNTSB DCA96MA029Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 747-136 · Jamaica, NYthe captain's failure to reject the takeoff in a timely manner when excessive nosewheel steering tiller inputs resulted in a loss of directional control on a slippery runway. Inadequate Boeing 747 slippery runway operating procedures developed by Tower Air,…Dec 20, 1995 · N605FF · Substantial damageNTSB ATL95MA106Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-9-32 · Atlanta, GAfailure of Turk Hava Yollari maintenance and inspection personnel to perform a proper inspection of a 7th stage high compressor disc, thus allowing the detectable crack to grow to a length at which the disc ruptured, under normal operating conditions,…Jun 8, 1995 · N908VJ · Substantial damageNTSB DCA95MA020Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8-63 · Kansas City, MO(1) The loss of directional control by the pilot in command during the takeoff roll, and his decision to continue the takeoff and initiate a rotation below the computed rotation airspeed, resulting in a premature liftoff, further loss of control and collision…Feb 17, 1995 · N782AL · DestroyedNTSB CHI95MA044Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Bridgeton, MOThe Cessna 441 pilot's mistaken belief that his assigned departure runway was runway 30R, which resulted in his undetected entrance onto runway 30R, which was being used by the MD-82 for its departure. Contributing to the accident was the lack of Automatic…Nov 23, 1994 · N954U · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB DCA94MA038Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-82 · Flushing, NYThe failure of the flightcrew to comply with checklist procedures to turn on an operable pitot/static heat system, resulting in ice and/or snow blockage of the pitot tubes that produced erroneous airspeed indications, and the flightcrew's untimely response to…Mar 2, 1994 · N18835 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI91MA224Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 23 · Detroit, MIImproper preflight by the pilot, his failure to abort the takeoff while there was sufficient runway remaining, and his failure to assure that the aircraft attained sufficient airspeed for lift-off and climb. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's…Jul 23, 1991 · N959SC · DestroyedNTSB DCA89MA074Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-400 · Flushing, NYThe captain's failure to exercise his command authority in a timely manner to reject the takeoff or take sufficient control to continue the takeoff, which was initiated with a mistrimmed rudder. Also causal was the captain's failure to detect the mistrimmed…Sep 21, 1989 · N416US · DestroyedNTSB DEN89MA130Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Big Timber, MTFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff, due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Contributing factors were: dark night, pilot's visual perception, inadequate initial training of the pilot…Jun 2, 1989 · N76KM · DestroyedNTSB ATL89MA072Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS.748 Series 2A · Tipp City, OHImproper IFR procedure by the first officer (copilot) during takeoff, his lack of instrument scan (improper use of flight/navigation instruments), his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb or to identify the resultant descent, and the captain's…Jan 12, 1989 · CGDOV · DestroyedNTSB FTW87MA135Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105CBS · Bay City, MIAcft was involved in EMS static demonstration at beaver township fire dept, near Bay City. Following demonstration, shortly after takeoff, the pilot attempted a steep downwind turn at low altitude. Reported winds at the time of the accident were 250 degrees…Jun 7, 1987 · N550H · DestroyedNTSB DEN86MA241Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Lander, WYOn 5/1/86, the plt had an acoustic tumor removed fm his rgt ear which included the removal of the 8th nerve (balance nerve). His attending physician suggested aprx a 1 yr period of recuperation due to equilibrium problems associated with this type of surgery.…Aug 29, 1986 · N2727A · DestroyedNTSB CHI86MA142Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · Chicago, ILU.S. Air flight 373 passed over American airlines flight 695 at the intersection of runways 32R and 4L while both aircraft were taking off. Both aircraft had been cleared for takeoff by the local controller at o'hare tower. The aircraft came within twenty…May 17, 1986 · N973VJ · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB FTW86MA030Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-2H4 · Dallas, TXThis incident occurred when the no. 2 engine experienced an aft engine mount cone bolt failure and the subsequent failure of the secondary support link (stainless steel cable). The failure of both aft engine support assemblies during the takeoff roll allowed…Jan 3, 1986 · N86SW · Minor damageNTSB DCA84AA013Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-30CF · Anchorage, AKA Piper PA-31, N35206, (south central air flt 59) was cleared to taxi to rwy 6L. The wx at that time was foggy with about 1/8 mi vsiibility, but the RVR was improving & the arpt was expected soon to be acceptable for takeoffs. The PA-31 crew taxied & waited…Dec 23, 1983 · H7339 · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB DCA83AA005Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 551 · Mountain View, MOThe plt called from home at 0909 for an IFR clearance which became valid until 0930. He said he needed 15 min to get to the arpt. The call ended at 0914. The chief plt preflighted the acft while the plt was enroute to the arpt. The plt arrived between 0920 &…Nov 18, 1982 · N2CA · DestroyedNTSB CHI80AA024Accident · 2 fatalClosedFalcon 10 · Chicago, ILJan 30, 1980 · N253K · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM007Accident · Minor injuriesClosedDehavilland DH114 · San Juan, PRJul 11, 1975 · N570PR · Substantial damageNTSB DCA71AZ012Accident · 47 fatalClosedDouglas DC-8 · Anchorage, AKNov 27, 1970 · N4909C · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0028Accident · No injuriesClosedDouglas DC-8 · Stockton, CAOct 16, 1969 · N8634 · Destroyed