NTSB investigations
20,559 cases where the phase of flight was Initial climb.
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 = 350)
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 = 350)
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 ATL91LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportE TN Plts Starduster Starduster II · Knoxville, TNPilot's inadvertent closing of the fuel shutoff valve, which totally or partially restricted fuel flow to the engine.NTSB NYC91LA013Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPorterfield Porterfield FP65 · Moravia, NYPower loss after takeoff due to a partially clogged fuel line between the fuel tank and the gascolator. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain under the airplane when power loss occurred.NTSB MIA91FA011Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Everglades City, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude and his spatial disorientation during a night takeoff over water.NTSB ANC91LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Madison Creek, AKThe pilot's premature lift off at an inadequate airspeed. Contributing to the accident was the unplowed snow on the runway.NTSB NYC91DHA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJames Cote Kolb Twinstar MK II · Gilbertsville, PAThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft after an interuption of power.NTSB LAX91LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Independence, CAThe pilot's failure to attain an altitude adequate to avoid colliding with ojbects during takeoff.NTSB LAX91DUM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA28-140 · El Cajon, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed. Contributing to the accident was an engine power loss for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN91DTM01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHistorical A-001 · Durango, COEngine failure due to carburetor ice. A factor in the accident was the lack of carburetor heat equipment installed in the aircraft.NTSB FTW91LA004Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco RNF · Lampasas, TXThe failure of a cylinder intake valve spring.NTSB CHI91LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Ashland, KSThe pilot-in-command's exceeding the proper climb rate of the aircraft, and his not maintaining control of the aircraft to prevent a stall.NTSB CHI91DER01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 206 · South St. Paul, MNThe inadvertent deployment of the drag parachute. Related factors are the pilot's improper remedial action, habit interference, and the reduced aircraft controllability.NTSB FTW91GA001Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 369E · Anadarko, OKFailure of the pilot to maintain proper visual lookout prior to and during departure.NTSB ANC90LA188Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Swift River, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to understand the performance data of the airplane, and his failure to identify unsuitable terrain.NTSB LAX90DUG11Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportVolksplane WE-1 · El Mirage, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB CHI90DEE10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJeff Pierson Pierson Pusher · Kankakee, ILA loss of engine power due to activation of carburetor choke and an inadvertent stall during the forced landing.NTSB ATL90LA182Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio HST-550A · Mobile, ALThe pilot's intentional attempted takeoff with a known tailwind component. Factors relating to the accident were the tailwind, trees and utility lines on the departure end of the takeoff area.NTSB NYC90LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Colts Neck, NJThe pilot stalling the airplane during takeoff from a closed airport. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the takeoff on the runway with high grass and to use one half the available runway lenght.NTSB MIA90FA191Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportErco 415 · Titusville, FLWas partial loss of engine power due to foreign object obstruction of the inlet of the carburetor.NTSB ATL90FA179Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Jefferson, GAFailure of the pilot to perform the correct emergency procedures, when confronted with a loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB DEN90LA193Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310J · Colorado Spring, COThe loss of power on one engine due to excessive fuel pressure and the pilot's feathering of the wrong propeller. Factor(s) were: operation of aircraft with known deficiencies by pilot and operator.NTSB NYC90FA227Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Eliot, METhe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the over weight condition, upsloping runway, premature rotation, and the pilot's lack of experience in type aircraft and general aviation operations.NTSB LAX90DUQ03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportSchleicher ASW-12 · California City, CAAn inflight loss of control due to a disconnected elevator control surface and an improper preflight inspection of the flight controls by the glider pilot.NTSB ATL90LA176Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Brookley, GAFuel exhaustion. Factors include improper planning/decision by the pilot-in-command.NTSB DCA90MA055Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Marana, AZImproper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, and his failure to use a checklist. Factors related to the accident were: the faa's inadequate surveillance of the operation, the faa's insufficient standards/requirements, the pilot's operation of the…NTSB ANC90LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180-A · Wood Creek, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to attain proper lift off airspeed. Contributing to the accident was rough and uneven terrain.NTSB SEA90LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Everett, WAPilot did not maintained an adequate airspeed during the initial climb. The pilot failed to maintain directional control.NTSB CHI90LA267Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Troy, MIA loss of engine power due to failure of the rocker arm bosses on the #2 cylinder.NTSB NYC90FA220Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Plain City, OHPoor judgement of the pilot due to consumption of alcohol, flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness,…NTSB FTW90DRA09Accident · No injuriesFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Altair, TXThe pilot's use of improper terrain for takeoff.NTSB FTW90DPG15Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRotec Engineering Ralley III · Woodson, ARUndetermined.NTSB ANC90LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H-391B · Circle, AKPilot-in-command's failure to maintain airplane control and the pilot's failure to identify the stall.NTSB ANC90LA174Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Healy, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintian airspeed.NTSB ANC90LA172Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Talkeetna, AKFailure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall or mush.NTSB MIA90LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller OH-23C · Fort Pierce, FLLoss of engine power due to separation of the packing seal which seals the distribution zone pipe to the inlet manifold, for undetermined reasons resulting in a hard landing.NTSB FTW90DPG16Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportEipper Quick Silver MX II · Tontitown, ARA partial power loss for undetermined reasons and the pilot's poor flare during the forced landing.NTSB ATL90LA169Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Goldsboro, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor related to the accident was: control interference by the passenger.NTSB DEN90FA182Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Gallup, NMThe pilot inadvertently stalling his aircraft at an insufficient altitude to effect a recovery. A factor was high density attitude.NTSB ATL90LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Elizabeth City, NCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and compensation for wind conditions and the subsequent loss of aircraft control during takeoff. Existing crosswinds and gusts were factors in the accident.NTSB LAX90LA318Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Trona, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain airspeed and an abrupt manuever which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude of the airplane which did not allow adequate time to perform the necessary remedial actions.NTSB MIA90LA179Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Geneva, FLThe pilots failure to retract the flaps to the takeoff setting during a touch-and-go landing.NTSB NYC90LA212Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Elliotville, MEA power loss for unknown reasons over unsuitable terrain.NTSB LAX90FA311Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · Fallon, NVFailure of the pilot to perform emergency procedures for loss of engine power (including his failure to feather the propeller of the affected engine). Factors related to the accident were: inadequate maintenance, contamination in the fuel system, and overheat…NTSB NYC90LA210Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Mannington Twp, NJThe pilot stalled and lost control of the airplane while taking off.NTSB CHI90FA252Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Pine City, MNThe pilot's misjudgement of the fuel supply, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of aircraft.NTSB FTW90LA174Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C172N · Marietta, OKFailure of the pilot to attain the proper climb rate after takeoff resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees at the departure end of the runway. Contribuing to the accident was the pilot in commands failure to account for high density altitude.NTSB LAX90DUG09Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportMiles Atwood 1 · Chino, CALoss of engine power due to a fuel line separation.NTSB ANC90LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Northway, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB NYC90LA205Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Reading, PAA loss of engine power for unknown reasons and an off airport landing on unsuitable terrain.NTSB FTW90FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320 · Center, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC) and lack of qualification/training in multi-engine aircraft, which resulted in loss of aircraft control. A factor related to the accident was: failure of the left engine turbocharger, which resulted…NTSB LAX90LA306Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · San Diego, CAFuel starvation caused by blockage of fuel inlet screen by piece of improperly installed fuel hose.