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 CHI90DEP04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportGoss KR-2 · Kenosha, WIFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, while flying it with a laterally imbalanced condition. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of flying experience, and his lack of familiarity with this aircraft.NTSB DEN90LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Albuquerque, NMThe cfi's improper procedures during takeoff. Factors were premature liftoff and inadvertent stall/mush.NTSB ATL90LA121Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe Ercoupe 415-C · Pineora, GAControl interference by the passenger when the throttle was retarded and the pilot's failure to intervene because of his diverted attention.NTSB ANC90FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Wasilla, AKPilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.NTSB ANC90LA076Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Uganik Bay, AKThe pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the downdrafts and gusty winds.NTSB ATL90LA116Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Greensboro, NCThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN90LA114Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Erie, COCfi's failure to ensure that the student pilot maintained sufficient airspeed, resulting in the inadvertent stall/mush. A factor was the downdraft experienced at low altitude after takeoff.NTSB CHI90DEM03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna T188 · Williamsburg, MIA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. The lack of suitable terrain for landing was a factor related to the accident.NTSB CHI90DEK05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · Urbana, OHWater contamination of the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight, which resulted in loss of engine power.NTSB SEA90LA081Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Kelso, WAFailure of the pilot to keep the external load clear of obstacles (trees). Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot and ground crewman to follow safety procedures, and the proximity of the trees.NTSB ATL90FA115Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Frankfort, KYThe pilot's failure to operate the aircraft within the center of gravity limitations of the aircraft.NTSB LAX90LA184Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Terra Bella, CAThe pilot's preflight planning and preparation was poor. Contributing to this accident was the high vegetation field.NTSB DEN90FA109Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Telluride, COThe pilot's ffailure to maintain flying speed which resulted in a stall. Factor was wind shear reported off departure end of rwy.NTSB ANC90LA070Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Caribou Creek, AKThe pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the existing wind conditions.NTSB LAX90DUM02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCunningham Prescott Pusher · San Diego, CAEngine failure due to mechanical failure of he internal components to the engine.NTSB MIA90LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Marathon, FLFailure of the input drive gear of the tail rotor gear box for undetermined reasons because the drive gear was not recovered from the ocean.NTSB LAX90FA170Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Carmel Valley, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and improper climb.NTSB FTW90DRD08Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Basile, LAThe pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather information. A related factor to the accident was the tailwind.NTSB LAX90LA171Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369E · Firebaugh, CAFailure by company maintenance to perform a mandatory compressor section inspection that resulted in the undetected erosion of the compressor vanes and engine failure. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate main rotor…NTSB MIA90FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Mayaguez, PRThe pilot's failue to conduct proper preflight preparations, resulting in a takeoff at 175 pounds over maximum allowable gross weight, with full flaps extended, and on the improper runway for wind conditions which resulted in the airplane being unable to…NTSB ATL90FA110Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hilton Head, SCThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel system through inadvertant selection of the 'off' position of the fuel selector valve handle.NTSB SEA90FA072Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Jean, NVSevere downdrafts/windshear which exceeded the airplane's performance capabilities.NTSB LAX90LA166Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · San Jose, CAThe pilot's improper preflight, improper raising of the flaps after becoming airborne, and failure to maintain adequate flying speed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB LAX90LA165Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Torrance, CAWater contamination introduced into the airplane fuel system when the airplane was washed. Contributing to the accident was an 18 knot tailwind during landing roll which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway.NTSB LAX90DVG08Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer G-164-B · Richvale, CAThe pilot in command's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb during takeoff resulting in the aircraft descending into terrain.NTSB FTW90FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Jacksonville, TXA fuel exhaustion induced power loss during the initial climb after takeoff.NTSB DCA90RA025Accident · 27 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-6B · Guatemala City, GuatemalaNTSB MKC90LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · St. Louis, MOInadequate maintenance and proper touchdown point not attained by the pilot in command.NTSB NYC90LA098Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Kutztown, PAThe student pilot's improper control input and the instructior's inadequate response. The student's interference with the flight controls as the instructor attempted recovery was a factor in the accident.NTSB FTW90LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Denison, TXPilot's attempted takeoff with conditions in excess of the airplane's performance capabilities. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude and the uphill runway.NTSB NYC90LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Mt. Pleasant, PAThe pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff, a premature lift-off, and an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor in the accident was the unfavorable wind.NTSB DEN90LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander Callair A-9B · Montrose, COInadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. The adverse wind conditions were related factors.NTSB LAX90LA156Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23-19 · Apple Valley, CAFuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering.NTSB MIA90LA111Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12B · Sanford, FLLoss of engine power for an unknown reason.NTSB NYC90LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna O337F · Brant, NYThe pilot's premature rotation and failure to obtain airspeed.NTSB NYC90LA090Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280 · Thornton, PAFailure to attain a proper climb rate after takeoff from a confined area. Factors include gusty winds and high obstructions.NTSB CHI90DEE05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportDan T. Zelazo Avid/Speedwing · Sandwich, ILImproper installation of a fuel line by the p. lot/manufacturer which resulted in separation of a fuel line, resulting in fuel starvation.NTSB BFO90FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ona, WVThe improperly set stabilator trim and the improperly loaded aircraft.NTSB ATL90LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Johnson City, TNThe pilot/mechanic's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft fuel system.NTSB FTW90FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Dallas, TXThe pilot's improper use of the fuel boost pumps for take, and his failure to maintain airspeed above the minimum single engine control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB FTW90DRA04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportGrumman 164A · Garwood, TXFailure of the number 8 cylinder.NTSB MKC90LA090Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Des Arc, ARWater contamination of the fuel, due to improper ground servicing of the aircraft, and an improper preflight by the pilot.NTSB MIA90FA107Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · North Captiva, FLInadequate preflight by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel, and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB MKC90LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBennett KR-1 · Blytheville, ARImproper handling of the aircraft during a high speed taxi.NTSB ANC90LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Deadhorse, AKInadequate maintenance and inspection of the nose baggage door.NTSB DEN90FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Wendover, UTThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factor(s) was: the lack of surface reference while taking off over a sparsely populated area under dark night light conditions.NTSB ATL90DKG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCorben BABY-ACE · Griffin, GAAn improper fuel system (installed by the home builder), and continued operation of the aircraft with a known deficiency, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB MKC90FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Bois D'Arc, MOInadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his spatial disorientation, which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, darkness, low…NTSB SEA90FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Carson City, NVThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed during takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.NTSB MKC90DCQ01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportDaniels BD-4 · Wichita, KSThe pilot failed to maintain flying speed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin resulting in collision with terrain.