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.

NTSB BFO87DIG03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Frederick, MDShortly after liftoff the pilot stated that the left wing dropped and the aircraft began to turn to the left. He appliedright aileron and raised the nose to clear parked aircraft but the aircraft struck an automobile that was parked in front of a hangar and…May 6, 1987 · N8149P · DestroyedNTSB CHI87LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Footville, WIPilot landed in a field to practice an emergency landing. After two unsuccessful attempts to takeoff from the soft, plowed field, the pilot taxiied onto a two-lane road. On lift off the left wing struck a road sign.May 5, 1987 · N49752 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC87LA065Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · North Pole, AKThe pilot stated that shortly after lifting off the water the engine quit; the aircraft crashed on the gravel bar. The pilot also stated that he ran out of fuel. The plts flt time was not reported or available.May 4, 1987 · N65678 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22B · Valatie, NYThe Robinson R-22B took off from a open field, traveled 600 feet and struck suspended utility lines at approximately 25-30 ft. afterward, the helicopter was landed successfully. Other lines were approximately 1000 ft from the departure point. The pilot was…May 2, 1987 · N2442A · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87DHM02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportFokker DR-1 · Rhinebeck, NYThe plt was making his first takeoff in a Fokker DR-1 tri-plane. After becoming airborne he yawed right, then left, followed by the acft nose falling below the horizon. The acft was destroyed in the crash landing which followed. After the crash, the plt…May 2, 1987 · N2009R · Substantial damageNTSB MKC87LA099Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Meade, KSAfter takeoff, the engine started losing power. During the turn toward a landing area, the airplane stalled, hit the ground to the right of the runway and flipped forward to the inverted position. A partial tear down inspection revealed that the intake valve…May 2, 1987 · N38687 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Lamar, COThe commercial plt was on takeoff from a dirt strip with a fully loaded ag acft, for an aerial application flt. After lifting off prematurely, the acft settled to the rwy. The left wing struck a post skidding the acft to the left. After crossing an irrigation…May 1, 1987 · N2335X · Substantial damageNTSB CHI87LA119Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Kentland, INPilot reported a loss of power approx. 10 to 30 feet above the runway. The aircraft came to rest along the left side and approx. 1500 feet down the 3500-foot runway. Inspection of the aircraft after the accident did not reveal any evidence of engine problems.…May 1, 1987 · N23781 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87DEG05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Wilmington, OHDuring a climbout the pilot reported a power reduction. The engine continued operating and the rotor RPM dropped as the helicopter climbed to 10 feet. The wreckage examination failed to disclose any system malfunction or failures. The pilot was attempting to…Apr 30, 1987 · N180Q · Substantial damageNTSB MKC87FA094Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Neelyville, MOWitnesses stated that the p.I.c. had aborted several takeoff attempts while trying to depart to the north--the winds were originating from the southwest at approximately 5 mph. The aircraft eventually departed from, and almost used the full length of, runway…Apr 29, 1987 · N44213 · DestroyedNTSB LAX87DVA07Accident · No injuriesFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Tulare, CADuring a climbing 180 degree turn to the left, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to land in a nearby field that had just been plowed. With insufficient altitude to turn FAR enough to line the aircraft up with the rows, the pilot touched down at a '20…Apr 29, 1987 · N8366 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Valley City, NDThe commercial pilot was trying out an acft with the stated intention of leasing it. A takeoff was planned from a stretch of gravel road. During the takeoff ground run, the acft became airborne then touched down in a field, bounced across an intersecting road…Apr 28, 1987 · N6749Z · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87DUG03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportFrimelt Werner Moni 164 · Lake Riverside, CAJust after take off of a homebuilt, experimental acft, a witness observed the acft at aprx 150 ft AGL initiate a 15 deg turn to the right. Immediately thereafter the acft pitched down slightly and began to lose altitude, then abruptly entered a spin and…Apr 25, 1987 · N189L · Substantial damageNTSB CHI87LA117Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Terre Haute, INAircraft stalled on takeoff during an instructional flight. No malfunctions or mechanical problems were reported by either pilot. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded smooth but did not seem to be developing full power. Inspection of aircraft after the…Apr 25, 1987 · N51881 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-226TC · Wilmington, NCThe right engine failed during takeoff immediately after rotation 3000' down the 7,002' rwy 16. The plt continued the flt and the landing gear remained extended. The unauthorized plt rated pax made xmissions to the tower. Witnesses rpted that the acft reached…Apr 23, 1987 · N505LB · DestroyedNTSB ATL87DEG04Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportMclane Moni · Hillsboro, OHAft tkof fm the 3520 foot rwy, the plt stated that at abt midpoint with approx 1700 ft of rwy remaining, the eng sputtered and stopped. He was able to restart it again but aft several seconds it stopped again and he could not restart it. The plt then devoted…Apr 22, 1987 · N329RM · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87FA110Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Craig, COThe plt and his wife were on a cross country flt to visit relatives in north carolina. Several witnesses observed the aircraft depart Craig-moffet airport with the engine(s) running rough and using almost the entire runway to get airborne. Once airborne the…Apr 21, 1987 · N3231P · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA184Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Catalina, CAJust after takeoff, the plt stated that he heard a loud bang. The acft began to vibrate severely with the engine developing partial power. The acft would not climb and the plt was able to maintain 100 fpm descent. Unable to return to the arpt, the plt ditched…Apr 20, 1987 · N5596P · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Santa Rosa, NMAn a & p acft mechanic who additionally was a commercial plt was operating a borrowed acft on a local flt. He landed on an island in a lake and shut down. Later, when airborne on takeoff, the right elevator struck a small tree and the acft yawed right. The…Apr 20, 1987 · N9145R · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA182Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Lincoln, CAThe aircraft collided with a ditch after a loss of pwr during t/o climb at aprx 350 to 400 ft AGL. The plt described the loss of pwr as 'like taking the throttle and pulling off in a rapid motion.' He noticed during his preflt check that the fuel in the right…Apr 19, 1987 · N15259 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI87DET03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportJagger Tierra II · Columbia City, INShortly after takeoff at about 100 feet AGL the engine lost power. The aircraft stalled and impacted the ground in a plowed area adjacent to the runway. The owner/pilot stated that an unidentified substance almost totally blocked the fuel filter closest to…Apr 19, 1987 · N5541C · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA181Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA1C · Redlands, CADuring an instructional flight, the plt stated that the estimated fuel capacity in the acft was aprx 12 gals prior to departure. The plt took-off on the right fuel tank and flew in the local area for aprx 15 minutes then returned to the arpt for touch-and-go…Apr 18, 1987 · N9545U · DestroyedNTSB DEN87LA107Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Denver, COAn ATP plt was conducting a sight seeing flt over Denver. The plt had 9 hours total time in this model helicopter, 6 hours as PIC. A hovering takeoff was initiated to the north with left turn to the west after takeoff. Current winds were reported from 220…Apr 18, 1987 · N38886 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDevore Sunbird 100 · Albuquerque, NMAn experimental designed prototype acft was being flown on its first flt. The acft took off and flew in ground effect beyond the arpt boundary. At full pwr, the acft could not maintain altitude and descended uncontrolled to an impact with the terrain. The…Apr 18, 1987 · N100VL · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Ellicott, COThe acft was equipped with hand operated rudder controls. The plt had an artificial rt leg. On a previous flt that day the plt had attempted to spin the acft but was unsuccessful due to lack of rudder travel with the hand-operated controls. The plt was not…Apr 18, 1987 · N64415 · DestroyedNTSB CHI87DEE08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD5 A-B · Kankakee, ILThe pilot took off on the first test flight in his homebuilt aircraft and after climbing to approximately 1000 ft. AGL, stalled the aircraft. The aircraft then subsequently entered a spin and collided with the ground. There were reports of the aircraft's…Apr 18, 1987 · N501RM · DestroyedNTSB FTW87LA095Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Midland, TXOn April 15, 1987, at approximatly 1910 CDT, the private pilot of a Cessna 182Q attempted to land on a 2650 ft dirt runway near Midland, TX. Witness stated she landed long and fast. The brakes failed due to a pre-existing crack in the left brake line. The…Apr 16, 1987 · N95610 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · New Milford, CTAfter taking off on runway 16 at the candlelight farms airport, the flight remained low over the runway while gaining airspeed. As the aircraft approached the upwind end of the runway, witnesses observed it enter a steep climb that continued to an estimated…Apr 15, 1987 · N377SW · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA175Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Vacaville, CAThe plt stated he had flown the acft the day prior to the accident on the left fuel tank only. No fuel had been added on the day of the accident and the plt stated that the left tank was three quarters full and the right tank was full. The plt positioned the…Apr 13, 1987 · N271F · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87FA121Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Hyannis, MAShortly after the initial pwr reduction drg tkof, the plt noted a partial loss of pwr in the rgt eng. He said he 'went to full power on both engines' & noted an 'extremely high' fuel flow indcn to the rgt eng. He said, 'thinking that the engine was flooding,…Apr 12, 1987 · N87PB · DestroyedNTSB FTW87LA094Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Jackson, LAEngine failed due to fuel exhaustion. Aircraft collided with trees short of rwy 33.Apr 12, 1987 · N6166Z · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Sharpsburg, GAPlt dep a pvt grass airstrip for a LCL VFR flt. Acft was observed to lift off the grass rwy at about 1000 ft. it climbed to about 30 ft AGL and leveled off. At about the end of the 1800 ft rwy the acft nosed up into a 'fairly steep' climb attitude. The ground…Apr 12, 1987 · N1823E · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FA119Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Ferguson Twnshp, PAThe pilot, who had not completed his checkout in a Cessna 172, was observed to make a long landing and lift off with approximately 750 ft of runway remaining. The aircraft was observed to enter a nose high pitch attitude and drift into a right turn. The…Apr 11, 1987 · N5535E · DestroyedNTSB SEA87LA077Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Scott Mills, ORWith a gusting crosswind from the left the pilot allowed the student pilot to make the take off. The student pilot rotated prematurely and the aircraft weathercocked to the left. The pilot then took the controls of the aircraft but by then it was pointed 90…Apr 6, 1987 · N3258H · DestroyedNTSB MKC87LA076Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Muscatine, IAThe grass runway was 1300 feet long. The wind was 90 degrees cross at 5 knots, gusts to 20 KTS. The instructor said they had a wind shift and then they hit a soft spot near the end of the runway which slowed them. The elevator and stabilizer caught on a…Apr 5, 1987 · N79179 · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA194Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Healdsburg, CADuring what was supposed to be a taxi test, the plt decided to takeoff when he lost control of the acft. The acft veered to the right off the rwy and collided with the terrain. The plt had flown the acft for the first time with the owner the day before the…Apr 5, 1987 · N9216K · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA168Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8-24 · Phoenix, AZDuring a pleasure Balloon ride, the Balloon lifted off in a southerly direction then shifted to a south easterly direction. The plt felt that the balloons response time for adequate lift took too long. The Balloon began drifting toward 50 to 60 ft power…Apr 5, 1987 · N3750D · No damageNTSB ANC87LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Valdez, AKThe pilot reported that he could not keep the ski equipped aircraft from banking to the left after take off and elected to reduce power and land. The aircraft sustained substantial damage when the left wing tip struck the ground and cartwheeled during the…Apr 5, 1987 · N9073D · Substantial damageNTSB MKC87LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35A · Liberal, KSThe PIC rptd experiencing turbulence on takeoff from Liberal airport. Winds were prevailing from the southeat at 15 knots as he departed the airstrip using runway 19. At rotation, the PIC reported that the left wing got too high and he lost control. The PIC…Apr 4, 1987 · N1953V · Substantial damageNTSB SEA87LA128Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Grants Pass, ORShortly after takeoff the pilot realized that he had no airspeed indication due to his forgetting to remove the pitot cover during preflight. The pilot returned to land at the airport and landed gear up.Apr 3, 1987 · N6901V · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87FA081Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Morgan, UTThe plt departed Morgan arpt with an acft near gross weight, in a relatively strong cross wind. After a successful takeoff at about 100 AGL, he said he encountered moderate turbulence and a downdraft. Altitude and airspeed could not be maintained. The acft…Apr 3, 1987 · N3809P · DestroyedNTSB MIA87LA123Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A150M · Jackson, MSThe plt stated that he failed to remove the control column gust lock prior to take off. Immediately after rotation, the acft began to porpoise, descended uncontrolled, & landed hard collapsing the landing gear. He further stated that this accident could have…Apr 1, 1987 · N7344A · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87DVM02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBowers Flybaby 1A · San Luis Obispo, CADuring a pleasure flt in an experimental acft, during the takeoff roll, the eng sputtered, however, the plt continued the flt. After takeoff at aprx 30 ft the eng sputtered again. The plt made a sharp 45 deg turn which put him on downwind, however, the acft…Mar 31, 1987 · N792JB · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87FA087Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Leakey, TXFlight instructor and student pilot flying Piper PA-28-140 departed uncontrolled airport after switching fuel tanks on runway. Fuel selector valve was inadvertently moved to off position by student pilot. Aircraft engine quit on initial climb at approximately…Mar 31, 1987 · N4602R · Substantial damageNTSB DCA87MA023Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 172N · Oakland, CAAt 0954:54, plt of Piper PA-32RT, N39614, rprtd 9 mi north for lndg. Twr controller (north ctlr) told him to pln for a rgt entry to rwy 27R. At 0955:32, a student plt & instructor (CFI) in Cessna 172N, N75584, were clrd for tkof on rwy 33 with a 'right turn…Mar 31, 1987 · N75584 · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB ATL87FA101Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Dalton, GAOn t/o at 1st power change PIC noted loss of performance. He turned left to downwind leg for landing. PIC and ground witnesses said eng quit and acft crashed into trees and ground. Post crash fire destroyed acft. PIC rpted taking fuel sample before t/o with…Mar 30, 1987 · N6170U · DestroyedNTSB DEN87LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Columbus, MTA pre-solo student and CFI were practicing landings. The CFI reduced pwr on climbout at 300 to 400 feet. During the discussion of what to do in case of lost pwr on takeoff, the student executed a steep, 180 degree turn, toward the arpt. The acft stalled, and…Mar 28, 1987 · N6050V · Substantial damageNTSB CHI87FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35-TC · Mount Vernon, ILThe acft was on a test flt after a top-overhaul had just been completed. Mechanics rprtd that before the flt, the eng had been properly rigged & operated normally drg run-up. Drg initial climb after takeoff, witnesses said the eng lost power. The plt…Mar 28, 1987 · N2820S · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA163Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · San Luis Obispo, CAAfter take-off, the pilot was flying a downwind departure when the engine quit. The pilot was unable to return to the runway and collided with the terrain a half mile from the airport. Inspection of the engine at the time of the accident found that the main…Mar 27, 1987 · N9306W · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87DPJ05Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportde Havilland DHC-1B-2S5 · Claremore, OKMud daubers plugged the fuel tank vents resulting in fuel starvation and engine failure. The acft received substantial damage during the forced lndg and the plt was seriously injured.Mar 27, 1987 · N320HP · Destroyed