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 ERA21FA154Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s likely activation of the auxiliary fuel pump to “high” for undetermined reasons during takeoff, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to an excessively rich fuel-to-air mixture. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s…NTSB GAA21WA047Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Rosh Pinna, IsraelNTSB ANC21LA022Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · Skwentna, AKInstallation of improper hardware on the ski check cable. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate inspection of the ski yokes, which resulted in the subsequent failure of the right main landing gear ski yoke and collapse of the right main landing gear…NTSB ERA21FA148Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Purcellville, VAThe pilot's improper decision to depart from the short turf runway with a tailwind.NTSB GAA21WA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignWag-a-Bond Traveller Wag-A-Bond · Lac Barron QC, CanadaNTSB ERA21FA142Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Jupiter, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, resulting in an unsecured engine cowl that…NTSB ERA21FA140Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R182 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into low instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR21LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Livermore, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of corrosion and rust in the fuel injection servo.NTSB WPR21LA118Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA-1B · St Johns, AZThe pilot’s decision to operate with a demonstrated crosswind velocity above the airplane’s performance capabilities which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA21FA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV7 · Mayfield, KYThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of airplane control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA032Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Formiga, BrazilNTSB ENG21WA015IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 747 · Maastricht, Netherlands, NetherlandsNTSB DCA21FA085Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBoeing 777-222 · Broomfield, COThe fatigue failure of the right engine fan blade. Contributing to the fan blade failure was the inadequate inspection of the blades, which failed to identify low-level indications of cracking, and the insufficient frequency of the manufacturer’s inspection…NTSB CEN21FA130Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVelocity Vtwin · Janesville, WIThe exceedance of the maximum airspeed for flight with the landing gear extended, which resulted in a separation of the right main landing gear door that subsequently impacted the right propeller and resulted in a total loss of right engine power.…NTSB DCA21WA087IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 757 · Leipzig, GermanyNTSB GAA21WA039AccidentClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Bandelierkop, South AfricaNTSB ENG21LA013IncidentClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 767-338 · Ontario, CAThe fatigue fracture and liberation of two airfoils from a low pressure turbine stage 5 nozzle segment that impacted and damaged the downstream low pressure stage 5 blades creating an initial imbalance load in the engine’s low pressure turbine rotor…NTSB CEN21LA117Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenair Zodiac 601HDS · Waller, TXThe total loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB ERA21LA103Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTL Ultralight Sro Stingsport · Hollywood, FLThe inadequate maintenance and inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot's mismanagement of the emergency approach and landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.NTSB ERA21LA098Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421B · Old Bethpage, NYThe pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.NTSB GAA21WA008Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna U206 · Guainia, ColombiaNTSB CEN21LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXThe pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.NTSB WPR21LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Moab, UTThe pilot’s improper application of full throttle during takeoff, which resulted in loss of engine power due to an excessive fuel flow and overly rich fuel mixture.NTSB CEN21LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 65-A80-8800 · Alexandria, MNThe pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff with frost covering the airplane and rotating below the published rotation speed, which led to exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN21LA092Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSonex Tailwheel · Burleson, TXA total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.NTSB WPR21LA070Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSilverLight AR-1 · Heber City, UTThe pilot’s failure to follow the procedures for takeoff in the Pilot Operating Handbook, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to receive additional training in the gyroplane.NTSB CEN21WA094AccidentClass 5 · ForeignAficionado MINI-MAX Eros · Urbanización Bassetes, SpainNTSB WPR21LA068Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Ogden, UTThe partial loss of engine power for reasons that cannot be determined due to lack of available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA082Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA12 · Spearfish, SDA total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN21LA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Windom, MNThe pilot’s spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21LA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FLThe pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…NTSB GAA21WA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 95B55 · Sao Pedro, SP, BrazilNTSB WPR21LA052Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Fallbrook, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined with the available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Dunn Center, NDThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN21LA046Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportNavion A · Fremont, MIThe pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector during takeoff, which was not in accordance with the preflight checklist and resulted in fuel starvation, a subsequent total loss of engine power, and an aerodynamic stall during an attempted forced…NTSB CEN21LA040Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3C · Weslaco, TXThe pilot of N87715 inadvertently allowed his airplane to drift right of the runway during the climb after a touch-and-go landing, and the pilot of N6463H did not maintain adequate separation from the other airplane during his go-around. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA21LA030Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Baxley, GAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN21FA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Slidell, LAThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after departure for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN21LA018Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T182 · Houma, LAImpact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined with the available information.NTSB WPR21LA015Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · South Hill, WAThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel supply had been completely drained of water, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to water contamination.NTSB ERA21LA027Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMuse Stol CH 750 · Sewanee, TNThe airplane’s encounter with a downdraft during the initial climb, which resulted in an impact with trees.NTSB ERA21LA022Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 7FC · Moneta, VAThe fight instructor’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector handle was in the correct position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA21LA018Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Stol CH801 · Apison, TNA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of an incorrectly placarded fuel selector.NTSB ERA21LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Atlanta, GAA partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to a right magneto anomaly, which resulted in the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff and the subsequent runway excursion.NTSB DCA21WA006IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 777 · Guiuan, Eastern Samar, PhilippinesNTSB CEN21WA115Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 185A · Romsey, United KingdomNTSB WPR21LA011Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S-7 · Spirit Lake, IDThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR21LA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Revo · Hawthorne, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.NTSB ERA21LA006Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Fulton, NYThe mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB ERA21LA008Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportExperimental Quad City Challenger II · Northfield, NHA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation of the No. 1 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the pinched No. 1 cylinder oil injection line.