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 DCA21WA004Incident · No injuriesClass 4 · ForeignBoeing 787-800 · Amsterdam, NetherlandsNTSB CEN20LA425Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Spring, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during climb and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20LA320Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T1A · San Diego, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a hard landing off airport.NTSB ERA20LA325Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe F 1 · West Kingston, RIThe pilot’s failure to conduct a proper preflight inspection and ensure the fuel was uncontaminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and forced landing.NTSB WPR20LA310Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Clovis, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during initial climb due to distraction, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN20CA406Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPik PIK-20D · Union, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff that resulted in a collision with another glider that was parked close to the departure runway, and the pilot’s improper decision to attempt a takeoff without ensuring he had safe clearance…NTSB ANC20LA093Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Homer, AKThe total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the fuel tank filler necks, which resulted in water intrusion into the fuel tanks.NTSB WPR20LA303Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportNavion B · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an abrupt turn after takeoff at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA20LA312Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Sweetwater, TNA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN20LA383Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStearman A75N1(PT17) · Henderson, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed, resulting in an aerodynamic stall after takeoff.NTSB CEN20LA373Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA24 · Midland, MIThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB GAA20WA133Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCommander 114 · Fur airport, DenmarkThe government of Denmark has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a COMMANDER 114 airplane that occurred on August 30, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Denmark's investigation under the…NTSB DCA20WA142Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Tokyo, JapanThe JTSB of Japan has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737 airplane that occurred on August 29, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the JTSB investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.All…NTSB GAA20WA134Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech 35 · Teresina, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BEECH 35 airplane that occurred on August 28, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB GAA20WA132Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAviamilano Falco F8L · Sibari, ItalyNTSB CEN20LA381Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA36 · Ord, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a turn during initial climb and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.NTSB CEN20LA336Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Osage Beach, MOAn in-flight fire and subsequent loss of airplane control shortly after takeoff. The source of the in-flight fire or the reason for the loss of airplane control could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA20LA286Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJust JA 30 Superstol · Clover, SCThe separation of a spark plug lead, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and collision with trees.NTSB WPR20LA278Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Harlowton, MTThe pilot’s failure to follow the appropriate takeoff procedures, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA288Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170 · Ardmore, TNThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his decision to depart from a constrained, grass-covered field in elevated-density altitude conditions, which resulted in reduced takeoff and climb performance and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB CEN20LA329Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Burlington, WIA partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground, which resulted in reduced climb capability and impact with trees during the initial climb.NTSB ANC20WA079Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationCessna 172 · Valdau, RussiaThe government of Russia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 172 airplane that occurred on August 02, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Russia's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB CEN20CA320Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna A188 · Memphis, MOThe pilot did not remove the rudder gust lock during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a tree.NTSB CEN20CA316Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hebron, NEA loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fuel tanks prior to flight.NTSB WPR20LA238Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32R · West Jordan, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain the airplane’s speed during takeoff near the airplane’s maximum gross weight in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall, loss…NTSB CEN20LA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to take off in an airplane over maximum gross weight and with a tailwind, which prevented the airplane from climbing.NTSB CEN20CA307Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportVans Vans RV 6 · Imperial, NEThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his decision not to utilize all available runway during high density altitude operations which led to an inflight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ENG20LA043Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2D24 · Charlotte, NCThe windshield failed due to arcing from an inadequate solder connection at the anti-ice power terminal block.NTSB CEN20LA304Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBrantly B2B · Monrovia, INThe pilot’s loss of control after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ENG20WA040Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationEmbraer ERJ190 · Chihuahua, MexicoNTSB WPR20LA229Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo · College Place, WAThe pilot’s premature retraction of the flaps which resulted in the airplane settling back onto the runway, contacting it hard, and veering off the runway.NTSB WPR20LA215Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Port Orchard, WAThe pilot's delayed decision to go around from an unstable approach, which resulted in insufficient airplane performance to climb above rising terrain and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Lake Tahoe, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to carbon buildup in the No. 4 cylinder resulting from the pilot’s inadequate mixture-leaning procedures.NTSB WPR20CA205Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBeech 23 · Sedona, AZThe pilot's inability to maintain a climb after an attempted takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a forced landing on a road and subsequent landing gear collapse.NTSB ENG20WA042Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationATR ATR72 · Ambon, IndonesiaThe National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia (KNKT) has notified the NTSB of an incident involving an ATR 72-600, which occurred on July 3, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the KNKT investigation under the…NTSB CEN20LA258Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Bridgeport, TXMaintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to a restricted air intake-induction system.NTSB CEN20LA252Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Denver, COThe total loss of engine power during climbout due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.NTSB GAA20WA127Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 150 · Cancun, MexicoNTSB WPR20LA194Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Imnaha, ORThe pilot’s excessively high pitch attitude and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue and…NTSB CEN20CA244Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCoyote S-6ES · Pisgah, IAThe uncertificated pilot's failure to attain/maintain a proper angle-of-attack during an initial climb that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20LA180Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Renton, WAMaintenance personnel’s inadequate post-maintenance inspections that resulted in the total loss of engine power due to a blockage in the air intake.NTSB ERA20LA213Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV8 · Hampton, GAThe pilot’s excessive maneuvering at low altitude following a partial loss of engine power which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB ANC20LA059Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Anchorage, AKThe fatigue fracture of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1025 carbon steel rudder post, which resulted in structural failure of the rudder. Contributing to the fatigue failure was the post’s susceptibility to fatigue cracking under normal service…NTSB CEN20LA216Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTeam 1600R · Marshall, MIMaintenance personnel’s improper installation of an improperly sized clamp on the fuel supply line, which allowed air to enter the supply line, a subsequent loss of engine power, and a forced landing.NTSB ANC20CA058Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable gross weight limits, which resulted in an impact with a tree and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA207Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Wurtsboro, NYA loss of control after takeoff due to the pilot’s improper use of ballast weight. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.NTSB ERA20CA205Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportMooney M20C · Durham, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall..NTSB ERA20LA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Ozark, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight school’s inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s fuel quantity and caution systems.NTSB ERA20LA198Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Humboldt, TNA partial loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.NTSB CEN20LA203Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMagni Magni M 16 · Cape Girardeau, MOThe student pilot’s decision to take off with inadequate runway remaining, and his subsequent failure to attain proper airspeed, which resulted in the gyroplane’s descent into terrain.