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 ERA13LA264Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Williamson, SCThe pilot’s decision to takeoff with a quartering tailwind at high density altitude, close to gross takeoff weight, on a short turf runway with trees at the departure end.NTSB CEN13WA311Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSaab 91C · Söderhamn, SwedenOn June 1, 2013, at 1215 universal coordinated time, a SAAB model 91C (Safir) airplane, Swedish registration SE-KVC, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from the Söderhamn Airport (ESNY), near Söderhamn, Sweden. A postimpact fire destroyed the…NTSB CEN13LA308Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Elyria, OHThe failure of the canopy latch spring, which caused the canopy to open during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an improper part in the canopy latch assembly, which led to the failure of the canopy latch spring.NTSB WPR13FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Mountainaire, AZThe pilot's inability to maintain a climb after departure in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision not to track the four-lane highway just beyond the…NTSB WPR13LA251Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Truckee, CAThe pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture during takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB ERA13LA252Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being loaded in excess of its maximum gross weight at an aft center of gravity for a takeoff with a quartering tailwind and high-density altitude conditions, all of which degraded the…NTSB ANC13LA048Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Juneau, AKThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the inability to recover the airplane.NTSB WPR13LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Pine Bluffs, WYThe loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13LA273Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPhillips Zenith 250 · Taos, NMThe pilot’s improper decision to take off in gusting wind conditions and the airplane’s loss of climb performance following an encounter with turbulence and downdrafts.NTSB ERA13LA229Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Erwinna, PAThe pilot’s loss of glider control due to improper rigging of the rudder control cables, the mechanic’s inadequate flight control checks following the glider’s most recent annual inspection, and the pilot’s failure to perform a thorough preflight inspection.NTSB CEN13FA267Incident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Mena, ARA partial loss of power on both engines during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the airframe and a test run of both engines revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA13CA228Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Brogue, PAThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a power line.NTSB CEN13LA254Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMason Robert Kolb Mark 3X · Lawrence, KSThe noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to depart with a tailwind.NTSB DCA13MA081Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 747-400 BCF · Bagram, AfghanistanNational Airlines' inadequate procedures for restraining special cargo loads, which resulted in the loadmaster's improper restraint of the cargo, which moved aft and damaged hydraulic systems Nos. 1 and 2 and horizontal stabilizer drive mechanism components,…NTSB WPR13LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Henderson, NVThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, including operating in excess of the maximum certified gross weight and center of gravity limits at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain a positive rate of climb after…NTSB ERA13LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Daytona Beach, FLA total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA13CA218Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172P · Davis, WVThe pilot’s improper glidepath as he approached the runway and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing.NTSB ERA13LA214Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · Knoxville, TNThe loss of engine power during takeoff for a reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations and testing revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13LA229Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Warren, ARThe fatigue failure of the engine crankshaft due to oversized crankcase saddle bores, which resulted from maintenance personnel improperly resizing the saddle bores during engine maintenance.NTSB WPR13LA191Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Mesquite, NVSeparation of the propeller from the engine during initial climb due to the incorrect torque applied to the propeller hub nut during maintenance.NTSB ERA13WA203Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-23-250 · Georgetown, GuyanaOn April 13, 2013, about 1854 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-23-250, N27FT, was destroyed when it impacted a residence shortly after departing from Ogle International Airport (SYGO), Georgetown, Guyana. The certificated airline transport pilot and one…NTSB ERA13LA199Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaxfly Inc/Mckay WM Searey · Polk City, FLThe improper installation of incorrect attachment hardware by maintenance personnel during an undocumented repair, which resulted in an in-flight structural failure and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the covering of the…NTSB ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN13LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Wonewoc, WIThe restricted vented fuel cap and obstructed fuel vent lines, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA13LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Titusville, FLAn engine failure due to the separation of the engine crankcase, which resulted from the lateral movement of the center main bearing and the subsequent blocking of the oil feed hole that supplied oil to the No. 2 connecting rod, which then led to its failure…NTSB WPR13LA171Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Byron, CAA loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA13FA168Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an emergency, the nature of which could not be determined because of crash and fire damage, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN13LA199Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Broomfield, COThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision to take off at a high density altitude and in gusting wind conditions.NTSB ANC13CA028Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 185B · Flat, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.NTSB CEN13FA182Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500B · Broomfield, COLoss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the fuel gauge to indicate the actual amount of fuel on board the airplane and the design of the airplane's fuel system, which precluded a visual confirmation of the…NTSB ERA13WA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus Design SR-22 · Tiros, BrazilOn February 27, 2013, about 1840 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cirrus Design Corporation, SR-22, Brazilian registration PR-SLS, was destroyed when it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from a farm field in the Tiros Municipality, in the State of…NTSB ERA13FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Lutz, FLThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of instrument…NTSB WPR13CA133Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Lebanon, ORThe pilot’s failure to compensate for a crosswind during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN13FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Oklahoma City, OKThe loss of engine power due to engine ice ingestion during initial climb after takeoff in dark night light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the lack of an installed engine air inlet cover while the helicopter was parked outside, exposed to…NTSB ANC13FA024Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Skwentna, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a departure turn, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA13FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337C · New Smyrna Beach, FLMaintenance personnel's failure to follow procedures and published directives in calibrating the continuous flow fuel system and failure to accurately diagnose debris in the throttle assembly, resulting in a loss of power in one engine. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA13LA127Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12B · Merritt Island, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from an overstress failure of a fitting on the fuel supply line and led to an autorotation and hard landing.NTSB CEN13LA147Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWebb Webb 2 · Gainsville, TXThe pilot’s failure to follow his test plan and abort the takeoff after inadvertently lifting off during a high speed taxi test. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the gyroplane.NTSB ERA13LA119Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportShoemaker James B KR-2 · Palmetto, FLThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB WPR13LA098Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Marysville, CAA total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the fuel selector handle. Contributing to the accident was an incorrectly modified fuel selector handle assembly.NTSB ERA13FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Burlington, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb after takeoff in night instrument flight rules conditions.NTSB CEN13FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Pellston, MIThe pilot's inadvertent controlled descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was lack of visual reference due to night conditions.NTSB ERA13FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBenton Fred D Seawind 3000 · Sarasota, FLThe pilot's inability to establish a normal climb rate after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Mc Allen, TXA loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB CEN13CA117Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportEmbraer EMB-145LR · Chicago, ILThe presence of deice fluid on the floor, which resulted in a slip hazard and an injury to the flight attendant.NTSB CEN13LA116Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSeguine Swift II · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's failure to attain a proper pitch attitude and airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA13LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Boca Raton, FLThe pilot's improper landing flare after a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA13LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRussom Roy G Hummel H5 · Calhoun, GAThe pilot’s impairment or incapacitation due to the effects of medication, worsening cardiac disease, or cardiac arrhythmia, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane.NTSB ERA13LA084Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMerritt Leslie R Kelly D · Brandon, MSA total loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA13FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Lake Worth, FLThe pilot's failure to follow established engine-out procedures and to maintain a proper airspeed after the total loss of engine power on one of the airplane’s two engines during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine…