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 ERA10LA484Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH-58A · Covington, TNA loss of engine power due to contamination of the helicopter's fuel supply.NTSB CEN10LA571Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCa Tecnam P2004 Bravo · Mason, MIA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing to a bean field.NTSB CEN10LA556Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Duluth, MNThe pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent due to spatial disorientation.NTSB OPS10IA574Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportAirbus Industrie A320-214 · Minneapolis, MNThe Local North Controller's issuance of a left-turn heading to the Airbus without establishing the position and heading of the Beech. Contributing to the incident was the Local South Controller's distraction with a ground movement operation and lack of…NTSB ANC10LA094Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Dillingham, AKBoth pilots’ failure to see and avoid each other during initial climb, resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot of N9699P’s inability to use his airplane's radio for air traffic advisories.NTSB ANC10LA087Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185A · Paxson, AKThe pilot's decision to make a climbing turn close to the ground in gusting wind at a low airspeed, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB ANC10CA090Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150L · Kenai, AKThe pilot's decision to takeoff from a remote lake after overloading the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of a seaplane rating.NTSB ERA10LA475Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fayetteville, WVA loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto system’s distributor gear as a result of the improper maintenance of the magnetos by maintenance personnel.NTSB WPR10FA449Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's inability to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10WA534Accident · Minor injuriesForeign investigationCessna 208 · Pointe a Pitre, GuadeloupeOn September 5, 2010, at 1919 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 208B, French registered F-OIXZ, operated by Tropic Airlines, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at…NTSB OPS10IA538Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Los Angeles, CAFailure of the air traffic controller to exercise positive control of the situation by issuing clear and timely control instructions to the helicopter pilot. Contributing to the incident was delay by the helicopter pilot in responding to instructions issued…NTSB ERA10FA464Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · DeLand, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, wire strike, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA10LA463Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MX-2 · Lake City, FLA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA10CA461Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportYeager Lancair · McMinnville, TNThe pilot’s failure to properly latch the cockpit canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his diverted attention and failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB ERA10CA467Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Churchville, MDThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valve was in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, resulting in the loss of engine power during takeoff.NTSB ERA10LA457Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 560E · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines during climb due to fuel contamination.NTSB ERA10LA453Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Rockland, METhe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA10LA449Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7HC · Louisville, KYA loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination resulting in damage to the carburetor float.NTSB WPR10LA420Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to utilize carburetor heat during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB ERA10LA438Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Douglas, GAA loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and inadequate maintenance of the fuel system.NTSB WPR10LA424Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5A · Lakeview, ORA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a stuck exhaust valve.NTSB ERA10LA437Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Williamstown, NJThe partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to weak spark plugs on the No. 1 cylinder.NTSB ERA10LA439Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Tunkhannock, PAA total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the pilots' inadequate in-flight fuel management.NTSB ERA10CA436Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 414 · Bedford, PAThe pilot's failure to establish a proper climb gradient during a departure in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.NTSB WPR10LA411Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Leavenworth, WAThe pilot's failure to adequately evaluate the airport and its environment in relation to the aircraft’s performance, which resulted in the airplane's failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during the initial climb.NTSB ERA10LA431Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaxair MU 582 Drifter · Old Forge, NYThe pilot's failure to use the full length of the lake, which necessitated a steep turn to avoid obstacles during takeoff that resulted in an accelerated stall.NTSB ERA10CA420Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150A · West Liberty, KYThe pilot's premature turn toward trees during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's high gross weight and density altitude that precluded a normal takeoff and climb.NTSB CEN10LA476Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Winnfield, LAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB ERA10FA414Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Orange, MAThe pilots did not maintain control of the airplane during a flight in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA10LA424Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportW.H. Hunnicutt Hobo · Fletcher, NCA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to select an adequate forced landing site.NTSB WPR10FA388Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond HK36 · Bend, ORAn condition, which could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, that prompted the pilot to discontinue the flight. Contributing to the accident…NTSB ERA10LA405Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlines Sportsman GS-2 · Morrisville, VTThe pilot's improper flare during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of fuel pressure for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10FA384Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Roche Harbor, WAThe pilot’s failure to attain an adequate climb airspeed due to his use of flaps for takeoff, and his selection of a runway, which resulted in an uphill, and possibly downwind, takeoff and subsequent collision with a known obstacle. Contributing to the…NTSB WPR10CA398Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportKirkpatrick Buzzard · Lincoln, CAA loss of control due to the mechanical disconnection of an aileron pushrod from its bellcrank as a result of the mechanic's failure to properly secure the pushrod attach hardware. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB ERA10LA395Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Blossvale, NYA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10LA381Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAdvertising Mgmt & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5 · San Diego, CAThe pilot did not close and secure the right passenger door, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the door and subsequent loss of engine power due to the door’s collision with the rear-mounted engine assembly.NTSB ERA10CA393Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule M-7-260 · Onset, MAThe pilot's loss of airplane control during the initial climb.NTSB ERA10LA389Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Newfane, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his diverted attention, which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's attempt to secure the jump door after it opened…NTSB WPR10LA376Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Rawlins, WYThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, failure to properly use the takeoff checklist, and failure to lean the fuel mixture, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to attain sufficient airspeed due to the rich fuel mixture.NTSB WPR10FA373Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMarshall CH601 HDS · Kapowsin, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and loss of control during the initial climb.NTSB WPR10LA374Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLancair 320 · Spokane, WALoss of airplane control due to the asymmetric flap condition.NTSB WPR10FA369Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 55 · Oceanside, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane following a loss of power in the right engine. The reason for the loss of power in the right engine could not be determined.NTSB CEN10LA440Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Enid, OKA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10CA441Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportWolseley Motors SE5-A · Seymour, INA loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to restart the engine.NTSB CEN10LA432Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A24R · Muskegon, MIA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA10LA377Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Waynesboro, VAThe pilot's failure to follow the short-field takeoff procedures published in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.NTSB ERA10LA374Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMulloy Charles Zodiac 601XL · Enochville, NCLoss of engine power due to fuel contamination, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight of the fuel system.NTSB ERA10LA373Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNadig Paul K Nadig · Franklin, PAA partial loss of engine power due to the owner’s inadequate fuel system maintenance, which resulted in a collision with trees and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB CEN10LA429Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWarth Dennis J Classic Sport S-18 · Tea, SDA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's loss of airplane control, which led to an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA10LA370Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · New Bern, NCInadequate quality control at the fuel servo overhaul facility, which resulted in contamination of the fuel servo and a subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.