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NTSB investigations, DE

27 cases where the phase of flight was Initial climb.

Cases per year

19652026

Where

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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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'DE' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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 ERA25LA342Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Dover, DEThe pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.Sep 9, 2025 · N8483K · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA250Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 95B55 · Wilmington, DEThe pilots’ failure to place the left fuel selector into the proper position, which resulted in a total loss of the left engine’s power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was their failure to properly secure the left engine and their failure to maintain…Aug 18, 2019 · N678DM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19TA005Accident · No injuriesFinal reportEnstrom F28 · Bridgeville, DEThe pilot's mismanagement of collective pitch control during takeoff from an area with numerous obstacles, which resulted in the helicopter entering a low rotor rpm state and a forced hard landing.Oct 7, 2018 · N5691Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA097Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA22 · Georgetown, DEAn in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive thermal damage to the airplane.Jan 28, 2017 · N3659Z · DestroyedNTSB ERA14LA321Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B · Farmington, DEThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a takeoff in high-density altitude conditions and his decision to reduce power during the initial climb, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.Jun 18, 2014 · N891JC · Substantial damageNTSB NYC00LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Greenwood, DEthe failure of the pilot to use full power for takeoff, which resulted in not obtaining a positive rate of climb and the inadvertent collision with trees. A factor was the fog.Dec 15, 1999 · N450M · Substantial damageNTSB NYC99GA197Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 407 · Georgetown, DEThe pilot's improper preflight evaluation of the weather, which resulted in inadvertent flight into IMC. Factors were the fog, and night conditions.Aug 17, 1999 · N97SP · DestroyedNTSB IAD96LA064Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Dover, DEthe overhaul maintenance personnel's improper major overhaul procedure (improper torque on the engine block center through bolts), which resulted in an in flight loss of engine power. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for a forced…Apr 19, 1996 · N3506A · Substantial damageNTSB NYC92LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188A · Felton, DEThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff at a timely point which resulted in an inadequate climb rate an a collision with trees.Aug 18, 1992 · N6664G · DestroyedNTSB BFO92LA060Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172XP · Milton, DEThe pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed for climb.May 11, 1992 · N4695K · Substantial damageNTSB NYC91LA036Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Cheswold, DEA loss of control in flight, by a non-instrument rated pilot in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors related to the accident were: his decision to fly after he received weather briefings which inlcuded 'VFR flight not recommended'.Nov 23, 1990 · N7400J · DestroyedNTSB BFO88FA050Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Middletown, DEShortly after takeoff, at an alt of aprx 400 ft, a loud bang was heard and the helicopter developed a moderate to severe vibration. The CFI took control of the helicopter and initiated an autorotation. The helicopter contacted small tree branches and landed…May 27, 1988 · N9209 · Substantial damageNTSB BFO87DHD08Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBede BD5B · Wilmington, DEThe pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear obstacles located off the departure end of the runway. His overconfidence in the homebuilt aircraft's performance was a contributing factor.Aug 21, 1987 · N533BD · DestroyedNTSB BFO87LA038Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Selbyville, DEDuring takeoff the pilot stated that at about 150 to 200 feet he experienced a slow sinking of the aircraft. The engine was at full throttle, the flaps set at 10 degrees and the airspeed at 70 knots. The aircraft continued to sink and collided with trees.…May 16, 1987 · N5747G · DestroyedNTSB BFO85LA058Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Middletown, DEFollowing takeoff, at about 350 feet AGL, the engine quit abruptly. The plt attempted to land in a field which was located about 15 degrees east of the acft's heading. While attempting to avoid pwr lines near the field, the right wing collided with the wires.…Jul 13, 1985 · N8577P · Substantial damageNTSB BFO84FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper L-21-A · Selbyville, DEAt the conclusion of towing banners with no pax on board, the acft was landed and topped off with fuel. The plt then reentered the acft and an additional employee got in the rear seat with the intension of flying to a nearby airport for a plt exchange. During…Aug 8, 1984 · N10468 · DestroyedNTSB NYC83FA214Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 25B · Wilmington, DEAfter lift-off a flock of birds approached from left to right at about 400 ft. the plt maneuvered the acft behind & above the birds in an attempt to avoid them. Both engs flamed out & the acft mde a forced landing on a road. Ground witnesses described the…Aug 17, 1983 · N108PA · Substantial damageNTSB DCA83IA003Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBeech E90 · Wilmington, DEThe aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from the greater Wilmington airport, Wilmington, DE. The pilot stated that the left engine lost power at about 100 ft AGL, just as the landing gear was being retracted. He said the autofeather was armed, but the…Oct 28, 1982 · N213DS · Minor damageNTSB NYC80DHD20Accident · No injuriesClosedMillercraft A · Laurel, DEJul 4, 1980 · N5810N · Substantial damageNTSB IAD77FA047Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 310H · Selbyville, DEJun 21, 1977 · N1004Q · DestroyedNTSB IAD74FHD01Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBellanca 7GCBC · Selbyville, DEJul 5, 1973 · N62970 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73FHD31Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech A90 · Wilmington, DEApr 4, 1973 · N4646S · Substantial damageNTSB IAD73A1001Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-12 · Selbyville, DEMar 13, 1973 · N2454M · DestroyedNTSB NYC73FHD25Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-22 · Cheswold, DEFeb 10, 1973 · N4131C · DestroyedNTSB DIA67A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C-45H · Middletown, DEFeb 28, 1967 · N830K · DestroyedNTSB NYC66D0457Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 175 · Selbyville, DEJan 1, 1966 · N8246T · Substantial damageNTSB NYC65D0205Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper J3C · Middletown, DEApr 17, 1965 · N51532 · Substantial damage