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NTSB investigations, NC

384 cases where the phase of flight was Initial climb.

Cases per year

19642026

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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\" = 'NC' 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 ERA26LA219Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRainbow Cheetah XLS · Knightdale, NCOn May 27, 2026, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a special light sport Rainbow Cheetah XLS airplane, N146RC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Knightdale, North Carolina. The flight instructor and student pilot were…May 27, 2026 · N146RC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA211Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPatsch Thorp T-18 · Hendersonville, NCOn May 15, 2026, about 1853 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Thorp T-18, N2KP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hendersonville, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was…May 15, 2026 · N2KP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA144Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-140 · Indian Trail, NCOn March 8, 2026, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N98360, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a…Mar 8, 2026 · N98360 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA008Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 7ECA · East Rockingham, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Oct 7, 2025 · N63BC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA198Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Sanford, NCThe mechanic’s re-use of worm drive clamps, which resulted in a separation of the turbocharger air discharge duct and a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.May 7, 2025 · N499BW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA188Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172RG · Louisburg, NCMaintenance personnel’s failure to identify and remediate water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.Apr 23, 2025 · N6386V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA164Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Hickory, NCThe student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with terrain.Apr 1, 2025 · N79514 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25FA143Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Greenville, NCThe pilot’s loss of airplane control shortly after climbing into instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation (somatogyral illusion).Mar 14, 2025 · N566C · DestroyedNTSB ERA25LA062Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander S Rolinski BOT Journey · Ocean Isle Beach, NCMaintenance personnel’s failure to identify and remediate a buildup of oxides in one of the engine’s carburetors, which resulted in the seizure of the carburetor’s piston slide and a subsequent total loss of engine power during initial climb.Nov 27, 2024 · N814B · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA230Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Hope Mills, NCA loss of engine performance due to carbon fouling of three spark plugs that, when combined with the airplane’s high gross weight condition, resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.May 26, 2024 · N33563 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA191Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TBM 850 · Raleigh, NCThe pilot’s decision to continue an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain proper airspeed and climb attitude after aborting the landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and…Apr 24, 2024 · N228CH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA169Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSnyder Robert L Challenger II · Hendersonville, NCA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Apr 7, 2024 · N381RS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA010Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCzech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · Southport, NCThe student pilot’s use of carburetor heat during takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to an excessively rich fuel-air mixture.Oct 15, 2023 · N72FU · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA273Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20R · Southport, NCThe pilot’s improper decision to fly a known unairworthy airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.Jun 25, 2023 · N13LV · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · Macon, NCThe pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.May 21, 2023 · N182LG · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA194Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHolland Travis E Velocity · Andrews, NCThe pilot’s failure to engage the turbocharger for takeoff and his improper decision to continue the takeoff with partial power, rather than reject the takeoff.Apr 15, 2023 · N2357 · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMiller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NCThe airplane owner/builder’s inappropriate use of a lower grade fuel than that required by the airplane and engine operations manual, which resulted in engine detonation and the degradation and eventual obliteration of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinder spark plug…Apr 11, 2023 · N543GM · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA076Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPhantom Aeronautics X1 · Trinity, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines and trees.Nov 27, 2022 · N5205A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA432Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Winterville, NCThe student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the instructor’s delayed remedial action which resulted in an inability to recover the airplane from an aerodynamic stall.Sep 28, 2022 · N2509N · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA366Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32RT · Wilmington, NCA partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.Jun 29, 2022 · N4321M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA169Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Smithfield, NCMaintenance personnel’s failure to set the correct engine timing after the replacement of a cylinder head and exhaust camshaft before the accident flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Mar 25, 2022 · N471BL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20J · Holly Ridge, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall/mush during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loading the airplane near its maximum allowable gross weight and near its aft cg…Oct 21, 2021 · N3933H · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech S35 · Andrews, NCThe pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.Oct 3, 2021 · N876T · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA068Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Indian Trail, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder.Sep 27, 2021 · N1401U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21FA333Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA24 · Wadesboro, NCA partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing was the pilot’s loss of airplane control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain.Aug 20, 2021 · N8262P · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA287Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Manteo, NCThe improperly secured pneumatic compressor discharge air (P3) line coupling nut on the engine, which ultimately allowed the nut to back off resulting in a partial loss of engine power.Jul 6, 2021 · N31062 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21FA210Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMark Coby Early Bird Jenny · Stoneville, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.May 27, 2021 · N831HC · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA188Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A188 · Dover, NCA total loss of engine power due to a shift of a crankshaft main bearing, which resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent overheating and failure of the engine crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the hard touchdown during the forced landing.Apr 15, 2021 · N731TB · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 24, 2020 · N561NN · Minor damageNTSB 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..Jun 2, 2020 · N2768W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA127Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA23 · Albemarle, NCThe pilots' failure to ensure that the electric fuel pumps were on before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of power on both engines during initial climb.Mar 5, 2020 · N335W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA105Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Fayetteville, NCThe passenger’s excessive control application during the takeoff and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Feb 17, 2020 · N5185R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Fletcher, NCA failure of two of the oil pump drive gear’s teeth, which resulted in a loss of engine oil lubrication, and a total loss of engine power.Dec 28, 2019 · N27GB · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA439Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Manteo, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jun 30, 2019 · N78658 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRans S6 · Fletcher, NCThe exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. Contributing was the lack of experience both pilots possessed in the accident airplane.Jun 26, 2019 · N661PF · DestroyedNTSB ERA19LA135Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Blanch, NCA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Mar 24, 2019 · N1933P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Louisburg, NCThe pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control following takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions.Mar 2, 2019 · N26617 · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Lincolnton, NCThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Manteo, NCA loss of control due to the banner tow rope becoming entangled with the left horizontal stabilizer in crosswind conditions.Jun 27, 2018 · N60111 · DestroyedNTSB ERA18LA172Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Monroe, NCA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Jun 19, 2018 · N201FD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA087Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander Callair A 9 · Bunn, NCThe glider instructor's delayed remedial action when the glider became out of position during aerotow, which resulted in excessive side-loading of the release hook and a delay in the glider's release from tow, which resulted in the towplane’s descent and…Feb 24, 2018 · N8401V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA027Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHomer Autogyro Cavalon · Oak Island, NCA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Nov 17, 2017 · N470CH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA010Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A24 · Manteo, NCThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure wiring during an electrical component installation, which resulted in arcing and smoke in the cockpit. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor's failure to attain a proper descent rate…Oct 18, 2017 · N400LE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA215Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · Ocean Isle Beach, NCThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector between the left and right fuel tank positions, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing into trees.Jun 28, 2017 · N4023T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA102Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportShell John Super SIX · Morganton, NCA loss of engine power and impact with trees and terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Feb 6, 2017 · N426KS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA032Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH 58C · Cameron, NCAn in-flight failure of a main rotor blade due to fatigue cracks. Contributing to the failure of the main rotor blade was the absence of guidance to the operator to inspect an area of the main rotor blade known to be susceptible to fatigue cracks and the…Nov 1, 2016 · N139RD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Boone, NCThe pilot's delayed decision to conduct a go-around following an unstabilized landing approach and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees near the end of the runway.Apr 25, 2016 · N43576 · DestroyedNTSB ERA16LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWoodrow Larry W Sonex · Morganton, NCThe pilot/owner’s inadequate maintenance inspection following a propeller strike, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight propeller separation due to propagation of fatigue cracks in the crankshaft.Nov 15, 2015 · N7035Z · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA358Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Manteo, NCThe inadvertent lodging of the banner-tow cable between the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer after the pilot threw the grapple hook out the window, which resulted in the loss of pitch control and the airplane’s subsequent impact with water.Sep 14, 2015 · N86705 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15CA321Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II Sport · Pittsboro, NCThe pilot's failure to open the fuel shutoff valve during the preflight examination of the airplane which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff due to fuel starvation.Aug 15, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damage