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NTSB investigations, SD

140 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\" = 'SD' 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 CEN26LA296Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPara-Ski VX · Westport, SDOn August 19, 2026, about 1920 central daylight time, a Para-Ski VX powered parachute, C-IFBY, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Westport, South Dakota. The pilot sustained serious injuries, passenger 1 sustained fatal…Aug 20, 2026 · C-IFBY · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA288Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Brookings, SDOn July 26, 2025, at 1840 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T airplane, N8423H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Brookings, South Dakota. The airline transport pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was…Jul 26, 2025 · N8423H · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-25 · Hot Springs, SDOn July 12, 2025, about 1322 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N8186K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, South Dakota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…Jul 12, 2025 · N8186K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA121Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Watertown, SDThe stuck No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing due to an undersized exhaust valve guide. Contributing to the accident were the improper manufacture of the engine cylinders, and the operation of…Feb 25, 2024 · N38696 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Pierre, SDThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper configuration of the automatic fuel transfer system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the header tank’s fuel quantity.Oct 23, 2023 · N92884 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA082Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA12 · Spearfish, SDA total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.Dec 8, 2020 · N2554M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20FA022Accident · 9 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC12 · Chamberlain, SDThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent, low-altitude aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in reduced static longitudinal stability and his…Nov 30, 2019 · N56KJ · DestroyedNTSB CEN15LA306Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creation Clipper 582 · Clark, SDThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the weight-shift control aircraft during initial climb due to his impairment from ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.Jul 14, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15FA264Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Kadoka, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.Jun 8, 2015 · N11698 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA392Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Caputa, SDThe student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff.Jul 26, 2014 · N5530K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA634Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Design Apache Sport · Vermillion, SDThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.Sep 14, 2012 · N850GB · DestroyedNTSB CEN12FA579Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLee Paul SQ 2000 · Pierre, SDThe airplane's entry into a pilot-induced oscillation and the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the left entrance door opening in flight for undetermined reasons.Aug 28, 2012 · N416 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA357Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Howard, SDA fractured fabricated aluminum oil line, which resulted in oil exhaustion followed by a forced landing.May 23, 2012 · N8421V · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA103Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Watertown, SDA total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.Dec 9, 2011 · N6717K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10LA573Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Tea, SDThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.Sep 24, 2010 · N5364H · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 24, 2010 · N216TB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10CA305Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 337 · Custer, SDA partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel mismanagement.Jun 5, 2010 · N2267X · Substantial damageNTSB CHI07CA155Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportChampion 7EC · Sioux Falls, SDThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and the excessive pull-up during the initial takeoff climb which resulted in the stall. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind condition.May 25, 2007 · N9904Y · Substantial damageNTSB CHI07CA148Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A188 · Scotland, SDThe pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors contributing to the accident were the sudden wind shift and the low altitude at which the stall occurred.May 19, 2007 · N926LT · Substantial damageNTSB CHI05CA271Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Elk Point, SDThe loss of directional control for undetermined reasons which led to the pilot not being able to maintain clearance from the embankment during the forced landing. The rising embankment was a factor.Sep 15, 2005 · N2995W · Substantial damageNTSB CHI05LA261Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Faulkton, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation during initial climb after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the fog and the dark night.Sep 9, 2005 · N8523W · DestroyedNTSB CHI04LA145Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBetchan KR II · Rapid City, SDFailure of the engine rocker arm installation resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the power lines.Jun 7, 2004 · N250KB · DestroyedNTSB CHI03LA227Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUllrich Auriga FT · Aberdeen, SDA loss of engine power due to the lack of design fuel pressure for undetermined reasons.Jul 27, 2003 · N512EA · DestroyedNTSB CHI03LA109Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Red Owl, SDThe pilot not maintaining aircraft control during initial climb-out, resulting in the encountered stall.Apr 21, 2003 · N93564 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI02LA159Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGalbraith Piel Emeraude · Hot Springs, SDThe loss of engine power due to the connecting rod fatigue failure during takeoff climb.Jun 11, 2002 · N71PE · Substantial damageNTSB CHI01LA262Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrice Avid Flyer · Belle Fourche, SDThe pilot failed to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the excessive adjustment that the pilot made to the propeller's pitch prior to the flight.Aug 6, 2001 · N312GR · Substantial damageNTSB CHI98LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Ipswich, SDthe pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in a stall/mush. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the soft terrain.Jun 25, 1998 · N31677 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI98LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Watertown, SDthe pilot's failure to perform an aircraft preflight and to remove the ice which had accumulated on the airframe. A factor involved in the accident was the icing weather conditions which existed and the ice which accumulated on the airplane.Dec 31, 1997 · N5087Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI97LA106Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-401 · Highmore, SDa premature lift-off of the airplane by the pilot in command.Apr 18, 1997 · N1008P · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA295Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Custer, SDloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The terrain condition beyond the end of the runway was a related factor.Aug 15, 1996 · N2055V · DestroyedNTSB CHI96LA197Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1C · Custer, SDthe pilot did not maintain aircraft control or abort the takeoff. The factors involved were the pilot encountered a stall/mush condition, exhaust valves were leaking, low compression on all cylinders, and all pistons were scored.Jun 8, 1996 · N39048 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-12 · Winner, SDthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff. A factor was the pilot's diversion of his attention to a perceived engine problem.Dec 29, 1995 · N39244 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA056Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-4 · Hot Springs, SDan unauthorized modification of the air induction system by the pilot.Dec 17, 1995 · N12010 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI95LA206Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 23A · Spearfish, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Factors associated with this accident were remedial action by the pilot was not possible due to the low altitude at which the stall took place.Jul 2, 1995 · N2397Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI95LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Castlewood, SDthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered/drifted runway, and a fence.Jan 21, 1995 · N8981S · Substantial damageNTSB CHI95LA014Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M-20J · Aberdeen, SDthe pilot's failure to assure adequate maintenance was performed on the airplane and the resulting intentional flight with known deficiencies. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's failure to follow the aircraft flight manual and the improper…Oct 16, 1994 · CGJRA · Substantial damageNTSB CHI94DTK02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAyres S2R · Letcher, SDthe loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine driven fuel pump and shaft.Jun 22, 1994 · N3102E · DestroyedNTSB CHI93LA298Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Buffalo, SDThe pilot-in-command's premature lift-off and subsequent stall/mush into rough/uneven terrain.Aug 7, 1993 · N4724K · Substantial damageNTSB CHI93DTK01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCrowser Avid MK 3.75 · Philip, SDThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and the pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane.Jul 5, 1993 · N42CJ · DestroyedNTSB CHI92DTK02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportWeatherly 201C · Timber Lake, SDThe pilot's improper use of the propeller control during takeoff and initial climb.Jun 1, 1992 · N1290W · DestroyedNTSB CHI93LA381Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Union Center, SDImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to abort the takeoff, while there was sufficient runway remaining. Factors related to the accident were: the soft runway condition & fence at the end of the runway.Jan 19, 1992 · N8529U · Substantial damageNTSB CHI91LA209Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Hill City, SDPoor preflight planning by the pilot and over confidence in the aircrafts ability. Factors related to the accident were a high density altitude and a proper climb rate not attained.Jul 4, 1991 · N1844G · Substantial damageNTSB DEN90FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Rapid City, SDFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor related to the accident was: fatigue failure of a coupling shaft in the #1 engine, which resulted in loss of power in that engine.Feb 9, 1990 · N64MD · Substantial damageNTSB DEN89LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Milbank, SDFailure by the pilot to assure adequate removal of frost from the aircraft which resulted in a stall/mush.Apr 14, 1989 · N8272W · Substantial damageNTSB DEN89LA082Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Custer, SDThe improper maintenance by the pilot in command/owner in that the magneto drive gear retaining nuts were not safetied which resulted in them backing off, disconnecting the magnetoes and one of the gears falling into the engine.Mar 7, 1989 · N150C · Substantial damageNTSB DEN88FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Dimock, SDThe plt was giving airplane rides to some neighbors from his private airstrip. He had just taken off with a new pax. A witness reported observing the acft skimming close to the ground after liftoff, and then the acft climbed quickly. The acft then banked…Aug 18, 1988 · N71572 · DestroyedNTSB DEN88LA153Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Spearfish, SDThe accident involved a tri-pacer with four persons and about 150 pounds of baggage on board who were from Canada and vacationing in the U.S. The pilot said the acft became airborne and climbed to about 100 ft above the rwy, but would not maintain altitude…Jul 11, 1988 · CGCCF · Substantial damageNTSB DEN88LA145Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58J · Sioux Falls, SDN62243 was being used to lift air conditioning units to the top of a shopping mall. The plt stated that he was on the 16th lift of the day and had just taken off when he heard two loud pops and the engine lost power. After jettisoning the load he executed an…Jul 5, 1988 · N62243 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA133Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Milbank, SDThe private plt and a pax were on a local flt. On climb out, at about 50 feet AGL, the engine had partial pwr loss. The plt landed straight ahead in a field and made a successful forced landing. On roll out, the nose wheel fell into a hole and the acft nosed…May 26, 1987 · N5448Z · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87LA053Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Eureka, SDAfter normal takeoff, the acft contacted the terrain then continued on until it came to rest aprx 350' from the initial impact point. The landing gear had been retracted at the time of initial impact and the plt had no indication of any malfunction/failure.Feb 11, 1987 · N3451X · Substantial damage