OpenAirDocs.org

NTSB investigations, 2021

166 cases where the phase of flight was Initial climb.

Cases per year

19622026

Where

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Latest cases

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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2021
    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 CEN22LA091Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Presidio, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his decision to operate the airplane beyond the allowable center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.Dec 30, 2021 · N8591W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA095Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20J · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s likely distraction due to the opening of the baggage door.Dec 26, 2021 · N3707H · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA089Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair IV · Iron Mountain, MIThe total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.Dec 25, 2021 · N994PT · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22WA051Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · West Sumatera, IndonesiaDec 13, 2021 · PK-LQR · No damageNTSB CEN22LA072Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Legend AL18 · Abbeville, LAAn electrical fire for reasons that could not be determined.Dec 12, 2021 · N1477D · DestroyedNTSB GAA22WA044Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Midrand, South AfricaDec 11, 2021 · ZS-HXZ · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA045Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Trinidad, BoliviaDec 10, 2021 · CP-3060 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA060Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Hillsboro, ORThe on-ground collision with a tree during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing was the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Dec 9, 2021 · N152BT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Houston, TXThe student pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.Dec 9, 2021 · N3865K · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Statesboro, GAThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.Dec 8, 2021 · N5776B · DestroyedNTSB CEN22LA065Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Delta, COFuel starvation resulting in a loss of engine power.Dec 8, 2021 · N543AS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA054Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Visalia, CAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 5, 2021 · N7933M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA055Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRay Earl D Flightstar Iisc · Haskell, OKA sudden loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons based on the information available.Nov 28, 2021 · N2772R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA070Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Old Bridge, NJThe student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Nov 21, 2021 · N8074E · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA067Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Glens Falls, NYA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.Nov 19, 2021 · N2305T · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA033Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 152 · Vilar da Luz, PortugalNov 18, 2021 · CS-EDT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA040Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 23 · Abilene, TXThe flight instructor’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the missing placard showing the usable fuel quantity.Nov 15, 2021 · N8701M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA037Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Stanley, IDThe pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed for the airplane to climb with a tailwind.Nov 14, 2021 · N8509B · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna P210N · Dornbirn, AustriaNov 11, 2021 · N731MT · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA052Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMaule M-4-220C · Ridgeway, VAThe pilot’s improper fuel management which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.Nov 7, 2021 · N51127 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA026Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAyres S-2R · Shafter, CAThe pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.Nov 3, 2021 · N8960Q · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA023Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignZenith 601 · Ciocanesti, RomaniaOct 31, 2021 · YR-7007 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA044Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Stevensville, MDAn in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb.Oct 31, 2021 · N3HQ · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA018Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignAeronca 65C · Birchwood, United KingdomOct 21, 2021 · G-BTRG · 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 ERA22LA018Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZ-Hi-Max 1400 · Benton, PAThe pilot’s loss of control and encounter with an aerodynamic stall during a planned low-altitude turn toward the airport after takeoff.Oct 16, 2021 · N668CL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA014Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.Oct 13, 2021 · N9126P · DestroyedNTSB GAA22WA008Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Yapu, ColombiaOct 10, 2021 · HK-5032 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA22WA016Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRotoway International Executive 162F · Cape Town, South AfricaOct 9, 2021 · ZU-RDX · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA009Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot’s failure to ensure that his seat was properly secured before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an installed secondary seat stop, and the airplane’s aft…Oct 8, 2021 · N128EE · DestroyedNTSB GAA22WA006AccidentClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Panama City, PanamaOct 5, 2021 · HP-1784 BL · 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 CEN22LA003Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing PT-17 · Winnie, TXThe pilot’s decision to takeoff from a road with obstacles in his flight path and his failure to maintain control of the airplane when encountering changing winds from approaching thunderstorms which resulted in the airplane impacting signal light cables.Oct 2, 2021 · N4106Y · Substantial damageNTSB 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 ERA21FA377Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Lansing, WVThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid trees and terrain after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane outside of…Sep 26, 2021 · N3342L · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA447Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMorgan Sport Copter Vortex · Kingsland, TXThe pilot’s diverted attention which resulted in an inadvertent descent and subsequent collision with a lake.Sep 19, 2021 · N924WG · Substantial damageNTSB GAA21WA257AccidentClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Llico, ChileSep 18, 2021 · CC-PDC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA21WA229Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBeech B200GT · Piracicaba, BrazilSep 14, 2021 · PS-CSM · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA361Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech C24R · Augustine, FLImproperly installed fuel injection system components, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff.Sep 13, 2021 · N5246M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA415Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170B · Ozark, ARThe pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Sep 12, 2021 · N2998D · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA358Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Baker, NVA total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod bearing.Sep 11, 2021 · N8983M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA396Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMonnett Moni · Tulsa, OKAn aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Sep 6, 2021 · N983JV · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA402Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMurphy Renegade II · Sheridan, ILA total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a piston seizure.Sep 5, 2021 · N490DJ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA400Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Fort Wayne, INThe total loss of engine power after takeoff due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground and the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immediately before takeoff.Sep 4, 2021 · N2071K · Substantial damageNTSB GAA21WA228Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · ForeignBritten Norman BN2A · Kuserua, EcuadorAug 28, 2021 · HC-CMQNTSB CEN21LA390Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMantooth Thorp T-18 · San Antonio, TXThe loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.Aug 28, 2021 · N78DW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Del Mar, CAThe partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a forced landing on an interstate highway and subsequent collision with vehicles.Aug 24, 2021 · N2843T · Substantial damageNTSB GAA21WA265AccidentClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-19 · Lille Marcq en Baro, FranceAug 23, 2021 · F-HLOG · DestroyedNTSB GAA21WA221Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignPilatus PC6 · Maturin, VenezuelaAug 21, 2021 · YV-1912 · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA377Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Fort Worth, TXThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s…Aug 21, 2021 · N1472E · Substantial damage