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Major NTSB investigations

226 cases where the phase of flight was Enroute.

Cases per year

19622026

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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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c.\"investigationClass\" = 'Class 1' OR c.\"caseType\" = 'Major - Launch')
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 400)
  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 WPR25MA128Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · MajorPreliminary reportMitsubishi MU-2B-40 · Copake, NYOn April 12, 2025, about 1203 eastern daylight time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40, N635TA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Copake, New York. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…Apr 12, 2025 · N635TA · DestroyedNTSB ERA25MA171Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorPreliminary reportBell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJOn April 10, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jersey City, New Jersey. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title…Apr 10, 2025 · N216MH · DestroyedNTSB CEN25MA115Accident · 3 fatalClass 2 · MajorPreliminary reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+ · Canton, MSOn March 10, 2025, about 1237 central daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter Deutschland) EC135 P2+ helicopter, N835CS, operated as AirCare 3, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Canton, Mississippi. The commercial pilot,…Mar 10, 2025 · N835CS · DestroyedNTSB ANC25MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportTextron 208B · Nome, AKThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s inadequate airspeed management due to workload and degraded situation awareness and his improper inputs leading up to and during the aerodynamic…Feb 6, 2025 · N321BA · DestroyedNTSB CEN24MA111Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…Feb 10, 2024 · N130CZ · DestroyedNTSB DCA24MA063Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-9 · Portland, ORthe in-flight separation of the left mid exit door (MED) plug due to Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ failure to provide adequate training, guidance, and oversight necessary to ensure that manufacturing personnel could consistently and correctly comply with its…Jan 6, 2024 · N704AL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23MA113Accident · 5 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Stagecoach, NVThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the disengagement of the autopilot for undetermined reasons, as…Feb 25, 2023 · N273SM · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22MA193Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Freeland, WAThe in-flight unthreading of the clamp nut from the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator barrel due to a missing lock ring, which resulted in the horizontal stabilizer moving to an extreme trailing-edge-down position rendering the airplane’s pitch…Sep 4, 2022 · N725TH · DestroyedNTSB DCA20MA059Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s likely self-induced pressure…Jan 26, 2020 · N72EX · DestroyedNTSB ANC20MA010Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus AS350B2 · Kekaha, HIThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. Contributing to the accident was Safari Aviation Inc.’s lack of safety management processes…Dec 27, 2019 · N985SA · DestroyedNTSB DCA19MA086Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 767 · Trinity Bay, TXThe inappropriate response by the first officer as the pilot flying to an inadvertent activation of the go-around mode, which led to his spatial disorientation and nose-down control inputs that placed the airplane in a steep descent from which the crew did…Feb 23, 2019 · N1217A · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA072Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Zaleski, OHThe NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was Survival Flight's inadequate management of safety, which normalized pilots' and operations control specialists' noncompliance with risk analysis procedures and resulted in the initiation of the…Jan 29, 2019 · N191SF · DestroyedNTSB DCA18MA142Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737 7H4 · Philadelphia, PAA low-cycle fatigue crack in the dovetail of fan blade No. 13, which resulted in the fan blade separating in flight and impacting the engine fan case at a location that was critical to the structural integrity and performance of the fan cowl structure. This…Apr 17, 2018 · N772SW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17MA316Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 · Hertford, NCA failure of the rear bearing in the No. 2 engine, which (1) created multiple and likely unexpected and confusing cockpit indications, resulting in the pilot's improper diagnosis and subsequent erroneous shutdown of the No. 1 engine, and (2) the resulting…Sep 8, 2017 · N146DU · DestroyedNTSB ANC17MA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 208B · Togiak, AKThe flight crew's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility and their failure to perform an immediate escape maneuver after entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into…Oct 2, 2016 · N208SD · DestroyedNTSB ERA15MA259Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportCessna 150M · Moncks Corner, SCThe approach controller's failure to provide an appropriate resolution to the conflict between the F-16 and the Cessna. Contributing to the accident were the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, resulting in both pilots' inability to take…Jul 7, 2015 · N3601V · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB ANC15MA041Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Ketchikan, AK(1) the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain; and (2) Promech's company culture, which tacitly endorsed flying in…Jun 25, 2015 · N270PA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14MA060Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227-AC · La Alianza, PRThe flight crew's excessive elevator input during a rapid descent under night lighting conditions, which resulted in the overstress and breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was an initial loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be…Dec 3, 2013 · N831BC · DestroyedNTSB DCA12MA020Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NVSundance Helicopters’ inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, including (1) the improper reuse of a degraded self-locking nut, (2) the improper or lack of installation of a split pin, and (3) inadequate postmaintenance inspections, which resulted in the…Dec 8, 2011 · N37SH · DestroyedNTSB WPR12MA046Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRockwell 690 · Apache Junction, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe ground track and altitude combination for the moonless night visual flight rules flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's complacency and lack of situational…Nov 24, 2011 · N690SM · DestroyedNTSB CEN11FA599Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B2 · Mosby, MOThe pilot's failure to confirm that the helicopter had adequate fuel on board to complete the mission before making the first departure, his improper decision to continue the mission and make a second departure after he became aware of a critically low fuel…Aug 26, 2011 · N352LN · Substantial damageNTSB DCA11MA039Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Yuma, AZthe improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel at the S-4L lap joint during the manufacturing process, which resulted in multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel. Contributing to the injuries was flight…Apr 1, 2011 · N632SW · Substantial damageNTSB ANC10MA068Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Aleknagik, AKThe pilot's temporary unresponsiveness for reasons that could not be established from the available information. Contributing to the investigation's inability to determine exactly what occurred in the final minutes of the flight was the lack of a cockpit…Aug 9, 2010 · N455A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10MA188Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TNThe pilot's decision to attempt the flight into approaching adverse weather, resulting in an encounter with a thunderstorm with localized instrument meteorological conditions, heavy rain, and severe turbulence that led to a loss of control.Mar 25, 2010 · N855HW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09MA447Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Hoboken, NJ(1) the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, which made it difficult for the airplane pilot to see the helicopter until the final seconds before the collision, and (2) the Teterboro Airport local controller’s nonpertinent telephone conversation,…Aug 8, 2009 · N71MC · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09MA157Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Quebradillas, PRThe pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break up while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.Feb 8, 2009 · N118ME · DestroyedNTSB CEN09MA117Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76C · Morgan City, LA(1) the sudden loss of power to both engines that resulted from impact with a bird (red-tailed hawk), which fractured the windshield and interfered with engine fuel controls, and (2) the subsequent disorientation of the flight crewmembers, which left them…Jan 4, 2009 · N748P · DestroyedNTSB CEN09MA019Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Aurora, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the 734-foot-tall lighted tower during the visual night flight due to inadequate preflight planning, insufficient altitude, and a flight route too low to clear the tower. Contributing to the accident was the air…Oct 16, 2008 · N992AA · DestroyedNTSB MIA08MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · West Gardiner, METhe pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control.Feb 1, 2008 · N102PT · DestroyedNTSB DCA07MA310Accident · No injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) · St. Louis, MOAmerican Airlines’ maintenance personnel’s use of an inappropriate manual engine start procedure, which led to the uncommanded opening of the left engine air turbine starter valve, and a subsequent left engine fire, which was prolonged by the flight crew’s…Sep 28, 2007 · N454AA · Substantial damageNTSB NYC07MA162Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 310R · Sanford, FLActions and decisions by National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's corporate aviation division's management and maintenance personnel to allow the accident airplane to be released for flight with a known and unresolved discrepancy, and the accident…Jul 10, 2007 · N501N · DestroyedNTSB CHI07MA160Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 550 · Milwaukee, WIThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilots’ mismanagement of an abnormal flight control situation through improper actions, including failing to control airspeed and to prioritize control of the…Jun 4, 2007 · N550BP · DestroyedNTSB CHI07MA083Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369FF · Haena, HIThe fatigue failure of the tail rotor blade root fitting due to a manufacturing defect which resulted in the separation of the tail rotor system and loss of tail rotor control. A contributing factor to the accident were the trees that the helicopter struck…Mar 11, 2007 · N911VC · Substantial damageNTSB DEN06MA119Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Argyle, FLthe pilot's inadvertent flight into thunderstorm activity that resulted in the loss of control, design limits of the airplane being exceeded and subsequent in-flight breakup. A contributing factor was the failure of air traffic control to use available radar…Sep 1, 2006 · N6569L · DestroyedNTSB NYC06MA208Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-40 · Bunnell, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms.Aug 25, 2006 · N171MA · DestroyedNTSB CHI06MA121Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportGeneral Atomics Predator B · Nogales, AZThe pilot's failure to use checklist procedures when switching operational control from PPO-1 to PPO-2, which resulted in the fuel valve inadvertently being shut off and the subsequent total loss of engine power, and lack of a flight instructor in the GCS, as…Apr 25, 2006 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB CHI06MA115Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 210A · Ludville, GAThe pilot's failure to obtain updated en route weather information, which resulted in his continued instrument flight into a widespread area of severe convective activity, and the air traffic controller's failure to provide adverse weather avoidance…Apr 19, 2006 · N6579X · DestroyedNTSB DCA06MA022Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8 · Philadelphia, PAan in-flight cargo fire that initiated from an unknown source, which was most likely located within cargo container 12, 13, or 14. Contributing to the loss of the aircraft were the inadequate certification test requirements for smoke and fire detection…Feb 8, 2006 · N748UP · DestroyedNTSB DCA06MA010Accident · 20 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGrumman G-73T · Miami, FLThe in-flight failure and separation of the right wing during normal flight, which resulted from (1) the failure of the Chalk's Ocean Airways maintenance program to identify and properly repair fatigue cracks in the right wing and (2) the failure of the…Dec 19, 2005 · N2969 · DestroyedNTSB DFW05MA230Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Gulf of Mexico, TXThe pilots' delayed response to the No. 1 engine fire warning and the loss of power to both engines, which occurred for undetermined reasons. The pilots' delayed response was most likely due to stress and fatigue. Contributing to the delay of the initiation…Sep 6, 2005 · N90421 · DestroyedNTSB DCA05MA083Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 767-232 · Raleigh-Durham, NCAn inadvertent in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence.Jul 11, 2005 · N113DA · No damageNTSB NYC05MA083Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 717-200 · Union Star, MOA loss of reliable airspeed indication due to an accumulation of ice on the air data/pitot sensors. Contributing to the incident was the flight crew's improper response to the erroneous airspeed indications, their lack of coordination during the initial…May 13, 2005 · N910ME · No damageNTSB CHI05MA111Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · Minneapolis, MNthe Captain of the other aircraft's decision to shutdown the left engine during taxi with no hydraulic pressure on the right side hydraulic system to effectively operate the brakes, steering, or thrust reversers. A factor was the fatigue fracture of the…May 11, 2005 · N763NC · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB NYC05MA039Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2 · Oxon Hill, MDThe pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions, limited outside visual references, and the lack of an operable radar altimeter…Jan 11, 2005 · N136LN · DestroyedNTSB IAD05FA023Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportCASA 212-200-CC · Bamiyan, Afghanistanthe captain's inappropriate decision to fly a nonstandard route and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in the inflight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the operator's failure to require its flight crews to file…Nov 27, 2004 · N960BW · DestroyedNTSB CHI05MA011Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-132 · Lake MichiganThe number one engine separated from the airplane during climb due to the uncontained separation of a portion of the second stage turbine disk rim after the second stage turbine vanes contacted the disk. The second stage turbine vanes contacted the second…Oct 21, 2004 · N709CK · Substantial damageNTSB DCA05MA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL-600 · Jefferson City, MO(1) the pilots’ unprofessional behavior, deviation from standard operating procedures, and poor airmanship, which resulted in an in-flight emergency from which they were unable to recover, in part because of the pilots’ inadequate training; (2) the pilots’…Oct 14, 2004 · N8396A · DestroyedNTSB SEA04MA167Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Battle Mountain, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper decision to take the direct route over mountainous terrain, the dark night conditions, and the pressure to complete the mission induced by the…Aug 22, 2004 · N2YN · DestroyedNTSB DCA04MA061Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 777 · Miami, FLthe in-flight encounter with unforecasted clear air turbulence.Jul 25, 2004 · N797AN · No damageNTSB DCA04MA030Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76A++ · Gulf of Mexicothe flight crew's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent for undetermined reasons, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Mar 23, 2004 · N579EH · Destroyed