# NTSB investigations, DE: Approach

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA113.md): Vulcanair S P A Vulcanair V1.0 · Cheswold, DE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Feb 8, 2025 · N186DS · Substantial damage
  > On February 7, 2025, at 2233 eastern standard time, a Vulcanair S.p.A V1.0, N186DS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cheswold, Delaware. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as…
- [NTSB ERA17FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA190.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · New Castle, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2017 · N62UP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation and the cumulative effects of task saturation.
- [NTSB ERA14LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA242.md): Mooney M20K · Georgetown, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 18, 2014 · N200DP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s failure to see and avoid the wires on the airport boundary.
- [NTSB ERA13LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA111.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Dover, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2013 · N4975S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to land the airplane at multiple airports that were equipped with adequate instrument approach procedures while operating in low instrument meteorological conditions and his delay in declaring a fuel-related emergency, which resulted in a…
- [NTSB IAD05FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05FA110.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Georgetown, DE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2005 · N59RK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude while on final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a vehicle. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper use of the flaps, and the state of Delaware's insufficient…
- [NTSB NYC04LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA007.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Cheswold, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N5320L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with an unlit utility pole. Factors related to the accident were the unlit utility pole, and the dark…
- [NTSB NYC03FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA079.md): Raytheon V35A · Delaware City, DE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2003 · N7144N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB IAD02LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA035.md): Beechcraft C23 · Wilmington, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2002 · N2192W · Substantial damage
  > the flight instructor's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's failure to follow the published checklist procedures.
- [NTSB NYC00LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA167.md): Piper PA-38 · Cheswold, DE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2000 · N407DS · Substantial damage
  > The instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors included the instructor's failure to take positive control of the airplane, and the student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach.
- [NTSB NYC97LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA093.md): Cessna 150H · New Castle, DE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 1997 · N23471 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB BFO92FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA125.md): Piper PA-60-602P · Georgetown, DE · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 1992 · N3647T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, while circling to land, resulting in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane and his insufficient altitude for recovery from the stall.
- [NTSB NYC92FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA118.md): Beech BE-200 · New Castle, DE · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1992 · N32HG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper execution of an emergency procedure, after an engine failure, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and subsequent stall at an altitude too low for recovery. A factor related to the accident was the fatigue failure of a compressor turbine…
- [NTSB ATL87FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA100.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Georgetown, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 1987 · N2221E · Destroyed
  > The plt was cleared for approach with instructions to close flt plan upon landing. Aprx thirty min later approach control called the fss and asked if the plt had been in contact. The reply was negative. No further action was taken by approach control.…
- [NTSB BFO87DHD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DHD02.md): Hughes 369D · Newark, DE · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Nov 25, 1986 · N8670F · Substantial damage
  > The acft was being flown on a maintenance check flt. As the plt was returning to land, the eng lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an autorotative landing, the main rotor blades & tail boom were extensively damaged. The plt rprtd the fuel quantity gage…
- [NTSB BFO86LHD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LHD01.md): Cessna 414 · Georgetown, DE · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Dec 13, 1985 · N13FH · Destroyed
  > The acft impacted trees during a VOR apch and descended to ground impact. The plt flew the apch with the autopilot coupled. The alt hold and alert were set for the mda. When visual contact with the arpt enviroment was established, the plt disconnected the alt…
- [NTSB NYC82FHD15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FHD15.md): Gregg KR-2 · Middletown, DE · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jun 11, 1982 · N38DR · Substantial damage
  > The eng failed on the downwind leg after the plt applied carb heat. The plt attempted a power-off approach to the rwy but encountered turbulence from another acft passing below him on final causing him to lose control & enter a spin. After recovery the acft…
- [NTSB NYC82FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA012.md): Beech 35 · Wyoming, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 26, 1981 · N2732V · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC81FHD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FHD12.md): Piper PA-28 · Wilmington, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Feb 1, 1981 · N6423J · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC80DHD19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80DHD19.md): Piper PA-12 · Rehoboth, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 4, 1980 · N7576H · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD78FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA032.md): Beech C45H · New Castle, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jan 17, 1978 · N9801Z · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD76AI084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AI084.md): Piper PA-22 · Rehoboth Beach, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jul 19, 1976 · N4833Z · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD7KFHD49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD7KFHD49.md): Mooney M20 · Garrison Lake, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 1, 1975 · N5254B · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD74DHD26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DHD26.md): Cessna 150 · Cheswold, DE · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jan 22, 1974 · N18140 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC72DHD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DHD44.md): Cessna 150 · Laurel, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 24, 1972 · N50747 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC72DHD42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DHD42.md): Piper PA-28 · Laurel, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 4, 1972 · N3637R · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD70D0069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70D0069.md): Cessna 150 · Smyrna, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Sep 5, 1969 · N8238F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA70D0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA70D0012.md): Piper PA-28R · Laurel, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 18, 1969 · N9342N · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA69D0203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0203.md): Cessna 150 · Dover, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 18, 1969 · N8946S · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA69D0130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0130.md): Piper PA-28R · Wilmington, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jan 11, 1969 · N3879T · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA68D0009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0009.md): Cessna 172 · Middletown, DE · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 4, 1967 · N1413F · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
- [NTSB NYC65F0223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0223.md): Beechcraft D-18S · New Castle, DE · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Apr 2, 1965 · N9910 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC65F0100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC65F0100.md): Piper PA-11 · Rehoboth, DE · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 19, 1965 · N4932H · Substantial damage

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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 = 500)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500/cases?state=DE

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.