NTSB investigations
20,992 cases where the phase of flight was Approach.
Cases, newest first
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 500)
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.
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."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 500)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB MIA99LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-10F · Memphis, TNThe inadequate design by the airplane manufacturer for using bolts to secure the inboard trailing edge flap that are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. Also, the stress corrosion cracking failure of the four H-11 bolts that secure the left inboard…NTSB FTW99FA211Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Wagoner, OKThe pilot's inadvertent stall while performing an abrupt maneuver at low altitude.NTSB DEN99FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Clovis, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during final approach to landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the high density altitude.NTSB CHI99FA278Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Grayslake, ILthe pilot not maintaining altitude and clearance. Factors were the light condition of night, the pilot's lack of recent experience in night operations, and the transmission wire.NTSB MIA99LA211Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M-20R · Stoneville, NCthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, and adequately compensate for torque and P-factor, resulting in the loss of directional control, collision with hangars, and substantial damage to the aircraft during the attempted go around/recovery from a landing.NTSB ANC99LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Petersburg, AKThe pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter prior to fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were an inoperative low fuel warning system, and the pilot's improper autorotation.NTSB CHI99FA252Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Fond Du Lac, WIthe pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and the subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the crops and the soft field conditions.NTSB LAX99LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hayward, CAthe pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat to prevent the formation of carburetor ice while operating in IFR conditions which resulted in the loss of engine power.NTSB SEA99LA129Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVanek Sport Copter · Scappoose, ORThe failure of the ultralight operator to see and avoid the landing gyroplane, and the gyroplane pilot's inability to see the departing ultralight vehicle.NTSB SEA99LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D17S · Arco, IDFuel starvation which resulted in a loss of power. The pilot's improper management of fuel was a factor.NTSB CHI99LA249Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Berrien Springs, MIFailure to obtain a proper climb rate and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. Contributing factors were the uphill terrain and trees.NTSB ATL99LA112Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 77 · Dawson, GAThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation that resulted from a blocked fuel line check valve.NTSB CHI99LA247Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Keokuk, IALoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW99LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Alvaredo, TXThe student pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during his short-field approach.NTSB LAX99LA255Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Huntington Bch, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board to complete the flight. The pilot's basic lack of knowledge of the airplane's fuel capacity was a factor.NTSB CHI99LA246Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Boscobel, WIthe pilot's improper approach to landing. Factors included the carburetor icing, the delayed use of carburetor heat, the unsuitable terrain for landing, and the ditch.NTSB SEA99LA123Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Oakridge, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. A downdraft during the approach is a factor.NTSB SEA99LA121Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Silverdale, WAThe pilot-in-command's misjudgment of distance/altitude (undershoot) on final, and his failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing.NTSB FTW99FA192Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BK-117-B2 · Fresno, TXthe loss of control during approach due to the corrosion of the T-T strap which resulted in fatigue cracking and subsequent separation of the strap and main rotor blade from the helicopter.NTSB IAD99LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Granville, NYThe pilot's not maintaining a proper glidepath during the visual approach to the runway.NTSB ANC99LA092Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Juneau, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, and an inadequately planned approach. A factor associated with the accident was a tailwind.NTSB DEN99LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Englewood, COThe flight instructor's failure maintain aircraft control. A factor was the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor.NTSB SEA99FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Eatonville, WAImproper fuel management which led to fuel starvation.NTSB MIA99LA193Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLet Blanik L-13 · Monroe, GAthe pilot-in command's improper handling and inflight decisions resulting in an undershoot of the intended landing runway. The pilot-in-command then failed to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall and the right wingtip impacting the ground.NTSB SEA99FA116Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Big Creek, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during approach. Factors included high density altitude conditions and high terrain, which obstructed view of the runway and limited maneuvering space in the traffic pattern.NTSB NYC99LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPilatus B-4 · Erwinna, PAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB CHI99LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R · Fargo, NDfuel starvation due to the pilot's fuel mismanagement and the pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare.NTSB FTW99LA180Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca BL17-30A · Brownfield, TXThe pilot's inadvertent stall while attempting to clear powerlines. Factors were the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector.NTSB SEA99IA106Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportJohn Hubbard Glasair II S · Florence, ORAircraft control was not maintained. Inadequate compensation for wind conditions and gusts were factors.NTSB CHI99LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Harbor Springs, MIthe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty winds, wind shear, and the trees.NTSB NYC99LA151Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLearjet 60 · Hyannis, MAThe flightcrew's inadequate coordination and their failure to utilize checklists. Also causal was the captain's improper decision to continue the approach to a runway with insufficient length. A factor in the accident was the improper maintenance.NTSB FTW99LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during a forced landing, which resulted in a runway undershoot. Factors were the total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the dusk light conditions.NTSB DEN99LA110Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Salt Lake City, UTA total loss of engine power (nonmechanical) for reasons undetermined. Factors were the existence of conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.NTSB LAX99LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Honolulu, HIThe airplane's encounter with turbulent air from the rotor wash of a large military helicopter, which resulted from the instructor's decision to continue the approach while the helicopter was on the runway.NTSB FTW99FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Petersburg, TXThe failure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance.NTSB MIA99LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Pinehurst, NCThe flight crew's improper fuel management resulting in engine loss of power due to fuel starvation and damage to the airplane due to collision with trees in the subsequent forced landing.NTSB LAX99LA229Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar Rally RX-7 · Prescott Valley, AZThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance with the wires.NTSB ANC99LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJasper THUNDERBIRD-2C · Chugiak, AKThe failure of the pilot in command to maintain the proper rate of descend and flare, following an engine failure for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC99LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Anchorage, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, and subsequent inadvertent stall.NTSB LAX99FA225Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 402A · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's inadequate fuel management that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent collision with vehicles during a forced landing on a city street.NTSB DEN99LA105Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell BH-206B · Telluride, COSettling with power and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Factors were an improperly planned approach by the pilot in command, high density altitude, and inadequate supervision by the safety pilot.NTSB CHI99LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B19 · Taylor, MOthe airplane pilot's and the helicopter pilot's failure to maintain visual clearance from each other while in the traffic pattern.NTSB CHI99LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Cirrus · Hartford, WIthe reason for the occurrence was undetermined. Factors were the pilot's deploying of the drogue chute, the drogue chute malfunctioning, a dirt embankment, and encountering unsuitable terrain during landing.NTSB CHI99FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Satanta, KSthe preflight planning/preparation and the missed approach not performed by the pilot. The obstruction clearance not maintained by the pilot was an additional cause. Contributing factors were the low ceiling and the fog.NTSB FTW99FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHeilig-Reading Emeraude CP 301A · Altus, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a wire, during an approach to a private airstrip.NTSB NYC99LA145Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHunter Myers 145 · Wapakoneta, OHLoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA99LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Bellingham, WACompensation for wind conditions was inadequate. Gusting wind conditions was a factor.NTSB LAX99GA216Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Tucson, AZFuel exhaustion resulting from pilot's failure to perform adequate fuel consumption calculations. The unreliable and inoperative fuel level indicating system components and the operator's operation of the aircraft with known deficiencies were factors in the…NTSB ANC99LA077Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180A · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision during a go-around. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to the runway.NTSB NYC99LA143Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFlaherty RV-6 · Jeannette, PAThe pilot-in-command misjudged altitude during a simulated forced landing.