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 BFO90FA073Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Richland, VAThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failure to maintain proper clearance from high terrain. Darkness and the adverse weather conditions were related factors.NTSB SEA90FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150-L · Newman Lake, WAThe pilot's poor judgement in attempting to land at an unlighted airstrip at night and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a go around.NTSB LAX90LA301Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Calexico, CAThe aircraft's encounter with unfavorable wind, a dust devil, that rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.NTSB CHI90LA242Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Blissfield, MIThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in a collision with a utility wire.NTSB NYC90FA199Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T2 · Mattapan, MAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the left fuel control unit, and the adverse weather conditions.NTSB FTW90FA164Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the obstruction. Factors related to the accident were: the lack of visual ques due to the light conditions at dusk, the ground observer's lack of assistance and lack of experience in the type of operation, and…NTSB ATL90LA161Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Palmetto, GAThe pilot's operation of the airplane with known mechanical deficiencies. A factor in the accident was the improperly maintained condition of the magnetos.NTSB LAX90DUJ09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStits SA6B · Tucson, AZThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control.NTSB LAX90IA293Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-322 · Los Angeles, CAImproper maintenance service by a company employee who allowed a foreign object (flashlight) to remain in the landing gear extend/retract linkage during a night servicing before the flight.NTSB LAX90LA296Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Temecula, CAThe pilot's inadequate preflight that resulted in his continuing flight with an inoperative alternator.NTSB FTW90LA157Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Kansas, OKStudent pilot's failure to execute a go-around in a timely manner.NTSB DEN90FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Santa Fe, NMFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB SEA90LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Ovando, MTThe pilot's misjudgement of altitude and distance to the runway, while on final approach, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing. The fence was a related factor.NTSB LAX90DXQ04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1B · Bieber, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control when intentionally slowing his aircraft to off load water on fire. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to arm and release the external load.NTSB CHI90LA231Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369E · Grand Forks, NDThe instructor pilot's (cfi's) delay in taking remedial action after he and/or the student failed to attain the proper touchdown point for a run-on landing. Factors related to the accident were: the proximity of the barracade and the student's delay in…NTSB BFO90FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Ridgeway, VAFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and inflight collision with the terrain.NTSB NYC90LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-23 · Burlington, CTThe CFI failed to maintain a safe sink rate resulting in an undershoot of the runway.NTSB CHI90LA227Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE 95 · Faribault, MNThe pilot's improper inflight decision and his improper execution of the chosen emergency procedure.NTSB FTW90LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Houston, TXFuel exhaustion due to refueling not performed.NTSB FTW90LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · El Paso, TXThe pilot's improper single engine emergency procedures.NTSB FTW90LA153Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Denton, TXThe instructor pilot's failure to take control of the aircraft in a timely manner, resulting in loss of control. A factor was the instructor's failure to assume control of the throttles, and aircraft engine out capability exceeded.NTSB LAX90LA276Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · San Anderas, CAThe accumulation of carburetor ice resulting from the failure of the student pilot to apply carburetor heat during the power off gliding descent.NTSB CHI90DEP08Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportChristen Industries Eagle II · Milwaukee, WIThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control, his misjudgment of proper glidepath and his not performing a timely go-around.NTSB SEA90LA155Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-65 · Chehalis, WAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty crosswind ws a related factor.NTSB CHI90DEV07Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPitts S2B · Springfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed and allowed the aircraft to stall during the break turn to downwind.NTSB LAX90LA275Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22B · Scottsdale, AZThe pilot's improper aircraft handling at a low altitude which resulted in a rate of descent that could not be arrested prior to colliding with the ground.NTSB CHI90FA208Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportLockheed 12A · Oshkosh, WIThe inadequate emergency procedure(s) by the pilot in command following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons(s).NTSB CHI90DER04Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBD 4- Francisco BD-4 · Rosemount, MNFailure of the manufacturer (amateur built) to design fuel system adequately to prevent vapor lock in fuel line.NTSB LAX90DXQ02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportLeffler/Mcfarlane LM-1 · Sierraville, CAPilot's failure to see and avoid a tree during his landing approach.NTSB SEA90LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlasflugel H 301 Libelle · Thompson Falls, MTA disabled aircraft blocking the active runway.NTSB NYC90IA178Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-7-102 · New York, NYThe flight crew's failure to folllow the landing gear emergency checklist. Factors which contributed to the incident were: a jammed nose landing gear due to the installation of a bogus part by unknown person(s) and a dirty gear viewing window.NTSB NYC90FA176Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · North Andover, MAThe controller issued an unauthorized alternate missed approach procedure that did not provide adequate terrain clearance, and the pilot delayed obtaining a proper rate of climb during the missed approach. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and…NTSB NYC90LA174Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Hilltown, PAThe pilot receiving training misjudged the airplane's distance from the runway and altitude above the trees. In addition, the CFI failed to provide adequate supervision.NTSB CHI90LA199Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFouga FOUGA-MAGISTER · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper airspeed in turn from base to final.NTSB DEN90DTE04Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportOlsen Pursuit · Fowler, COFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach to land, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor relate to the accident was: the pilot's physical impairment from carbon monoxide.NTSB CHI90LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAircoupe F-1 · Washington, MOFailure of the other aircraft's pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout prior to turning to final. A factor in the accident was the restricted visual lookout for this aircraft's pilot.NTSB NYC90LA168Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33A · Gt. Barrington, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from tree during the precautionary landing. Factor was a loss of thermal lift.NTSB LAX90LA262Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Long Beach, CAThe pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB CHI90LA184Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Graceton, MNVso airspeed not maintained and stall encountered by the pilot in command/cfi.NTSB CHI90LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lansing, ILThe instructor's inability to control the airplane during its landing roll.NTSB MIA90LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lakeland, FLThe improper use of the carburetor heat control resulting in the loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.NTSB SEA90LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft F-19 · Darrington, WAThe inflight encounter with turbulent downdraft winds that resulted in a vertical descent from which the pilot could not recover with full power applied.NTSB NYC90LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7BCM · Doylestown, PAA loss of engine power due to an inoperable carburetor heat control. Lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing was a factor.NTSB ATL90FA145Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot-in-command's inadequate fuel management, in that he did not select main fuel tanks prior to this approach. This resulted in fuel starvation to the engines, and the subsequent loss of all engine power.NTSB SEA90LA136Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51 · Seattle, WAAn encounter with vortex turbulence while on final approach to landing.NTSB ANC90FA117Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Farewell, AKAn internal engine failure due to a thermal fatigue failure of the 1st stage turbine wheel as a result of overtemperature. The high rough/uneven terrain prevented a successful autorotation.NTSB SEA90LA130Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLarsen Charles Bennett Phoenix Vendetta LS · Boulder City, NVPilot did not maintain an adequate airspeed while in the pattern for landing which resulted in the airplane entering spin.NTSB MIA90LA151Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Naples, FLImproper maintenance of the fuel system resulting in the loss of power due to internal contamination of the engine driven fuel pump.NTSB ATL90LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Memphis, TNFuel mismanagement by the pilot which resulted in fuel starvation during final approach.NTSB SEA90LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Roche Harbor, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering unstable atmospheric conditions during final approach to landing.