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 NYC90LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 1-26E · Wallkill, NYThe pilot's failue to maintain flying speed which resulted in a stall. A factor was the pilot's diversion of attention.NTSB MIA90FA135Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna T303 · Deland, FLThe chafed and shorted electrical wiring between bus bars, which caused a partial electrical failure, resulted in a false fire warning indication, and prevented the restart of the right engine.NTSB CHI90LA136Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182F · Clare, MIImproper maintenance by maintenance personnel resulting in a sticking carburetor float. Inadequate planning by the pilot in command during the approach is a factor in the accident.NTSB NYC90FA110Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN2A-2F · Blue Bell, PAThe close proximity of the road to the threshold of the runway. Factors contributing to the accident were the obstruction to the driver's vision caused by trees and buildings.NTSB MKC90LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ashland, KSA power plant failure for undetermined causes.NTSB NYC90DFG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportContinental Copters MK15A · King Ferry, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines during this approach to landing.NTSB MKC90LA112Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Little Rock, ARThe failure of the powerplant due to a sheared timing gear. Contributing factors were unsuitable terrain and restricted vision due to fog.NTSB MIA90LA130Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Leland, MSFailure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the power lines.NTSB SEA90LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Bremerton, WAFailure of the tail rotor control for an undetermined reason.NTSB CHI90FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114 · Willoughby Hill, OHFailure of the pilot to follow the IFR procedure and to identify the decision height (and/or make a timely missed approach). The adverse weather was a related factor.NTSB MKC90LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Creve Coeur, MOFuel contamination and inadequate preflight.NTSB DEN90LA111Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErco 415G · Peyton, COPilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during a landing.NTSB CHI90FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · East Lansing, MIThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while flying in clouds during an instrument approach. Factors were: instrument meteorological conditions, self-induced pressure, operation with known deficiencies in equipment, and anxiety/apprehension.NTSB NYC90LA120Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNavion H · Readington, NJThe failure of the pilot to maintain minimum flying airspeed which led to an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind, and his failure to monitor his airspeed on final.NTSB DEN90DTG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAdams Boredom Fighter · Finley, NDA power loss due to fuel exahustion and the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. A factor was the ditch in which touchdown occurred.NTSB LAX90LA222Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Fresno, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning.NTSB LAX90LA182Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Goleta, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors which contributed to the accident were the dark night and the pilot's lack of night flying experience.NTSB LAX90FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · San Diego, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed use of flaps.NTSB ATL90LA113Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305A · Woodstock, GAAn inadequate preflight.NTSB MKC90LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Dubuque, IAWeather evaluation misjudged resulting in uncontrolled descent by the pilot in command and aircraft control not maintained by the pilot in command.NTSB NYC90FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Shirleysburg, PAPilot incapacitation due to a heart attack.NTSB NYC90DHJ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportToussaint/Quad City Challenger II · East Moriches, NYFailure of the unlicensed pilot to maintain airspeed on final approach, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of flight training, experience, and qualification.NTSB LAX90LA172Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mesa, AZThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain safe airspeed and inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misjudging fuel supply.NTSB DEN90LA107Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B-55 · Watkins, COExecuting of a simulated single engine approach in wind conditions that exceeded the demonstrated crosswind capability of the airplane with both engines operating.NTSB FTW90LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 II · Katy, TXThe cfi's inadequate supervision of the student and the airplane.NTSB DEN90LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 337 · Broomfield, COThe pilot's failure to properly execute a precautionary approach following an engine failure.NTSB CHI90FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · New Richmond, WIFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall/spin. A factor related related to the accident was: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the make and model of aircraft.NTSB DEN90DQA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMichael C. Quigley Velocity · Santa Teresa, NMFailure of the pilot in command to maintain airspeed on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into the ground.NTSB CHI90DCA01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportZengel RV-4 · Columbia, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath to touchdown on the runway.NTSB ATL90FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGovernment Aircraft Fact N24A · Wilmington, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude during a circling maneuver for landing. Factors related to the accident were: weather conditions below minimums for a circling approach, and failure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures.NTSB LAX90LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Sedona, AZThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel system.NTSB SEA90LA070Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Port Orchard, WAImproper maintenance, and the installation of an improper carburetor. A factor related to the accident was the presence of trees and stumps in the emergency landing area.NTSB ATL90FA105Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Jonesboro, GAPilot-in-command's inadequate preflight and inflight planning, and his delayed climb after execution of a go-around. Contributing factors were his misreading of airfield wind information, his improper utilization of the flaps during climbout, his failure to…NTSB MKC90LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Little Rock, ARPilot in command's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Related to the accident was: unsuitable terrain in the emergency landing area.NTSB FTW90LA102Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Tulsa, OKAn engine failure due to a disconnect in the magneto drive train caused by the crankshaft gear not being properly installed and secured during a recent engine overhaul.NTSB DEN90FA100Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31-325 · Cedar City, UTThe pilot failed to maintain a minimum safe altitude over mountainous terrain during a night VFR approach for landing.NTSB LAX90LA152Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Chandler, AZThe student pilot inadvertently stalling the aircraft and an inadequate altitude to perform a stall recovery. Factors in this accident were: lack of total experience and student's anxiety.NTSB BFO90LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Clinton, MDPilot factor in that he improperly used the engine controls.NTSB FTW90LA099Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Danbury, TXPilot in command's failure to see and avoid wires during the final stage of an approach to a confined area. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's disregard of the operator's instructions after he landed the first time.NTSB CHI90LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-140 · Bad Axe, MITotal failure of the powerplant during the final approach for undetermined reasons.NTSB MKC90LA092Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Eldora, IAImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions during the approach to land. Factors related to the accident were: the aircraft's low fuel level, darkness, the pilot's selection of the wrong airport/runway, the…NTSB DEN90LA097Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAvions Mudry CAP10B · Grand Forks, NDAn over temperature of the inlet fuel line resulting in fuel starvation (vapor lock) in the fuel injection system. A factor in the accident was the lack of a suitable landing area.NTSB CHI90LA115Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Milwaukee, WIThe utilization of improper procedures on the part of the pilot in command by attempting to execute a coupled approach outside the parameters of the autopilot.NTSB MKC90LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Salina, KSFuel exhaustion, fuel calculations misjudged and refueling not performed by the pilot in command.NTSB CHI90LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell AC-690 · Sheboygan, WIFailure of the pilot to complete the landing checklist and lower the landing gear. Contributing to this accident is habit pattern interference and distraction.NTSB LAX90FA145Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna T207 · Grand Canyon, AZImproper adjustment of the turbo-charger absolute pressure controller, and improper manipulation of the power plant controls by the pilot during the go-around. Factors related to the accident were: failure of company management to properly train the pilot in…NTSB ATL90LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Villa Rica, GAFuel starvation to the engine, initiated by the combination of a blocked fuel tank vent line and a malfunctioning fuel filler cap. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, in that he did not detect the fuel vent line blockage.NTSB MIA90LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Stuart, FLThe instructor pilot's failure to correct the loss of airspeed resulting from the student's incorrect control input while on approach to land.NTSB ATL90DKJ03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportJolly Bakeng Duce · Brownsboro, ALFailure of the pilot to maintain the reference speed on approach and establish a proper glidepath.NTSB SEA90FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · North Bend, ORThe pilot did not follow the published IFR procedure.