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 MKC89FA196Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Bentonville, ARA loose oil line that became disconnected, when maintenance/inspection of the aircraft had not been completed, which resulted in loss of engine oil and subsequent failure of the connecting rod from lack of lubrication. A factor related to the accident was:…NTSB MIA89LA244Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Titusville, FLFailure of the private pilot (dual student) to assure the fuel selector was positioned to the proper tank, which resulted in fuel starvation; and inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot (CFI). The trees were a related factor.NTSB DCA89IA071Incident · No injuriesClass 1 · IncidentFinal reportBoeing 737-200A · Kansas City, MOThe flightcrew's failure to adequately prepare for and execute a nonprecision approach and their subsequent premature descent below minimum descent altitude. Contributing to the cause of the incident was the inadequate and deficient services provided to the…NTSB SEA89LA166Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics LAKE-LA-4-200 · Klawock, AKThe pilot misjudged the aircraft height above water while attempting to land on a lake. A contributing factor was the smooth, glassy water surface conditions on the lake.NTSB DEN89LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Monument Valley, UTThe pilot's failure to adequately compensate for windshear.NTSB FTW89LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210P · Bethany, OKA loose fuel line connection, due to inadequate maintenance, which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the obstructions (hay bale & approach light pole) in the emergency landing area.NTSB SEA89LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Moore, IDFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. Contributing to the accident was a fence.NTSB NYC89LA208Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Wolfeboro, NHInadequate compensation for wind conditions by the owner/pilot-in-command (PIC), his failue to maintain proper altitude on the approach, and failure of the other pilot (owner's instructor pilot) to take remedial action. Factors related to the accident were:…NTSB LAX89FA294Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35TC · Fort Jones, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude.NTSB CHI89LA178Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Brooklyn, MIFailure of the pilot to see-and-avoid power lines in his flight path during a go-around. The power lines and his lack of familiarity with the airport were contributing factors.NTSB BFO89FA075Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Lynchburg, VAPilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions because of improper IFR operation. Contributing to the accident was descent below decision height, delay in initiating the missed approach, and fog conditions.NTSB MIA89LA236Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188A · Milton, FLFlight in known adverse weather by the pilot. Turbulence from the nearby thunderstorm was a related factor.NTSB FTW89LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Hearne, TXThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane and his lack of experience/training. A factor was the pilot's poor physical condition.NTSB LAX89LA288Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan ST3KR · Hawthorne, CAOil starvation of the engine due to the pilot's failure to turn the oil tank supply valve on prior to flight.NTSB ATL89LA202Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot's misjudgement of the airplane fuel supply during preflight inspection, and his subsequent failure to monitor in-flight fuel consumption, which led to an engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's…NTSB DEN89LA199Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · Englewood, COA failure in the hyrdraulic power unit, which prevented operation of either the normal or emergency gear extension systems. The raised runway lip contributed to aircraft damage and pilot injury.NTSB CHI89LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Auburn, INFailure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve. Contributing factors were: the pilot's misjudgement of distance, speed, and altitude on final approach and high vegetation (tall grass & brush) beside…NTSB MKC89LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Clear Lake, MNThe pilot's improper decision in attempting to land with inadequate visual cues which precluded identification of a correct runway alignment. A suitable alternative airport was readily available.NTSB MIA89LA229Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Ponce, PRFailure of the aft tail rotor drive shaft.NTSB LAX89FA275Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Livermore, CAThe pilot's decision to conduct low level night flight under low ceilings. Contributing factors were: the dark night, low ceiling, and high obstructions.NTSB LAX89LA284Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Santa Paula, CAFailure of the instructor pilot to adequately supervise the conduct of the flight and to take timely and effective corrective action to the student's improper control inputs.NTSB SEA89FA154Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Gold Beach, ORThe pilot's failure to initiate a go-around after emerging from a fog bank on a short final which resulted in inadequate airspeed and a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor judgement in attempting the VFR approach in IMC conditions.NTSB NYC89LA196Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan ST-3KR · Factoryville, PAInadequate preflight by the pilot and his misjudgement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The ditch was a related factor.NTSB NYC89LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-32 · Plymouth, CTImproper compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. A factor related to the accidetn was: the downdraft.NTSB MIA89LA223Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fort Pierce, FLImproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. The terrain (rough/uneven) in the emergency landing area was a related factor.NTSB LAX89DUQ04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAir Tractor AT-300 · New Cuyama, CAThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply which led to an engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision with the ground by allowing the aircraft to stall.NTSB NYC89FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Edison Twshp, NJFailure of the pilot to follow the IFR procedure and maintain the minimum descent altitude (mda) for that segment of the approach. Factors related to the accident were: minimum safe altitude warning (msaw) radar not enabled, and failure of the approach…NTSB LAX89FA277Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Lake Tahoe, CADisablement of the stabilator flight control system. A contributing factor was: inadequate maintenance.NTSB LAX89DVM05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSkelton Emeraude · Watsonville, CAAn inadequate fuel line, due to improper installation by the owner/builder, fuel line failure, fuel line leak, and a subsequent fire.NTSB NYC89LA194Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMBB ME 209 · Chatham, MAThe pilot stalled the aircraft while landing. Contributing factors to the accident were haze and the pilot applied power too late to arrest the airplane's sink rate.NTSB MKC89LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Topeka, KSThe pilot's poorly planned approach and failure to maintain a proper glidepath. A contributing factor was the failure of the engine to supply power.NTSB ATL89FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Chapel Hill, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering for a landing. Contributing factors were: the pilot's failure to follow the emergency procedures for an autopilot malfunction, and pilot fatigue.NTSB ATL89DMG06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDammann N3-2 · Hendersonville, NCEngine failure due to carburetor ice.NTSB NYC89LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Mount Joy, PAThe pilot's delay in initiating a go-around, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point and the crop.NTSB NYC89IA185Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-254 · Boston, MAThe failure of the landing gear drag brace to unlock during landing. Contributing was the failure of pacific southwest airlines to catch the incorrect assembly. An additional factor was the use of faulty information by eastern airlines and their decision to…NTSB CHI89LA162Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Garrettsville, OHThe pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed and allowed the aircraft to inadvertently enter a stall/spin. Turbulence was considered to be a contributing factor.NTSB MIA89LA213Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Sarasota, FLThe student pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Factors related to the accident were: the student pilot's lack of total experience & tree(s) in the emergency landing area.NTSB MKC89LA176Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-B2 · Sebeka, MNPower plant failure due to a fracture of the first stage turbine wheel, resulting in an uncontrolled autorotation.NTSB CHI89FA155Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair 235 · Fond Du Lac, WIFailure of the pilot-in-command to assure that adequate airspeed was maintained during the turn to final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB LAX89LA254Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Oceanside, CAThe failure of the pilot-in-command to attain proper airspeed during the go-around. The lack of airspeed did not permit the airplane to climb and the pilot intentionally stalled the airplane into the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot delaying…NTSB SEA89LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Yerington, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a landing go-around in high density altitude conditions.NTSB NYC89FA177Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Salisbury Twp, PAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. A contributing factor to the accident was that neither pilot was heard over the radio announcing their position and intentions.NTSB BFO89DIG02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Cumberland, MDThe pilot's improper decision to takeoff in deteriorating weather conditions. Related factors were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing prior to departure, and his lack of an instrument rating.NTSB LAX89LA249Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Lower Lake, CAPilot-in-command's failure to identify the sink rate soon enough to take corrective action.NTSB LAX89LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Thermal, CAA twisted nose gear uplock due to an elongated bolt hole which prevented the nose gear from extending.NTSB CHI89LA149Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Wixom, MICarburetor ice due to the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Factors related to the accident were: weather conditions conducive to carburetor ice, dark night, and tree(s) in the emergency landing area.NTSB MKC89LA166Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hannibal, MOFuel starvation for undetermined reasons which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with trees.NTSB SEA89FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Athol, IDThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed and inadvertently stalled.NTSB ATL89LA183Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Cincinnati, OHThe pilot's improper go-around procedure of fully retracting the flaps which resulted in the airplane mushing into trees. Contributing factor(s) was: a misjudgement of flare height above the runway and failure to remove the carburetor heat which may have…NTSB ANC89LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Nyac Mine, AKFailure of the left rudder pedal bar assembly and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. Improper maintenance and the pilot's lack of total experience were considered to be contributing factors.