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 ERA15LA115Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · West Palm Beach, FLThe failure of the airplane pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane pilots to announce their intentions before…NTSB ERA15LA114Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fernandina Beach, FLThe pilot’s physical impairment due to intense pain, which resulted in his failure to maintain airplane control.NTSB CEN15LA111Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Lowell, MIThe student pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around after not applying sufficient engine power.NTSB ERA15FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Fort Valley, GAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed during an approach with a simulated engine failure, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA15CA101Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150L · Stow, MAThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action in response to the student pilot's improper go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall, and impacting a parked airplane.NTSB ERA15FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · New Smyrna Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in night, instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the outcome was the radar controller's failure to…NTSB ERA15FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Catano, PRThe student pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the helicopter’s uncontrolled descent to the water. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction with other aircraft operating…NTSB ERA15LA090Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P206 · Key West, FLA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations and testing.NTSB WPR15IA080Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Phoenix, AZThe failure of the fanshaft due to fatigue.NTSB ERA15LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMDS Fying Zenith Zodiac CH 650 · Fort Pierce, FLThe inadequate modification of the airplane’s canopy latching mechanism, which resulted in the inadvertent opening of the canopy while on final approach to land and a subsequent loss of pitch control.NTSB DCA15WA212Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Lahore, PakistanThe Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737 airplane that occurred on December 30, 2014. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist PCAA's investigation under the provisions…NTSB CEN15LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Roswell, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to compensate for icing on the airplane's wings and control surfaces during a circling approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA15FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Lake Worth, FLA main rotor stall due to low rotor rpm, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB ERA15LA084Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts Special S-1S · Westminster, MDThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision while both airplanes were on final approach to land.NTSB CEN15FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Port Huron, MIThe pilot’s decision to continue flight below the minimum descent altitude without visually acquiring the runway and his delayed and improperly executed missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN15FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Seagoville, TXThe pilot’s loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN15WA113Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationSaab-Scania Saab 2000 · Sumburgh, United KingdomOn December 15, 2014, about 1955 coordinated universal time, a SAAB-Scania SAAB 2000 airplane, G-LGNO, lost elevator control following a lightning strike on approach to Sumburgh Airport, Sumburgh, United Kingdom. The damage to the airplane is unknown. The…NTSB DCA15CA037Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 · Baltimore, MDan inadvertent encounter with birds during approach to land that resulted in substantial damage.NTSB CEN15IA085Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDassault/Sud FAN JET Falcon · Shreveport, LAA short in the trim system’s wires and connector, which resulted in the elevator trim being in a full nose-down position.NTSB DCA15WA031Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBeech F33 - A · Krugersdorp, South AfricaNTSB DCA15MA029Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer EMB-500 · Gaithersburg, MDthe pilot's conduct of an approach in structural icing conditions without turning on the airplane's wing and horizontal stabilizer deice system, leading to ice accumulation on those surfaces, and without using the appropriate landing performance speeds for…NTSB WPR15LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFouga CM 170R Magister · Lake Havasu City, AZA total loss of engine power to both engines during descent due to fuel starvation as a result of an interruption of the fuel flow, which resulted in a forced landing to a short strip and a subsequent overrun.NTSB CEN15LA069Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Fort Collins, COThe student pilot’s failure to comprehend the significance of the wake turbulence that a preceding helicopter would generate during departure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of Federal…NTSB ERA15WA070Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Mariquita, ColombiaNTSB ERA15CA064Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Athens, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while landing in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines while on final approach.NTSB ENG15RA003Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationATR ATR72 - 212A · Visby, SwedenOn November 30, 2014, an ATR72-212A airplane, SE-MDB, experienced excessive vibration during approach to Visby Airport(ESSV), Gotland, Sweden. The right engine was shut down and a single-engine landing was performed. Post-incident inspection found damage to…NTSB CEN15FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Boonville, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.…NTSB DCA15WA030Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - II · Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaNTSB CEN15LA068Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-14 · Kewanee, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during the final approach, which resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain training in the pusher-type airplane.NTSB CEN15LA064Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Berrien Springs, MIThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN15LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter MD 900 · Highlandville, MOThe pilot's inability to identify the power line during the initial approach in night visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to avoid the power line once he identified it on final approach.NTSB ANC15LA005Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Nikiski, AKThe total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat while operating at low-power settings in an area conducive to carburetor icing.NTSB ERA15CA065Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSocata TB 20 Trinidad · Hilton Head Island, SCThe pilot's inadvertent selection of an incorrect frequency, which resulted in his inability to activate the airport lighting, and his subsequent decision to continue the approach in dark night conditions despite having not positively identified the runway…NTSB WPR15FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Garberville, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive damage sustained during the collision and postaccident water immersion.NTSB CEN15FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500 B · Chicago, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while attempting to return to the airport after a reported engine problem, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB CEN15FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Pagosa Springs, COThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to fly to the destination airport and into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his controlled flight into mountainous terrain during a snow storm.NTSB WPR15CA040Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · Panguitch, UTThe flight instructor's delayed reaction in taking control of the helicopter during a student pilot's loss of control while landing.NTSB ERA15RA047Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationGates Learjet 35A · Freeport, BahamasNTSB WPR15LA036Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7AC · Darby, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR15LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300 · Las Vegas, NVA partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR15GA030Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHawker Hawker Hunter MK.58 · Oxnard, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach for landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ERA15CA031Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSolo Wings Aquilla · Eustis, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the final approach in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a collision with water.NTSB CEN15LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Brownsville, TXA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning.NTSB ERA15WA026Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310R · Governors Harbor, BahamasNTSB ERA15FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Frederick, MDThe failure of the helicopter pilots and the airplane pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident were the airplane pilot's descent below the…NTSB CEN15FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCGS Hawk Arrow II Slsa · Lonoke, ARThe pilot's loss of airplane control while turning onto the base leg of the traffic pattern due to his failure to maintain sufficient speed and/or overbanking, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees. Contributing to the pilot's fatal injuries was his…NTSB CEN15LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Orange, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around to avoid another airplane that was making a nonstandard approach to the opposing runway. Contributing to the accident was the other pilot’s use of a nonstandard approach while landing on the…NTSB ERA15CA036Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportSix Chuter SR7 XL · Fairview, NCThe non-certificated pilot's delayed go-around procedure, which resulted in collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flying experience.NTSB CEN15FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Dubuque, IAThe pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN15LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportKovars Gary D Zenith Zodiak 601XL · Richland Center, WIThe loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.