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 ERA15CA012Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2 33A · Waynesboro, VAThe glider's inadvertent encounter with low altitude wind shear.NTSB ERA15CA007Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Maryville, TNThe pilot/owner's failure to maintain a stabilized approach during the final leg of the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was both pilot's lack of aeronautical decision making.NTSB CEN15FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Wichita Falls, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control when he applied power to execute a go-around at a low airspeed in dark, night conditions, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB WPR15LA001Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGaston Thomas D Thunder Mustang · Council, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain control while maneuvering for landing following a loss of oil pressure. Contributing to the accident was foreign material contamination of the oil system due to improper maintenance.NTSB ERA15CA002Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Toccoa, GAThe private pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and the flight instructor's failure to provide correction action, which resulted in a collision with terrain during landing.NTSB CEN14LA527Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportButcher Russell A RV9A · Shepherd, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during the landing approach after a loss of engine power, which led to a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which led to fuel exhaustion and…NTSB CEN14LA520Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm during a pinnacle approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the approach given the helicopter's weight…NTSB WPR14CA385Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Mokuleia, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA14CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchleicher ASK 21 · Wurtsboro, NYA loss of lift during the landing approach, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA14LA440Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · St. Petersburg, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management.NTSB ERA14LA436Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Monroe, GAThe improper installation of the oil filter adapter at an unknown time, which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent oil starvation to the engine.NTSB CEN14CA499Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Newark, ILThe student pilot did not maintain proper airspeed during the simulated emergency landing and failed to relinquish control to the flight instructor when the flight instructor attempted to intervene, which resulted in the loss of control. Contributing was the…NTSB ERA14LA434Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Spruce Creek, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilots’ improper preflight and in-flight fuel planning.NTSB CEN14FA494Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Austin, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient clearance from trees during the single-engine landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the loss of power in the left engine due to an improperly installed rubber boot that became dislodged and was then…NTSB CEN14LA495Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNolin Vans RV-10 · Houston, TXThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.NTSB CEN14LA471Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoring Robert Burton RV6A · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing a stall/spin.NTSB CEN14CA481Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Plymouth, INThe sun glare and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN14FA467Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46 350P · Erie, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the critical angle of attack during a go-around with a tailwind condition, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue…NTSB CEN14CA470Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Minneapolis, MNThe pilot's loss of control while landing with a crosswind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot lack of experience flying in similar weather conditions.NTSB CEN14CA469Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Granby, COThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during the go-around.NTSB CEN14CA459Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 32R-301T · Sedalia, MOThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA14CA407Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Taylorsville, KYThe pilot's decision to land on a wet runway and delayed go-around attempt, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN14LA449Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · New Orleans, LAThe in-flight fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear retaining bolt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident were the pilot/owner’s failure to maintain the airplane in accordance with an airworthiness directive following a…NTSB ERA14LA401Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Pittstown, NJA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN14LA447Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHerder Michael Zodiac 601 HD · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a gusting crosswind landing.NTSB ERA14WA393Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 340A · Freeport, BahamasNTSB ERA14LA392Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Itta Bena, MSA total loss of engine power during maneuvering due to an obstruction from air intake filter material being ingested into the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB CEN14FA438Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Bowie, TXThe pilot’s incapacitation in flight as the result of a an acute cardiac event, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR14LA337Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Fresno, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA14CA438Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · Block Island, RIA loss of control during the attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.NTSB ANC14FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Big Lake, AKThe pilot's impairment due to alcohol consumption, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees.NTSB CEN14LA408Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaytheon B36TC · Decatur, ILDebris in the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB CEN14CA413Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPhantom Phantom X 1 · Three Rivers, MIThe pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while flying a visual pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN14CA428Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T 1A 2 · Frankfort, MIThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing in gusty, crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot lack of recent tail wheel landing experience.NTSB ERA14LA374Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Apalachicola, FLA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination and testing.NTSB CEN14FA396Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportRender RV 9A · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to establish a stabilized approach and to maintain airspeed during final approach over obstacles resulting in a stall/mush.NTSB ERA14CA366Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150M · Waterloo, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions while on approach to the runway.NTSB CEN14LA393Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · Pueblo, COA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s improper fuel management and resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.NTSB CEN14FA389Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFedersen Walter Lancair IVP · Findlay, OHAn in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of impact and fire damage.NTSB ERA14LA358Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWinder Robert S VP1 · Grove City, PAA collision with terrain during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.NTSB CEN14LA397Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCameron Balloons US A-180 · Questa, NMThe hard landing after both burner pilot lights extinguished during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to relight the burner pilot lights.NTSB ERA14CA357Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lafollette, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a go-around in gusty crosswind conditions.NTSB ERA14LA347Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportColt Balloons 160A · Clinton, MAThe pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight planning and improper landing site selection and approach path, which resulted in the balloon contacting powerlines during landing. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate…NTSB WPR14CA301Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportErcoupe 415 C · Hubbart, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and proper alignment during approach for landing in gusting wind conditions.NTSB ERA14FA345Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · North Elba, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for the airplane’s configuration and flight profile, which resulted in an exceedance of the wing’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA14LA355Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPipistrel Alpha Trainer · Pompano Beach, FLThe pilot’s miscalculation of the fuel quantity requirements, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB ERA14LA342Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHolmlund Victor P Auriga · Manville, NJThe pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel monitoring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB WPR14CA292Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportJonker Sailplanes JS1-C · Truckee, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control in gusting wind conditions while on final approach to the runway.NTSB CEN14LA443Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Waukesha, WIThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies were identified during postaccident examination.NTSB CEN14LA347Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Baytown, TXThe pilot’s failure to verify the fuel onboard before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.