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 LAX08CA138Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 300C · Ogden, UTThe pilot under instruction's encounter with a settling with power condition, and the flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the subsequent go-around. Also causal was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action during the…NTSB DEN08LA098Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHarms Robert M KIT FOX SE · La Porte, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent.NTSB CHI08CA147Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Dixon, ILThe student pilot improperly raised the flaps during the go-around, did not maintain airspeed, and stalled the airplane. The trees were a factor.NTSB NYC08CA200Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Wildwood, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions.NTSB LAX08LA160Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Ultralight Challenger LSS · Moses Lake, WAThe pilot's inability to maintain control due to an in-flight separation of the vertical fin as a result of the failure of the airplane's builder to properly secure the vertical fin to the fuselage.NTSB MIA08LA109Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Durham, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while approaching to land.NTSB SEA08CA144Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Reno, NVThe student pilot's failure to maintain translational lift airspeed while approaching the pinnacle and the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.NTSB SEA08CA143Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150M · Cove, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a go-around.NTSB SEA08CA141Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Fields, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach. Contributing to the accident was a windshear.NTSB SEA08MA136Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350-D · Avalon, CALoss of engine power during approach for landing due to a fatigue fracture of a power turbine blade.NTSB CHI08CA139Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Blue Ash, OHThe separation of the throttle cable from the linkage during the approach to land and the altitude/clearance not being available to the pilot during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the electrical wires the airplane impacted.NTSB LAX08FA152Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Fall River Mills, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB LAX08CA143Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMason RV-9A · Pacific City, ORThe pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain control following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a temporary partial loss of power due to carburetor icing conditions.NTSB CHI08FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Comstock, MIA loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's inadequate fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB ANC08LA067Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Juneau, AKStructural damage to the airplane as the result of a birdstrike.NTSB NYC08CA179Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna T182T · Newport, RIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper weather evaluation and a tailwind.NTSB CHI08LA129Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Ada, MIA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW08LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCommander AC-680 · Hope, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the twin-engine airplane while landing. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind and partial loss of power on the right engine.NTSB LAX08LA130Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGreco Drifter 912 · Homestead, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn to the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, resulting in an accelerated stall.NTSB CHI08LA123Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDickenson Bathtub · Broadhead, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CHI08LA125Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-12 XL · Pelion, SCA loss of engine power due to the improper actions of the instructor pilot and the low experience level of the instructor pilot in this make and model of aircraft.NTSB SEA08LA119Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCameron Balloons C-100 · Phoenix, AZThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident were windshear and rocky terrain.NTSB SEA08FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · McCall, IDThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contributing to the accident was the non-standard pattern entry of the pilot.NTSB DEN08LA082Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Houston, TXLoss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was a lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB CHI08CA118Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Remus, MIThe loss of engine power during approach due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident were the unsuitable terrain and a tree.NTSB NYC08CA170Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172F · White Plains, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path during the approach.NTSB LAX08LA118Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C175A · Groveland, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel line that was improperly fabricated by the pilot. Also causal was the pilot's excessive ground speed during the taxi tests that resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.NTSB DFW08CA103Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech C-23 · De Queen, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.NTSB DFW08CA112Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHaecker Spacewalker · Kingsbury, TXThe loss of engine power for undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB DEN08LA081Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F28C · Mosby, MOA loss of engine power for reasons undetermined, and the pilot's decision to discontinue the autorotation when he thought engine power had been restored. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude and excessive airspeed.NTSB CHI08LA102Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing E75N1 · Youngstown, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB LAX08FA101Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Compton, CAThe loss of both engines' power during approach due to fuel exhaustion that resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the quantity of fuel on board the airplane.NTSB NYC08FA157Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCartwright H Jr/Cottrell M RV-10 · Seale, ALThe pilot-in-command's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions and the pilot-in-command's lack of flight experience in the accident airplane.NTSB SEA08LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pahrump, NVThe loss of the engine to transmission drive train continuity while on approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were lack of suitable terrain for a run-on landing, and cars on the race track.NTSB LAX08LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaytheon B300 · Tuscaloosa, ALThe pilot's encounter with severe turbulence during descent into the airport environment, which resulted in an exceedence of the aircraft's design stress limit and structural damage.NTSB LAX08FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Benson, AZThe pilot's misjudged speed and altitude during approach that led to a long landing and his subsequent failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the pilot's low total night flight experience,…NTSB CHI08CA103Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportKoleno Titan T-51 · Geneva, OHThe failure of the propeller pitch control mechanism during approach. Contributing to the accident were the inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed and altitude, and the unsuitable terrain.NTSB SEA08LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Buckeye, AZA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the soft terrain.NTSB LAX08LA089Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Redding, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector.NTSB MIA08CA084Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American AA5B · Marlboro, MAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind gusts while on final approach.NTSB LAX08LA088Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · San Diego, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the mixture control.NTSB DFW08LA089Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24-260 · Abbeville, LAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other approaching airplane. A contributing factor was the close proximity between the two private airstrips.NTSB DFW08CA086Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor At-301 · Plains, KSA loss of engine power as a result of a blocked carburetor. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB CHI08CA098Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 600N · Waverly, OHThe pilot's improper flare.NTSB CHI08CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · North Canton, OHThe bird strike during approach for landing.NTSB ANC08CA044Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadequate compensation for wind conditions during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.NTSB MIA08FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Waxhaw, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the tailwind.NTSB NYC08CA136Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportJ&J Ultralights Sea Wing · Live Oak, FLThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was his habit interference from previously flying conventional airplanes.NTSB SEA08LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Chandler, AZThe student pilot's delay in initiating the go-around, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident were the momentary failure of the engine to respond, the failure of both the…NTSB NYC08CA118Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172SP · Lincoln Park, NJThe certificated flight instructor's delayed decision to go-around.