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 DEN08LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway Exec 162-F · New Century, KSWhile on approach the tail rotor spar failed due to metal fatigue .NTSB ANC08LA018Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Palmer, AKThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student, and his delayed go-around. Contributing to the accident was dark night conditions.NTSB SEA08LA021Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Garberville, CAThe pilot's intentional visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and terrain during climb. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions of fog and a low…NTSB DEN08LA027Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAgusta A119 · Cody, WYA loss of engine power while on approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to this accident was the high density altitude.NTSB SEA08LA017Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKelly F1D · Reno, NVThe pilot's loss of airplane control while performing intentional approach to stall maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent entry of the airplane into a spin.NTSB DEN08CA023Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna TP206A · Boulder, COThe pilot's misjudgment of altitude. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's intentional low airspeed, his failure to execute a go-around, and the soft terrain.NTSB SEA08FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5A · Sequim, WAThe pilot's misjudged distance and altitude that led to an undershoot; his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll; and his failure to maintain clearance from trees during an attempted aborted landing.NTSB DEN08LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210K · Los Alamos, NMThe binding of the nose landing gear doors for undetermined reasons, resulting in the pilot having to make a nose gear up landing.NTSB LAX08CA021Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech A36 · Camarillo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall.NTSB LAX08CA020Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Fresno, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to clear objects during approach for landing.NTSB ANC08CA009Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Pilot Point, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were gusty, high winds.NTSB MIA08LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft DCO-65 · Fort Myers, FLA partial loss of engine power during approach for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA08CA008Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Edenton, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB NYC08CA017Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Greenville, METhe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the approach.NTSB DFW08LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Flora, MSLoss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB DEN08LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Canon City, COThe failure of the engine throttle cable resulting in a lack of engine power when commanded.NTSB SEA08CA011Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's misjudged distance/altitude that led to an undershoot, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point.NTSB CHI08CA017Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · East Hampstead, NHThe pilot's excessive descent rate on approach, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the adverse winds encountered during the flight, and the presence of the trees and power lines near the landing area.NTSB SEA08CA010Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWelch RV-9 · Bigfork, MTFuel starvation while on downwind for landing. The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management planning was a factor.NTSB MIA08LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Hillsville, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.NTSB CHI08LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Festus, MOThe pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight, fuel system water contamination and fuel starvation which resulted in a loss of engine power during landing approach. An additional cause was the emergency landing procedure not followed by the pilot following a loss…NTSB ANC08LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-220C · Aniak, AKThe pilot's improper fuel tank selection and fuel starvation, while doing touch-and-go landings.NTSB LAX08CA006Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A-1 · Arroyo Grande, CAThe pilot's misjudged altitude and distance on the approach that led to an undershoot and inadequate obstacle clearance.NTSB CHI08CA012Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 210C · Columbus, OHThe hydraulic system pump leak which resulted in the failure of the emergency landing gear system to extend and lock the landing gear for landing and the flap system.NTSB ANC08CA002Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · King Salmon, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions during the final approach to land, which resulted in the airplane colliding with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusty wind.NTSB LAX08CA003Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLet Blanik L-13 · Hemet, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate due to his failure to close the air brake and/or partially retract the flaps during an encounter with lost lift on final approach.NTSB DFW08LA001Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIndus T211 Thorpedo · Denton, TXThe pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation which led to his getting lost on a local area flight and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing to the accident were the prevailing dark night illumination and the pilot's lack of…NTSB NYC08LA001Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLambert John G Varieze · Chesapeake, VAA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC07LA244Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Franklin, VAA loss of engine power during approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain.NTSB NYC07LA243Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFokker VI · Morristown, TNA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during approach.NTSB CHI07LA312Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Waterloo, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees and terrain during a night visual approach for landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience, the night conditions, and the trees.NTSB CHI07LA309Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Jackson Center, OHThe reported vibration in the helicopter during an approach for landing for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the mature cornfield.NTSB CHI07CA311Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 Traveler · Warrenton, MOThe low airspeed gust factor by the pilot, the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot, and the inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot during the landing approach. Contributing factors were the trees and wind gusts.NTSB ANC07LA108Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Bethel, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing.NTSB SEA07CA273Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Chandler, AZThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing, which resulted in an undershoot and an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the downdraft, the uneven terrain, and the flight instructor's delayed…NTSB DEN07FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Moriarty, NMthe instructor pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aborted landing and attempted go-around which resulted in an inadvertent elevator trim stall. Contributing to the accident were the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision during the…NTSB SEA07LA270Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB20 · Beatty, NVThe pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's procedures during a go-around and subsequent loss of airplane control. A contributing factor to the accident was the dark night.NTSB CHI07CA304Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech C23 · Carrollton, OHThe partial loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane to nose over. Weather conducive to carburetor icing was a contributing factor.NTSB SEA07CA269Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Bend, ORProper descent rate not obtained/maintained during a pinnacle approach.NTSB ANC07LA106Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat control, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude a stall. Contributing to the accident was carburetor icing conditions.NTSB ATL07LA128Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B90 · Chattanooga, TNThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the landing approach.NTSB LAX07LA280Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRoot Sherpa · Scappoose, ORA loss of aircraft pitch control due to the fatigue failure of the fuselage tube structure at the flight control stick gimbal mechanism due to an incomplete weld penetration at the root of the weld.NTSB SEA07FA262Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36TC · Burlington, WAThe pilot's decision to descend below the published minimum descent altitude (MDA), and his failure to maintain clearance from vertical objects during an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, inadequate preflight planning, and…NTSB LAX07CA279Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172L · Helena, MTunexpected collision with birds on short final that damaged the airplane wing structure.NTSB MIA07CA151Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchleicher ASW-24E · Morganton, NCThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while turning base to final resulting in the left wing contacting the ground.NTSB DEN07FA157Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Englewood, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the force landing attempt resulting in a stall-spin and the subsequent impact with the ground. A factor contributing to the accident was the engine failure for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC07CA218Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · N Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around, which resulted in a collision with water. A factor in this accident was the crosswind conditions.NTSB SEA07LA248Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHigher Class Sport Hornet · Santa Paula, CAA loss of engine power during a go-around for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering following the loss of power.NTSB NYC07CA211Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca O-58B · Lincoln Park, NJA bird strike, as reported by the pilot.NTSB LAX07CA267Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269C · Ramona, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.