NTSB investigations, DE
32 cases where the phase of flight was Approach.
Cases per year
| 1965 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1967 | 1 |
| 1969 | 4 |
| 1972 | 2 |
| 1974 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 |
| 1976 | 1 |
| 1978 | 1 |
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Latest cases
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'DE' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'DE' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
AND 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 ERA25LA113Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportVulcanair S P A Vulcanair V1.0 · Cheswold, DEOn February 7, 2025, at 2233 eastern standard time, a Vulcanair S.p.A V1.0, N186DS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cheswold, Delaware. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as…NTSB ERA17FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · New Castle, DEThe pilot's loss of helicopter control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation and the cumulative effects of task saturation.NTSB ERA14LA242Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Georgetown, DEThe pilot’s improper preflight planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s failure to see and avoid the wires on the airport boundary.NTSB ERA13LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Dover, DEThe pilot's failure to land the airplane at multiple airports that were equipped with adequate instrument approach procedures while operating in low instrument meteorological conditions and his delay in declaring a fuel-related emergency, which resulted in a…NTSB IAD05FA110Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Georgetown, DEThe pilot's misjudged distance/altitude while on final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a vehicle. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper use of the flaps, and the state of Delaware's insufficient…NTSB NYC04LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Cheswold, DEThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with an unlit utility pole. Factors related to the accident were the unlit utility pole, and the dark…NTSB NYC03FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon V35A · Delaware City, DEThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB IAD02LA035Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeechcraft C23 · Wilmington, DEthe flight instructor's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's failure to follow the published checklist procedures.NTSB NYC00LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38 · Cheswold, DEThe instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors included the instructor's failure to take positive control of the airplane, and the student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach.NTSB NYC97LA093Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · New Castle, DEthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.NTSB BFO92FA125Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-602P · Georgetown, DEThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, while circling to land, resulting in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane and his insufficient altitude for recovery from the stall.NTSB NYC92FA118Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-200 · New Castle, DEThe pilot's improper execution of an emergency procedure, after an engine failure, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and subsequent stall at an altitude too low for recovery. A factor related to the accident was the fatigue failure of a compressor turbine…NTSB ATL87FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Georgetown, DEThe plt was cleared for approach with instructions to close flt plan upon landing. Aprx thirty min later approach control called the fss and asked if the plt had been in contact. The reply was negative. No further action was taken by approach control.…NTSB BFO87DHD02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHughes 369D · Newark, DEThe acft was being flown on a maintenance check flt. As the plt was returning to land, the eng lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an autorotative landing, the main rotor blades & tail boom were extensively damaged. The plt rprtd the fuel quantity gage…NTSB BFO86LHD01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 414 · Georgetown, DEThe acft impacted trees during a VOR apch and descended to ground impact. The plt flew the apch with the autopilot coupled. The alt hold and alert were set for the mda. When visual contact with the arpt enviroment was established, the plt disconnected the alt…NTSB NYC82FHD15Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportGregg KR-2 · Middletown, DEThe eng failed on the downwind leg after the plt applied carb heat. The plt attempted a power-off approach to the rwy but encountered turbulence from another acft passing below him on final causing him to lose control & enter a spin. After recovery the acft…NTSB NYC82FA012Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Wyoming, DENTSB NYC81FHD12Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Wilmington, DENTSB NYC80DHD19Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-12 · Rehoboth, DENTSB IAD78FA032Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBeech C45H · New Castle, DENTSB IAD76AI084Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-22 · Rehoboth Beach, DENTSB IAD7KFHD49Accident · Serious injuriesClosedMooney M20 · Garrison Lake, DENTSB IAD74DHD26Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Cheswold, DENTSB NYC72DHD44Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Laurel, DENTSB NYC72DHD42Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Laurel, DENTSB IAD70D0069Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Smyrna, DENTSB DIA70D0012Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28R · Laurel, DENTSB DIA69D0203Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Dover, DENTSB DIA69D0130Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28R · Wilmington, DENTSB DIA68D0009Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Middletown, DENTSB NYC65F0223Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBeechcraft D-18S · New Castle, DENTSB NYC65F0100Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-11 · Rehoboth, DE