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NTSB investigations, PA

627 cases where the phase of flight was Approach.

Cases per year

19642026

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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\" = 'PA' 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.

NTSB ERA26LA307Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Altoona, PAThe pilot’s descent below the glidepath and collision with trees during a missed approach.Aug 14, 2026 · N586MA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA156Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-181 · Philadelphia, PAOn April 1, 2026, about 1541 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N494LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The flight instructor received minor injuries, and the student pilot received serious…Apr 1, 2026 · N494LA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA129Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 · Philadelphia, PAThe sUAS operator’s failure to see and avoid a helicopter, resulting in a midair collision between the helicopter and the sUAS.Feb 17, 2025 · N405TJ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA053Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36 · Doylestown, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain and a parked airplane.Nov 18, 2024 · N8152R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA292Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Lock Haven, PAThe student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.Jul 4, 2024 · N739GV · DestroyedNTSB ERA24LA101Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150M · Franklin, PAThe pilots’ inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Jan 15, 2024 · N7682U · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA348Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Philadelphia, PAThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.Aug 3, 2023 · N860TW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA198Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportS C Aerostar S A YAK-52 · Toughkenamon, PAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while on approach to land.Mar 22, 2023 · N669YK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA403Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Toughkenamon, PAThe airplane’s impact with a bird while entering the traffic pattern.Sep 2, 2022 · N78QB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA304Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportArion Lightning · Indiana, PAThe airplane pilot’s inadvertent encounter with rotor wash/turbulence during short final approach, which resulted in a loss of control in flight.Jul 10, 2022 · N326AL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA289Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Palmyra, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway.Jun 25, 2022 · N1476K · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA254Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tredyffin, PAThe loosening of the throttle arm from the throttle body, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control the engine, and a subsequent forced landing.Jun 1, 2022 · N432CP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA025Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAero Bristell Bristell LSA · Carlisle, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an attempted go-around in gusty crosswinds.Oct 18, 2020 · N438BL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20CA135Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAugustaWestland AW119MKII · Philadelphia, PAThe in-flight failure of the lower left side of the engine cowling due to the mechanic’s improper installation of the fasteners, which resulted in the cowling impacting all four main rotor blades.Mar 21, 2020 · N982SS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20CA120Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLearjet 35 · Altoona, PAThe pilot flying's improper lateral bank control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left-wing tip tank striking the runway.Feb 29, 2020 · N721EC · Substantial damageNTSB DCA20CA040Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportEmbraer EMB145 · Philadelphia, PAAn inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence.Dec 15, 2019 · N648AE · No damageNTSB GAA20CA090Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Brogue, PAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid wires during approach to landing.Nov 19, 2019 · N71707 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA20CA057Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCub Crafters CC11 · Palmyra, PAThe pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain lateral control during a go-around, which resulted in impact with a tree.Nov 2, 2019 · N718CC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA011Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Harrisburg, PAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful engine run.Oct 4, 2019 · N4385K · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA052Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 55 · Grove City, PAThe pilot’s mismanagement of the airplane’s available fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power to the left engine, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while on final approach to the runway.Oct 1, 2019 · N9404Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24 · Wilkes-Barre, PAThe pilot/mechanic's improper installation and securing of the mixture control cable, which led to a simultaneous loss of total engine power and failure of the nose landing gear to fully extend when the cable caught on the nose landing gear assembly.Jan 3, 2019 · N6872P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA061Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210 · Myerstown, PAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.Dec 8, 2018 · N731LT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · State College, PAThe pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.Oct 24, 2018 · N8319D · Substantial damageNTSB DCA18IA265Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · IncidentFinal reportGulfstream G IV · Philadelphia, PAThe flight crew’s misalignment of the airplane with a taxiway instead of the assigned runway, resulting in a low-altitude go-around late in the final approach and reduced separation with the airplanes on the taxiway.Aug 11, 2018 · N619A · No damageNTSB ERA18LA192Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269D · Stewartstown, PAThe pilot's inability to maintain yaw control while transitioning to an out of ground effect hover due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jul 14, 2018 · N411HU · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Williamsburg, PAThe pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing before the flight and his subsequent loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions during a diversion to an alternate airport after…Apr 19, 2018 · N451TD · DestroyedNTSB ERA18LA032Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 34-220T · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot's improper decision to fly an airplane with a known oil leak, which led to a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind, which led to his attempted go-around and…Nov 25, 2017 · N263DM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHoward DGA 15P · Monongahela, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.Apr 12, 2017 · N4476N · DestroyedNTSB ERA16LA285Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportShaffer Donald Arion Lightning · Toughkenamon, PAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.Aug 4, 2016 · N270J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31 · State College, PAThe pilot's decision to continue an unstabilized instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Jun 16, 2016 · N3591P · DestroyedNTSB ERA16LA200Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Toughkenamon, PAThe student pilot’s inadvertent actuation of the fuel shutoff valve, which led to a total loss of engine power, forced landing, and impact with a hangar. Contributing to the outcome was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the fuel shutoff system…Jun 1, 2016 · N83547 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA16CA153Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus Industrie A320 214 · Philadelphia, PAan inadvertent encounter with clear air turbulence that resulted in a serious injury to a flight attendant.May 14, 2016 · N103US · No damageNTSB ERA16FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Farmington, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTimothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt a flight under visual flight rules at night in instrument meteorological conditions to an unlit airstrip, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Dec 7, 2015 · N541TC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMurray Blair L Free Bird Classic · Kylertown, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach for landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.Oct 12, 2015 · N176FB · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1 · Montrose, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.Aug 7, 2015 · N428YT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA276Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA1B · Lititz, PAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.Jul 19, 2015 · N8969L · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA099Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 - R · State College, PAThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach to landing which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing.May 28, 2015 · N2254U · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 25, 2014 · N3831W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14CA171Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Carlisle, PAThe pilot's decision to depart with a known mechanical malfunction and his improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent impact with terrain during an off-airport landing.Mar 24, 2014 · N4214F · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWaters Peter T Avid Bandit · Washington, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control in gusty and turbulent wind conditions.Mar 11, 2014 · N62PT · DestroyedNTSB ERA13FA402Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T-50 · Lenox Twp., PAThe pilot's intentional visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions and thunderstorms and his improper decision to takeoff without getting updated weather information after a briefer cautioned him during a previous flight that visual flight…Sep 3, 2013 · N41759 · DestroyedNTSB ERA12CA418Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-1C · West Chester, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion.Jun 27, 2012 · N9675U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA389Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBuckeye Breeze · Lower Burrell, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the powered parachute, which resulted in a collision with trees during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight training.Jun 10, 2012 · N786DS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA357Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes TH-55 · Pittsfield, PAThe student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness.May 19, 2012 · N74914 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12LA246Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1 · Beaver Falls, PAThe operator’s maintenance personnel’s improper adjustment of the engine's fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Mar 23, 2012 · N166SE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA248Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportJDT MiniMax · Gap, PAThe student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.Mar 21, 2012 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Thomasville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an approach in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall.Jan 29, 2012 · N1352T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Nashville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed after a loss of power to the right engine, which resulted in an uncontrollable roll into an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane's right engine for…Dec 22, 2011 · N48BS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA053Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172F · Smoketown, PAThe pilot did not maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in a collision with a tree.Oct 28, 2011 · N5613R · Substantial damage