NTSB investigations, 2021
178 cases where the phase of flight was Approach.
Cases per year
| 1962 | 14 |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 10 |
| 1964 | 530 |
| 1965 | 502 |
| 1966 | 600 |
| 1967 | 640 |
| 1968 | 597 |
| 1969 | 572 |
| 1970 | 583 |
| 1971 | 550 |
| 1972 | 522 |
| 1973 | 543 |
| 1974 | 541 |
| 1975 | 530 |
| 1976 | 504 |
| 1977 | 586 |
| 1978 | 567 |
| 1979 | 541 |
| 1980 | 508 |
| 1981 | 473 |
| 1982 | 433 |
| 1983 | 445 |
| 1984 | 433 |
| 1985 | 408 |
| 1986 | 382 |
| 1987 | 327 |
| 1988 | 342 |
| 1989 | 324 |
| 1990 | 334 |
| 1991 | 308 |
| 1992 | 291 |
| 1993 | 276 |
| 1994 | 251 |
| 1995 | 301 |
| 1996 | 272 |
| 1997 | 261 |
| 1998 | 238 |
| 1999 | 244 |
| 2000 | 256 |
| 2001 | 230 |
| 2002 | 232 |
| 2003 | 236 |
| 2004 | 216 |
| 2005 | 229 |
| 2006 | 225 |
| 2007 | 258 |
| 2008 | 211 |
| 2009 | 190 |
| 2010 | 176 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2013 | 189 |
| 2014 | 178 |
| 2015 | 158 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 191 |
| 2018 | 172 |
| 2019 | 163 |
| 2020 | 156 |
| 2021 | 178 |
| 2022 | 204 |
| 2023 | 186 |
| 2024 | 164 |
| 2025 | 186 |
| 2026 | 90 |
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2021
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2021
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 ERA22LA102Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Berlin, NJAn inadvertent in-flight collision with a goose while on approach.NTSB WPR22FA068Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB WPR22LA069Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Auburn, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.NTSB WPR22FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Show Low, AZThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an aborted landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR22LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Strawberry, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire during approach.NTSB GAA22WA054Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus Design SR22 · Auxerre, FranceNTSB ERA22LA092Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech D55 · Hamilton, ALThe pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a loss of engine power on the left engine due to fuel starvation.NTSB CEN22LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTextron 525 · Dubuque, IAAn inflight collision with a flock of geese that resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.NTSB GAA22WA180Accident · Minor injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Santa Ana Mountain, ColombiaNTSB CEN22FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Bloomington, INThe pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the presence of turbulence and low-level wind shear.NTSB CEN22LA074Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMini-MAX 1600R Sport · South Bend, INThe pilot’s low-level flight and poor visual lookout which resulted in collision with a light pole on final approach and the pilot’s improper decision to operate an airplane under the influence of alcohol.NTSB ERA22FA086Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSwearingen SA226 · Bedford, NHThe pilot’s failure to secure and feather the left engine and increase power on the right engine after a perceived loss of engine power in the left engine, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain just short of the runway. Contributing to…NTSB CEN22FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to adhere to the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN22LA071Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV8 · Wichita Falls, TXThe pilot’s improper fuel management that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA22LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Midland, VACollision with a bird in flight, which resulted in damage to the right-wing leading-edge spar.NTSB CEN22LA066Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Tahlequah, OKA loss of yaw control while on final approach, which resulted in the pilot performing an off-runway landing, and a subsequent nose over. The reason for the loss of yaw control could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ANC22LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA22WA048Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBAE ATP · Belfast, United KingdomNTSB WPR22LA050Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlon A2 · Frazier Park, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach for landing which, resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA041Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Farmington, NMThe pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA22LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20M · Tampa, FLThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten the fuel supply line b-nut at the manifold valve during installation.NTSB CEN22LA039Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36TC · Rockport, TXThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN22FA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E-90 · Boyne City, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact.NTSB WPR22LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Boulder City, NVThe installation of an improper right main landing gear door rod-end bolt, which resulted in the right main landing gear not extending during landing.NTSB CEN22FA031Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2A · Beaver Island, MIThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB WPR22FA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Randsburg, CAThe pilot’s improper landing approach, which failed to account for wind conditions, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an overshoot of the runway extended centerline, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.…NTSB ERA22LA054Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Sarasota, FLA partial loss of engine power due to a failed throttle cable.NTSB GAA22WA024Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90 · Caratinga, BrazilNTSB ERA22LA046Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150M · Margarettsville, NCThe pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat during the descent, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB CEN22LA027Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · La Porte, TXA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the carburetor float assembly.NTSB CEN22LA037Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech K35 · Hammond, LAA complete loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the oil filter safety wire fracturing and the oil filter becoming loose in flight for a reason that could not be determined given the evidence available during the investigation.NTSB ERA22LA033Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 23 · Ballston Spa, NYThe flight instructor’s and student pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB WPR22LA024Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182Q · St Ignatius, MTThe pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB GAA22WA022Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna T188 · Vilhena, BrazilNTSB GAA22WA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Papua, Papua New GuineaNTSB ANC22LA004Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGregg Origer PA-18 Replica · Willow, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB CEN22LA022Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Wadsworth, OHThe student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the final approach resulting in a bounced landing.NTSB GAA22WA017Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 525 · Bristol, United KingdomNTSB DCA22WA065Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBombardier CL600 2E25 · Nantes, FranceNTSB ERA22FA015Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVelocity SE RG · Titusville, FLThe separation of the airplane’s elevator control push-pull tube, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach.NTSB WPR22FA004Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 340A · Santee, CALoss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA22LA073Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Wheeler Heights, GAThe airplane’s impact with a bird while in the traffic pattern.NTSB ERA22LA007Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Batavia, NYThe pilot’s failure to disengage the autopilot prior to climbing out of a fog bank.NTSB ERA22LA006Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172K · Williston, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing…NTSB CEN22LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Gonzales, LAThe student pilot’s failure to compensate for an unanticipated right yaw, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and helicopter control.NTSB ERA22FA004Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDassault Falcon 20 · Thomson, GAThe flight crew’s continuation of an unstable dark night visual approach and the captain’s instruction to use air brakes during the approach contrary to airplane operating limitations, which resulted in a descent below the glide path, and a collision with…NTSB CEN22LA007Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSoneral L2 · Minot, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on final landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inexperience with the…NTSB WPR22LA002Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith CH750 · Oregon City, ORThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Chandler, AZThe failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB GAA21WA250Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna T206 · La Pajarera, Mexico