NTSB investigations
1,978 cases where the phase of flight was Unknown.
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 = 990)
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 = 990)
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 SEA02FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Lucile, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above, and/or clearance with, mountainous terrain during night visual flight rules flight. Factors included mountainous terrain and dark night light conditions.NTSB NYC02LA019Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorton/Cloeren Titan Tornado II · New Windsor, MDLoss of power for an undetermined reason.NTSB MIA02FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportAyres S2RHG-T65The airplane and pilot are missing.NTSB FTW01LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Fort Smith, ARthe overload fracture of the left main landing gear actuator which resulted in the loss of all hydraulic fluid and led to a wheels up landing.NTSB CHI01FA257Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Waterloo, INAircraft control not maintained for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC01LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Anchorage, AKThe loss of left brake pressure due to a missing hydraulic brake fitting.NTSB SEA01LA141Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylor Smith Mini DSA-1 · Sultan, WAThe separation/loss of the bolt and castle nut which connected the elevator bellcrank to the control stick pushrod resulting in a disconnect between the cockpit and the control surface and ultimately, the pilot's total loss of pitch control.NTSB CHI01LA236Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Brooklyn, MIThe forced landing for undetermined reasons. A factor to the accident was the corn crop.NTSB ANC01FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Bettles, AKThe pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane during an unknown phase of flight.NTSB SEA01LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Nez Perce, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW01FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-CD · McAlester, OKthe inadvertent stall by the pilot-in-command.NTSB SEA01LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-105 Special · Wilbur, WAA collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA01FA085Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105C · Medford, ORA leaking engine oil outlet line fitting in the #1 engine compartment, resulting in an oil fire in the engine compartment.NTSB SEA01FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Fairfield, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance over trees, resulting in a collision with trees, separation of a wing and uncontrolled collision with terrain. Factors included the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, dark night…NTSB SEA01LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Renton, WAThe worn condition of the hydraulic pump gears which resulted in a continuous running pump, subsequent pump motor overheat and eventually the tripping of the pump motor circuit breaker. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to verify that the landing…NTSB LAX01FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Monterey, CAUndetermined.NTSB ANC01FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportChampion 8GCBC · Juneau, AKUndetermined. Missing airplane.NTSB MIA01LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJ and J Tukan · Hayesville, NCThe ultralight pilot's in-flight loss of control for unknown reasons resulting in an in-flight collision with the terrain.NTSB SEA01FA017Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Idaho Falls, IDThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed with an asymmetric thrust condition, resulting in a loss of aircraft control. A factor was an asymmetric engine thrust condition, which was present for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA01FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 150 · Missing, FLundetermined.NTSB SEA01LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWildman Adventurer · Yelm, WAA main rotor blade strike (impact) with both a pusher propeller blade and the rudder during an unknown phase of operation resulting in a loss of control and uncontrolled descent to terrain.NTSB SEA00LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Auburn, WADamage to aircraft under unknown circumstances.NTSB LAX00FA306Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Watsonville, CAThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in mast bumping and rotor contact with the fuselage.NTSB CHI00FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPeters RAF 2000 · Manistique, MIundetermined.NTSB DEN00FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Cheyenne, WYthe airplane's in-flight collision with hilly terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW00LA210Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman-Schweizer G-164B · Ville Platte, LAThe loss of control for an undetermined reason.NTSB SEA00LA116Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDavis/Crouch Avid MK IV · Concrete, WAFracture of the engine's #1 connecting rod, resulting in a total loss of engine power. Factors were an engine overheat condition experienced at an undetermined time, and no suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB FTW00LA169Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCecil Thorp T-18 · West, TXThe loss of control for an undetermined reason.NTSB ATL00LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Rock Hill, SCThe maintenance personnel's failure to re-torque the engine driven fuel pump in accordance with an Airworthiness Directive that resulted in a fuel leak and a subsequent engine fire.NTSB CHI00LA043Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcCarty Wittman W-8 Tailwind · Jamestown, NDthe wing spar failure due to its inadequate construction by the owner/builder.NTSB CHI00LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft F-21 · Houlton, WIthe mechanic failed to torque the rod cap bolt during the major engine overhaul. Factors relating to the accident included the rough field and the collapsed landing gear.NTSB CHI00LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Moline, ILthe landing gear locking mechanism was not properly locked. Factors relating to this accident were the improper rigging of the gear and the runway marker.NTSB CHI00FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 175 · MIundetermined.NTSB MIA00LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace HS 125-700A · Fayetteville, NCThe overstress failure of the lugs of the cylinder head of the left main landing gear jack for undetermined reasons. Also, inability of the flight crew to extend the left main landing gear.NTSB MIA00LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D35 · Indiantown, FLThe reported unauthorized use of the airplane by an unknown person.NTSB FTW00LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M18 · Weldon, ARThe cause of the accident was undetermined.NTSB SEA99LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Benton City, WAA loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of certification and total experience.NTSB ANC99FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Chitina, AKUndetermined.NTSB ATL99LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver GT-500 · Ormond Beach, FLThe in-flight collision with an object for an undetermined reasons. A factor was the stolen/unauthorized use of the airplane.NTSB CHI99FA267Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT502B · Giltner, NEThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain clearance from the guy wire. A factor was the guy wire.NTSB ANC99LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNix Avid Flyer · Chugiak, AKA loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.NTSB SEA99FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAlexander VAN'S RV-8 · Lafayette, ORFatigue of the number two connecting rod end resulting in a fracture at the rod end and release from the crankshaft, an ensuing in-flight fuel fed fire, followed by the pilot's abandoning the aircraft in flight. A contributing factor was pressure on the pilot…NTSB MIA99LA194Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Jasper, ALthe pilot inadvertently became disoriented and misjudged his position on the runway/airport, which resulted in him turning the airplane too soon, and subsequently impacting with a tree. Factors in this accident were a loss of electrical power for undetermined…NTSB CHI99LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3C · Independence, IAThe insufficient information from the weather forecast resulting in an in-flight encounter with turbulence/gusts and the subsequent precautionary landing. Contributing factors were the gusty/turbulent conditions and the terrain condition (crop).NTSB SEA99LA081Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportD. Wayne Smith Wayncraft 14 · Libby, MTCollision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW99FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman-Schweizer G164-B · Brinkley, ARThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were the pilots failure to maintain control of the aircraft, spatial disorientation, and the fog.NTSB ANC99LA065Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Anchorage, AKUndetermined.NTSB SEA99LA063Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4 · Coeur D'Alene, IDThe fatigue failure of a repair weld on one of the engine pylon mount straps and the resultant reduction in directional control. Factors include an inadequate repair of the strap, variable wind speeds and sudden wind shifts.NTSB ANC99FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Juneau, AKUndetermined. Missing aircraft.NTSB CHI99FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Superior, WIthe Certified Flight Instructor failed to maintain control of the airplane.