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 SEA96LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Hillsboro, ORblockage of the vents to both wing fuel tanks, after unknown personnel failed to remove tape (protective covering) from the vents, which resulted in collapsed fuel tanks (and wing damage).NTSB LAX96LA247Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Oroville, CAundetermined.NTSB ATL96FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Arlington, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the trees. A factor was the dark night.NTSB ANC96FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Mariner · Mekoryuk, AKA loss of engine power due to fuel contamination found in the fuel supply and helicopter fuel system. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate filtration (servicing of the helicopter) of the fuel supply, and the pilot's inadequate performance of…NTSB ANC96FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRepublic RC-3 Seabee · Ketchikan, AKthe airplane crashed for undetermined reason(s).NTSB ATL96FAMS1Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportAero Commander 500-B · MissingUndetermined.NTSB FTW96LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Belen, NMprevious damage, looseness of the main landing gear, and inadequate maintenance.NTSB FTW96LA044Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Port Arthur, TXUndetermined.NTSB SEA95LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPietenpol AIR-CAMPER · Redmond, ORa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA95FAMS1Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Missing, WAUndetermined until the Missing aircraft is located.NTSB CHI95FA212Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-65 · Plato Center, ILthe pilot not maintaining an adequate fuel supply, and not maintaining airspeed.NTSB CHI95LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFirst Strike Bobcat · Burlington, IAfatigue failure of a copper fuel line at the carburetor ferrule fitting, which resulted in fuel starvation. The proximity of trees was a related factor.NTSB MIA95LA166Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Orlando, FLUnknown.NTSB CHI95LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTom Kilgore KR-2 · Alanson, MIimproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel, and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a stall/spin and collision with the ground.NTSB MIA95LA144Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Vieques, PRUndetermined.NTSB LAX95LA190Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStol UC-1 · Saipan, Sarkan inflight collision with the ocean for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX95LA179Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Palos Verdes, CAthat the pilot initiated the flight into known adverse weather, and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CHI95LA343Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Waukegan, ILThe pilot's VFR flight into instrument meteorolical conditions.NTSB MIA95FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 152 · MissingUndetermined. The airplane and occupants have not been located.NTSB LAX95LA108Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · San Francisco, CAan inflight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX95LA063Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 500 · Chuuk Island (Pacific Ocean)undetermined.NTSB MIA95FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Missing, FLUndetermined.NTSB ATL95FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Statesboro, GAThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, improper planning/decision, flight into adverse weather conditions, and failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from wooded terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and…NTSB ANC95FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 206 · Kenai, AKUndetermined.NTSB ATL95FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Dresden, TNThe pilot in command's (CFI) impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs, which led to his failure to maintain separation from terrain.NTSB MIA94FAMS2Accident · 5 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · MissingUndetermined.NTSB ANC94LA133Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Fairbanks, AKUndetermined.NTSB SEA94FA237Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Dixon, MTThe pilot in command's allowing the aircraft airspeed to decrease below the stall speed.NTSB MIA94FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · MissingUndetermined.NTSB ANC94LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Eagle, AKUndetermined.NTSB BFO94LA085Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPecchio Marchetti 263MP · East Moriches, NYthe loss of control for undetermined reasons resulting in an uncontrolled descent and a subsequent collision with trees.NTSB CHI94FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5A · Wisconsin Rpds, WIUndetermined.NTSB CHI94FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172I · Kalamazoo, MIUndetermined.NTSB LAX94LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)An undetermined event that resulted in the accident.NTSB MIA94LA013Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Ormond Beach, FLPoor judgement of the pilot, due to consumption of alcohol and use of drugs, and his failure (or inability) to maintain altitude (or clearance) above water at night. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB MIA94FA008Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 60 · Miami, FLInadequate preflight by the pilot, and his failure to assure that proper maintenance/annual inspection was attained. Factors related to the accident were: water and other contamination in the fuel supply, lack of continuity in two ignition leads, loose left…NTSB MIA93FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 152 · FLundetermined.NTSB SEA93FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 182L · Missing, WAUndetermined.NTSB BFO93LA143Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Danielson, CTUndetermined.NTSB ANC93LA143Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArtic S-1B2 · Johnson Glacier, AKThe pilot's attempted flight in an airplane which exceeded the maximum allowable weight. The high mountainous terrain was a factor.NTSB LAX93LA309Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Dayton, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude sufficient to clear terrain due to alcohol and drug impairment.NTSB ANC93LA130Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Dry Bay, AKUndetermined.NTSB LAX93LA307Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Santa Margarita, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DEN93LA078Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172XP · Allen, TXFuel exhaustion induced power loss. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB CHI93FAMS4Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportMooney M20K · Hobart, INundetermined.NTSB FTW93TA#06Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna CE-550 · Comayagua, HondurasNTSB FTW93TA#07Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Del Rio, TXNTSB FTW93TA#04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Godley, TXNTSB CHI93FAMS3Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportLake LA-4 · Superior, WIundetermined.NTSB LAX93FA153Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Carpenteria, CAUndetermined.