NTSB investigations, CA
137 cases where the phase of flight was Unknown.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 6 |
| 1967 | 3 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1969 | 4 |
| 1970 | 2 |
| 1973 | 3 |
| 1974 | 1 |
| 1975 | 4 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 2 |
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 14 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 6 |
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\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
AND 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 WPR26FA355Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAeronca 7AC · Hesperia, CAOn September 24, 2026, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N12DF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hesperia, California. The flight instructor and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB WPR26LA359Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openHawker Hawker Hunter MK.58 · Morro Bay, CANTSB WPR26FA262Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportVans RV-4 · Yuba City, CAOn July 16, 2026, at 0701 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Vans RV-4, N98GB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Yuba City, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…NTSB ANC26FA039Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 182T · Armistead, CAOn May 7, 2026, about 1055 pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna 182T airplane, N227TF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Armistead, California. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The airplane…NTSB ANC26FA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAirplane Factory Ltd The Sling · Avalon, CAOn April 09, 2026, about 1224 Pacific daylight time, an Airplane Factory (Pty) Ltd. Sling 2 airplane, N166TW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Avalon, California. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The…NTSB WPR26FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-22-150 · Oroville, CAOn February 28, 2026, about 0948 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3170Z, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oroville, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB WPR25FA264Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172S · Los Banos, CAOn August 26, 2025, about 1905 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N5203H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Los Banos, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…NTSB WPR25FA208Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-180 · Needles, CAOn July 13, 2025, about 2128 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8375W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Needles, California. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB WPR24LA193Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · Monument Hills, CAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR23LA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirborne Windsports Edge X · Alturas, CAThe non-certificated pilot’s loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR22LA371Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Pacific Ocean, CAUndetermined because the airplane and pilot were not located.NTSB ANC22LA014Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 205A-1 · El Cajon, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB WPR21LA366Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSharp Ralph R Zenith Stol CH 701 · Bishop, CAA loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR20LA225Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV 8 · Grimes, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined.NTSB WPR20FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · Missing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA28R · Shelter Cove, CAUndetermined due to lack of available evidence.NTSB GAA19CA282Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Edwards Air Force Base, CAAn undetermined event, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB WPR19LA039Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 36 · Los Banos, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.NTSB WPR17LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH 58A · Sacramento, CAThe failure of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue.NTSB WPR16FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAUndetermined because the airplane was not located.NTSB WPR15FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172S · Davenport, CAUndetermined because the airplane was not located.NTSB GAA15CA018Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Camarillo, CAThe pilot involved and the phase of flight when the damage occurred were not determined.NTSB WPR10LA268Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Nelson, CAThe pilot's loss of aircraft control during an undetermined phase of flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB WPR09LA293Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Lake Elsinore, CAA loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR09LA222Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportValentin Taifun 17 E II · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a canyon.NTSB LAX08LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Mustang II 17.5 · Tracy, CAFailure or disconnection of a wing support/brace assembly for undetermined reasons during an undetermined phase of flight.NTSB SEA07LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Fresno, CAThe design stress limits of the airframe were exceeded by an unknown pilot.NTSB LAX06LA293Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · Clipper Mills, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from ingestion of marijuana.NTSB LAX06LA123Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Valencia, CAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from objects.NTSB LAX06CA039Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182T · Livermore, CAsubstantial damage to the airplane during unknown phase of flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX03FAMS3Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172B · Little River, CAAircraft is missing.NTSB LAX01FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Monterey, CAUndetermined.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 LAX97FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Avalon, CAundetermined.NTSB LAX97LA013Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAthe student pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his subsequent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions (power lines). Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low…NTSB LAX96LA247Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Oroville, CAundetermined.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 LAX95LA108Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · San Francisco, CAan inflight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX93LA307Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Santa Margarita, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB LAX93FA153Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Carpenteria, CAUndetermined.NTSB LAX93FAMS2Accident · 4 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Missing Acft, CAUndetermined.NTSB LAX92FA102Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-161 · Mountain Pass, CAThe pilots failure to maintain the aircraft's airspeed above the stall speed (vs) that resulted in an inadvertent entry into a stall/spin.NTSB LAX92FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlasair SH-2R · Nuevo, CAThe failure of the pilot to perform preventative maintenance on the airplane's powerplant which resulted in a loss of performance during an unknown phase of operation. Contributing to the accident was fouled spark plugs and the partial loss of aircraft…NTSB LAX91LA365Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Oceano, CAUnknown. The main airplane wreckage and the body of the pilot are presumed lost at sea.NTSB LAX91LA003Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Riverside, CAImpairment of the pilot from use of drugs (cocaine), and his failure to maintain clearance (or altitude) from the mountain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the pilot's psychological condtion (depression).NTSB LAX90DUG10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportELY Thorp T-18 · Claremont, CAA loss of control for undetermined reason(s).NTSB LAX90FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-33 · Paso Robles, CAUndetermined.NTSB DEN90FA041Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Tom'S Place, CAContinued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the ground. Factors related to the accident were: dark night, adverse weather conditions, self induced pressure, and spatial…NTSB LAX89LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Tracy, CAThe airplane was found nosed over and abandoned short of the airport. The owner of the airplane was identified as the pilot, however, he does not hold a pilots license nor a medical certificate. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks were…NTSB LAX89LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Lower Lake, CADuring a local solo instructional flight, the helicopter collided with the terrain in an open field aprx 3 miles from the airport. It was reported to have contacted the ground at considerable downward speed with high rotor RPM. No preimpact mechanical failure…