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NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, NM

29 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19702026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

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" = 'NM' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "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\" = 'NM' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999'))
  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.

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" = 'NM' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run 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 WPR25LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Santa Teresa, NMThe flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and structural damage to the tail boom and subsequent failure of the tail rotor drive system.Feb 22, 2025 · N4191T · Substantial damage NTSB WPR25FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s entry into an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with terrain.Oct 20, 2024 · N512DW · Destroyed NTSB CEN23LA006Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar International S53A · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot’s inability to find a suitable landing area in a critical fuel situation and his decision to land on a highway, which resulted in the balloon impacting a bridge railing and terrain.Oct 7, 2022 · N9140F · Minor damage NTSB CEN18FA262Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau Ventus 3F · Moriarty, NMThe pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack during a low-altitude turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.Jul 10, 2018 · N753R · Substantial damage NTSB CEN18LA218Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerovodochody L 29 Delfin · Moriarty, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a visual approach and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in ground impact before the runway.Jun 8, 2018 · N4323N · Substantial damage NTSB DCA15CA117Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportTitan Aerospace Holdings Solara 50 · Otto, NMstructural failure of the left wing due to an overspeed condition.May 1, 2015 · N950TA · Destroyed NTSB CEN14CA386Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBlack Christopher Sparrow Sport Spec · Moriarty, NMThe pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the engine above its normal temperature limit on takeoff.Jul 20, 2014 · N41475 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13LA032Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar International RX8 · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot’s failure to attain the desired touchdown point because of wind conditions and surrounding obstructions, which resulted in the balloon impacting a fence during the approach to landing.Oct 10, 2012 · N90550 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN11CA035Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBorne Charles A III RV-4 · Los Lunas, NMThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control.Oct 17, 2010 · N353CB · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10CA395Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58A · Roswell, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires.Jul 10, 2010 · N415NS · Substantial damage NTSB DFW08CA222Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportFairchild SW3 · Carlsbad, NMFailure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.Aug 31, 2008 · N2699Y · Substantial damage NTSB DEN07LA148Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportElliott Cirrus VK30 · Watrous, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing that resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the ruptured pressurized oil line.Aug 27, 2007 · N60GE · Destroyed NTSB DEN06LA103Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-G10 · Dexter, NMThe pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane's propeller resulting in the propeller contacting the pilot and causing fatal injuries to the pilot.Jul 22, 2006 · N3298Y · No damage NTSB DEN06LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEldredge NXT · Glenwood, NMthe loss of engine power due to the partial failure of the crankcase nose seal for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the pilot's diminished visibility during the forced landing due to oil on the windscreen, resulting in a runway excursion and…Apr 11, 2006 · N42XT · Substantial damage NTSB DEN05CA040Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDaniels Vans RV-8 · Albuquerque, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop.Dec 19, 2004 · N204X · Substantial damage NTSB DEN05FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-29 · Santa Fe, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the inverted spin, spiral, and subsequent impact with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the inadvertent stall spin, the spiral, low altitude, and the pilot's delayed attempt to…Oct 2, 2004 · N92CG · Destroyed NTSB DEN00LA152Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRosenbarger Lancair IV · Artesia, NMFailure by the pilot in command to maintain control of the aircraft during initial climb following takeoff.Aug 15, 2000 · N494R · Substantial damage NTSB DEN00LA132Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSpencer Long EZE · Farmington, NMFailure of the coolant recovery system, resulting in overheating of the engine. A factor was the soft ground on which the forced landing was made.Jul 17, 2000 · N51EZ · Substantial damage NTSB FTW95FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrantly Helicopter B-2 · Artesia, NMThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, and his failure to maintain clearance from a powerline.Oct 22, 1994 · N5905X · Destroyed NTSB FTW94LA004Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven Rally RX7 · Albuquerque, NMPilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the gusty winds.Oct 4, 1993 · N27953 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW93LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportViolet Dragonfly · Carlsbad, NMThe improper installation of the control stick assembly and the subsequent separation of the flight control stick assembly from the mountApr 11, 1993 · N48RV · Substantial damage NTSB FTW93LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-60A · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout.Oct 8, 1992 · N8EN · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB DEN87LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDevore Sunbird 100 · Albuquerque, NMAn experimental designed prototype acft was being flown on its first flt. The acft took off and flew in ground effect beyond the arpt boundary. At full pwr, the acft could not maintain altitude and descended uncontrolled to an impact with the terrain. The…Apr 18, 1987 · N100VL · Substantial damage NTSB FTW81DQA21Accident · Serious injuriesClosedRaven AX-7 · Rio Rancho, NMMar 29, 1981 · N1237R · No damage NTSB FTW80FQA46Accident · Minor injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS126 · Moriarty, NMSep 27, 1980 · N8671R · Destroyed NTSB DEN76DQD34Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 188A · Hatch, NMSep 9, 1976 · N5643J · Substantial damage NTSB DEN76FQA22Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBernardin MS-2 · Albuquerque, NMOct 18, 1975 · N4956E · Substantial damage NTSB DEN74DQA17Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS126 · Moriarty, NMSep 15, 1973 · N8671R · Substantial damage NTSB DEN71FQA20Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech E35 · Albuquerque, NMOct 12, 1970 · N7352B · Substantial damage