Final NTSB investigations
61 cases where the defining event was Ground handling event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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.\"completionStatus\" = 'Completed'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '080')
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."completionStatus" = 'Completed' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '080') 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 ERA26LA264Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Greensboro, NCThe flight instructor’s improper decision to leave the airplane with the engine running, which resulted in the airplane rolling forward and impacting a hangar.NTSB CEN26LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Conroe, TXThe pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff.NTSB ERA26LA194Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4 · Chapmansboro, TNFailure of the volunteer fire department personnel to properly monitor and secure a stretcher, which resulted in it rolling into the helicopter’s tail rotor.NTSB ERA26LA085Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBurkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field.NTSB DCA23LA191Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer ERJ 190-100 IGW · New York, NYElectrical sparking caused by a faulty connection between the aircraft and ground power unit resulting in a serious injury to a ground service agent.NTSB CEN21LA310Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Wapakoneta, OHThe pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure resulting in the unoccupied airplane’s unintended movement and subsequent impact with a hangar.NTSB CEN21LA212Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRichards Heavylift Helo UH-1H · Norris City, ILThe pilot’s improper positioning of the helicopter on the landing pad, and his failure to monitor and control the helicopter as fuel and chemical product were loaded, which led to the helicopter tipping and sliding off the landing pad, and subsequently…NTSB WPR21LA149Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Port Townsend, WAThe pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station.NTSB WPR21LA155Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar International RX 8 · St. George, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the balloon and a member of the ground crews entanglement with a tether rope, which resulted in a serious injury when they fell to the ground after the balloon unexpectedly ascended.NTSB DCA19CA223Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2C10 · Chicago OHare, ILthe tug driver's inability to maintain visual contact with the wing walkers and lack of situational awareness during pushback.NTSB DCA19CA186Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBoeing 757 · San Francisco, CAfailure of the ground crew to maintain clearance from the parked airplane during pushback.NTSB DCA19CA168Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBoeing 737-8H4 · Pittsburgh, PAa provisioning truck that impacted the airplane resulting in substantial damage.NTSB DCA19CA079Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAirbus A320 · Denver, COloss of control of the tug by the driver during pushback operations as a result of the contaminated ramp, angle of the towbar, and the airplane engines being at idle thrust.NTSB DCA19CA035Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2B19 · New York, NYthe captain initiating a cross bleed start while under tow.NTSB DCA18CA272Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBoeing 757 · Philadelphia, PAThe ground service employee's inadvertent fall near the nose wheel during pushback.NTSB DCA18CA042Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD 88 · Detroit, MIfailure of the flight crew to confirm the left engine throttle lever was at idle during engine start.NTSB DCA18CA074Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 7H4 · Los Angeles, CAThe provisioning agent's lack of situational awareness while stepping from the airplane to the provisioning van. Contributing to the accident was the provisioning vans failed switch.NTSB DCA18CA001Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 7H4 · Chicago, ILthe mechanical failure of the tugs fuel governor, which made it difficult for the ramp agent to stop the tug. Contributing to the accident was the lack of guidance on how ground personnel were to handle vehicle malfunctions.NTSB WPR17LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Sedona, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing.NTSB GAA17CA520Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 680 · Wilmington, DEThe passenger’s inadvertent slip on the airplane's air stairs during deplaning, which resulted in a broken ankle.NTSB ERA17LA243Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B 15 · Murfreesboro, TNThe passenger's failure to let go of the balloon's gondola when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.NTSB DCA17CA072Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 76N · Phoenix, AZthe catering agent's lack of situational awareness when exiting the airplane that resulted in a serious injury.NTSB GAA17CA135Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes OH 6A · Price, UTThe fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.NTSB DCA16CA207Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 3H4 · Baltimore, MDthe tug operators excessive speed during pushback.NTSB GAA16CA308Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 208 · Fort Dodge, IAThe flight crew's failure to install the tail stand prior to passenger boarding, which resulted in a tail strike.NTSB DCA16CA139Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2B19 · San Francisco, CAThe tug driver's failure to comply with the wing walkers direction to stop, which resulted in the towed airplane colliding with N961SW.NTSB DCA16CA133Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 76Q · San Diego, CAthe ramp agents failure to keep his right hand at a safe distance from the underside of the moving belt.NTSB GAA16CA162Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA24 · Homestead, FLThe pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence.NTSB CEN16LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeechcraft A36 · Dallas, TXThe pilot’s improper navigation onto a vehicle service road while taxiing and his subsequent distraction while looking at an airport diagram, which led to the airplane impacting a fence post.NTSB CEN15CA410Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-17 · Delphi, INThe pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.NTSB WPR14LA346Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 7H4 · Salt Lake City, UTThe disconnection of baggage carts that subsequently collided with the parked airplane following the tug driving over a dip in the roadway.NTSB DCA14CA051Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD 88 · Atlanta, GAInattention by ground crew personnel which resulted in the airplane being substantially damaged.NTSB ERA13CA182Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Venice, FLThe pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before moving the propeller to assist the engine start.NTSB CEN13CA093Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Eden Prairie, MNThe pilot's failure to ensure the airplane was secured prior to attempting an engine start by handpropping.NTSB WPR12CA137Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Caldwell, IDThe pilot did not properly secure the airplane before starting the engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in the inadvertent movement of the airplane.NTSB ERA12LA147Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing DHC-8-102 · Huntington, WVThe inadequate communication among ground crew personnel, which resulted in the airplane’s collision with a deice truck.NTSB CEN12CA032Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Radnor, OHThe pilot's failure to properly secure the engine controls prior to manually rotating the propeller, which led to an inadvertent engine start and runaway airplane.NTSB ERA12CA038Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-88 · Atlanta, GAThe tug driver's inadequate control of the tug while maneuvering the airplane during pushback.NTSB DCA11CA073Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · San Fransico, CAThe ramp personnel's failure to visually verify the position of the jetway before beginning the airplane pushback.NTSB WPR11LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · Los Angeles, CAThe ground crewmembers’ failure to follow proper procedures for removing a stuck or jammed tow bar, which resulted in a ground crew injury.NTSB CEN11IA270Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135KL · Dubuque, IAThe airport authorities' improper decision to deactivate the jet bridge braking system which created an unsafe condition by the gate agents not being able to stop the bridge from impacting the airplane during a wind gust.NTSB WPR11CA174Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182C · Stockton, CAThe pilot's failure to secure the airplane before pulling the propeller to start the engine.NTSB WPR11CA123Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 95-B55 (T42A) · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to turn off the engine magnetos and properly secure the airplane prior to rotating the propeller by hand, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane and collision with a building.NTSB WPR11CA118Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Eastsound, WAThe pilot’s failure to properly secure the airplane prior to rotating the propeller by hand, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane and collision with a building.NTSB WPR11CA107Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Meadview, AZThe pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane while manually starting the engine with the propeller, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane and collision with the ground.NTSB DCA11CA014Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Philadelphia, PAthe failure of the ground operations personnel to maintain awareness of the relative position of the two airplanes.NTSB WPR11LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Salt Lake City, UTThe tug driver’s loss of airplane control during pushback due to a loss of traction in slippery conditions on the ramp. Contributing to the accident was the ground crews’ and airline operators’ inadequate guidance with regard to pushback procedures during low…NTSB ERA11CA046Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B19 · Pittsburgh, PAThe ground crew’s failure to detach the air-starter hose from the airplane before moving the cart away resulting in structural damage to a skin panel.NTSB ERA11LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ground service vehicle driver's depressing of the accelerator rather than the brake pedal, resulting in a collision with the airplane.NTSB WPR10LA352Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Las Vegas, NVThe passenger's failure to maintain clearance from a turning propeller. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.