NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18A

8 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-18A, where the first occurrence was “Loss of control - in flight”. 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

19862026

NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18A per year, 1986–2026: 8 cases
1986	1
1987	1
1993	1
1996	1
2002	2
2003	1
2006	1

Where

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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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7101804', '7102831') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 250)) 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7101804', '7102831')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 250))
  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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7101804', '7102831')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 250))
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 ANC06CA128Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Aniak, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was a windshear.Sep 1, 2006 · N1858A · Substantial damage NTSB SEA03LA140Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Zurich, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.Jul 15, 2003 · N6792B · Substantial damage NTSB CHI03FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Garden City, KSThe inadequate preflight planning/preparation and visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions by the pilot. The clouds, mist, and night conditions were contributing factors.Oct 2, 2002 · N3279Z · Destroyed NTSB ANC02LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident is a ditch adjacent to the runway.Jun 19, 2002 · N1858A · Substantial damage NTSB CHI96LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Grand Haven, MIfailure of the dual student to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor.Apr 1, 1996 · N454Q · Substantial damage NTSB ANC93FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A-150 · Sanona Creek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during a downwind turn for landing. Factors contributing to the accident were: the overweight condition of the airplane, and failure to assure that the airplane complied with all applicable airworthiness…Sep 2, 1993 · N4713A · Destroyed NTSB ANC87LA119Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot stated that during a right turn on approach the aircraft stalled and crashed into the river.Aug 11, 1987 · N7561D · Substantial damage NTSB ANC86LA105Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Stoney River, AKAccording to a witness, a certificated pilot, a crowd had gathered to wave, watch the takeoff and take photographs. The airplane began its takeoff roll about mid point on the airstrip and rolled 120 feet before lifting off. The airplane climbed steeply and…Jul 12, 1986 · N1825A · Substantial damage