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NTSB investigations

20 cases where the first occurrence was “Explosion”.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19822026

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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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 172) 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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 172)
  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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 172)
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 ATL07LA057Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Atlanta, GAThe improper maintenance of the "B-nut" fitting adjacent to the fuel pump by maintenance personnel, resulting in a fuel leak and wing explosion.Mar 20, 2007 · N500JP · Substantial damage NTSB NYC04LA119Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Morrisville, VTThe improper installation of an electrical wire, which resulted in arching and the initiation of a fuel vapor explosion. A factor related to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to detect a cracked rubber fuel vent line nipple.May 9, 2004 · N151LL · Substantial damage NTSB ANC04LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas C-54B · McGrath, AKA fuel tank explosion in the left wing auxiliary fuel tank, and subsequent fuel fire that occurred during engine start for an undetermined reason.May 8, 2004 · N44911 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA99FA060Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 36 · Portland, ORImproper installation of the strobe light system. Factors include a leak in the fuel bladder and electrical arcing.May 8, 1999 · N6222V · Substantial damage NTSB MIA98LA192Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310K · Opa-Locka, FLThe fuel leak due to improper installation of the left auxiliary fuel tank by maintenance personnel. Also, inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by maintenance personnel for failure to identify the missing screw from the adel clamp resulting in chafing…Jun 5, 1998 · N366J · Substantial damage NTSB DCA96MA070Accident · 230 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 747-131 · East Moriches, NYAn explosion of the center wing fuel tank (CWT), resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank. The source of ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but, of the sources evaluated by the investigation,…Jul 18, 1996 · N93119 · Destroyed NTSB CHI93IA346Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Dickinson, NDthe total failure of the airplane's heater system combustion air pressure safety switch.Aug 30, 1993 · N36990 · Minor damage NTSB CHI93LA130Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B-55 · Green Bay, WIImproper replacement of the right wing by maintenance personnel which resulted in the vapor return lines being reversed, and the auxiliary tank vent to be disconnected.Apr 4, 1993 · N4167P · Substantial damage NTSB LAX92LA276Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Hayward, CAThe explosion of fuel vapors in the right wing due to the pilot's overpriming of the right engine during a start attempt and an uncorrected preexisting fuel system leak. A factor in the accident was inadequate maintenance performed on the aircraft.Jul 3, 1992 · N11BU · Substantial damage NTSB MIA89LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · San Juan, PRThe pilot noted an explosion in the right wing during engine start. He stated that the aircraft had been 'topped off' prior to the flight. Residue of fuel was found in the wing outside the fuel cells after the explosion.Oct 29, 1988 · N5237Y · Substantial damage NTSB FTW87LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 401A · Wichita Falls, TXThe pilot stated that the right engine quit after landing at the Wichita Falls, Texas airport. A witness stated that he attempted to start the engine several times when the right wing exploded during the last attempted engine restart. Damage was concentrated…Sep 14, 1987 · N6249Q · Substantial damage NTSB SEA87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Henderson, NVApproximately 5 1/2 minutes after departure and while the aircraft was climbing enroute, an unknown ignition source triggered an explosion of fuel/air vapor which existed within the interior of the left wing. Wing skin from the upper/lower wing surface was…Nov 6, 1986 · N3219Q · Destroyed NTSB NYC86FA183Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell B-222A · Staten Island, NYThe helicopter, on a FAR 135 flight was in cruise flt at 900 ft. the plt was checking for called VFR traffic and the co-pilot was occuppied with the RNAV when a loud bang was heard and a sudden yaw was felt. Both crew members stated they reacted as instructed…Jul 17, 1986 · N404WW · Substantial damage NTSB NYC86FA092Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350D · Philadelphia, PAA Aerospatiale helicopter an a-star under FAR 135 with pilot and 4 passengers onclimb out reaching an altitude of approx 100 to 150' AGL when pilot and passengers heard a loud bang acft lost power. Pilot attempted an auto rotation, due to low airspeed and…Mar 23, 1986 · N512WW · Destroyed NTSB DEN85LA245Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Sugar City, COPlts were participating in mile-high air derby between denver, Colorado and taos, new Mexico. Acft was flying 50 ft AGL and at full throttle. When plt depressed microphone button to give position report, a muffled explosion was heard. Cabin immediately filled…Sep 21, 1985 · N9186W · Destroyed NTSB FTW85IA221Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing B767-232 · D/Fw Airport, TXThe B767 was on the takeoff roll. The pressure regulator and shutoff valve coupled with the high presure shutoff valve malfunctioned resulting in pressures being developed in the downstream aircraft ducting in excess of 300 psig. A coupling in the air…May 11, 1985 · N108DL · Minor damage NTSB DCA84IA026Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 747 · Los Angeles, CADuring rotation the #2 eng sustained an explosive rupture of its compressor rear frame(crf). The crew observed a rapid drop in the #2 eng performance parameters & the illumination of the #2 eng thrust reversers 'unlock and in transit' lites. The crew…May 12, 1984 · FBPVS · Minor damage NTSB LAX83FUG04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 402B · Upland, CAThe pilot stated that after he landed and turned off the runway to taxi, he heard a loud report (explosion) from the right wing. He evacuated the aircraft and found the skin separated from the top and bottom leading edge of the right wing. Soot was found…Oct 24, 1982 · N7856Q · Substantial damage NTSB FTW83LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Sweetwater, TXWhen the confederate air force failed to show up for an airshow the pilot was asked to make some low passes over the airport and explosive charges were to be set off to simulate bomb bursts. During one low pass the charges were exploded too soon. The…Oct 24, 1982 · N38449 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW82FRG20Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCurtis C46 · Laredo, TXWhile performing the exterior inspection the pilot noted that fuel was dripping from both wings inboard of the fuel tanks at the rear attach angle fairing plates. Just after starting the right engine an explosion occurred in the right wing. The crew shut down…Jan 7, 1982 · N1698M · Substantial damage