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NTSB investigations, PA

77 cases where the first occurrence was “Hard landing”.

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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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'PA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 200) 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\" = 'PA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 200)
  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" = 'PA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 200)
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 NYC07CA239Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Atlantic, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.Sep 25, 2007 · N39263 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC07CA013Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Lancaster, PAThe student pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a nosegear collapse during landing.Oct 27, 2006 · N68727 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC06CA094Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150M · Hazleton, PAThe student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a hard landing.Mar 30, 2006 · N704MT · Substantial damage NTSB NYC05CA120Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Allentown, PAThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.Jul 2, 2005 · N78SF · Substantial damage NTSB NYC05CA112Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Greenville, PAThe student pilot's improper flare, and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a nose gear collapse while landing.Jun 23, 2005 · N46541 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC05CA011Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Lehighton, PAThe pilot inadequate flare, and failure to recover from a bounced landing.Oct 23, 2004 · N586FL · Substantial damage NTSB IAD04CA045Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCameron Balloons Z-90 · Dover, PAThe pilot's failure to arrest an excessive descent rate prior to ground contact, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the relatively high winds (for balloon flight.)Aug 25, 2004 · N1032B · No damage NTSB NYC04CA189Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172P · Wilkes-Barre, PAThe student pilot's improper flare and improper recover from a bounced landing. Factors in this accident were the crosswind condition and the partial failure of the airplane's transceiver, as reported by the pilot.Aug 8, 2004 · N4599D · Substantial damage NTSB NYC04LA165Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Pottstown, PAThe pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing.Jul 4, 2004 · N38RA · Substantial damage NTSB IAD04CA004Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech BE-55 · E. Stroudsburg, PAThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.Dec 9, 2003 · N7202R · Substantial damage NTSB NYC03CA185Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172E · Lemont Furnace, PAThe pilot's improper bounced landing recovery. A factor was the pilot's inadequate flare during the initial touchdown.Aug 30, 2003 · N5628T · Destroyed NTSB IAD03LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Lehighton, PAThe student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his continued flight operations with a known discrepancy.Mar 28, 2003 · N17114 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD02LA082Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Mount Pocono, PAThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.Aug 7, 2002 · N1727V · Substantial damage NTSB NYC02LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Littlestown, PAThe pilot's improper flair, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.Jun 2, 2002 · N2555G · Substantial damage NTSB NYC02LA070Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Coatesville, PAThe student pilot's loss of aircraft control which resulted in a hard landing, and the CFI's delayed remedial action. Factors related to the accident were the fatigue cracks which initiated at the attachment hole on the landing gear strut, and the crosswind…Mar 2, 2002 · N65021 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD02LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · York, PAThe pilot in command's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose gear failure.Oct 20, 2001 · N7399S · Substantial damage NTSB IAD02LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Perkasie, PAThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the sun glare.Oct 12, 2001 · N5385J · Substantial damage NTSB NYC99LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMorrow RV-6 · Bradford, PAThe pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, and subsequent collapse of the nose gear.Jun 12, 1999 · N173AB · Substantial damage NTSB NYC99LA070Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Myerstown, PAThe student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.Feb 27, 1999 · N8923J · Substantial damage NTSB NYC99LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Allentown, PAThe pilot's improper decision to reduce too much power during the landing flare.Jan 8, 1999 · N31UV · Substantial damage NTSB NYC97LA145Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSlingsby T65A · Bethel, PAThe pilot's improper flare. A factor in the accident was the pilot's fatigue.Jul 12, 1997 · N111XX · Substantial damage NTSB NYC96LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Edinboro, PAThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose over. The tailwind was a related factor.Jun 26, 1996 · N3788V · Substantial damage NTSB NYC96LA058Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Bradford, PAthe pilot misjudged the flare during landing. Factors in the accident were: an improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the first officers lack of experience in this type operation.Feb 7, 1996 · N159YV · Substantial damage NTSB NYC96LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild Merlin Iiia · Butler, PAfailure of the pilot to perform a missed approach, when the airplane was not properly aligned with the landing runway; and his failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing.Nov 7, 1995 · N636SP · Substantial damage NTSB BFO95LA056Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportKnoll-Bensen B-80 · Germansville, PAthe private pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing.May 31, 1995 · N12JK · Substantial damage NTSB NYC95LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Allentown, PAthe pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard, bounced landing and impact with the runway. A factor in this accident was an improper recovery from a bounced landing.May 24, 1995 · N621PW · Substantial damage NTSB NYC93LA109Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Glen Mills, PAAn improperly planned approach in which the flare was not attained, and which resulted in a hard landing.Jun 9, 1993 · N51739 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC93LA093Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22B · Murraysville, PAFailure of the pilot to maintain rotor RPM, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total helicopter experience.Apr 27, 1993 · N2618Z · Substantial damage NTSB NYC92LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJohn Mitchell Myers Special · Franklin, PAThe pilot inadvertently porpoised the airplane during the landing and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of experience in this type of aircraft.Aug 7, 1992 · N163JM · Destroyed NTSB NYC91LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Doylestown, PAThe flight instructor allowed the student to continue a simulated engine failure to a hard landing, resulting in a bounced landing and loss of directional control and a collision with the VASI.Jun 22, 1991 · N4821T · Substantial damage NTSB NYC91LA032Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G103A · Erwinna, PAThe student pilot's improper landing technique and the instructor's inadequate supervision.Nov 19, 1990 · N923BG · Substantial damage NTSB NYC91LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Bally, PAThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failiure to maintain directional control.Oct 27, 1990 · N3HA · Substantial damage NTSB NYC91LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M5-235C · Moscow, PAA hard landing due to the failure of the pilot to properly arrest his descent rate and the failure of the flight instructor to adequately monitor the actions of the pilot.Oct 7, 1990 · N9266E · Substantial damage NTSB NYC91LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Emlenton, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing. The turbulence contributed to the accident.Oct 7, 1990 · N117T · Substantial damage NTSB NYC90LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Peters Twp, PAThe pilot in commands failure to maintain airspeed on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall and hard landing.Sep 3, 1990 · N21033 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC90LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Mt Pocono, PAA hard landing after the pilot perceived an engine problem. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to control his airspeed and flare during the emergency landing.Aug 2, 1990 · N6177J · Destroyed NTSB NYC90LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · New Castle, PAInadequate supervision of the student pilot by the flight instructor which resulted in a hard landing. Factors related to the accident was the improper use of the flight controls by a student pilot.Apr 18, 1990 · N48259 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Mt Pleasant, PAAn improper flare by the pilot that resulted in a hard landing.Jul 29, 1989 · N19652 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA173Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 1-23 · Eighty Four, PAPoor handling of the glider durig landing. The pilot over corrected and caused the nose to strike the runway surface. Directional control was lost, resulting in a groundloop.Jul 23, 1989 · N91867 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA143Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 60 · Philadelphia, PAImproper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.Jun 1, 1989 · N5AN · Destroyed NTSB NYC89LA131Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAdams Unknown · Soleburg, PAThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in delaying the precautionary landing. Factors contributing to the accident included high winds and the lack of restraining devices inside the basket to help the occupants remain inside.Apr 27, 1989 · N4022Q · No damage NTSB NYC89LA130Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C182Q · Beaver Falls, PAThe pilot failure to properly flare the airplane during landing and the improper recovery from a bounced landing.Apr 27, 1989 · N82AH · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hanover, PAThe failure of the student pilot to maintain airspeed and directional control during an attempted go around.Apr 27, 1989 · N757JS · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · W.Mifflin, PAThe improper level off of the aircraft by the pilot which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent gear collapse.Apr 15, 1989 · N8468H · Substantial damage NTSB NYC88LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33 · Erwinna, PAAccident was a loss of directional control during landing which followed a hard landing. Contributing was the improper use of spoiler control by the private pilot and the failure of the flight instructor to adequately supervise the actions of the private…Jun 5, 1988 · N1240S · Substantial damage NTSB NYC88LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Allentown, PADuring an FAA flight check an autorotational descent was made with a planned power recovery, the helicopter fell through the maneuver and collided with the ground. The main rotor blades flexed downward, striking the horizontal fin winglets and the tail boom.Mar 29, 1988 · N114FH · Substantial damage NTSB NYC88LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Philadelphia, PAThe Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 landed and damage was observed on the underside of the left wing midway between the engine and tip tank and outboard to the tip tank. Further examination of the wing showed a broken lower front wing spar and a bent rear lower wing…Feb 12, 1988 · N339MA · Substantial damage NTSB NYC87LA247Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · W. Mifflin, PAThe non-certificated pilot took the aircraft without authorization. The aircraft crashed during an attempted landing on runway 10 at allegheny county airport and was substantially damaged. There were two passengers on board but they were not injured. The plt…Sep 7, 1987 · N80376 · Substantial damage NTSB NYC87LA165Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Grove City, PAThe plt rprtd that while on final apch to lnd at night, the acft stalled. He stated that he applied full power, but the acft 'just dropped.' It struck the ground short of the rwy. Drg impact, all three gear collapsed, the rgt main spar was damaged & the lower…Jun 8, 1987 · N7678F · Substantial damage NTSB NYC87DGT01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20L · Mt Holley Sprgs, PAJust before touchdown, during an off-arpt landing, the plt tried to extend the flaps from a 30 deg position to full down (55 deg). He said that due to his short stature & seat position, he had difficulty positioning his left arm to do this. As he tried to…May 29, 1987 · N705X · Substantial damage