Skip to content

NTSB investigations

35 cases where the first occurrence was “Nose down”.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19822026

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."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 290) 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\" = 290)
  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" = 290)
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 ATL07CA122Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · West Palm Beach, FLThe flight Instructor's delayed activation of the throttle during recovery from a demonstartion of an autorotation resulting in touchdown on soft terrain and a nosedown.Aug 28, 2007 · N100RW · Substantial damage NTSB SEA04LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Hillsboro, ORThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a practice auto rotation landing. A contributing factor was the soft terrain.Oct 26, 2003 · N7452F · Substantial damage NTSB SEA03LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcCarty Avid Magnum · Renton, WAThe flight instructor's unexpected encounter with control interference when the student applied brakes during the landing roll.Jun 17, 2003 · N64KM · Substantial damage NTSB CHI02LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Wahoo, NEThe student, who was a private pilot, used excessive braking during the landing roll.Jan 18, 2002 · N71677 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC01LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportForney F-1A · Whittier, AKThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and his selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was snow-covered terrain.Feb 24, 2001 · N3032G · Substantial damage NTSB FTW00LA145Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · San Antonio, TXThe improper touchdown performed by the flight instructor.May 9, 2000 · N14408 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW99LA268Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Tyler, TXThe locked left brake, which made normal braking impossible, and resulted in the airplane nosing down.Sep 25, 1999 · N76731 · Substantial damage NTSB MIA99LA241Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Winter Haven, FLthe pilot-in command/flight instructor allowed the student pilot to get the nose of the airplane too low in the water causing a loss of directional control and a subsequent impact of the right wing in the water.Aug 29, 1999 · N8002H · Substantial damage NTSB MIA99LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Marathon, FLThe pilot's improper use of elevator control while landing in gusty winds resulting in the aircraft nosing down and the propeller and wing contacting the runway.Feb 14, 1999 · N75RR · Substantial damage NTSB DEN99LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Cody, WYThe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to unfavorable winds conditions.Feb 3, 1999 · N980FE · Substantial damage NTSB SEA98LA110Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7-AC · Thompson Falls, MTThe instructor's inadequate remedial action with the application of excessive brake pressure.Jun 25, 1998 · N82834 · Substantial damage NTSB MIA96TA236Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 206B III · Flamingo, FLthe wire strike protection guide became entangled in a mangrove branch which resulted in helicopter control not being maintained.Sep 30, 1996 · N2113Z · Substantial damage NTSB ANC96IA085Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Naknek, AKThe inadequate visual lookout of the vehicle driver, and the inadequate visual lookout of the pilot. A factor was the State of Alaska's failure to provide taxiway hazard warning signs which would alert vehicles of the active aerodrome.Jun 6, 1996 · N9113L · Minor damage NTSB FTW95LA381Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Boulder, COFailure by the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll.Sep 4, 1995 · N5761G · Substantial damage NTSB ANC95LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Unalakleet, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition. A crosswind was a factor in the accident.Dec 25, 1994 · N7137T · Substantial damage NTSB ANC94LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Talkeentna, AKThe unsuitable takeoff area selected. A factor was the soft spot in the airstrip's surface.Aug 22, 1994 · N61272 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC94FA089Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable landing terrain. A factor was the crevasse in the ice.Jul 20, 1994 · N39GT · Substantial damage NTSB LAX94LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Agua Dulce, CAThe cfi's selection of unsuitable terrain to demonstrate a simulated autorotation. The soft terrain was a factor in this accident.Feb 27, 1994 · N50PE · Substantial damage NTSB ANC93LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Katmai, AKThe unsuitable terrain selected by the pilot-in-command. Factor was soft terrain condition.Jun 18, 1993 · N7300G · Substantial damage NTSB ANC93LA078Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206G · Igiugig, AKThe pilot in command selected unsuitable terrain for landing.Jun 4, 1993 · N756HL · Substantial damage NTSB NYC93LA095Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMacphee RV6 · Farmingdale, NJThe pilot's improper starting procedure, which caused the airplane to nose down.Apr 30, 1993 · N726WM · Substantial damage NTSB BFO92LA079Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRichard N. Burns KR-2 · Middletown, DEThe pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft and his inadequate handling of the aircraft.May 27, 1992 · N183RB · Destroyed NTSB MIA92IA093Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3C · San Juan, PRThe pilot-in-command's improper loading of personnel, and improper supervision of the first officer/co-pilot while calculating the center of gravity limits for the flight. This resulted in the forward center of gravity limit being exceeded and subsequent nose…Mar 10, 1992 · N135FS · Minor damage NTSB SEA91LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Monroe, WAThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing sute after making the decision to attempt a precautionary landing.Feb 23, 1991 · N6568B · Substantial damage NTSB ANC89LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Alexander Creek, AKThe pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing flare/touchdown. Turbulence was a contributing factor.Jul 24, 1989 · N6366N · Substantial damage NTSB NYC89LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-4 · Csttltn-Hdsn, NYThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain. A contributing factor was the wet, soft grass.May 19, 1989 · N4713T · Substantial damage NTSB MIA88LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStart & Flug H101 Salto · Winter Haven, FLThe flt entered the downwind leg for landing when the plt observed a glider parked 600 ft from the planned touchdown point. He elected to land to the left of the glider & after turning base then final, observed individuals pushing it towards the planned…Apr 3, 1988 · N999WC · Substantial damage NTSB ATL87LA252Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2A · Mc Intosh, ALThe helicopter was being used to set fires to burn off underbrush in a commercial forest prior to cutting of trees. The plt landed the helicopter on a mobile transport trailer at the completion of the day's work. The helicopter engine had been shut off and…Sep 8, 1987 · N1200W · Destroyed NTSB CHI87LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172Q · Belleville, MIAlthough the plt saw a dark wx area apch the arpt he elected to shoot a touch and go before terminating the flt. After touchdown and during taxi twr advised wind was 270 degrees at 40 KTS. The pilot continued taxi to the south and the wind nosed the acft down.Aug 2, 1987 · N96593 · Substantial damage NTSB MKC86LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Des Moines, IAN8036B diverted to Des Moines for fuel after encountering strong head winds enroute. After landing on rwy 30R the plt turned off the rwy onto a taxiway that runs to the north. The plt then stopped to change radio frequencies. While the acft was stopped a…Jan 12, 1986 · N8036B · Substantial damage NTSB FTW85LA337Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Westbrook, TXThere were no known eye witnesses to the accident. Available evidence reveals that the pilot most probably made a successful landing in the remotely located field and rolled to a stop. The sheriff reported that the engine oil was drained onto the ground at…Sep 3, 1985 · N8043C · Substantial damage NTSB LAX83LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Palm Springs, CAThe acft was blown onto its nose & wing while taxiing on the ramp. According to tower personnel the wind had been variable from 200 to 300 deg with some gusts as high as 35K.Feb 18, 1983 · N6525X · Substantial damage NTSB NYC82DA062Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150L · Haverhill, MAAfter calling for landing information on UNICOM and receiving no reply the pilot elected to land. During roll-out at approximately 5 mph the aircraft's right main and nose gear encountered a sink-hole causing the right wingtip to hit the ground.Mar 25, 1982 · N10459 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW82DA125Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Lubbock, TXWhile taxiing to takeoff the pilot noticed an increase in wind and decided to return to the ramp. As he turned left the wind picked up the right wing and flipped the aircraft over. The wind was at 24 KTS. Gusting to 34 KTS.Mar 12, 1982 · N4193Y · Substantial damage NTSB DEN82DA031Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172N · Broomfield, COPrior to landing, the pilot monitored the ATIS and noted that the wind was from 320 degrees at 15 knots. While on final approach for landing, he heard a radio transmission stating that the wind was gusting to 30 knots. While landing, he thought the right tire…Jan 27, 1982 · N5745T · Substantial damage