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NTSB investigations, 1997

180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases, newest first

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 year(c."eventDate") = 1997 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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 1997
  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 year(c."eventDate") = 1997
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 MIA98FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Rabun Gap, GAThe pilot's continued flight under visual flight rules into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude for terrain clearance resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and the ground on the side of a mountain.Oct 24, 1997 · N1499U · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Hamburg, CAthe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and overload failure of the nose gear. High terrain (obstruction) near the approach end of the runway was a related factor.Oct 24, 1997 · N759TA · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Fernley, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident.Oct 24, 1997 · N3155A · Substantial damage NTSB DCA98WA005Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Montevideo, UruguayOct 24, 1997 · N275WA · Substantial damage NTSB CHI98FA022Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Emporia, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude above the minimum descent altitude for the approach. Factors contributing to this accident were the low ceiling, rain, and fog.Oct 24, 1997 · N305RJ · Destroyed NTSB SEA98LA007Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185A · Damascus, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, and hilly/mountainous terrain.Oct 23, 1997 · N714 · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Fullerton, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent damage to the airplane.Oct 23, 1997 · N8203P · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Torrance, CAfailure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve, an encounter with soft terrain, and a nose over. The sudden gust of wind was a related factor.Oct 23, 1997 · N89257 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185C · Farmington, NMthe pilot's improper preflight of the airplane, by failing to properly set the elevator trim for takeoff, and his improper use use of the elevator flight controls. A related factor was: the pilot's lack of recent experience in the make and model of airplane.Oct 23, 1997 · N725 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC98FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather. Related factors were the low ceilings, mountainous terrain, and self induced pressure by the pilot to complete the flight and return for the evening.Oct 23, 1997 · N30505 · Destroyed NTSB FTW98FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Cee Vee, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during an aerial application flight.Oct 22, 1997 · N46278 · Destroyed NTSB NYC98FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA-200 · Radnor, OHThe failure of the pilot to obtain the proper altitude/clearance above the terrain, to perform an aerobatic maneuver. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model.Oct 21, 1997 · N11EX · Destroyed NTSB ATL98LA006Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA20-A1 · West Palm Beach, FLthe pilot's inadvertent use of the wrong runway, and his improper decision to continue the approach behind a large airplane (MD-80), which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter, loss of aircraft control, and collision with terrain.Oct 21, 1997 · N534SS · Substantial damage NTSB ANC98LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Naknek, AKThe loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.Oct 21, 1997 · N7049K · Substantial damage NTSB NYC98LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Scottsville, VAimproper engine operation by undetermined person(s) that initiated gauling on the connecting rod, and led to its subsequent failure.Oct 20, 1997 · N2200J · Substantial damage NTSB NYC98FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Morgantown, WVThe loss of engine power due to carburetor ice and the pilot's failure to follow ATC instructions during the emergency descent.Oct 20, 1997 · N9388G · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA015Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D17S · Chino, CAfuel starvation resulting from the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and improper fuel management. Contributing factors were the nighttime conditions and the rough/uneven terrain.Oct 20, 1997 · N67736 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H-800 · Ogden, UTfailure of the tail wheel assembly, which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable during landing roll.Oct 20, 1997 · N40013 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Deming, NMThe loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing was unsuitable terrain consisting of high vegetation and sand.Oct 20, 1997 · N6206K · Destroyed NTSB CHI98LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · St Charles, MOfailure of the alternator's front bearing, depletion of battery power, and failure of the emergency landing gear extension handcrank to engage during the pilot's attempt to perform the emergency procedure.Oct 20, 1997 · N9449V · Substantial damage NTSB ATL98LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Hendersonville, NCThe undetermined malfunction of the nose gear steering assembly that resulted in the loss of directional control during a full stop landing. A factor was the rough and uneven runway condition. .Oct 20, 1997 · N3426X · Substantial damage NTSB ATL98LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235C · Blakley, GAthe pilot misjudge clearance from trees during pull-up from a swath run. The obstructions (power line and trees) were related factors.Oct 20, 1997 · N9567P · Destroyed NTSB ANC98IA004Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Kasigluk, AKinadequate inspection of the aileron by company maintenance personnel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aileron, which led to the jamming of the left aileron due to loose balance weight retaining screws.Oct 20, 1997 · N9304F · No damage NTSB SEA98LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G3B · Winston, MTFuel starvation due to fuel flow restriction from a failed carburetor automatic mixture control device. Factors include night light conditions for the forced landing.Oct 19, 1997 · N47AH · Substantial damage NTSB SEA98LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Vashon, WAA misjudged soft field takeoff. Factors include wet grass.Oct 19, 1997 · N5987F · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson AT-19 · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot of the Stinson AT-19, N88793, inadequate visual lookout and his failure to perform clearing S-turns while taxiing. A related factor was the inherent forward visual restriction of the aircraft's conventional landing gear design.Oct 19, 1997 · N88793 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB IAD98LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Duxbury, MAFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. A related factor was the wind gusts.Oct 19, 1997 · N9614B · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Thompsons, TXThe loss of engine power resulting from a disconnected carburetor float due to improper maintenance. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.Oct 19, 1997 · N10DG · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Stratford, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath with the airplane resulting in the airplane not touching down at the proper touchdown point on the runway. A factor was the unfavorable winds.Oct 19, 1997 · N42AM · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Tyler, TXThe failure of the of pilot of the departing Cessna to follow standard departure procedures and his disorientation while navigating to locate a highway. A factor was the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout.Oct 19, 1997 · N3916J · 2 aircraft · Minor damage NTSB FTW98LA018Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · College Station, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around. Factors were :the pilot's premature retraction of the flaps, his lack of total experience in the airplane, the dark night illumination, pilot fatigue, and pressure induced by the passengers to…Oct 19, 1997 · N7433V · Substantial damage NTSB ATL98LA003Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Miami, FLexcessive wear to the number one valve stem and valve stem keepers that resulted in the separation of the valve assembly.Oct 19, 1997 · N7814U · Substantial damage NTSB SEA98LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V-35 · Medford, ORthe pilot's failure to refuel the airplane.Oct 18, 1997 · N5482U · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 126-D · Peoria, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during the landing approach.Oct 18, 1997 · N7583 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Norman, OKThe pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise and subsequent collapse of the nose gear.Oct 18, 1997 · N93116 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI98LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3L-65 · Reeseville, WIfailure of the normal braking system, due to a low level of brake fluid. Factors relating to the accident were: inadequate inspection of the aircraft by other maintenance personnel, the pilot's failure to check the brakes after brake maintenance/inspection,…Oct 18, 1997 · N33252 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI98LA018Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Rapid City, SDthe windshear, the pilot's inability to maintain the airplane's landing approach speed, and the inadvertent stall.Oct 18, 1997 · N88119 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA98LA003Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · Galata, MTThe pilot's failure to adequately perform preflight planning (prior to the precautionary landing and prior to the subsequent takeoff), his selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the fence during the…Oct 17, 1997 · CFOJT · Substantial damage NTSB MIA98LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Panacea, FLThe pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a forced landing.Oct 17, 1997 · N4690L · Substantial damage NTSB MIA98LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Pompano Beach, FLThe improper use of collective control by the dual student which prevented the flight instructor from stopping an uncontrolled roll to the left.Oct 17, 1997 · N333PH · Substantial damage NTSB CHI98LA079Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Quincy, ILimproper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), by switching 'OFF' the fuel selector valve of the single-engine airplane (starving the engine of fuel) to 'simulate' an emergency. Factors relating to the accident were: the soft and uneven…Oct 17, 1997 · N68299 · Destroyed NTSB SEA98LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Challis, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were inattention and fatigue.Oct 16, 1997 · N7507D · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA012Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMikoyan MiG MIG 15UTI · Reno, NVThe pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery technique.Oct 16, 1997 · N17KM · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Welsh, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction. The abrupt maneuver was a related factor.Oct 16, 1997 · N7104J · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Chama, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during its landing roll. Encounter with an embankment (dirt bank) was a related factor.Oct 16, 1997 · N7527K · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98IA019Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · Seattle, WAMaintenance personnel's failure to properly secure the left off-wing slide door after routine slide replacement, allowing an inflight separation of the slide. Factors were inadequate training of maintenance personnel and inadequate written instructions by the…Oct 16, 1997 · N581UA · Minor damage NTSB NYC98LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Piqua, OHThe student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.Oct 15, 1997 · N6154Q · Substantial damage NTSB NYC98LA013Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Pittsburgh, PAthe tug driver's failure to obey a stop sign and his failure to yield right-of-way to the airplane.Oct 15, 1997 · N162ZV · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98FA013Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 99-C99 · Meadview, AZThe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision, inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. Contributing was low altitude flight.Oct 15, 1997 · N227AV · Substantial damage NTSB FTW98TA051Incident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna P210N · Bryce Canyon, UTThe failure of the resistor (inverter) in the door seal pressurization air pump due to continuous operation. Factors were a failure in the door seal pressurization system, its inadequate design by the manufacturer, its inadequate written instructions for…Oct 15, 1997 · N731NX · Minor damage