Research
The whole record, reshaped by a question.
Every count below is the Board's own coding across the cases in scope — findings, occurrences, phases, recommendations, the evidence held. Click any bar to make it the filter. No fleet-exposure data exists here, so these are cases, never rates.
AircraftAllBoeing / McDonnell DouglasAirbusEmbraerBombardier / De HavillandBellSikorskyRobinsonCessnaPiperBeechcraft
OccurrenceAllTurbulence encounterCollision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Loss of control in flightGround collisionFire/smoke (non-impact)Cabin safety eventPowerplant sys/comp malf/failSys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)TailstrikeControlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)Air traffic eventRunway excursion
Showing 48 cases · 2015–2015
48
cases in this slice
10
fatal accidents
35
lives lost
47
with a probable cause
47
with coded findings
48
safety recommendations
The record over time
cases per year by cohort, and the lives lost — click a year to focus on itCases per year
Major investigationPart 121 airlinePart 135 fatal
Fatalities per year
Fatalities
Why accidents happen
47 coded casesthe Board's findings taxonomy — causal findings in the probable cause, contributing factors beside them; occurrences and the phase of flight the defining event sat inPersonnel issues30 cases · 73 causal · 4 contributing
- Action/decision — Info processing/decision, Action16
- Task performance — Use of equip/info, Communication (personnel)16
- Psychological — Attention/monitoring, Perception/orientation/illusion6
- Physical — Sensory ability/limitation, Impairment/incapacitation4
- Experience/knowledge — Experience/qualifications, Training2
- Miscellaneous — (general)1
Environmental issues24 cases · 23 causal · 4 contributing
- Conditions/weather/phenomena — Turbulence, Ceiling/visibility/precip18
- Physical environment — Terrain, Object/animal/substance4
- Task environment — Physical workspace2
- Operating environment — Airport facilities/design1
Aircraft17 cases · 23 causal · 7 contributing
- Aircraft systems — Hydraulic power system, Fuel system10
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability — Performance/control parameters, Aircraft capability5
- Aircraft handling/service — Towing and taxiing2
- Aircraft power plant — Engine (turbine/turboprop), Engine (reciprocating)2
- Aircraft structures — Windows-windshield system1
Organizational issues7 cases · 16 causal · 3 contributing
- Management — Culture, Policy/procedure4
- Support/oversight/monitoring — Oversight, Safety programs4
- Development — Design, Selection/certification/testing3
Solid = cited in the probable cause · outlined = contributing factor · hover a row for the most-cited specifics.
Occurrences coded
- Turbulence encounter · 12 defining12
- Cabin safety event · 5 defining6
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) · 4 defining4
- Ground collision · 4 defining3
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) · 2 defining3
- Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · 2 defining3
- Loss of control in flight · 2 defining2
- Midair collision · 4 defining2
- Evacuation · 1 defining2
- Runway incursion veh/AC/person · 3 defining2
- Clear air turbulence encounter · 1 defining1
- Wrong surface or wrong airport · 1 defining1
- Low altitude operation/event · 1 defining1
- Landing gear collapse · 1 defining1
Phase of flight of the defining event
- Enroute23
- Approach11
- Taxi8
- Landing3
- Standing3
- Takeoff2
- Maneuvering1
- Pushback/Tow1
- InitialClimb1
Aircraft and operators
by manufacturer family and operating rule — counts of cases, with no fleet-size denominator, so a busy family simply flies moreAircraft family
- Airbus · 3 fatal11
- Bombardier / De Havilland · 1 fatal5
- Cessna · 3 fatal3
- Bell · 1 fatal1
- Other · 1 fatal1
- Beechcraft · 1 fatal1
Operators with the most cases
- American Airlines7
- Delta Air Lines7
- Southwest Airlines7
- United Airlines3
- Air Methods · 3 lives2
- American Eagle Airlines2
- Mesa Airlines2
- Alaska Airlines1
- Allegiant Air1
- Champlain Enterprises1
- Compass Airlines1
- Dynamic International1
What changed because of them
48 recommendations · 15 opensafety recommendations issued from these cases, by the NTSB's status of the response- Closed · acceptable 19
- Closed · unacceptable 10
- Closed · superseded or reconsidered 4
- Open · acceptable response 11
- Open · unacceptable response 4
Issued per year
Recommendations
Reiterated most often
- A-16-035reiterated ×7Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: After the action in Safety Recommendation A-16-34 is completed, require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish a structured flight data monitoring progr…
- A-16-036reiterated ×7Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish safety management system programs.
- A-16-034reiterated ×6Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to install flight data recording devices capable of supporting a flight data monitoring program.
- A-16-041reiterated ×1Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Review the Safety Assurance System and develop and implement procedures needed to identify 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators that do not comply with standard operat…
- A-17-035reiterated ×1Open - Acceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Implement ways to provide effective terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) protections while mitigating nuisance alerts for single-engine airplanes operated under 14 Code of F…
- A-17-038reiterated ×1Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Expand the application of Federal Aviation Administration Order 8900.1, volume 3, chapter 19, section 6, “Safety Assurance System: Flight Training Curriculum Segments,” paragraphs …
Evidence held
what the corpus can show for this slice, year by year — a docket, decoded flight data, a transcript, photographs, controller audioWhat the record says for this slice
a pattern, not a findingthe causal findings the Board cited most often across the 46 coded cases here- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence · Environmental issues · 26%12 cases
- Action/decision › Info processing/decision · Personnel issues · 26%12 cases
- Task performance › Use of equip/info · Personnel issues · 11%5 cases
- Action/decision › Action · Personnel issues · 11%5 cases
- Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion · Personnel issues · 11%5 cases
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters · Aircraft · 9%4 cases
- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip · Environmental issues · 9%4 cases
- Support/oversight/monitoring › Oversight · Organizational issues · 9%4 cases
- Task performance › Communication (personnel) · Personnel issues · 9%4 cases
- Task performance › Workload management · Personnel issues · 7%3 cases
- Aircraft systems › Hydraulic power system · Aircraft · 4%2 cases
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability · Aircraft · 4%2 cases
The cases
48 of 48newest first — open any case for its recorders, transcript, photographs and analyst| Date | Case | Aircraft | Operator | Where | Outcome | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-12-26 | DCA16CA052 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 76N | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | San Diego, CA | Serious injury | 2 docs |
| 2015-12-23 | DCA16CA053 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 7H4 | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | Charlotte, NC | Serious injury | 3 docs |
| 2015-12-19 | DCA16IA036 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 | ALASKA AIRLINES INC | Seattle, WA | No injury | 5 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-12-16 | WPR16FA040 Part 135 fatal | AIRBUS Helicopters AS350 | AIR METHODS CORP | Superior, AZ | Fatal · 2 | 34 docs |
| 2015-12-15 | DCA16LA032 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 3H4 | Southwest Airlines | Nashville, TN | No injury | 27 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-12-12 | DCA16CA050 Part 121 airline | BOEING 777 223 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Buenos Aires | Serious injury | 3 docs |
| 2015-12-11 | WPR16FA037 Part 135 fatal | BELL 407 | Rogers Helicopters | McFarland, CA | Fatal · 4 | 34 docs |
| 2015-12-10 | DCA16CA030 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS A319 115 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Great Falls, MT | Serious injury | 1 docs |
| 2015-12-06 | DCA16WA028 Part 121 airline | BOEING 777 223 | American Airlines | Madrid | — | no docket · open |
| 2015-11-29 | DCA16CA026 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 7H4 | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | St Louis, MO | Serious injury | 3 docs · recorder reports |
| 2015-11-23 | DCA16CA023 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319 112 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Philadelphia, PA | Serious injury | 3 docs |
| 2015-11-10 | CEN16MA036 Major investigation | BRITISH AEROSPACE HS 125 700A | Execuflight | Akron, OH | Fatal · 9 | no docket |
| 2015-11-07 | DCA16CA021 Part 121 airline | BOEING 787 | UNITED AIR LINES INC | Beaumont, TX | Serious injury | 7 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-10-29 | DCA16FA013 Part 121 airline | BOEING 767 | Dynamic International | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Serious injury | 14 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-10-24 | DCA16CA010 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737-924ER | UNITED AIR LINES INC | Plevna, KS | Serious injury | 8 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-10-21 | DCA16CA009 Part 121 airline | BOEING 757 223 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Dallas, TX | Serious injury | 2 docs |
| 2015-10-09 | DCA16CA008 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 3H4 | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | Pound Ridge, NY | Serious injury | 2 docs |
| 2015-10-02 | ENG16IA001 Part 121 airline | BOEING 747 | Delta Air Lines | Russian airspace | No injury | 6 docs |
| 2015-10-01 | DCA16CA001 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS A319 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Nassau | Serious injury | 3 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-08-23 | DCA15CA176 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 7H4 | Southwest Airlines | Oakland, CA | Serious injury | 2 docs |
| 2015-08-16 | ERA15FA313 Part 135 fatal | BEECH C35 | Hicksville, NY | Fatal · 1 | 22 docs | |
| 2015-08-16 | WPR15MA243 Major investigation | CESSNA 172M | San Diego, CA | Fatal · 5 | no docket | |
| 2015-08-15 | DCA15LA173 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS A321 | AMERICAN AIRLINES INC | Charlotte, NC | No injury | 10 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-08-08 | OPS15IA020 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 211 | Delta Air Lines | Max, NE | No injury | 23 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-08-07 | WPR15LA239 Part 121 airline | EMBRAER E175 | Compass Airlines LLC | South Lake Tahoe, CA | Serious injury | 7 docs |
| 2015-08-05 | CEN15IA337 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 | Southwest Airlines | Denver, CO | Minor injury | 11 docs |
| 2015-07-17 | ANC15FA049 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 207A | Sea Port Airlines, Inc | Juneau, AK | Fatal · 1 | 50 docs |
| 2015-07-07 | ERA15MA259 Major investigation | CESSNA 150M | Moncks Corner, SC | Fatal · 2 | no docket | |
| 2015-07-03 | CEN15MA290 Major investigation | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3E | AIR METHODS CORP | Frisco, CO | Fatal · 1 | 53 docs |
| 2015-06-30 | DCA15CA145 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 832 | DELTA AIR LINES INC | Salt Lake City, UT | Serious injury | 1 docs |
| 2015-06-29 | DCA15CA152 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 212 | Delta Air Lines, Inc. | Boston, MA | Serious injury | 1 docs |
| 2015-06-29 | DCA15CA146 Part 121 airline | BOEING 767 432ER | Delta Air Lines, Inc. | Atlanta, GA | Serious injury | 1 docs |
| 2015-06-25 | ANC15MA041 Major investigation | DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 | Promech Air, Inc. | Ketchikan, AK | Fatal · 9 | 59 docs |
| 2015-06-10 | DCA15CA131 Part 121 airline | BOMBARDIER INC CL600 2D24 | MESA AIRLINES INC | McCook, NE | Serious injury | 5 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-06-08 | DCA15CA129 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC 9 83(MD-83) | ALLEGIANT AIR LLC | St Petersburg, FL | Serious injury | 3 docs |
| 2015-06-05 | ENG15IA024 Part 121 airline | BOMBARDIER INC DHC 8 | CHAMPLAIN ENTERPRISES INC | Windsor Locks, CT | No injury | 10 docs |
| 2015-05-23 | DCA15CA125 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 212 | DELTA AIR LINES INC | Atlanta, GA | Serious injury | 2 docs |
| 2015-05-05 | CEN15IA225 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS A319 112 | FRONTIER AIRLINES INC | New Orleans, LA | No injury | 7 docs |
| 2015-05-04 | DCA15CA118 Part 121 airline | Bombardier CL600 2D24 | Mesa Airlines | Phoenix, AZ | No injury | 3 docs |
| 2015-04-12 | OPS15IA017 Part 121 airline | BOEING 767 34AF | United Parcel Service | Miami, FL | — | no docket |
| 2015-03-20 | DCA15CA108 Part 121 airline | EMBRAER EMB 145LR | American Eagle Airlines | Springfield, MO | No injury | 1 docs |
| 2015-03-14 | DCA15IA089 Part 121 airline | BOMBARDIER INC CL 600 2C10 | GOJET AIRLINES LLC | Chicago, IL | No injury | 10 docs · recorder reports |
| 2015-03-13 | CEN15FA171 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 | EAGLEMED LLC | Eufaula, OK | Fatal · 1 | 15 docs |
| 2015-03-05 | DCA15FA085 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 88 | Delta Air Lines | New York, NY | No injury | 81 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-02-24 | DCA15FA073 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD 11F | FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP | St. Louis, MO | Serious injury | 12 docs |
| 2015-02-18 | OPS15IA011 Part 121 airline | EMBRAER EMB 145LR | American Eagle Airlines | Chicago, IL | No injury | no docket |
| 2015-02-15 | DCA15LA067 Part 121 airline | BOEING 767 | UNITED AIR LINES INC | HONOLULU, PO | Serious injury | 3 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-02-10 | CEN15LA140 Part 121 airline | EMBRAER ERJ 190 100 IGW | US AIRWAYS INC | Houston, TX | Minor injury | 7 docs · FDR tables |