Atlas/ Codebook/ NTSB Pre-1982
NTSB · Form 6120.4 Codebook
Pre-1982 Codebook.
The NTSB Form 6120.4 cause-factor codebook ships in the
ct_Pre1982 table of the
PRE1982.MDB archive — the
canonical taxonomy for every accident from 1962 to 1981. 2,910
codes across 272 field types. Every coded
triplet on a pre-1982 NTSB report (e.g. 74/C/KA) traces
back to a category here.
01 / Top 30 field types
By code count.
-
CAUSE_FACTOR
945
codes
-
NAME_COMM_CARR
161
codes
-
LOCAT_STATE_TERR
81
codes
-
OPERATION_PHASE
66
codes
-
ACCIDENT_TYPE
65
codes
-
KIND_FLY_GENA
55
codes
-
ALCHOHOL_RANG_PILOT
43
codes
-
INSTRM_APPROH
36
codes
-
RATING_1
25
codes
-
RATING_2
25
codes
-
OCCUPATION_1
24
codes
-
OCCUPATION_2
24
codes
-
KIND_OF_CROP
24
codes
-
KIND_OF_OPERATION
22
codes
-
EMERGENCY
20
codes
-
OPERATION_TYPE
19
codes
-
WETHR_BRIEF
19
codes
-
SEGMENT_AVIATON_INVOL
19
codes
-
AIRPT_ACC_DIRT
18
codes
-
TYPE_OPERATOR
18
codes
-
APPROCH_LITE_SYS
18
codes
-
ATTITUDE_AT_IMP_ROLL
18
codes
-
GENERAL_WEATHER
17
codes
-
EMGCY_LOCATOR_TRANS
17
codes
-
AIRPT_PROIX
16
codes
-
TOXI_EXAM_PILOT
16
codes
-
ATTITUDE_AT_IMP_PITCH
16
codes
-
RUNWY_LITE
15
codes
-
TERRAIN_TYP
14
codes
-
PRECIPITATION
14
codes
02 / All other field types
- METHOD_EXIT 14
- RUNWY_COND 13
- MEDICAL_CERT_PILOT1 13
- MEDICAL_CERT_PILOT2 13
- CONTROLLING_FACILITY 13
- TRAFFIC_ADVISORY 13
- FLIGHT_PLAN 12
- LANDING_GEAR 12
- OBSTRUCT_VISION 12
- WIND_COMPONENT 12
- AUTPSSY_EXAM 12
- ACC_INC_CLASS 11
- TYPE_CRAFT 11
- RUNWY_COMP 11
- AIRSPACE_SEG 11
- CERTIFICATE_PILOT1 11
- CERTIFICATE_PILOT2 11
- SKY_CONDITION 11
- VISIBILITY 11
- FIRE_EXTIN_AGNT_GND 11
- MILITARY_TYPE 11
- AIRPORT_CLASS 10
- PROP_PART1 10
- VIS_APPROCH_SLOPE 10
- TIMEOFF_EVACUATN 10
- FIRE_LOCATION 10
- FLIGHT_RECORDER 10
- DURATION_OF_EXPOSURE 10
- SURFACE_COND_DITCHING 10
- AT_CONTROLS 9
- ATTITUDE_AT_IMP_YAW 9
- FIRE_EXTIN_AGNT_FIX 9
- FIRE_EXTIN_AGNT_POR 9
- PROPERTY_DAMAGE 9
- COCKPIT_RECORDER_VOICE 9
- TANK_HOPPER_LOC 9
- OBSTRUCTIONS_ 9
- PARAACHUTE 8
- WETHR_FORCAST 8
- WGT_CAT 8
- MILITARY_INVOLVEMT 8
- FORCED_LANDING 7
- LIGHT_COND 7
- TYPE_POWER 7
- RUNWY_HAZZ 7
- TOWER_UNICOM 7
- PILOT_INVOLED1 7
- PILOT_INVOLED2 7
- BI_FLIGT_REV 7
- RECENCY_EXPR 7
- DECELERATION_RATE 7
- DIRECTION_DECLEL 7
- COCKPIT 7
- FORWARD_CABIN 7
- CENTER_CABIN 7
- AFT_CABIN 7
- IMPACT_NONTRANS 7
- RADAR_AIRBORNE 7
- PE_SHOULDER_HARNESS 7
- TERRAIN_TYPE 7
- OXY_SYSTM 6
- ACFT_ADAMG 6
- RUNWY_BARR 6
- INJURY_INDEX 6
- COMM_PLT_PROF 6
- PART_POWR_LOSS_ENG 6
- COMP_ENG_FAIL 6
- PROP_PART2 6
- LAND_WETHR_MINIMA 6
- IMPACT_SEVERITY 6
- SEATING_CONFIG 6
- FIRE_EXTINSR_SYSTEM 6
- FIRE_DAMAGE_AIRC 6
- GND_FIRE_FIGHT_EQUP 6
- AUTO_PILOT 6
- APPROACH_COUPLER 6
- GROSS_WEIGHT 6
- TYPE_CHEMICAL_USED 6
- PE_SEAT_BELT 6
- SWATH_RUN_FLOWN 6
- RADAR_CONTROL_SURVE 6
- AIRCRAFT_SANK 6
- LIFE_PRESERVER 6
- TYPE_WEATHR 5
- EVACUATION_CHUTE 5
- OUTSIDE_ASSIST 5
- FIRE_WARNING_SYSTEM 5
- FIRE_CRASH_INVRT_SYS 5
- ENGIN_ANTI_ICING 5
- PROPELLER_DEICING 5
- WING_ANTI_ICING 5
- WINDSHIELD_ANTI_ICE 5
- CENTER_GRAVITY 5
- ELECT_COMMAND_CONT 5
- ENVIOR_CONTROL_SYS 5
- INERTIAL_NAVG_SYS 5
- AIRBORN_INTEG_DATA 5
- MAINT_DETEC_RECORDER 5
- HEADS_UP_DISPLAY 5
- TOXIC_EFFECT_EXPOS 5
- TOXIC_ANTIDOTES 5
- PE_RESPERATION 5
- PROCEEDURE_TURNRND 5
- ANTI_COLLISION_LIGHTS 5
- DISTRESS_CALL_FROMA 5
- FLARES_DISTRESS 5
- DYE_MARKER 5
- FLASHLIGHT 5
- MIRROR 5
- RADIO_EMERGENCY 5
- RECOV_LOSS 4
- SIMUL_FLAMEOT 4
- ENGIN_SEIZURE 4
- TACAN 4
- VOR_TVOR 4
- NON_DIR_RADIO_BEACON 4
- LOW_FREQ_RADIO 4
- APPROACH_LIGHTING 4
- EVAC_ROPE 4
- EVAC_LADDER 4
- EMERGENCY_EXITS 4
- EMERGENCY_LIGHTS 4
- FLARES 4
- STABILITY_AUGMTATION 4
- CRASH_HELMET 4
- LIFE_RAFT 4
- FIRE_AFTR_IMPT 3
- OXYGEN_SYSTEM 3
- STALL_WARN_INDICATOR 3
- PE_SPECIAL_CLOTHING 3
- GLOVES 3
- GOGGLES 3
- COCKPIT_CRASH_PAD 3
- CRASH_BAR 3
- CONTROLLED_UN_AIRP 3
- INSTRUMENT_TRN_OP 3
- MISS_AIRCFT 2
- ACCIDENT_TYPE2 1
- OPERATION_PHASE2 1
- ALT_OF_OCC 1
- RECV_ALT 1
- AIRCRAFT_SPEED 1
- OPERATOR 1
- AIR_EQUT_INST_FLT 1
- ACFT_MAKE_CODE 1
- ACFT_MODEL_CODE 1
- ENGIN_MAKE 1
- ENGIN_MODEL 1
- LAT_DIST 1
- AIRPORT_NAME 1
- ELEV_AIRPT 1
- RUNWAY_LN 1
- DEPART_PT 1
- LASTPLN_DEPART 1
- INTEN_DESTIN 1
- GNDELE_ACCSITE 1
- HOURS_TOTAL_PILOT1 1
- HOURS_TOTAL_PILOT2 1
- HOURS_IN_TYPE_PILOT1 1
- HOURS_IN_TYPE_PILOT2 1
- AGE_PILOT1 1
- AGE_PILOT2 1
- RATED_AIRCRAFT_1 1
- RATED_AIRCRAFT_2 1
- PILOT_FATAL 1
- CO_PILOT_FATAL 1
- DUAL_STUDENT_FATAL 1
- CHK_PILOT_FATAL 1
- FLT_ENGN_FATAL 1
- NAVIGTR_FATAL 1
- CABIN_ATTN_FATAL 1
- EXTRA_CREW_FATAL 1
- PASSENGERS_FATAL 1
- TOTAL_ABRD_FATAL 1
- OTHER_AIRC_FATAL 1
- OTHER_GRND_FATAL 1
- GRAND_TOTAL_FATAL 1
- FAA_PERSNL_FATAL 1
- NTSB_PERSN_FATAL 1
- OTHER_GOVMNT_FATAL 1
- PUBLIC_RESTRICTED 1
- CAUSE 1
- AIRFRAME_TSO 1
- ENGN1_TSO 1
- ENGN2_TSO 1
- ENGN3_TSO 1
- ENGN4_TSO 1
- PROP1_TSO 1
- PROP2_TSO 1
- PROP3_TSO 1
- PROP4_TSO 1
- AIRCRAFT_TOT_TIME 1
- AIRCRAFT_SER_NUM 1
- CEILING 1
- DEW_POINT 1
- RUNWAY_VIS_RANGE 1
- TEMPERATURE_ 1
- WIND_DIRECTION 1
- WIND_VELOCITY 1
- PRECISION_APPRO 1
- SURVELLANCE_APP 1
- INST_LAND_SYS 1
- ILS_GLIDE_PATH 1
- LOCALIZER_ONLY 1
- INSTRMT_TIME_ACT 1
- INSTRMT_TIME_SIM 1
- SIMULATOR_TYPE 1
- ACT_TIME_INSTM_30D 1
- NIGHT_TIME_TOTAL 1
- PILOT_TIME_24H 1
- PILOT_TIME_30D 1
- PILOT_TIME_90D 1
- DURATION_FLIGHT 1
- ONDUTY_TIME 1
- REST_PRIOR_FLIGHT 1
- IMPACCT_ANGLE 1
- STOPPING_DIST 1
- SEAT_FAILURES 1
- SEATBELT_FAILURES 1
- DEATHS_FIRE 1
- EVACUATED_OCCUPNT 1
- NOT_EVACUATED_OCCU 1
- SPEED_AT_IMPACT 1
- INVESTIGATOR_IN_CHG 1
- TYPE_ACCIDENT_RELSE 1
- DATE_AVAIL_ANALYSIS 1
- DATE_ANALYSIS_COMP 1
- ANALYST_NUMBER 1
- DATA_CLASSIFICATION 1
- INVESTIGATION_CODE 1
- PILOT_TIME_CROP_CNTL 1
- ELEVATION_TREATED_A 1
- TERMINAL_COMM_ESTAB 1
- CONTROL_ZONE_AREA 1
- DIRECTION_FLIGHT 1
- CONVERGENCE_ANGLE 1
- COLLISION_ANG_HOR 1
- COLLISION_ANG_VER 1
- EVASIVE_ACTION 1
- WATER_TEMERTURE 1
- TIME_IN_WATER 1
- TIME_IN_RAFT 1
Methodology
Pre-1982 NTSB accident records used a coded-field schema rather than free-text narratives. Each field (cause factor, phase of flight, accident type, etc.) carried a numeric or letter code that referenced this codebook. After 1981 the agency switched to the modern free-text + structured Findings format we ingest from avall.mdb.
We render this codebook for two reasons: (1) it decodes mystery
triplets like 74/C/KA on every pre-1982 NTSB event page,
and (2) it's a standalone reference for researchers cross-checking
historical accident data.
Source: ct_Pre1982 table of
the FAA-distributed PRE1982.MDB archive at
data.ntsb.gov/avdata/.