01/19/09 SDR README Record Count (main table): 408,633 ************************************************************** FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS JAN. 1990 - Present ************************************************************** Service Difficulty Reports (SDR) consist of maintenance incidents collected by the FAA for the purpose of tracking repair problems with private, commercial and military aircraft and aircraft componentry. They are largely self-reported by the aircraft owners. The data is reported by tail number and aircraft serial number, so it is possible to trace the maintenance history of a particular airplane with this database. The data lists detailed problems of individual airplanes including a 750 character text field that explains the problem and sometimes the airports involved. It also tracks problems with individual engines or other components. It is some of the most specific and detailed information you will ever find in any government database. But the data is considered incomplete, even by the FAA. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that as many as 90 percent of the records may be missing. Many commercial airlines fail to report regularly and some smaller airlines, non-airline commercial aircraft and private aircraft operators seldom report difficulties. Cuts to the FAA budget have gutted their inspection staff and, consequently, there has been little enforcement of reporting rules. Also, reporting requirements differ with the type of operation. Because of differences in reporting, it is difficult to compare repair histories between companies. NICAR updates this data at the beginning of each week. NICAR will also search its data on deadline following a plane crash, if you have the N-number. ********** * TABLES * ********** SDR00_XX.dbf -- This is the main table; it contains SDR's from Jan 2000. The XX stands for the current year. The record layout is in layout.txt. SDR90_99.DBF -- FAA SDRS from 1990 to Dec. 1999. The record layout for this file is layout.txt. SDR74_89.DBF -- FAA SDR's filed from 1974 to 1989. (On a separate CD-ROM.) These tables are all Dbase IV and can be imported into any database manager. The full tables are too large for a spreadsheet program. ****************** * LOOK-UP TABLES * ****************** The lookup tables are designed to help you sift through certain coded fields in these databases. You can do this by joining the lookup tables with the appropriate database. ATACODE.dbf -- The Air Transport Association coding system for airplane parts. Join this with SDR.DBF on the field ATASYS for details about a particular part, including a separate severity rating. PROP.dbf -- The codes for propellers, including make group and model. Join this with SDR.DBF on the fields that begin with PROP..., such as PMKE, PGRP, PMDL. ENGINE.dbf -- The codes for engines, including make group and model. Join this with SDR.DBF on the fields that begin with ENG..., such as EMKE, EGRP, EMDL. ACFT.dbf -- The codes for aircraft, including make group and model. Join this with SDR.DBF on the fields that begin with AC..., such as AMKE, AGRP, AMDL. COMPT.dbf -- The component table includes the full name of the component manufacturer. Join this with SDR.DBF on CMPTMKE field. AIROPERA.dbf --The operator codes for airlines. Join this with the field AIROPCD for determining an airplane's operator. ********* * CODES * ********* LAYOUT.TXT -- This file contains both the record layout and the code sheet for SDR90_99.DBF and SDR00_XX.dbf. SDRCODES.doc -- This is the original codesheet provided by the FAA. All of these codes are also included in the layout.txt. ATAFilelayout.TXT -- Codes and layout for The Air Transport Association coding system for airplane parts. PropFilelayout.TXT -- Codes and layouts for for PROP.DBF, including make group and model. EngineFilelayout.TXT -- Codes and layouts for ENGINE.DBF lookup, including make group and model. AircraftFilelayout.TXT -- Codes and layouts for AIRCRAFT.DBF, including make group and model. ComptFilelayout.TXT --Codes and layouts for COMPONENT.DBF. AIROPERA.DOC -- Codes and layouts for AIROPERA.DBF. Jasc_codes.doc -- Joint aircraft system/component code table and definitions ISDRusersguide.doc -- Instructions For Completing Internet Service Difficulty Report (iSDR) for Air Carrier And General Aviation NOW AVAILABLE FROM IRE/NICAR: "COVERING AVIATION SAFETY: AN INVESTIGATOR'S GUIDE" * ***************************************************************************** The first book in THE IRE BEAT BOOK SERIES, "Covering Aviation Safety" explores a wide range of sources and techniques available to journalists interested in aviation safety, including the use of computer databases. To order call: 573-882-0684, or visit IRE on the web, http://www.ire.org/store/books/ **************************************** * STORIES/TIPSHEETS FROM THE IRE RESOURCE CENTER * **************************************** Several stories available through the IRE Resource Center reference aircraft service data. FILE NUMBER: 21459 This same-day story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes the record of equipment defects for a DC-9 cargo plane that crashed during takeoff. A review of 32 FAA Service Difficulty Reports on the plane filed by its operator noted landing gear malfunctions, cracks and corrosion in the plane structure, and loose, cracked, stripped or frozen parts in the landing gear door, cabin and cargo doors. FILE NUMBER: 21449 This Seattle Times investigation revealed gaps in federal records meant to track mechanical problems on U.S. jetliners. In examining FAA Service Difficulty Reports from January 1987 to January 1989, the newspaper uncovered how airlines failed to provide key information in the reports. Of the more than 2,400 reports filed, 1,700 failed to include the name of the airline submitting the report. FILE NUMBER: 21392 This USA Today analysis of 22 years of crash data and several dozen interviews shows that the number of commercial airplane crashes caused by pilot error has decreased substantially. Poor maintenance is responsible for more crashes now. FILE NUMBER: 12729 The fall 1994 crash of USAir 427 prompted the Seattle Times to launch an investigation into Boeing 737 jetliners. The rudder system on the 737's can sometimes malfunction and make the airplane dangerously difficult to control. A USAir 737 crashed near Pittsburgh last September, killing all 132 passengers. United has accelerated replacement of a 737 rudder-system part in which investigators have found defects. The IRE Resource Center also offers tipsheets, many downloadable from the Web site (http://www.ire.org/resourcecenter/tipsheets.php), designed to assist reporters in using FAA data in their stories. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1696 This tipsheet lists Internet resources for covering aviation safety. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1681 Great source of information when trying to cover a plane crash. Includes what to do when it's a small crash compared to a major crash. Also included is a list of sources around the country and on the internet. A story which is not available for download concerning the crash investigation of flight 427 is also provided. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1582 Elizabeth Marchak of the Plain Dealer offers her experience in how to work off deadline on the aviation beat. The handout offers tips how to put in use GAO reports and other audits, and how the Federal Aviation Administration works. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1286 This 11-point tipsheet, by Elizabeth Marchak of The Plain Dealer, offers helpful advice on how and when to use data in the event of an airline crash, how to prepare the newsroom, which agencies are helpful sources of information and other nuggets. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1233 This handout, by Richard O'Reilly of The Los Angeles Times, contains a list of databases useful for journalists covering plane crashes, several queries to make and the different forms that are available. TIPSHEET NUMBER: 1211 This tipsheet, by Jason Grotto of NICAR, gives a list of data useful for covering aviation safety and explains how each can be helpful for journalists. It also has a check-list of what to do when a plane crashes. (this can be downloaded from the IRE Resource Center Web site) --Another tipsheet and an audio tape of the panel from the 2000 IRE National Conference are also available. For the audio tape, #IRE00-015, contact Sound Images, Inc. at 303-649-1811 or by e-mail at orders@soundimages.net TIP SHEET NUMBER: 448 This handout gives great pointers for dealing with transportation databases. Aviation, U.S. Department of Transportation - Planes and Trains, Marine and Highway databases are discussed. There is also a two-page listing of stories that have been done using these databases itemizing publication, date of publication and databases used. Audio tape available through Sound Images, Inc., (303)649-1811, for $10. Ask for tape #CAR95-36. To order copies oof ne or more of following stories call the IRE RESOURCE CENTER at 573-882-3364 and give them the FILE NUMBER or TIP SHEET NUMBER. Photocopying and mailing charges apply. These are just a few of the tipsheets and stories available. Search the full databases at www.ire.org/resourcecenter. The Extra-Extra section of the IRE Website lists breaking stories, the most recent of which have yet to be logged into the Resource Center archives.