Fatal NTSB investigations
93 cases where the sequence of events included Preflight or dispatch event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '030' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\"))
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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '030' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) 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 ERA26FA252Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA24 · Hazen, NDOn June 28, 2026, about 1317 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6852P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hazen, North Dakota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…NTSB ERA25FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Yulee, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the opening of the nose baggage door and subsequent distraction of the pilot…NTSB GAA25WA077Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Pacific Ocean, EcuadorNTSB ERA24FA154Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20K · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed of the airplane while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the in-flight opening of the main cabin door, which resulted from the…NTSB CEN23LA413Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPowrachute Airwolf · Erie, COThe pilot’s inadvertent manipulation of the throttle, which resulted in the aircraft traveling on the ground and the unsecured pilot being ejected from the aircraft and sustaining fatal injuries.NTSB ERA23FA370Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Fitzgerald, GAThe pilot’s failure to perform pre-takeoff engine runup and carburetor heat check procedures, which resulted in rotation with inadequate climb performance, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB CEN23FA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Kearney, MOThe pilot’s decision to operate an airplane with known fuel leaks, his failure to conduct an engine run-up before takeoff, his subsequent failure to abort the takeoff, and the mechanic’s inadequate maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of right engine…NTSB CEN21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Benoit, MSThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance capabilities and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to his use of ethanol and prohibited medications.NTSB CEN21FA305Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHawker Beechcraft G36 · Aspen, COThe pilot’s failure to navigate through mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN21FA272Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAntenor Velazco Lancair Evolution · Parker, COThe pilot’s diversion of attention following an asymmetric flap deployment, which resulted in a descent and collision with powerlines. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the flap control rod attachment bolts,…NTSB CEN20LA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV8 · Mandan, NDThe pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff and collision with terrain.NTSB ANC20FA017Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Tuntutuliak, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into reduced visibility, including likely flat light and/or white out conditions, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the operator’s inadequate operational…NTSB ERA20FA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV4 · Cameron, NCThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly the airplane in a…NTSB ANC19FA019Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportDe Havilland DHC 2 · Metlakatla, AKThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for a quartering tailwind during a water landing, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate operational control of the flight release process,…NTSB WPR19FA080Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CAThe pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.NTSB CEN19FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Bradley, SDThe non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in which instrument meteorological conditions existed along the route of flight, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN19FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Cartersville, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning and his decision to continue flight without stopping for fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN18FA384Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Festus, MOA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to initiate and continue the…NTSB CEN18FA336Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Rhome, TXThe pilot's inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation when organic debris restricted available fuel to the carburetor, and the pilot's impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol, which…NTSB ERA18LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Cleveland, TNThe undetected wear of the ignition switch and key, which allowed removal of the key from an intermediate position and subsequently led to an unintended engine start-up. Contributing to the undetected wear of the 42-year-old ignition switch was the lack of…NTSB ANC18FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AKThe student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN18FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Williamsburg, PAThe pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing before the flight and his subsequent loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions during a diversion to an alternate airport after…NTSB ANC18FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Chuckanut, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a visual approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN18FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Reeds Spring, MOThe noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making, which resulted in flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB WPR17FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Brinnon, WAThe flight instructor's failure to completely and properly evaluate the student pilot's incorrectly- planned flight, and his failure to use all available resources to maintain situation awareness during the flight, which resulted in controlled flight into…NTSB WPR17LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalker Edgar E Glastar · Cascade, IDThe pilot's inadequate flight planning, preparation, and navigation, which resulted in the airplane entering a canyon that the pilot was unable to exit by climbing the airplane. Also causal were his in-flight decision-making and his execution of the course…NTSB CEN17FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA 4 250 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind in unfavorable water conditions, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and the pilot losing control.NTSB ERA17FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA23 · Chatsworth, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…NTSB CEN17LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAS+ AC 4 · Blair, NEThe pilot's loss of control due to his diverted attention as he attempted to close the canopy that opened during initial climb.NTSB ERA17FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Sanford, FLThe incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate…NTSB CEN17FA064Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-200 · Vienna, ILThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to descend through an overcast layer of weather during dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.NTSB ERA17FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227 · Camilla, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate and continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStamper RV-10 · Dubois, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low…NTSB ANC17FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Heli-Porter Pilatus PC-6 · Port Alsworth, AKThe airplane's collision with mountainous terrain while operating in an area of reduced visibility and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which would have identified deteriorating weather conditions…NTSB ERA16LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24 · Westwood, MAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel in the selected fuel tank and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB CEN16FA261Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at…NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB ERA16LA109Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Port Jefferson, NYThe flight instructor's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB ERA16FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Marshville, NCThe pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was his failure to have a properly secured shoulder harness at the time of the accident.NTSB ERA16FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Mobile, ALThe pilot's loss of airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight weather planning which resulted the pilot's…NTSB ERA16LA028Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchumacher Lancair Super ES · Pascagoula, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after encountering convective shower activity. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather.NTSB ERA16FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GAThe student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student…NTSB CEN15LA360Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T 28A · Las Cruces, NMFailure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod, due to improper rotation of the propeller during a previous hydraulic lock.NTSB CEN15MA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Frisco, COAirbus Helicopters' dual-hydraulic AS350 B3e helicopter's (1) preflight hydraulic check, which depleted hydraulic pressure in the tail rotor hydraulic circuit, and (2) lack of salient alerting to the pilot that hydraulic pressure was not restored before…NTSB ERA15FA144Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Norfolk, VAThe pilot's failure to properly execute the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight planning and his decision to conduct the flight in instrument meteorological conditions at night into forecast moderate…NTSB ERA15FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hinton, VAThe flight instructor’s decision to conduct a night training flight in mountainous terrain without conducting or allowing the student to conduct appropriate preflight planning and his lack of situational awareness of the surrounding terrain altitude, which…NTSB ERA14FA461Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEagle R&D Helicycle · Gallatin, TNThe pilot's decision to fly the improperly balanced helicopter at high speed and low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's depression and resulting degradation of executive…NTSB CEN14LA485Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCismowski Tierra II · Montevideo, MNThe pilot's impaired judgment due to the use of marijuana, which led to his improper decision to fly the airplane over its maximum gross weight and his subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff with gusting wind conditions.NTSB ERA14FA377Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Senoia, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning and his improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in night instrument metrological conditions, which resulted in subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ERA14MA271Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream Aerospace G IV · Bedford, MAThe flight crewmembers' failure to perform the flight control check before takeoff, their attempt to take off with the gust lock system engaged, and their delayed execution of a rejected takeoff after they became aware that the controls were locked.…