Fatal NTSB investigations
79 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft maintenance event.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 9 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
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\" = '040' 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" = '040' 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 ERA24LA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Groveland, FLThe pilot’s improper installation and inspection of the right lower wing strut attachment bolt, which resulted in the inflight failure of the right wing.NTSB ERA24FA110Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B16 · Naples, FLCorrosion of both engines’ variable geometry (VG) system components, which led to their operation in an off-schedule position and resulted in near-simultaneous sub-idle rotating compressor stalls on approach, subsequent loss of thrust in both engines, and an…NTSB ERA23FA382Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith William S Smith Cozy Mark IV · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s improper installation of engine…NTSB ERA23FA273Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20R · Southport, NCThe pilot’s improper decision to fly a known unairworthy airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB ERA23FA103Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Suffolk, VAThe pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and…NTSB ERA23FA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A24 · Keene, NHImproper maintenance of the fuel injector nozzles and the pilots’ failure to abort the takeoff during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s decision to return the airplane to service with the engine unable to attain its full rated…NTSB CEN22FA433Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirgyro AG915 · Yankton, SDA loss of control while an in-flight fire occurred, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/builder’s improper engine build procedures.NTSB CEN22FA419Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Conway, SCThe mechanic’s failure to install the required gasket on the vacuum pump drive pad in accordance with the maintenance manual, which resulted in oil exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the Director of…NTSB ERA22FA320Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKnight AA Nieuport 28 · Basehor, KSThe pilot’s incorrect installation of the left-wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot could not recover.NTSB CEN22FA298Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · St. Jacob, ILThe inadequate maintenance of the airplane fuel system that resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.NTSB ERA22FA126Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Lexington, NCInadequate maintenance, which led to a partial loss of both right and left engine power during takeoff, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering with one engine at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…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 ERA21FA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Myrtle Beach, SCThe mechanic’s inadvertent installation of the elevator trim tabs in reverse, which resulted in the pitch trim system operating opposite of the pilot’s input and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR21LA161Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S12 · Colville, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid powerlines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper…NTSB ERA21LA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FLThe pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…NTSB ERA20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Selma, ALThe mechanic’s failure to clean the oil suction screen during the most recent maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB ANC20FA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 305 · Mokuleia, HIA separation of the left rudder cable due to inadequate maintenance, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA19FA256Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMoriarty Marvin Aventura II · Minneola, FLThe pilot’s improper modifications to the airplane’s engine, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted return to the airport…NTSB CEN19FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAerospatiale AS350 · Montgomery, TXMaintenance personnel's failure to properly re-install and secure a fuel line, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR18FA171Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech A35 · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted return to the airport following the separation of the spinner bulkhead during takeoff as a result of fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly…NTSB WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.NTSB ERA18FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35A33 · Jacksonville, ALThe pilot/mechanic's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, including the left muffler and heat exchanger, which precluded his detection of preexisting cracks and led to a missed opportunity to replace the components. The inadequate inspection allowed…NTSB ERA18FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · West Milford, NJAn in-flight fire and total loss of engine power after takeoff due to a loose fuel line. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved fuel line by unknown personnel.NTSB ERA18FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28R · Gainesville, GAA partial loss of engine power due to inadequate thru-bolt and stud preload tension by undetermined maintenance personnel, which resulted in fretting between the engine crankcase halves, and the subsequent separation of the No. 2 cylinder due to the fatigue…NTSB ERA18FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Bonifay, FLA partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate an airplane with a known mechanical deficiency and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern that would have allowed the…NTSB WPR18FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportHastings Thomas G Cirrus VK 30 · Agua Dulce, CAThe driveshaft fracture due to overstress loading and rotational bending as a result of the under-torqued nuts on the elastomeric couplings backing off and the subsequent in-flight separation of the horizontal fairing due to contact with the separated end of…NTSB ERA17FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · North Branford, CTA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss…NTSB CEN17FA207Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVarga 2150A · Bowling Green, OHThe pilot's loss of control due to impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the heat exchanger and the failure of maintenance personnel to adequately inspect and repair or replace the exchanger during the…NTSB WPR17FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Haines, AKThe pilot's decision to turn toward the inoperative engine after conducting a low-level pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform the flight and the engine…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 CEN17FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Stonewall, TXThe pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point following a loss of engine power and his inability to stop the airplane on the short, soft runway. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the airplane by the owner and the mechanic…NTSB WPR17FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's failure to identify and correct his construction error of a critical structural component, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of multiple…NTSB ERA16FA329Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Laytonsville, MDThe pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot/mechanic's failure to service the engine…NTSB ERA16FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Hickory, KYCompany maintenance personnel's inappropriate removal without replacement of the safety wires on the collective lever pin screws during a recent maintenance inspection, which resulted in the screws backing out and led to a loss of collective control in flight.NTSB ERA16FA144Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Pigeon Forge, TNAn inflight loss of engine power due to a failure of the engine fuel pump, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain during the subsequent autorotation. The failure of the engine fuel pump resulted from the absence of adequate grease leading to…NTSB WPR16FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Honolulu, HIThe in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.NTSB WPR16LA050Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Onex · Fresno, CAThe pilot/builder's failure to properly align the Force One Main Bearing, which resulted in a blockage of the oil transfer hole and culminated with a total engine power loss. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to arrest the bank and sink…NTSB ERA15LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20TN · Atlantic City (Atlantic Ocean)A loose oxygen line, which was not detected by maintenance personnel during a recent annual inspection, that allowed oxygen to escape and drain the oxygen canister more quickly than the pilot expected. This reduced the pilot's availability of supplemental…NTSB CEN15LA329Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportO'Dell Aeromaster · Sulphur Springs, TXA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postimpact damage precluded a thorough examination of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control following the loss of engine power,…NTSB CEN15FA315Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSanford Zenith CH 601XL · Bristol, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and airplane control following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the installation of ignition system coils that were not engine-manufacturer replacement parts, which…NTSB CEN15FA269Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the mechanic's…NTSB WPR15FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46 350P · Spokane, WAThe mechanic's incorrect installation of two aileron cables and the subsequent inadequate functional checks of the aileron system before flight by both the mechanic and the pilot, which prevented proper roll control from the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's…NTSB ERA15LA133Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Joel H Rans S-6ES Coyote II · Rincon, PRThe inadequate maintenance and inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in partial blockage of a fuel filter, a partial loss of engine power, and subsequent ditching.NTSB ERA15FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Greensboro, NCA total loss of engine power after takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of excessive wear of the fuel selector valve. Also causal was the owner/operator and maintenance personnel's inadequate maintenance, and inadequate postmaintenance inspection.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 ERA14FA421Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKlaas Development Lancair IV P · Ooltewah, TNThe inadequate torque of the propeller mounting bolts and inspection of the propeller, which resulted in the fatigue fracture of the bolts and a subsequent in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.NTSB ANC14FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Anchorage, AKThe incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator control cables, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the misrigging.NTSB ERA14FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Littleton, NCMaintenance personnel's application of sealant to the engine case halves during engine overhaul, contrary to manufacturer's instructions, which resulted in internal failure of the engine due to the loss of case bolt torque.NTSB ERA14FA168Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Brunswick, GAAn inflight failure of the airplane's only operating vacuum pump, which resulted in the loss of attitude information provided by vacuum-driven flight instruments. Also causal was the pilots' failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating in…NTSB ERA14FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWilliams Christopher T Sonex · Wellington, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the…