Fatal NTSB investigations

29 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft inspection event.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 29 cases
20081
20091
20103
20123
20132
20141
20155
20173
20183
20191
20212
20221
20233

Latest 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\" = '050' 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.

NTSB ERA23LA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · Macon, NCThe pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.May 21, 2023 · N182LG · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA139Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58P · Lubbock, TXThe pilot’s failure to ensure a proper fuel selector position before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of left engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the loss of left engine…Mar 17, 2023 · N2061K · DestroyedNTSB ERA23LA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportBombardier BD-100-1A10 · Windsor Locks, CTThe flight crew’s failure to remove the right side pitot probe cover before flight, their decision to depart with a No-Go advisory message following an aborted takeoff, and their selection of the incorrect non-normal checklist in flight, which resulted in an…Mar 3, 2023 · N300ER · Minor damageNTSB ERA22FA189Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19B · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s improper preflight assembly of the glider’s elevator control, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff, and the pilot’s failure to complete a positive control check before the flight, which would have identified the disconnected elevator…Apr 16, 2022 · N19KW · Substantial damageNTSB 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,…Jun 16, 2021 · N704AK · DestroyedNTSB ERA21FA142Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Jupiter, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, resulting in an unsecured engine cowl that…Feb 28, 2021 · N2960K · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA115Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 60 · Fullerton, CAThe pilot’s use of an unapproved elevator control lock device, and his failure to remove that device and correctly position the elevator before flight, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was his failure to perform…Apr 19, 2019 · N65MY · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA264Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDassault Falcon 50 · Greenville, SCThe operator's decision to allow a flight in an airplane with known, unresolved maintenance discrepancies, and the flight crew's failure to properly configure the airplane in a way that would have allowed the emergency or parking brake systems to stop the…Sep 27, 2018 · N114TD · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Aug 17, 2018 · N2893Q · Substantial damageNTSB 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.May 19, 2018 · N38ES · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA364Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Camden, ARThe pilot's improper decision to return to the runway instead of landing straight ahead when the engine lost power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's…Sep 24, 2017 · N5958C · DestroyedNTSB ERA17LA280Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo · Quinton, VAThe flight instructor and commercial pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in water contamination of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power.Aug 18, 2017 · N319TA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA265Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Freedom · Green Township, NJThe pilot's improper preflight setup of the aircraft's foldable wing, during which he incorrectly attached a nylon strap loop pull handle, instead of the steel cable shackle at the end of the strap, to its mounting hook. The nylon strap failed in flight,…Aug 6, 2017 · N2854L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith CH701 · Okeechobee, FLAn in-flight structural failure due to a severely corroded wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.Nov 6, 2015 · N56553 · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · West Caldwell, NJA loss of engine power due to a malfunction of the turbocharging system likely due to contaminated oil. Also causal were the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff although the airplane was not performing normally and his failure to maintain adequate…Aug 15, 2015 · N63TV · DestroyedNTSB CEN15FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Quinlan, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the wing's critical angle-of-attack being exceeded and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot's…Jul 1, 2015 · N6168P · DestroyedNTSB 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.Feb 19, 2015 · N5196W · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Feb 11, 2015 · N5985U · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14LA415Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 2 · Jeanerette, LAThe pilot’s improper decision to operate an unairworthy helicopter, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.Aug 10, 2014 · N4690 · DestroyedNTSB CEN13LA433Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportClayton Gerald H Glastar GS-1 · Columbus, INSlippage in the engine clutch and gear reduction module and a resultant uncommanded movement of the propeller blades into reverse thrust.Jul 25, 2013 · N513GC · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Oklahoma City, OKThe loss of engine power due to engine ice ingestion during initial climb after takeoff in dark night light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the lack of an installed engine air inlet cover while the helicopter was parked outside, exposed to…Feb 22, 2013 · N917EM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13LA054Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Conway, ARThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the lack of fuel and resulted in fuel exhaustion during climb, and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude from…Nov 7, 2012 · N887JA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12FA378Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportIar Brasov IS-28B2 · Wallis, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency situation, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s acute coronary event, which resulted from his severe…Jun 17, 2012 · N6388V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA395Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRemos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau Remos GX · Westminster, MDThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to ensure that the elevator quick-fastener was properly secured, resulting in an inflight elevator control disconnect and subsequent loss of control during the ensuing emergency landing. Contributing…Jun 15, 2012 · N206GX · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA366Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportClark RV-9A · Oregon City, ORThe pilot's decision to depart with known mechanical anomalies and the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Jul 23, 2010 · N70720 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s failure to detect water contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the worn and loose fuel caps, which allowed water to enter the fuel tanks.Feb 17, 2010 · N8501Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 · Waxahachie, TXA loss of aircraft control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.Jan 23, 2010 · N145AG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti SF-260C · Santa Monica, CAThe pilot’s failure to select the proper fuel tank for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting a return to runway maneuver.Jan 29, 2009 · N688C · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08LA165Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDragon Fly GT-500 · Paris, TNA fuel system configuration that was not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's published guidance, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.Apr 21, 2008 · N101GP · Substantial damage