Fatal NTSB investigations

68 cases where the sequence of events included Attempted remediation/recovery.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 68 cases
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20092
20102
20111
20124
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20192
20202
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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\" = '060' 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 ERA25FA066Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportSchleicher ASW24 · Vero Beach, FLOn December 6, 2024, about 1240 eastern standard time, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider, N244RW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Vero Beach, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was owned by a local soaring club and…Dec 6, 2024 · N244RW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s entry into an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with terrain.Oct 20, 2024 · N512DW · DestroyedNTSB WPR24FA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGame Composites GB1 Gamebird · Irwin, IDThe pilot’s decision to perform a spin maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery and subsequent failure to properly arrest the spin, which resulted in a secondary stall and an impact with terrain.Jul 4, 2024 · N786AE · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Big Creek, IDThe pilot’s delayed decision to go around after descending below the recommended abort altitude with a slight tailwind and an over-gross-weight airplane, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to…Jun 28, 2024 · N6210A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A45 · Deer Harbor, WAThe pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.Jun 7, 2024 · N268AF · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA167Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVertical Aviation Technologies Hummingbird · Spring Branch, TXA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and a subsequent impact with terrain.Apr 29, 2024 · N829SH · DestroyedNTSB WPR24FA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHolmes William B AIR Creation Twin · Gila Bend, AZThe pilot’s loss of control and subsequent collision with a mesquite tree on approach to land.Mar 17, 2024 · N4425L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Lake Placid, NYA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weight and balance planning and his aggressive low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.Oct 1, 2023 · N545PZ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA296Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T206H · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.Jul 30, 2023 · N918KG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Osage Beach, MOThe pilot’s failure to properly set the stabilator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.Jul 13, 2023 · N8225N · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sebastian, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.Apr 7, 2023 · N44588 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA141Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control.Apr 2, 2023 · N424SW · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA084Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Yoakum, TXThe pilot’s spatial disorientation during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.Jan 17, 2023 · N963MA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA332Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Galt, CAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin from which he could not recover.Sep 4, 2022 · N142DR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…Aug 20, 2021 · N52900 · DestroyedNTSB 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 CEN21LA151Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Palestine, TXA total loss of engine power due to the flight crew incorrectly placing the fuel selector between fuel tank detents, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a placard on the fuel selector, the lack of obvious fuel tank…Mar 6, 2021 · N3394V · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA238Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32R · West Jordan, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain the airplane’s speed during takeoff near the airplane’s maximum gross weight in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall, loss…Jul 25, 2020 · N7677C · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA237Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans Vans RV-8 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.Jul 24, 2020 · N138PM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Eagle Lake, TXThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, and a subsequent impact with terrain.May 11, 2019 · N713LA · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA091Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell UH1B · Forks, WAA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the gas generator sealing disk as a result of the operator’s exceedance of the sealing disk life limits at too low an altitude for the pilot to accomplish a successful autorotation which resulted in the…Mar 8, 2019 · N64RA · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA391Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350 · Gustavus, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed after setting the engine fuel control to idle, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and impact with water.Sep 28, 2018 · N907PL · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA247Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Duo Discus T · New Washoe City, NVThe pilot’s delayed recovery from an inadvertent spin and/or spiral dive and an exceedance of the glider’s design limit load during recovery, which resulted in an overload failure of both wings.Sep 2, 2018 · N22XC · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 8GCBC · Foley, ALThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin at an altitude that was too low for recovery.Aug 4, 2018 · N424A · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DH112 Venom · Sheboygan, WIThe airplane's encounter with wake turbulence from the lead airplane in the formation flight, which resulted in a compressor stall and the airplane's subsequent inability to climb.Jul 20, 2018 · N747J · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLet L 23 Super Blanik · Moose, WYThe pilot's encounter with atmospheric conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control near terrain that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the operator's published tour flight…Jun 9, 2018 · N317BA · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Luling, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline structure while hovering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.May 20, 2018 · N362JS · DestroyedNTSB ERA18MA099Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B2 · New York, NYLiberty Helicopters Inc.'s use of a NYONair-provided passenger harness/tether system, which caught on and activated the floor-mounted engine fuel shutoff lever and resulted in the in-flight loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching. Contributing to…Mar 11, 2018 · N350LH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportAirborne Windsports PTY Edge XT 912 L · Eustis, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the weight-shift-control aircraft's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the…Feb 25, 2018 · N98YW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35C33 · Whiteville, NCThe pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and his delayed reaction to the loss of engine power, which led to impact with trees as he was attempting to switch fuel tanks.…Oct 31, 2017 · N293GC · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Sep 2, 2017 · N65EW · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA249Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctsw · Monticello, IAThe pilot's decision to fly with his large dog in the two-seat, light sport airplane, and the dog's likely contact with the flight controls during landing, which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall when the…Jul 1, 2017 · N62JN · Substantial damageNTSB 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.May 13, 2017 · N358R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Westhampton Beach, NYThe flight instructor's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to familiarize himself with the flight characteristics of the…Feb 26, 2017 · N4529K · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Ramona, CAThe flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate clearance from terrain was maintained after performance of a simulated engine failure maneuver, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Feb 12, 2017 · N2179L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA325Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Pittstown, NJThe pilot's improper landing touchdown attitude, which resulted in a propeller strike, and his inappropriate decision to abort the landing after the propeller had contacted the runway, which resulted in a loss of thrust and led to an aerodynamic stall during…Sep 25, 2016 · N526AM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA288Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 B55 (T42A) · Fredericksburg, VAThe pilot(s) failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.Aug 12, 2016 · N128VB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D35 · Sevierville, TNThe pilot's failure to properly configure the landing gear and the pilot's inappropriate decision to abort the landing after the propeller had contacted the runway, which resulted in a loss of thrust and a subsequent loss of control of the airplane.May 19, 2016 · N2967B · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.May 14, 2016 · N24CD · DestroyedNTSB WPR16FA041Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32RT-300T · Bakersfield, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct and continue the flight despite forecast and en route instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which were not conducive to safe operation under visual flight rules. Also causal to the accident was the…Dec 19, 2015 · N36402 · DestroyedNTSB WPR16FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Carlsbad, CAThe pilot's loss of control during landing on a dolly. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision to conduct the flight without an instructor despite multiple flight instructors' recommendations to the contrary, his failure to land on the ramp…Nov 19, 2015 · N711BE · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA022Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDelwyn Schmidt No model · Bennington, KSThe unregistered airplane’s loss of engine power due to piston seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering back to the runway.Oct 25, 2015 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1C-200 · Swan Valley, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in high density altitude conditions over mountainous terrain, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.Oct 15, 2015 · N280TB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · St. Petersburg, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain single-engine minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of right engine power during initial climb. Also causal was the loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the…Sep 30, 2015 · N21ND · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Salem, ORThe pilot's unstabilized approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a porpoise during landing. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted…Jul 4, 2015 · N5608Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Holly Ridge, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.Jun 21, 2015 · N35EP · Substantial damageNTSB 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…May 7, 2015 · N962DA · DestroyedNTSB WPR14FA320Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20L - NO Series · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to achieve climb performance and maintain sufficient airspeed during a go-around, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure…Jul 31, 2014 · N147MP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14FA262Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20B · Page, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a canyon in high-density altitude conditions.Jun 20, 2014 · N74584 · Substantial damage