Fatal NTSB investigations

12 cases where the defining event was Hard landing.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 12 cases
20082
20092
20101
20121
20141
20171
20212
20231
20261

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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '092')
  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 ERA26FA084Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172 · Provincetown, MAOn January 4, 2026, at 1504 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N9360E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…Jan 4, 2026 · N9360E · Substantial damageNTSB GAA23WA131Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Bankstown, AustraliaApr 17, 2023 · VH-XGR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCameron 0-105 · Piermont, NHThe balloon pilot’s delay in relighting the burner, which resulted in a hard landing and his ejection from the balloon.Jul 15, 2021 · N2925L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA158Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 77A · Rio Rancho, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and fatal passenger injury when the passenger fell out of the basket.Jan 23, 2021 · N477LB · No damageNTSB ERA17FA317Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Medford, NJThe pilot's early entry into and failure to maintain rotor rpm during a forced landing autorotation after performing an engine shutdown in flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel…Sep 8, 2017 · N204HF · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206A · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate and path, which resulted in a hard landing and dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by a sedating medication.Jul 23, 2014 · N949FM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrice Ron Glastar Sportsman 2+ · Kimberling, MOThe pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in the airplane impacting into the water.Mar 13, 2012 · N627RM · Substantial damageNTSB DCA10RA085Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737 · San Andres Island, ColombiaOn August 16, 2010, at 0150 UTC, an Aires B737-700, registration HK4682, crashed on approach to the San Andres Island Airport in San Andres Island, Colombia. Of the 121 passengers and 6 crew on board, preliminary reports indicate that there was one fatality…Aug 16, 2010 · HK-4682 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09FA414Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Franklin, PAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.Jul 22, 2009 · N61735 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ridgeland, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Feb 26, 2009 · N4981T · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08FA307Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLindstrand Balloons 150A · Phoenixville, PAThe separation of a portion of a fuel fitting during a hard landing resulting in release of fuel and a fire in the balloons basket area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's published procedures to shut down the…Sep 7, 2008 · N844LB · Substantial damageNTSB SEA08FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Sunriver, ORThe pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around after one of the airplane's propellers struck the runway.Jul 16, 2008 · N441HK · Destroyed