Fatal NTSB investigations
38 cases where the sequence of events included Hard landing.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 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\" = '092' 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" = '092' 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 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…NTSB ERA25LA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation due to an in-flight cardiac arrest, which necessitated a landing by a non-pilot passenger and resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.NTSB WPR24FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WAThe pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR24FA132Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Anaconda, MTA total loss of engine power due to a loss of cooling oil to the turbine-to-compressor coupling shaft and subsequent fracture of the shaft at an altitude too low for the pilot to complete a successful autorotation. Contributing to the accident was carbon…NTSB GAA23WA131Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Bankstown, AustraliaNTSB CEN22FA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Hutchinson, MNThe reduction in fuel flow and subsequent partial loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR20LA131Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Currie, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a forced landing which resulted in a hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA18LA184Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen SX300 · Daytona Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall and hard landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse, loss of directional control, and…NTSB ERA18LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Rio Grande, PRA total loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and hard landing.NTSB 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…NTSB 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…NTSB CEN16FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeve Earl Seawind · Buena Vista, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the severity of…NTSB CEN16LA096Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRaymond Z Brown Condor · Centralia, ILThe failure of the prerotator belt, which impeded the engine's timing belt and resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.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 WPR15FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Newberg, ORThe loss of translation/rotational power between the engine and the transmission due to the severe wear of the forward spline portion of the lower coupling drive shaft. The reason for the severe wear of the forward spline could not be definitively determined…NTSB ERA15FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Lake Worth, FLA main rotor stall due to low rotor rpm, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB 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.NTSB ERA14LA290Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCameron Balloons US Z-225 · Spring City, PAThe pilot's fall from the balloon’s basket during touchdown in a field for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in his fatal injury.NTSB WPR14FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Green River, UTA loss of engine power due to fuel contamination while maneuvering at a low altitude and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the contamination.NTSB CEN13LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlon A2 · Greenbrier, ARThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and porpoise. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited recent flying experience and proficiency and the challenging runway environment.NTSB CEN13LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJabiru USA Sport J250-SP · Jacksonville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb following an aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at a low altitude.NTSB CEN12LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrice Ron Glastar Sportsman 2+ · Kimberling, MOThe pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in the airplane impacting into the water.NTSB CEN11FA465Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPipistrel Taurus · Durango, COThe pilot’s loss of control during the off-airport landing in strong winds, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB 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…NTSB ERA10FA356Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Chapel Hill, NCThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and subsequent improper go-around procedure, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with a tree.NTSB ERA10FA347Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Fairfield, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the go-around following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continuance of an unstabilized final approach and the improper use of flaps during the go-around.NTSB WPR10LA156Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P51D · Chandler, AZThe pilot’s improper flare, resulting in a bounced landing, stall, and loss of directional control.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN09TA060Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell OH-58C · Quitman, ARThe pilot’s failure to execute a proper autorotation during a forced landing after a loss of rotor rpm for undetermined reasons.NTSB 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…NTSB LAX08FA233Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Price, UTThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning for the takeoff and the loading that exceeded the lift performance capability of the helicopter.NTSB 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.NTSB LAX08FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Benson, AZThe pilot's misjudged speed and altitude during approach that led to a long landing and his subsequent failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the pilot's low total night flight experience,…