NTSB investigations
855 cases where the defining event was Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT).
Cases, newest first
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '120') 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."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '120') 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 WPR18LA263Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Bullhead City, AZThe pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain.NTSB ERA18WA252Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech C90 · Ipumirim County, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BEECH C90 airplane that occurred on September 15, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…NTSB WPR18FA260Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.NTSB GAA18CA538Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAvid Avid Magnum · Carrabassett Valley, METhe pilot’s improper decision to initiate the flight in marginal visual flight rules over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological and downdraft conditions and the subsequent controlled flight into trees…NTSB ERA18WA247Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech 33 · Taquaraçu de Minas, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Beech 33 airplane that occurred on September 01, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB CEN18FA359Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28R · Kaplan, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a charted and illuminated television/radio tower.NTSB WPR18FA245Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Prescott, AZThe pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain an approach path that provided clearance from the terrain due to a visual illusion in dark night conditions.NTSB CEN18FA358Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B60 · Fort Walton Beach, FLThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain after misidentifying the destination airport during a period of restricted visibility due to weather.NTSB GAA18CA506Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Ridgeway, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.NTSB WPR18LA241Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Afton, WYThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance after an encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering in a valley with a high-density altitude, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN18FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · Payson City, UTThe pilot's intentional flight into his residence.NTSB CEN18LA226Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B · Arrey, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hillside during an agricultural application flight while facing the sun.NTSB CEN18FA227Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Rotan, TXThe pilot's reckless decision to conduct low-level flight over a canyon, resulting in the airplane's impact with power lines and terrain.NTSB WPR18WA165Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Njabini, KenyaOn June 5, 2018, about 1705 local time, a Cessna 208, 5Y-CAC, collided into a mountain in the Aberdare mountain range near Njabini, Kenya. The 2 pilots and 8 passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned and operated by…NTSB WPR18LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Bainbridge Island, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his distraction by using the tablet for navigation, which resulted in his failure to detect that the airplane had entered a descent.NTSB GAA18CA325Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCosentino Garey A Pegasus · Kingston, OKThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and the powered parachute’s subsequent impact with trees.NTSB CEN18FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D17S · Santa Fe, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN18WA188Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Tuzantan, MexicoOn May 15, 2018, about 1300 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 208 airplane, N149CD, crashed in jungle terrain under unknown circumstances near Tuzantan, Mexico. The three occupants were fatally injured. The flight departure and destination were unknown.…NTSB WPR18FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Cascade, IDThe non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC18FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AKThe student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…NTSB CEN18WA166Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationAyres S2R · Morales, GuatemalaOn May 9, 2018, about 1415 coordinated universal time, an Ayres Thrush S2R-T34 airplane TG-FDM, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near the municipality of Morales in Izabal Department of Guatemala. The pilot was fatally…NTSB GAA18CA347Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Pine Spring, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying over mountainous terrain in turbulent wind conditions at night, which resulted in a tree strike.NTSB GAA18CA243Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 310 · Gainesville, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path at night, which resulted in a tree strike.NTSB GAA18CA249Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Newark, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.NTSB WPR18LA127Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Hillsboro, ORA partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB ERA18WA130Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · Tucuman, ArgentinaNTSB WPR18FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · La Center, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB GAA18CA145Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28R · Milton-Freewater, ORThe pilot receiving instruction’s and flight instructor’s improper decision to enter a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain and their subsequent failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR18FA095Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Monticello, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued flight into a region of deteriorating ceiling and visibility conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain event.NTSB CEN18WA103Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95B55 · Saint Laurent La Roche, FranceNTSB ERA18WA217Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A188 · La Vega, Dominican RepublicThe government of the Dominican Republic has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna A188B airplane that occurred on February 14, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Dominican Republic's…NTSB CEN18LA106Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269D · Stockbridge, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while maneuvering the helicopter at a low altitude after departure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s distraction by the smoke in the cabin and the limited visible features in the…NTSB ANC18FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Chuckanut, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a visual approach in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN18LA095Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHenderson Thorp T 18 · Troy, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while landing in crosswind conditions.NTSB CEN18WA098Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · St Joachim de Courval, CanadaOn February 2, 2018, about 0145 UTC, a Robinson R-44 helicopter, Canadian registry C-GYMG, owned and operated by a private operator, impacted in a field at St-Joachim-de-Courval, Quebec, Canada. A post impact fire ensued. The pilot and two passengers on board…NTSB CEN18LA082Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMatheny Larry E Christavia MK 1 · Grand Detour, ILThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude.NTSB CEN18WA081Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationZodiac 601XL · Castellon, SpainOn January 19, 2018, about 0930 UTC, a Zodiac 601XL, Spanish registry EC-XKM, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted mountainous terrain in the municipality of La Pobla de Benifassa, Castellon, Spain. A postimpact fire ensued. The pilot was…NTSB CEN18FA078Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1H · Raton, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC18FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Maunaloa, HIThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions while conducting an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA18CA069Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWeaver David A Pulsar 912XP · Plato Center, ILThe pilot’s decision to continue to land without visual reference to the airport in low light conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to activate the private airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system due to its configuration.NTSB GAA18CA074Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Bowie, MDThe pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.NTSB ERA18WA028Accident · 11 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Ngorongoro, TanzaniaOn November 15, 2017, about 0805 coordinated universal time, Cessna 208B, Tanzanian registration 5H-EGG, operated by Coastal Aviation LTD., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The pilot and 10 passengers were fatally…NTSB CEN18LA025Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Larchwood, IAThe pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines.NTSB WPR18CA028Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStill Michael J Titan T-51 · Chandler, AZThe pilot's inadvertent contact with the engine control unit toggle switch during flight, which resulted in the engine shutting down.NTSB WPR18LA014Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA 1A · Maricopa, AZThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid unmarked power lines during the approach to land.NTSB CEN18LA014Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Gustavus, OHThe pilot’s geographic disorientation while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern in dark night conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below a normal approach path and a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB CEN18FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Las Cruces, NMControlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.NTSB WPR17FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Brinnon, WAThe flight instructor's failure to completely and properly evaluate the student pilot's incorrectly- planned flight, and his failure to use all available resources to maintain situation awareness during the flight, which resulted in controlled flight into…NTSB GAA17CA559Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Diego, CAThe airplane’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological, dark night conditions and the pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach for landing.