NTSB investigations
1,074 cases where the sequence of events included 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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '120' 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."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '120' 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 CEN25LA211Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna U206 · Falun, WIThe pilot experiencing the featureless terrain illusion during the approach which gave the perception that the airplane was at a higher altitude over the glassy water surface than it was, resulting in the airplane impacting the water.NTSB GAA25WA198Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Mount Surprise, AustraliaNTSB GAA25WA154Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA31T · La Palma, ChileNTSB CEN25LA146Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Ault, COThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a collision with a fence post.NTSB GAA25WA112Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignJodel D140 · Chamonix, FranceNTSB CEN25LA098Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMD Helicopters 369FF · Cookville, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during the low altitude operation.NTSB GAA25WA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-34-220T · Braunschweig, GermanyNTSB GAA25WA073Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 550 · Baruta, VenezuelaNTSB GAA25WA053Accident · 10 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 402 · Medellin, ColombiaNTSB ANC25FA010Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 208B · Honolulu, HIOn December 17, 2024, about 1515 Hawaii-Aleutian Standard time, a turbine-powered Cessna 208B airplane, N689KA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Honolulu, Hawaii. The two pilots onboard were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as…NTSB ERA25FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportVans RV-12IS · Homosassa, FLOn December 6, 2024, about 2004 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS, N702DP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Homosassa, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight…NTSB GAA25WA036Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 340A · Magny-lès-Villers, FranceNTSB GAA25WA032Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna U206 · Cantón Central San José y Distrito de Pavas, Costa RicaNTSB CEN25FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Drake, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Contributing was mountain wave turbulence in the area.NTSB ERA25FA037Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150F · Wilder, TNThe student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA25WA013Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT502 · Ouro Preto - Minas Gerais, BrazilNTSB ANC24FA094Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 207 · Saint Mary's, AKOn September 15, 2024, about 2204 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 207 airplane, N90193, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near St. Mary’s, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA24LA346Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3 · Mooresburg, TNThe pilot’s intentional flight into a building as an act of suicide.NTSB CEN24LA317Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV8 · Guthrie, OKA loss of engine power due to the separation and ingestion of an air filter retaining bracket into the engine cylinder.NTSB DCA24WA333Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · ForeignATR ATR72 · Bhubaneswar, IndiaNTSB CEN24FA295Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Irene, SDThe pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB GAA24WA245Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLearjet 35 · Matupa, BrazilNTSB ANC24LA069Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A35 · Gustavus, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA24WA225AccidentClass 5 · ForeignBriten-Norman BN2A-20 · Bouffa, VanuatuNTSB GAA24WA231AccidentClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · La Aurora, GuatemalaNTSB ERA24FA294Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.NTSB ERA24LA297Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Bainbridge, GAThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use.NTSB ERA24FA292Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Lock Haven, PAThe student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR24LA221Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B19 · Running Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude toward rising terrain, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.NTSB GAA24WA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Brasil Novo, BrazilNTSB WPR24FA202Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NMThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…NTSB WPR24FA195Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR24FA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Elk River, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while climbing in mountainous terrain during moderately high density altitude conditions, and conditions conducive to severe carburetor icing.NTSB GAA24WA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-34-200T · Santa Rosa, EcuadorNTSB ANC24FA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AKThe non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.NTSB GAA24WA133Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 172 · La Linea, ChileNTSB WPR24LA115Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601 · Rawlins, WYThe student pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an unstabilized approach, which resulted the airplane landing short of the runway and coming to rest inverted.NTSB ERA24FA136Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra · Hot Springs, VAThe PIC’s continuation of an unstabilized approach in gusting wind conditions and his failure to monitor the airplane’s altitude during the approach, which led to a descent into terrain short of the runway. Contributing was the flight crew’s failure to set…NTSB ERA24LA134Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Clay, KYThe pilot’s decision to attempt a VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol consumption.NTSB ERA24FA120Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Jackson, OHThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering.NTSB WPR24LA094Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Valley Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and inadvertently entering a box canyon where the airplane could not outclimb the rising terrain.NTSB CEN24LA116Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCub Crafters CCX-2000 · Laotto, INThe pilot’s improper decision to continue an approach with his vision obscured by sun glare, which resulted in a collision with a tree.NTSB WPR24LA090Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Lewistown, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s encounter with low light conditions and snow-covered terrain.NTSB GAA24WA095Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna U206 · Canaima, VenezuelaNTSB GAA24WA131Accident · 9 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech E90 · Lote Ocho, MexicoNTSB ERA24FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Weston, FLThe pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.NTSB GAA24WA070AccidentClass 5 · ForeignThrush S2R · Región del Maule, ChileNTSB CEN24FA089Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310R · Poolville, TXPilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons which resulted into controlled descent into terrain.NTSB GAA24WA062Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna A185 · Dorotea, ColombiaNTSB GAA24WA052Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBell 412 · Arau, Guyana