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 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 GAA18CA549Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Bentonville, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted go-around after the airplane bounced, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.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 ERA18LA242Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Indiana, PAA total loss of engine power as a result of debris contamination of the fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation.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 WPR18FA232Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Granger, TXThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to not follow the training syllabus and allow the low-level high-speed flight.NTSB CEN18LA340Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · LaPorte, TXThe loss of engine power due to a torn intercooler hose that resulted in an overly rich fuel mixture, which, when combined with the pilot's activation of the auxiliary fuel pump, flooded the engine.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 GAA18CA561Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportApollo Fox · Chateaugay, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around.NTSB ANC18FA053Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DHC 3 · Hydaburg, AKThe pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.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 CEN18LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Clovis, NMThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.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 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.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 GAA18CA250Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportMichael R Alexander Mosquito XE · Iron Station, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to practice hovering the helicopter in a confined space, which resulted in the tail rotor striking a tree.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 ANC18LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Atqasuk, AKThe pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to level the airplane after the autopilot disconnected, which resulted in a collision with terrain.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 WPR18FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Ogden, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of three impairing medications.NTSB WPR18FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrowning Gregory S Zodiac 601XL · Thompson's Station, TNThe sport pilot's decision to depart in and continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.