NTSB investigations

42 cases where the sequence of events included Emergency descent initiated.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 42 cases
20084
20091
20103
20111
20122
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20151
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20205
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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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '130' 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.

NTSB WPR26LA071Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot’s intentional deployment of the airframe parachute system due to task-saturation in instrument meteorological conditions.Dec 23, 2025 · N272HM · Substantial damageNTSB GAA26WA035Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Chillagoe, AustraliaDec 2, 2025 · VH-HFQ · DestroyedNTSB GAA25WA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 182 · Región del Bio Bio, ChileJan 26, 2025 · CC-KKM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA265Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Raft River, IDThe pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the…Aug 3, 2024 · N20BH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA211Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Apopka, FLA partial loss of engine power due to sticking exhaust valves. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to use available engine data while troubleshooting a known engine issue and maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with…May 8, 2024 · N908DK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA067Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · El Centro, CAAn in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment between the flex plate and the forward driveshaft coupling.…Dec 24, 2023 · N111PM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA294Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 195 · Ravensdale, WAPartial loss of power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the siphoning of fuel from the left-wing fuel filler port due to wear on the fuel filler cap.Jul 30, 2023 · N195JL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA166Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportProtech PT2 · Columbia, MSThe pilot’s lack of proper maintenance, which allowed the fuel filters to become obstructed, leading to fuel starvation and a subsequent engine power loss.Apr 25, 2023 · N44048 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA291Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Chino, CAThe subsequent delamination of the main rotor blades as a result of an unidentified main rotor blade impact with vegetation during a previous flight by another pilot.Aug 4, 2022 · N833SB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B36TC · Los Banos, CAThe total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the No. 4 connecting rod bolt nut during a recent overhaul.Oct 9, 2021 · N7220B · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA349Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Grant-Valkaria, FLA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Aug 30, 2021 · N864LM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA108Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAbbett Gerry Lancair Evolution · Saratoga, WYA windshield failure during cruise flight due to stress concentrations in the bond area as a result of improper assembly of the windshield.Feb 8, 2021 · N7569A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA087Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Naples, FLThe inadvertent activation of the unguarded ferry tank fuel selector valve, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.Dec 19, 2020 · N662TC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA20WA125Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna R172 · Tarapaca-Amazonas, ColombiaJul 30, 2020 · HK2129 · DestroyedNTSB GAA20WA122Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Rio De Janeiro, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R22 helicopter that occurred on July 06, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…Jul 6, 2020 · PR-OEA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA286Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Welsh, LAA partial loss of engine power while in flight due to corrosion of engine components, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent impact with terrain.Jul 2, 2020 · N7511D · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20LA028Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter EC130 · Kalapana, HIA loss of control due to the fatigue fracture of a tail rotor fenestron blade due to the geometry of the water drain hole positioning on the rib.Mar 5, 2020 · N11QK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19LA245Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R22 · Water Valley, TXThe loss of helicopter performance for undetermined reasons.Jul 8, 2019 · N334DC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19LA187Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech C23 · Ludlow, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly tighten an oil line fitting, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Jun 30, 2019 · N24580 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC19LA016Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Bethel, AKA total loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft. A contributing factor was the inadequate inspection during the engine’s last overhaul.Apr 12, 2019 · N4466T · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMichaelian Lancair IV-TP · Rio Linda, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.Aug 3, 2017 · N420M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA176Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Seattle, WAThe total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt.Jul 31, 2017 · N957TA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA104Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Air Lancair Evolution · Firebaugh, CAA failure in the windshield, frame, or windshield-to-frame bond, which resulted in a rapid decompression during cruise flight.May 15, 2017 · N846PM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG · Gurdon, ARThe loss of control in flight for reasons that could not be determined because of the severe impact and postcrash fire damage to the airplane and the lack of information about the airplane emergency that the pilot was experiencing.Jan 5, 2017 · N972JK · DestroyedNTSB ERA16LA293Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150G · Shirley, NYMaintenance personnel’s inadequate maintenance and inspection of the airplane, which resulted in the left elevator attachment bolt backing out of the nutplate, and partial inflight separation and damage of the elevator.Aug 13, 2016 · N3666J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA153Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · McKinleyville, CAAn inflight fire in the floor area near the main bus tie circuit breaker panel that resulted from chafing between an electrical wire and a hydraulic line and/or airplane structure.Jul 29, 2016 · N661TC · DestroyedNTSB GAA16CA259Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Reno, NVThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning, resulting in fuel exhaustion and substantial damage to the firewall during the forced landing.May 24, 2016 · N4793D · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Honolulu, HIThe in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.Feb 18, 2016 · N80918 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15IA198Incident · No injuriesClass 2 · IncidentFinal reportDassault-Breguet Mystere Falcon 900 · Orlando, FLUnknown maintenance personnel’s inadequate securing of a wiring bundle during a maintenance, repair, or modification event, which led to chafing of the wiring bundle, an electrical short and arcing, and a subsequent in-flight fire.Apr 16, 2015 · N610RL · Minor damageNTSB WPR14CA334Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportJabiru USA Sport J250 SP · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate approach which resulted in a long landing and runway overrun.Aug 8, 2014 · N526FL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA252Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Elkton, MDThe pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point during a no-flap landing to a wet, down-sloping runway, and the airplane's dynamic hydroplaning after touchdown, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of…May 21, 2014 · N182PJ · Substantial damageNTSB DCA13WA031Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Bogota, ColombiaOn 24 November, 2012, at approxiumately 1636 UTC time, a Boeing B737-7V3, registration HP1371CM, operated by Copa Airlines Columbia between Bogota and Cartegna, Coulmbia, experienced a depressurization while climbing through FL240 and the oxygen masks…Nov 24, 2012 · HP1371CM · No damageNTSB CEN12FA290Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Chanute, KSThe malfunction of the cabin heater, which resulted in an inflight fire and smoke in the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of understanding concerning the status of the airplane's heater system following and earlier overheat event…May 11, 2012 · N9DM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway A600 · Chandler, AZA design modification that changed the fasteners and components used to attach the main rotor drive pulley to the engine, which resulted in fatigue failure of those fasteners and a complete loss of power to the main rotor.Mar 15, 2011 · N602RW · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11CA046Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes J/Hughes J Rand-Robinson · Pearland, TXThe pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was an engine oil leak which partially obscured the pilot’s forward vision.Oct 29, 2010 · N128JH · Substantial damageNTSB ANC10LA074Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Homer, AKThe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in an off-airport emergency landing and subsequent nose over.Aug 19, 2010 · N9815M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10LA449Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Santa Fe, NMA total loss of engine power following a loss of oil pressure for undetermined reasons.Aug 1, 2010 · N52708 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA09FA065Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Charleston, WVFuselage skin failure due to preexisting fatigue at a chemically milled step.Jul 13, 2009 · N387SW · Substantial damageNTSB DFW08CA236Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Augusta, KSA loose oil line that resulted in a total loss of engine oil, causing the engine to cease.Sep 18, 2008 · N6822J · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08CA264Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Pullman, MIA complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the rough terrain encountered during the forced landing.Aug 24, 2008 · N3901R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08LA089Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Iliamna, AKA total loss of engine power due to the separation of the number 8 cylinder from the engine, which separated an oil line, resulting in a loss of oil and oil pressure. Contributing to the accident was the float-equipped airplane's forced landing on a road.Jul 22, 2008 · N61FE · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08CA083Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Fenner, NYThe pilot's delayed decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility in snow and the soft terrain.Jan 15, 2008 · N122AA · Substantial damage