Fatal NTSB investigations

47 cases where the sequence of events included Structural icing.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 47 cases
20084
20092
20101
20113
20125
20136
20142
20151
20161
20185
20192
20202
20213
20221
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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.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '210' 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 ERA24FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VAThe pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.May 5, 2024 · N690BM · DestroyedNTSB WPR24FA124Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGulfstream 695A · San Bernardino, CAThe pilot’s continued use of the airplane’s autopilot after flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.Apr 14, 2024 · N965BC · DestroyedNTSB ERA24FA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · DestroyedNTSB CEN24FA046Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Ludington, MIThe pilot’s decision to take off with ice/snow contamination on the airplane’s wings, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Nov 26, 2023 · N850JH · DestroyedNTSB ANC23LA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B36TC · Cape Yakataga, AKThe pilot’s continued flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, including supercooled large droplets, over mountainous terrain, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the National Weather Service…Aug 27, 2023 · N6709Q · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV7 · Gibbon, NEThe pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.Jun 2, 2023 · N977RV · DestroyedNTSB WPR23FA188Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T182T · Albany, WYThe pilot’s decision to conduct flight into an area of icing in an airplane that was prohibited from such conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall/spin, and the pilot’s spatial disorientation…May 14, 2023 · N665B · DestroyedNTSB WPR23FA141Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control.Apr 2, 2023 · N424SW · DestroyedNTSB WPR23FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEmbraer Executive EMB-505 · Provo, UTThe pilot’s failure to deice the airplane before takeoff in weather conditions conducive to ice accumulation, which resulted in an ice-contaminated wing and subsequent stall during takeoff.Jan 2, 2023 · N555NR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA173Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBlue Side UP Comp AIR 8 SS52 · Grasmere, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.May 8, 2022 · N801DT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA023Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20M · Snoqualmie, WAThe pilot’s decision to fly the airplane into known icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain.Oct 28, 2021 · N40KA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21FA238Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair Evolution · McDermott, OHThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid airframe icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane performance and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight break-up.May 28, 2021 · N515DL · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA198Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Danville, ARThe pilot’s improper decision to continue flight in an area of moderate-to-heavy icing conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s anti-icing system capabilities, a degradation of aircraft performance, and subsequent aerodynamic stall.Apr 23, 2021 · N461DK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA030Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Lubbock, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to fly into icing conditions with an airplane that was not equipped for icing, which led to structural icing and a subsequent loss of airplane control, and the pilot’s impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a cracked…Oct 26, 2020 · N9622T · DestroyedNTSB CEN20FA075Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Chatham, LAThe pilot’s encounter with icing in-flight, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.Feb 6, 2020 · N60381 · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA154Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Grover, UTThe pilot's encounter with moderate to severe icing conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in structural icing and a subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue a flight route through known moderate…May 24, 2019 · N809SR · DestroyedNTSB ANC19FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Skwentna, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart into marginal visual flight rule conditions in mountainous terrain with the potential for icing, and the airplane’s accumulation of structural icing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the…Mar 7, 2019 · N7469A · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 55 · Liberal, KSThe pilot's improper decision to fly in an area where moderate icing conditions were forecasted in an airplane that was not certified for such conditions, and in the effort to get out of the icing conditions, his decision to fly below the minimum descent…Nov 17, 2018 · N4817M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Walton, NYAn in-flight fire of undetermined origin. Contributing to the accident were the severe icing conditions encountered during the final minutes of the flight, which led to a loss of airplane control.Nov 9, 2018 · N5044J · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA008Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Canoncito, NMThe partial loss of engine power due to induction system icing. Contributing to the accident was the fractured carburetor heat control cable, which rendered the carburetor heat inoperative.Oct 16, 2018 · N9326G · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Williamsburg, PAThe pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing before the flight and his subsequent loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions during a diversion to an alternate airport after…Apr 19, 2018 · N451TD · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G33 · Warsaw, OHThe pilot's decision to continue flight in known icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing, degraded airplane performance, and a subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain an official weather briefing…Apr 16, 2018 · N9345Q · Substantial damageNTSB ANC17FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Heli-Porter Pilatus PC-6 · Port Alsworth, AKThe airplane's collision with mountainous terrain while operating in an area of reduced visibility and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which would have identified deteriorating weather conditions…Oct 29, 2016 · N5308F · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15FA119Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Owen, WIThe flight instructor's decision to initiate flight into forecasted icing conditions in an airplane that was not certified or equipped for flight into icing conditions, which resulted in significant structural ice accumulation to the extent that the airplane…Jan 26, 2015 · N3181R · Substantial damageNTSB DCA15MA029Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer EMB-500 · Gaithersburg, MDthe pilot's conduct of an approach in structural icing conditions without turning on the airplane's wing and horizontal stabilizer deice system, leading to ice accumulation on those surfaces, and without using the appropriate landing performance speeds for…Dec 8, 2014 · N100EQ · DestroyedNTSB ERA14FA112Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 690 · Bellevue, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed with one engine inoperative, which resulted in a loss of control while on approach. Contributing to the accident were airframe ice accumulation due to conditions conducive to icing and the loss of engine power on one…Feb 3, 2014 · N840V · DestroyedNTSB WPR14FA094Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot’s continued flight into known light-to-moderate icing conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to induction icing.Dec 1, 2013 · N36ML · DestroyedNTSB CEN14FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Derby, KSThe airplane's encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing, and the pilot's increased workload and subsequent disorientation while maneuvering in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with malfunctioning flight instruments,…Oct 18, 2013 · N610ED · DestroyedNTSB DCA13WA050Accident · 21 fatalForeign investigationBombardier CL600 2B19 · Almaty, KazakhstanThe Accident Investigation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Bombardier Challenger CRJ-200, registration UP-CJ006, which occurred on January 29, 2013. The…Jan 29, 2013 · UP-CJ006 · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA130Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon 58 · Maxwell, NEThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing and the subsequent loss of airplane control.Jan 11, 2013 · N36VE · DestroyedNTSB WPR13FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Woody, CAAn in-flight encounter with icing conditions during descent, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall followed by an in-flight breakup.Jan 7, 2013 · N35SD · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter 407 · Clear Lake, IAThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.Jan 3, 2013 · N445MT · DestroyedNTSB WPR13FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Payson, AZThe airplane’s inadvertent encounter, in night instrument meteorological conditions, with unforecast strong up- and downdrafts and possibly severe airframe icing conditions (which likely included supercooled large droplets that the airplane was not…Dec 19, 2012 · N62959 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after encountering icing conditions and heavy to extreme turbulence and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s design limit, which led to an in-flight breakup.Dec 15, 2012 · N67PS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13FA096Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BK 117 A-3 · Compton, ILThe inadvertent encounter with inclement weather, including snow, freezing rain, and reduced visibility conditions, which led to the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control.Dec 11, 2012 · N911BK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Morgan, UTThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in frost remaining on the airplane's surfaces and led to its inability to produce enough lift to clear rising terrain.Nov 15, 2012 · N5642L · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Hayden, COThe pilot’s inadvertent stall during a missed approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in forecasted icing conditions without using all of its anti-ice systems.Feb 19, 2012 · N4772A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA115Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Morristown, NJThe airplane’s encounter with unforecasted severe icing conditions that were characterized by high ice accretion rates and the pilot's failure to use his command authority to depart the icing conditions in an expeditious manner, which resulted in a loss of…Dec 20, 2011 · N731CA · DestroyedNTSB WPR11FA228Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Rock Springs, WYThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in an accumulation of structural ice that led to a loss of control and in-flight breakup. Also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning.May 18, 2011 · N93577 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond DA-40 · Allagash, METhe pilot's inadvertent encounter with icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing was the pilots’ inadequate preflight weather planning.Mar 7, 2011 · CGPDO · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20R · Dundee, NYThe pilot's decision to operate in known moderate-to-severe icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during approach.Dec 23, 2010 · N968SM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA263Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLanham Lancair IV · Seligman, AZThe pilot's loss of airplane control during en route descent while operating in known icing conditions.May 23, 2009 · N144L · Substantial damageNTSB CEN09FA135Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream Aerospace Commander · Wray, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper preflight planning and conditions conducive for structural icing.Jan 15, 2009 · N840NK · DestroyedNTSB NYC08LA176Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDesalvatore Al Lancair IV-P · Snow Hill, NCAn inadvertent encounter with icing conditions, resulting in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight decision making.May 8, 2008 · N101BX · DestroyedNTSB DFW08FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Black Hawk, COThe loss of engine power due to induction icing. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to continue flight in conditions favorable for structural and induction-system icing.May 8, 2008 · N8553S · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Atkins, VAThe pilot's improper decision to take off in conditions conducive to icing, and his inability to maintain control of the airplane during an in-flight accumulation of structural ice.Mar 16, 2008 · C-FRSK · DestroyedNTSB CHI08FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Vik, IcelandThe pilot's decision to fly into an area of forecast weather suitable for structural icing. Contributing to the accident was the effect of the structural icing encountered.Feb 21, 2008 · N60842 · Substantial damage