Fatal NTSB investigations, AL
34 cases where the sequence of events included Loss of control in flight.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Where
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '240' 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '240' 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 ERA26FA338Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportReed Julian Estill RV-4 · Albertville, ALOn September 15, 2026, about 0620 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-4, N469TW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Albertville, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB ERA26LA140Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportBeech A36 · Gulf Shores, ALOn March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ERA26FA067Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Irvington, ALOn December 13, 2025, about 1145 central standard time, an American Champion Decathlon, N157WB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Roy E. Ray Airfield (5R7), Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane…NTSB ERA25FA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMagni Builder M-16 · Foley, ALThe sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA24FA055Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E95 · Elkmont, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during slow flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which he was unable to recover.NTSB ERA23FA382Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith William S Smith Cozy Mark IV · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s improper installation of engine…NTSB ERA23FA175Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Chelsea, ALThe pilot’s delayed corrective inputs while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of multiple sedating medications.NTSB ERA21LA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech V35A · Attalla, ALA loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.NTSB ERA20LA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenair CH750 Cruzer · Boaz, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into an area of low clouds.NTSB ERA20LA262Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Malbis, ALThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart in deteriorating weather conditions, which led to restricted visibility and the pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the pilot’s poor decision-making was…NTSB ERA20LA217Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Atmore, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, spin, and loss of control.NTSB ERA20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Selma, ALThe mechanic’s failure to clean the oil suction screen during the most recent maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA20FA063Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans Vans RV-6 · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s inadequate planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to return to the runway after…NTSB ERA20FA056Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Headland, ALPilot incapacitation by a sudden cardiac event related to severe coronary artery disease, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA18FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Ashville, ALDescent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA17FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hayden, ALThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control and in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB ERA16FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Mobile, ALThe pilot's loss of airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight weather planning which resulted the pilot's…NTSB ERA15FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Alabaster, ALAn in-flight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA14FA300Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124A · Huntsville, ALThe flight crew's inability to maintain airplane control during initial climb following deployment of the right thrust reverser for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine thrust reverser system did not…NTSB ERA14FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Clay, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while being vectored to intercept the localizer during night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate dispatch procedures, which did not…NTSB ERA12FA566Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Crane Hill, ALThe pilot’s loss of control in moderate-to-heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on ADS-B for tactical weather avoidance.NTSB ERA12FA565Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Brownsboro, ALThe pilot's loss of control while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB ERA12FA194Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStrout Frank Aventura II · Laceys Spring, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-altitude maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of the required rating to operate the airplane.NTSB ERA12FA149Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39C · Rainbow City, ALAn in-flight loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA11LA496Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Adventure Zephyr II · Sylacauga, ALThe pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack during takeoff, which led to an in-flight loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA11FA391Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Demopolis, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a…NTSB ERA11FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Birmingham, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA11FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Theodore, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at night in deteriorating weather conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing.NTSB ERA10FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Heflin, ALThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during night, adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to attempt a flight that he was not qualified for…NTSB ERA09LA230Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7HC · Centre, ALThe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during climb due to an improperly installed rudder pedal control tube.NTSB NYC08FA231Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Jasper, ALThe pilot's intentional visual flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control in flight. Contributing to the accident was the overweight and aft-center-of-gravity condition of the…NTSB NYC08FA157Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCartwright H Jr/Cottrell M RV-10 · Seale, ALThe pilot-in-command's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions and the pilot-in-command's lack of flight experience in the accident airplane.NTSB NYC08LA087Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUnknown Free Bird Sportlite · McCullough, ALThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight prior to the airplane being properly inspected and certified.