Fatal NTSB investigations, PA
32 cases where the sequence of events included Loss of control in flight.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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\" = 'PA' 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" = 'PA' 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 ERA25FA272Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA46-500TP · Lititz, PAOn July 20, 2025, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian airplane, N819MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The pilot was the sole person on board and was fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA24FA103Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. GA-7 · Coatesville, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and his subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual maintenance inspection, during which maintenance…NTSB ERA23FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBearhawk Patrol · Hanover Township, PAThe pilot’s decision to unlatch his seatbelt during flight, which allowed him to exit the airplane and impact the tail, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA22FA137Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 35 · Hilltown Township, PAThe pilots’ exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while practicing maneuvers during an instructional flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…NTSB ERA21FA253Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Buckingham, PAAn exhaust system leak that resulted in failure of the oil quick drain, a loss of oil lubrication, an in-flight fire, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA21LA191Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA19FA275Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV 8 · Stroudsburg, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA19FA243Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPoberezny Acro Sport II · Jersey Shore, PAThe pilot's decision to conduct low altitude aerobatic maneuvers which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA19FA240Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech F33 · Hatboro, PAThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB 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…NTSB ERA18FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 600 · Smethport, PAThe helicopter pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during power line construction work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking and becoming entangled with a wire and a subsequent dynamic rollover and collision with terrain.…NTSB ERA17FA232Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrisey 2150A · Honesdale, PAA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of two psychoactive substances, which led to his impaired decision to attempt to takeoff after engine issues became evident.NTSB ERA17FA223Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSlip Stream Genesis · Linesville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB ERA17FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHoward DGA 15P · Monongahela, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Canadensis, PAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.NTSB ERA16FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Farmington, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…NTSB ERA16LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMurray Blair L Free Bird Classic · Kylertown, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach for landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.NTSB ERA15FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1 · Montrose, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · West Chester, PAThe failure of the flight instructor and the pilot to abort the takeoff after the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power with adequate runway remaining, and their subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane…NTSB ERA14FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWaters Peter T Avid Bandit · Washington, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control in gusty and turbulent wind conditions.NTSB ERA14FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Biglerville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA13FA336Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R66 · Noxen, PAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB ERA13FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355 · Erwinna, PAThe pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in subsequent spatial disorientation, uncontrolled descent, and impact with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA12LA541Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnston Douglas S Safari · McVeytown, PAThe pilot's lack of proficiency and certification, which resulted in his failure to enter an autorotation when the engine lost power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent…NTSB ERA12FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Thomasville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an approach in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA11FA463Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuad City Ultralight Challenger II · Ransom Township, PAThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of overall flight experience and lack of experience in the same make…NTSB ERA11FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Benezette, PAThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.NTSB ERA11FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Indiana, PAThe pilot's operation of the helicopter at a low-forward airspeed out of ground effect, which resulted in the helicopter’s loss of translational lift and tail rotor authority and the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA10FA404Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Saltsburg, PAThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane during low-airspeed airwork and his failure to promptly recover the airplane from the aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a spin. Contributing to the accident were the pilot and certified flight instructor’s…NTSB MIA08FA177Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Latrobe, PAThe pilot's impairment/incapacitation (cardiovascular) resulting in the pilot being unable to control the airplane.