Fatal NTSB investigations
376 cases where the defining event was Aerodynamic stall/spin.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 30 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 34 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 8 |
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.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '241')
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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '241') 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 WPR27FA012Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportVans RV7A · Petaluma, CAOn October 7, 2026, about 1038 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Vans RV-7A, N425DG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Petaluma, California. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB WPR26FA330Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172N · San Diego, CAOn September 7, 2026, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734ZK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a…NTSB WPR26FA329Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fresno, CAOn September 5, 2026, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5, N6510L, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fresno, California. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB WPR26FA320Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20C · Mount Hood, OROn August 31, 2026, about 1131 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2783W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB WPR26FA281Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-180 · Chandler, AZOn July 28, 2026, about 1949 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9062J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…NTSB CEN26FA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportFokker DR1 Replica · Frankston, TXOn May 26, 2026, about 0810 central daylight time, an experimental Fokker DR1 airplane, N54517, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Frankston, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB WPR26FA198Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20J · Woodlake, CAOn May 23, 2026, about 1034 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N4452H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Woodlake, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91…NTSB CEN26FA126Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPeck JODEL-F12 · Rogers, AROn February 26, 2026, about 1330 central standard time, a Peck Jodel-F12, N30P, experimental airplane, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rogers, Arkansas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA26FA034Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions EA 300/SC · Keystone Heights, FLOn November 8, 2025, at 1038 eastern standard time, an Extra 330/SC, N330SL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Keystone Heights, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB CEN25FA339Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRans S-12 Airaile · Concordia, KSOn August 24, 2025, about 1926 central daylight time, a Rans S-12 Airaile airplane, N2757A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Concordia, Kansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB WPR25FA225Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20J · Nampa, IDOn August 27, 2025, about 1741 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N5764H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nampa, Idaho. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ERA25FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobert Fidler Lancair 320/360 · Zeeland, MIOn June 29, 2025, at 10:49 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Lancair 360, N360RF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Zeeland, Michigan. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB CEN25FA224Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportVans RV-10 · Capron, ILOn June 28, 2025, about 0934 central daylight time, a Vans RV-10 airplane, N847CS, was substantially damaged during an accident near Capron, Illinois. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB WPR25FA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTOn June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N79306, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB ERA25FA163Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 310Q · Midvale, OHOn April 1, 2025, about 1704 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N8242Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Midvale, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB ERA25FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · LaFayette, GAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ERA25FA066Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportSchleicher ASW24 · Vero Beach, FLOn December 6, 2024, about 1240 eastern standard time, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider, N244RW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Vero Beach, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The glider was owned by a local soaring club and…NTSB WPR25FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s entry into an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA25FA020Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGeisz Gilbert A Lancair 360 · Cross City, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover. Contributing to the accident was the total electrical failure, which likely resulted in a loss of airspeed indication.NTSB ERA24FA371Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Vergennes, VTThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to properly…NTSB WPR24FA298Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBoeing A75L3 · Yacolt, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain in moderately high density altitude conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24FA340Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Anderson, INThe pilot’s inadequate airspeed management during the missed approach which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and loss of control at low altitude.NTSB ANC24FA085Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · McGrath, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB GAA24WA270Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA18 · Defford, United KingdomNTSB CEN24FA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172F · Brazoria, TXThe pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed for takeoff, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after not maintaining directional…NTSB WPR24FA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGame Composites GB1 Gamebird · Irwin, IDThe pilot’s decision to perform a spin maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery and subsequent failure to properly arrest the spin, which resulted in a secondary stall and an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24FA196Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLockheed 12A · Chino, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude insufficient for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was…NTSB ERA24FA261Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Siler City, NCThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-speed, low-altitude left turn after encountering an undetermined issue during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR24FA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…NTSB ERA24FA206Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Augusta, GAThe pilot’s excessive turn rate and bank angle while at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.NTSB GAA24WA122Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBeech C90 · Santa Rosa de Osos, ColombiaNTSB WPR24FA104Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKolb Firestar KXP · Cave Junction, ORThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of potentially impairing substances with bipolar disorder, which resulted in a decreased…NTSB CEN24FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Afton, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.NTSB CEN24FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · Fairland, INBoth pilots’ failure to maintain adequate airspeed during departure from the airport, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, entering an aerodynamic stall, and impacting terrain.NTSB WPR24FA035Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172G · Provo, UTThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a chandelle maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to maneuver into a canyon and…NTSB WPR24FA014Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Williams, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight airplane performance…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 CEN23FA349Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Peyton, COThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in a steep bank at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA23FA323Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent rapid descent into terrain.NTSB CEN23FA332Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR23FA247Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Murrieta, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps.NTSB ERA23FA280Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…NTSB CEN23FA248Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7CCM · Duluth, MNThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA260Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Colonial Beach, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB 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…NTSB WPR23FA173Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Big Bear, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed on short final while operating in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sebastian, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR23FA110Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWillman Loren LOREN'S Aircam · Grass Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed 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.NTSB ERA23FA008Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Newport News, VAThe flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall from which she was unable to recover.NTSB ERA22FA426Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7AC · Bridgeton, NJThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.