Fatal NTSB investigations
110 cases where the sequence of events included Midair collision.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '250' 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '250' 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 ERA26LA346Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportSchleicher ASW-24 · Edinburg, NYOn September 18, 2026, about 1426 eastern daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2B glider, N61XC, and a Schleicher ASW-24 glider, N94CG, collided in flight near Edinburg, New York. The pilot of the Schempp-Hirth was fatally injured and the glider was…NTSB ERA26FA309Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 150 · Carlisle, PAOn August 19, 2026, at 1852 eastern daylight time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407, N873ST, and a Cessna 150H airplane, N23330, collided in flight near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The two commercial pilots onboard the helicopter were seriously injured, and…NTSB ERA26FA077Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportEnstrom 280 · Hammonton, NJOn December 28, 2025, at 1124 eastern standard time, an Enstrom F-28A helicopter, N520H, and an Enstrom 280C helicopter, N280MG, collided in midair near Hammonton, New Jersey. The private pilots onboard each of the helicopters were fatally injured. Both…NTSB GAA26WA034Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignVans RV7 · New South Wales, AustraliaNTSB GAA26WA004Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Santa Ana del Yacuma, BoliviaNTSB WPR25FA268Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172M · Fort Morgan, COOn August 31, 2025, about 1040 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N61657, and an Extra Flugzeugproduktions-UND EA 300/LC, N330AN, were both destroyed when they collided midair near Fort Morgan, Colorado. The pilot and safety pilot of the Cessna received…NTSB GAA25WA161Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Eura, FinlandNTSB WPR25FA097Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportLancair 360 · Marana, AZOn February 19, 2025, about 0828 mountain standard time, a Lancair 360 Mk II, N3602M, was destroyed, and a Cessna 172S, N463ER, sustained minor damage when they were involved in a mid-air collision near Marana Regional Airport (AVQ), Marana, Arizona. The…NTSB DCA25MA108Accident · 67 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DCThe Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…NTSB GAA25WA069Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA18 · Les Allues, FranceNTSB GAA25WA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182P · The Oaks, AustraliaNTSB WPR24FA309Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CAThe CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB WPR24FA304Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlobe Swift GC-1B · Minden, NVThe failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB GAA24WA227Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Curtin, AustraliaNTSB CEN24FA260Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Bonita, LAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while at low altitude enroute to their aerial application flights.NTSB WPR24FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Arco, IDA midair collision between two airplanes during aerial application operations due to both pilots’ insufficient awareness of their proximity to each other and their failure to see and avoid each other. Contributing to the accident was the operator and both…NTSB CEN24FA221Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Whiteface, TXBoth pilot’s failure to see and avoid the other airplane during simultaneous aerial application operations over the same area. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s poor decision to assign the pilots to conduct separate aerial application operations…NTSB GAA24WA061Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT502 · Carletonville, South AfricaNTSB WPR23FA345Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Reno, NVThe failure of both the Race 14 and Race 6 pilots to see and avoid each other while in the airport traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ failure to fly the standard downwind and base legs.NTSB WPR23FA302Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Cabazon, CAThe Skycrane flight crew’s decision to enter the Fire Traffic Area’s 7-nm NOCOM ring at an altitude significantly above their maximum cleared altitude, which resulted in their need for an aggressive descent into congested airspace and subsequent failure to…NTSB CEN23FA333Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway 162F · Oshkosh, WIThe failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.NTSB ERA23FA142Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J3C · Winter Haven, FLThe failure of both flight crews to see and avoid each other while operating in the airport environment.NTSB CEN23MA034Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing B17 · Dallas, TXthe air boss’s and air show event organizer’s lack of an adequate, prebriefed aircraft separation plan for the air show performance, relying instead on the air boss’s real-time deconfliction directives and the see-and-avoid strategy for collision avoidance,…NTSB CEN22FA424Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Longmont, COThe pilots’ inability to see and avoid each other, resulting in a midair collision.NTSB WPR22FA309Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 152 · Watsonville, CAThe failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.NTSB ERA22FA338Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Portland, ARThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane during aerial application and ferry operations.NTSB ERA22FA318Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · North Las Vegas, NVThe low-wing airplane pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was aligned with the correct runway, which resulted in a collision with the high-wing airplane on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the controller’s failure to provide timely and…NTSB CEN22FA081Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Fulshear, TXThe limitations of the see-and-avoid concept as a method for self-separation of aircraft, which resulted in an inflight collision. Contributing to the accident was the absence of collision avoidance technology on both aircraft.NTSB WPR22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Chandler, AZThe failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB GAA21WA101Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Grasmere, South AfricaNTSB CEN21FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech J35 · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot of the J35’s failure to maintain clearance from the M35, which resulted in a midair collision and the J35 pilot’s subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA175Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPioneer 300 · Loches, FranceNTSB ANC20LA085Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Fairbanks, AKThe PA-18 pilot’s failure to see and avoid the Cessna 185 as it was landing. Contributing to the accident was the PA-18 pilot’s failure to hear the traffic advisory provided by the air traffic control tower.NTSB ANC20LA074Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Soldotna, AKThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were (1) the PA-12 pilot’s decision to fly with a known severe vision deficiency that had resulted in denial of his most recent application for medical certification…NTSB WPR20LA246Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT802 · Elgin, NVThe trailing pilot’s failure to maintain separation from the lead airplane during a fire retardant deployment flight, which resulted in the trailing airplane flying through a plume of retardant and the trailing pilot’s subsequent loss of visibility that led…NTSB WPR20FA206Accident · 8 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TU206 · Coeur d'Alene, IDThe failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane.NTSB WPR20WA091Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA44 · Mangalore, AustraliaNTSB CEN20FA012Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Hebbronville, TXThe failure of the spotter helicopter pilot to maintain clearance from the gunner helicopter while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the effects from the pilot’s use of impairing drugs.NTSB CEN19WA283Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Inca, Mallorca, SpainOn June 25, 2019, about 1335 local time, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, D-HOTT, and an Aeroprakt A22L airplane collided in mid-air, near Inca, Mallorca, Spain. The pilot and four passengers aboard the helicopter and the two people on the airplane, received fatal…NTSB ERA19FA183Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans Vans RV 4 · Green Cove Springs, FLThe failure of each pilot to maintain separation from the other airplane during intentional maneuvers within close proximity of each other.NTSB WPR19FA145Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman G164 · Pleasant Grove, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB CEN19MA141Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKThe inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, which prevented the two pilots from seeing the other airplane before the collision, and the absence of visual and aural alerts from both airplanes’ traffic display systems, while operating in a geographic…NTSB ERA19WA174Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS350 · Megeve, ItalyThe government of Italy has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a midair collision between a Eurocopter AS350-B3 helicopter and a Jodel D.140E airplane that occurred on January 25, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist…NTSB CEN18WA312Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSteen Skybolt · Fratauti, RomaniaNTSB CEN18WA305Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationLavia Argentina PA-25-260 · Namiquipa, Chihuahua, MexicoOn July 22, 2018, about 1500 coordinated universal time, a Lavia Argentina S.A. PA-25-260 airplane, XB-EGL and Lavia Argentina S.A. PA-25-235 airplane, XB-DVX, collided during aerial application maneuvers near Namiquipa, Chihuahua, Mexico. The pilot of XB-EGL…NTSB ERA18FA194Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Miami, FLThe failure of both pilots in both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane as they converged nearly head-on at the same altitude.NTSB ANC18FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Anchorage, AKThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while in level cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB CEN18WA141Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR20 · Adolf Wurth Airport, GermanyOn April 15, 2018, at 1300 UTC, a Cirrus SR-20, D-EWTG, and a Dallach D4b Fascination, D-MJEK, encountered a midair collision under unknown circumstances near Adolf Würth Airport (EDTY), Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. Both aircraft were destroyed; and the pilots,…NTSB CEN18WA120Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28RT-201T · Oberhausen-Rheinhausen, GermanyOn January 23, 2018, about 1207 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-28 airplane, Swiss registration HB-PGF, collided with an Airbus-Helicopter EC135P2, German registration D-HDRV near Oberhausen-Rheinhausen, Germany. The pilots and passengers were all…NTSB CEN18WA067Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationConstrucciones Aeronauticas C.A.S.A. 1.131 · Alicante, SpainOn December 30, 2017, at 1642 universal time coordinated, a Construcciones Aeronauticas SA C.A.S.A. 1.131 (Bucker BU-131), N1950M (NX-1950M), and a Bell 412SP, EC-MMC, experienced a mid-air collision during final approach for landing to runway 20 at Muchamiel…