Fatal NTSB investigations
133 cases where the sequence of events included Abrupt maneuver.
Cases, newest first
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\" = '270' 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" = '270' 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 WPR17FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Glamis, CAThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a downwind landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a go-around and subsequent landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an…NTSB ERA17FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Crescent City, FLAn abrupt pitch-up maneuver following a descent, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the right wing due to the overload failure of both the forward and aft right wing attachment brackets.NTSB ERA17FA017Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Austin, PAThe pilot's loss of control while maneuvering in night instrument conditions that included light-to-heavy rain with severe turbulence, updrafts and downdrafts, and hail. Contributing to the accident was the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation, his lack…NTSB CEN16FA346Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Moss Hill, TXThe pilot's loss of control attempting to recover from a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the low-level maneuver which significantly reduced any margin for error.NTSB CEN16FA341Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Bentonville, ARThe pilot's failure to monitor and/or transmit his position over the uncontrolled airport's common traffic advisory frequency, and his decision to continue the takeoff when he observed conflicting traffic on the runway.NTSB WPR16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.NTSB ERA16FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Destin, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff, while maneuvering over water during dark night conditions.NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB ERA16FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Tampa, FLThe intentional low altitude maneuvering during takeoff in response to a near-miss with an airplane departing from a converging runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR16FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Springville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB CEN16LA096Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRaymond Z Brown Condor · Centralia, ILThe failure of the prerotator belt, which impeded the engine's timing belt and resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.NTSB ERA16FA097Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrook Aaron D Lancair IV P · Albany, GAThe pilots' failure to maintain control during a takeoff attempt in a high-performance airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilots' decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight and with an aft center of gravity and their lack of…NTSB ERA16FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEros 1600 · Lebanon, TNA failure of the front cylinder piston due to the pilot's improper maintenance, which resulted in a total loss of engine power after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to return to the runway at low altitude following the loss of…NTSB ERA16FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GAThe student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student…NTSB CEN15FA422Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPierce, Henry Bushby Mustang II · Granbury, TXThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA15FA348Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Somerset, NJThe pilot's attempted 180-degree return to the runway immediately after takeoff in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with…NTSB WPR15FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santee, CAThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the right magneto.NTSB ERA15FA175Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBedecorp BD-22 · Fort Pierce, FLThe pilot's excessive pitch control inputs to the airplane’s sidestick control, which resulted in an overstress of the airframe and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane contrary to the…NTSB WPR15FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBAE Systems MK-67 Hawk · Yuma, AZThe pilot’s initiation of an early rotation during takeoff, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's use of nose up pitch trim and the operator's policy to use nose-up pitch trim during…NTSB ERA15FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Catano, PRThe student pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the helicopter’s uncontrolled descent to the water. Contributing to the accident was the student’s distraction with other aircraft operating…NTSB WPR15FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Ronan, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing an intentional, abrupt low-level maneuver.NTSB ERA15FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International 112 · Gainesville, GAThe partial loss of engine power due to the undetected blockage of the inlet and outlet ports of the manifold valve by an organic compound of an unknown source.NTSB ERA14FA445Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T 28C · Alton, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while performing low-level aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to attempt aerobatics at such a low altitude.NTSB ERA14LA346Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Elliott Key, FLThe airplane’s vertical descent into water for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airplane examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies.NTSB ERA14FA343Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · North Captiva Island, FLThe pilot’s failure to secure the cargo in the cargo compartment, which resulted in a weight shift that led to the center of gravity exceeding its aft limit during a go-around attempt and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Also causal to the accident were the…NTSB WPR14FA282Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-180 · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when the landing gear unintentionally extended while maneuvering at low altitude and airspeed, which increased the airplane’s drag and decreased its ability to climb over the rising terrain.NTSB CEN14FA339Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American/Aero Classics P 51D · Durango, COThe pilot's failure to compensate for the high-performance airplane's tendency to enter a torque roll during the initial climb, which resulted in the airplane entering a torque roll and the subsequent loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover.…NTSB WPR14LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Apache Sport · Polson, MTThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during initial climb due to his experiencing an incapacitating medical event.NTSB WPR14FA183Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 - F · Santa Clara, UTThe flight instructor’s failure to arrest the airplane’s descent and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA14FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · LaGrange, GAThe pilot's overreaction to a perceived conflict with a tow plane and glider on an intersecting runway, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the glider tow operator to follow…NTSB ERA14FA010Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Somerville, TNThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with night, instrument meteorological conditions while responding to an obstacle alert, resulting in an in-flight loss of helicopter control.NTSB WPR13WA415Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLancair 360 - NO Series · Shenyang, ChinaOn September 17, 2013 about 0523 Universal Time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair, Canadian registration C-FXCK, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. The airplane was participating in an aerobatic exhibition…NTSB WPR13FA399Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTyler Ives SD-1 TG · Spanish Fork, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing prohibited aerobatic maneuvers and the deployment and separation of the ballistic parachute system from the airframe for reasons that could not be determined due to the severity of impact…NTSB CEN13LA409Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctsw · Taos, NMThe airplane's unexpected encounter with a dust devil, which resulted in the loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR13FA300Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAllstar PZL Glider SZD-54-2 Perkoz · Jacumba, CAThe premature release of the towline from the glider and the glider’s subsequent right banking turn at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airframe examination did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or…NTSB CEN13FA274Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing-Stearman IB75A · Dayton, OHThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's modified airshow maneuver, which placed the airplane at low altitude and airspeed and out of position within the performance area.NTSB ANC13FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 · Petersburg, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude above the trees, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to avoid the trees, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA13LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWilson William M Cricket MC12 · Doylestown, PAThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff after detecting the airplane’s degraded performance. Contributing to the accident were the likely loss of power from the left engine for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident examination of the…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 CEN12FA378Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportIar Brasov IS-28B2 · Wallis, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency situation, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s acute coronary event, which resulted from his severe…NTSB ERA12LA386Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBowen Christopher W Dogbee · Wrens, GAThe pilot’s loss of control during a low-altitude maneuver for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision…NTSB WPR12FA230Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · St. George, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aggressive pitch-up maneuver, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from alcohol consumption and an…NTSB CEN12LA307Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDial David L Titan Tornado II · Checotah, OKThe noncertificated pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.NTSB WPR12FA164Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320D · Green River, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and a subsequent in-flight structural failure.NTSB WPR12FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Brockton, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA12FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot's in-flight loss of control during climb after a banner pickup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana.NTSB ERA12FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 560-F · Venice, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a single-engine approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of power in the left engine due to a failed No. 2 connecting rod bearing.NTSB CEN12FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot's fatal cardiac event, which resulted in the inflight loss of control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of impairing medications and operation of the airplane with disqualifying medical conditions.NTSB ERA12FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-45 · Williston, FLThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed in changing wind conditions during a steep climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s ostentatious display close to the ground.NTSB WPR11FA450Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCone James A RV-6A · West Jordan, UTThe pilot’s execution of an abrupt maneuver, likely to avoid birds, which resulted in a stall and spin.