Fatal NTSB investigations
36 cases where the sequence of events included Inflight upset.
Cases per year
| 2010 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 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.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '271' 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" = '271' 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 ERA23LA320Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMesnard Velocity Twin · Sandersville, GAA total loss of power in the right engine due to the right ECU injector wires being severed by the main landing gear actuator piston teeter bar as a result of a lack of clearance and protection of the wiring bundle.NTSB ANC23FA008Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Kaupo, HIGuardian Flight’s inadequate pilot training and performance tracking, which failed to identify and correct the pilot’s consistent lack of skill, and which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain his position inflight using secondary instruments to…NTSB ERA23FA078Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorsport UK Cavalon · Beverly, MAThe pilot’s improper yaw control during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an excessive sideslip and a subsequent loss of aircraft control.NTSB ERA22FA207Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Elba, NYThe pilots’ inappropriate flight control inputs while in vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.NTSB CEN21FA290Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Cleburne, TXThe canopy moving fully open during flight, which resulted in the pilot’s distraction and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.NTSB WPR20LA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCSP Leasing Cavalon · Roseburg, ORA substantially unweighted rotor system for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in contact between the main rotor blade and the gyrocopter’s keel tube and a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA19FA265Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-12 · Lady Lake, FLThe pilot's loss of pitch control due to the in-flight opening of the canopy for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR19FA235Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMeyers Midget 0100 · Big Spring, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness while conducting a roll, which resulted in his inability to recover from the maneuver before the airplane impacted the ground. Contributing to the accident was his inexperience in both aerobatic maneuvers…NTSB WPR19FA123Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua, HIThe helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor…NTSB ERA19LA093Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA19LA026Accident · 5 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA31T · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)An in-flight loss of control, which resulted in an impact with water, for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered.NTSB ANC18LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAeros Venture 2000 · Bad Axe, MIThe pilot's loss of aircraft control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR18WA123Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210N · Oudtshoorn, South AfricaNTSB WPR18FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Minden, NVThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the use of a sedating antihistamine.NTSB WPR18FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportHastings Thomas G Cirrus VK 30 · Agua Dulce, CAThe driveshaft fracture due to overstress loading and rotational bending as a result of the under-torqued nuts on the elastomeric couplings backing off and the subsequent in-flight separation of the horizontal fairing due to contact with the separated end of…NTSB CEN17FA103Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR16FA178Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-201T · Reno, NVThe pilot's decision to depart with the airplane loaded above its maximum gross weight and at or just beyond its aft center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to…NTSB CEN16FA361Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Chariton, IAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the…NTSB CEN16LA281Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVans RV9 · Springfield, OHThe pilot’s decision to fly into known thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB DCA16FA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell 525 · Italy, TXA severe vibration of the helicopter that led to the crew's inability to maintain sufficient rotor rotation speed (Nr), leading to excessive main rotor blade flapping, subsequent main rotor blade contact with the tail boom, and the resultant in-flight…NTSB ERA16FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG · Erwin, TNThe pilot's decision to fly into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the airplane entering a severe thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN15FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32 · Cuba, MOThe pilot's continued flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in his loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane's design limits, and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reliance on onboard…NTSB CEN15FA126Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Erie, COAn in-flight failure of the helicopter's #2 main rotor spindle due to undetected fatigue cracking, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to failure were the nonconforming thread root radius of the spindle and the manufacturer's failure to…NTSB CEN14FA306Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrumwell RV-6 · Sauk Rapids, MNThe pilot’s loss of pitch control due to the in-flight opening of the canopy during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because fire damage precluded examination of the airplane’s canopy and systems.NTSB ANC14FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Kwethluk, AKThe check airman's delayed remedial action and initiation of a recovery procedure after a simulated pitch trim excursion, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR13LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Latangai Island, Papua New GuineaThe failure of both the pilot and the fish master of the vessel to adequately monitor their environment, which resulted in a collision.NTSB WPR13FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T1 · Ely, NVThe pilot’s failure to regain airplane control following a sudden rapid descent during cruise flight, which resulted in an exceedance of the design stress limits of the aircraft and led to an in-flight structural failure.NTSB ERA12FA433Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · New Site, MSThe pilot's decision to operate into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the inadvertent penetration of a severe thunderstorm, a subsequent loss of control, and in-flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB ERA12FA376Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Beechcraft A36 · Macon, MSThe pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in actual instrument meteorological conditions and his reliance on datalink…NTSB WPR12FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportM Squared Breese · Whitewater, CAThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude in mountainous terrain in the presence of strong wind and turbulence, which resulted in an aerodynamic upset at too low an altitude for recovery.NTSB WPR11FA239Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrantly B-2B · Weaverville, CAThe student pilot's decision to fly in windy conditions that exceeded his capabilities, which resulted in his subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was his lack of flight experience in the accident helicopter.NTSB CEN11FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Westcliffe, COThe pilot's loss of control following an encounter with moderate to severe weather.NTSB WPR11FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20R · Hollister, CAThe pilot did not ensure the airplane was loaded within its weight and balance envelope, which resulted in longitudinal instability and a loss of aircraft control during the initial climb.NTSB ERA11FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Rienzi, MSThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to provide precipitation information to the pilot as required.NTSB WPR11FA032Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Lander, WYThe pilot's decision to depart into known adverse weather conditions over mountainous terrain, which required operation near the limits of the airplane's performance capability and which resulted in a loss of airplane control and subsequent ground impact.…NTSB WPR10FA133Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC135 · Cave Creek, AZThe sudden and inadvertent lowering of the collective to near the lower stop, followed by a simultaneous movement of the collective back up and the cyclic control to a nearly full-aft position, which resulted in the main rotor disc diverging from its normal…