Fatal NTSB investigations

38 cases where the defining event was Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power).

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 38 cases
20084
20092
20103
20111
20123
20141
20152
20165
20171
20181
20192
20202
20213
20224
20232
20241
20251

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\" = '330')
  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.

NTSB GAA25WA266Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · ForeignLearjet 55 · La Guaira, VenezuelaSep 24, 2025 · YV3440 · DestroyedNTSB GAA24WA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBell 212 · Fort Good Hope, CanadaJun 28, 2024 · C-FPMR · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA346Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C-99 · Litchfield, MEA horizontal stabilizer pitch trim anomaly that was not identified in the available evidence.Aug 22, 2023 · N55RP · DestroyedNTSB WPR23LA192Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportViking Air DHC-6-400 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe failure of the ferry fuel tank system to transfer fuel during a trans-Pacific flight for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent ditching into the water.May 20, 2023 · N153QS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Charlotte, NCThe inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter…Nov 22, 2022 · N7094J · Substantial damageNTSB ANC22LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180A · Skwentna, AKThe failure of the landing gear float due to inadequate maintenance of the floats and corrosion.Sep 25, 2022 · N9728B · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA427Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportNorthwing Design Apache Sport · Southern Shores, NCA loss of aircraft control due to movement of the outer portion of the right wing fabric and displacement of wing ribs for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Sep 21, 2022 · N3283N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA229Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20J · Kerrville, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a base leg turn in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight training experience.Jun 25, 2022 · N4267H · DestroyedNTSB WPR22FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CAThe failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.Nov 23, 2021 · N601KS · DestroyedNTSB ERA21FA233Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBhi H60 Helicopters UH-60A · Leesburg, FLThe failure of the water tank snorkel support structure, which allowed the snorkel to contact the main rotor blades. Contributing to the accident was insufficient Federal Aviation Administration oversight of the supplemental type certificate process for the…May 25, 2021 · N9FH · DestroyedNTSB ERA21FA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Myrtle Beach, SCThe mechanic’s inadvertent installation of the elevator trim tabs in reverse, which resulted in the pitch trim system operating opposite of the pilot’s input and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control.May 21, 2021 · N575BC · DestroyedNTSB CEN21LA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA38 · Franklin, ARThe impairment of both pilots from carbon monoxide exposure due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect the degraded muffler.Nov 30, 2020 · N9879T · DestroyedNTSB ERA20FA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Newborn, GAThe pilot’s impairment/incapacitation from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly maintain the airplane.Jan 6, 2020 · N1612F · DestroyedNTSB WPR19WA156Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210 · Mount Isa, AustraliaOn May 26, 2019, at 0547 coordinated universal time, a Cessna T210M, registration VH-SUX, collided with terrain during a surveying flight near Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. The two crew were fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial…May 26, 2019 · VH-SUX · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA118Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHughes 369 · Talking Rock, GAA fatigue failure of the overrunning clutch subassembly due to abnormal bending loads due to cracks on the center engine mount, which resulted in an inflight loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter's low altitude and airspeed when the…Mar 5, 2019 · N89ZC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA264Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDassault Falcon 50 · Greenville, SCThe operator's decision to allow a flight in an airplane with known, unresolved maintenance discrepancies, and the flight crew's failure to properly configure the airplane in a way that would have allowed the emergency or parking brake systems to stop the…Sep 27, 2018 · N114TD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA38 · East Haven, CTThe failure of the fuel selector valve in a position that restricted fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the operator's failure to effectively detect and resolve the…Feb 22, 2017 · N2452C · DestroyedNTSB ERA17WA303Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSchempp Hirth VENTUS2C · San Carlos de Bolivar, ArgentinaOn December 3, 2016, about 1750 coordinated universal time, a Schempp Hirth Ventus-2C motorized glider, Argentine registration LV-EDB, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after the left wing detached from the…Dec 3, 2016 · LV-EDB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA266Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRepublic RC 3 · Winter Haven, FLImproper installation of a fuel line by unknown personnel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.Jul 22, 2016 · N87570 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA194Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportJihlavan Airplanes Sro KP 5 ASA · Rhoadesville, VAThe pilots' loss of control that necessitated the activation of the parachute system and the airplane manufacturer's inadequate design of the front parachute anchor attachment structure, which resulted in a failure of the parachute after it was deployed in…May 24, 2016 · N440JM · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA185Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Tupelo, MSA preexisting stress rupture that initiated at a spot weld in the turbocharger v-band exhaust clamp, which resulted in the failure of the clamp and separation of the exhaust tailpipe, an in-flight fire, and subsequent impact with terrain.May 16, 2016 · N60RW · DestroyedNTSB WPR16FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Honolulu, HIThe in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.Feb 18, 2016 · N80918 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBarrow Ted A ONE Easy · Battle Creek, MIThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight.Aug 28, 2015 · N227TB · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Newberg, ORThe loss of translation/rotational power between the engine and the transmission due to the severe wear of the forward spline portion of the lower coupling drive shaft. The reason for the severe wear of the forward spline could not be definitively determined…Jul 2, 2015 · N2096W · DestroyedNTSB ERA14WA114Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 140 · Cachoeira do Sul, BrazilOn January 29, 2014, about 1340 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 140, Brazilian registration PP-DFW, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain, following a loss of control on approach to Cachoeira do Sul Airport (SSKS), Cachoeira do Sul, Rio…Jan 29, 2014 · PP-DFW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA563Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355F1 · West Windsor, NJDisconnection of the upper rod end from the fore/aft servo due to severely worn threads, which resulted in a loss of control and separation of a main rotor blade during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were incorrect maintenance procedures and…Sep 15, 2012 · N58020 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA484Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · San Juan, PRMaintenance personnel’s improper lubrication of the right direct aileron control cable and failure to detect the severe corrosion of the cable during a maintenance inspection, which resulted in the in-flight failure of the cable, the pilot’s subsequent…Jul 25, 2012 · N73115 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlower Roger P J D · Spring Valley, OHThe in-flight failure of the left wing spar, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing.Jun 9, 2012 · N9010T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12RA052Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206L · Kapuskasing, CanadaOn November 2, 2011, about 0958 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Bell 206L helicopter, Canadian registration C-GDQH, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. The pilot and 2 passengers sustained fatal…Nov 2, 2011 · C-GDQH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA464Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Majuro (Pacific Ocean)A loss of helicopter control for undetermined reasons.Sep 11, 2010 · N74LB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10WA338Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBolkow BO105 · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaOn June 18, 2010, about 1118 universal Coordinated Time (UTC),an Bolkow BO-105, Argentina registration LV-WJX, operated by a private owner on a business flight, to photograph a automobile accident, collided with tall trees, overhead power lines, and struck…Jun 18, 2010 · LV-WJX · DestroyedNTSB CEN10FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEvektor Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Richmond, TXThe opening of the cockpit canopy in-flight due to improper latching, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.May 29, 2010 · N121EV · Substantial damageNTSB DCA10WA048Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEnglish Electric Lightning MK T5 · Bredasdorp, South AfricaOn November 14, 2009 about 1025 UTC, ZU-BEX, English Electric Lightning MK T5, crashed after the pilot reported he had experienced hydraulic failure while conducting aerobatic manuevers during an airshow near Bredasdorp, South Africa. Visual meteorological…Nov 14, 2009 · ZU-BEX · DestroyedNTSB WPR09LA253Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGauchat Safari · Rock Springs, AZThe separation of the main rotor head during cruise flight as a result of cyclic fatigue of the main rotor head spindle. The fatigue crack was due to an inadequate manufacturing process.May 22, 2009 · N147MD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHeisler Lancair Legacy · Parowan, UTThe pilot failed to secure the canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his inability to control the aircraft during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from prescription medications and possible obstructive sleep apnea.Oct 18, 2008 · N151HT · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08FA269Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Greensburg, INThe in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to a fatigue failure of the blade spar, rendering the helicopter uncontrollable, and the manufacturer's production of main rotor blades with latent manufacturing defects, which precipitated the fatigue…Aug 31, 2008 · N37AE · DestroyedNTSB LAX08FA286Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Las Vegas, NVA loss of power in the right engine due to an in-flight fuel-fed fire in the right engine compartment that, while the exact origin could not be determined, was likely related to the right engine-driven fuel pump, its fuel supply line, or fitting. Contributing…Aug 28, 2008 · N212HB · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08MA038Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kodiak, AKThe failure of company maintenance personnel to ensure that the airplane's nose baggage door latching mechanism was properly configured and maintained, resulting in an inadvertent opening of the nose baggage door in flight. Contributing to the accident were…Jan 5, 2008 · N509FN · Substantial damage