Fatal NTSB investigations
155 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft structural failure.
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\" = '337' 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" = '337' 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 CEN12FA164Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Albany, TXThe loss of flight instrumentation due to a failed vacuum pump while flying a night without a discernable horizon, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the continued…NTSB ERA12FA115Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Morristown, NJThe airplane’s encounter with unforecasted severe icing conditions that were characterized by high ice accretion rates and the pilot's failure to use his command authority to depart the icing conditions in an expeditious manner, which resulted in a loss of…NTSB CEN12FA108Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Bryan, TXThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe weather, which resulted in the airplane’s left wing failing in positive overload. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information that he received on his in-cockpit…NTSB CEN12FA098Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB21 · Silverton, COThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to embark on a flight through forecasted instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent flight into IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent maneuvering of the airplane…NTSB WPR12MA034Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC 130 B4 · Pukoo, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while operating in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in the impact of the horizontal stabilizer and lower forward portion of the fenestron with ground and/or vegetation and led to…NTSB ERA12FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBerger Michael A Waiex · Washington, GAThe in-flight failure of the aircraft’s Y-tail attachment structure during maneuvering flight due to overload. Contributing to the accident was, the kit manufacturer’s use of 14 CFR Part 23, Appendix A design guidelines intended for a conventional tail…NTSB CEN12FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Philip, SDThe in-flight separation of the main rotor mast following a mast bumping event. The reason for the mast bumping event could not be determined due to postaccident damage.NTSB WPR11MA454Accident · 11 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportNorth American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NVThe reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate…NTSB ERA11FA431Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Byron, GAThe pilot’s sustained flight at airspeeds in excess of the airplane's never exceed speed during a steep descent, which resulted in a subsequent in-flight structural failure due to overstress.NTSB ERA11LA415Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPolaris Polar Star · Dewees Island, SCThe non-certificated pilot’s operation of the unregistered airplane while impaired by alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the aircraft, which resulted in failure of…NTSB CEN11FA422Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Del Valle, TXThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for reasons that cannot be determined because the pilot’s control inputs leading up to the event are unknown, resulting in mast bumping and main rotor blade separation.NTSB WPR11FA228Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Rock Springs, WYThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in an accumulation of structural ice that led to a loss of control and in-flight breakup. Also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning.NTSB WPR11FA225Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportP&M Pegasus Quik 912S · Hanalei, HIThe pilot's continued operation of the aircraft with deteriorated wing fabric and his aggressive maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the right wing fabric’s failure during flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loading of the aircraft…NTSB WPR11FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMuse KR2 · Newberry Springs, CAThe airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.NTSB ERA11GA066Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna M337B · Avon Park, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.NTSB CEN11LA050Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcfarland Bill Challenger II · Praire Du Sac, WIThe separation of the fuselage-mounted wing strut attachment fitting for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the separation of the left wing of the airplane.NTSB WPR10FA440Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Kamiah, IDIn-flight impact of a passenger's metal clipboard with the helicopter’s tail rotor, which resulted in destruction of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The original location of the clipboard and how it became free could not be…NTSB WPR10FA397Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500-B · Burns, ORThe non-instrument rated pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after entering those conditions.NTSB CEN10LA339Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Windsport Edge · Ft. Lupton, COThe pilot intentionally performed prohibited aerobatic maneuvers that damaged the carriage wing attachment hang point and collapsed the wing.NTSB CEN10FA316Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Umpire, ARThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN10FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Midlothian, TXThe fracture of a swashplate drive pin as a result of hydrogen embrittlement due to an unknown source, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the main rotor system during cruise flight.NTSB ERA10FA140Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Farmingdale, NJThe pilots’ failure to adhere to the airplane’s operating limitations, which resulted in overload failure of the right wing. Findings of the investigation were the adverse effects of multiple supplemental type certificates (STC) to the airframe wing structure…NTSB WPR10LA104Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CAThe pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA10FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Dennisville, NJThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and overcontrol of the airplane and the subsequent in-flight structural failure. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN10FA044Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to this accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in flying in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN10FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommander 114-B · Adrian, MIThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation while on an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN09LA611Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMckenna James E AVID-CATAL · Inks Lake, TXThe pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.NTSB WPR09LA453Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger II · Redlands, CAStructural failure of the right wing during the landing approach due to the separation of the wing's fabric covering.NTSB ERA09LA502Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportM-Squared Sprint 1000 · Madeira Beach, FLA loss of torque to the gearbox engine-side coupling flange bolts, which resulted in separation of the gearbox and propeller from the engine and the subsequent severing of the airplane's tail structure.NTSB ERA09LA492Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBond Neal O S-9 · Saylorsburg, PAThe pilot’s excessive flight control inputs that resulted in an overload failure of the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer.NTSB ERA09FA487Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB20 · Pavo, GAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with embedded intense thunderstorms, heavy rain, and severe to extreme turbulence, resulting in an in-flight separation of the left wing due to overstress.NTSB WPR09FA391Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion Navion A · Adrian, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the aircraft and led to an in-flight structural failure.NTSB ERA09LA392Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNoles Vance L Vans RV7A · Sanderson, FLThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions with convective activity and thunderstorms. Contributing to the accident was his failure to get an adequate weather briefing.NTSB ERA09FA389Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Gulf of MexicoThe 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 WPR09LA318Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASW 27-18E · Ephrata, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during flight and his exceedance of the glider’s design limits during an attempted recovery from a spin.NTSB CEN09FA340Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5B · Humbird, WIThe pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR09FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportUpton Bakeng Duce · Ramona, CAAn in-flight separation of the right wing, which resulted from the pilot's performance of a maneuver that produced aerodynamic loads that exceeded the wing spar’s degraded strength. The wing spar strength degradation was due to the builder's failure to comply…NTSB ERA09FA273Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExplorer Aeronautique Ecoflyer · Lebanon, NYThe in-flight separation of the left wing due to failure of one of the inboard attachments to the fuselage.NTSB WPR09FA192Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR09FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStephenson Zodiac 601 XL · Antelope Island, UTThe in-flight failure of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and the lack of aileron counterbalances.NTSB WPR09FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, IDThe student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…NTSB ERA09MA157Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Quebradillas, PRThe pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break up while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.NTSB WPR09FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-400 · Volcano, HIThe pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Rocksprings, TXThe pilot's failure to properly configure the pressurization controls, resulting in his impairment and subsequent incapacitation due to hypoxia.NTSB ERA09FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Sebring, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the design stress limitations of the airplane.NTSB ERA09FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Red Hill, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to an improper repair to the stabilator, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the stabilator. Contributing to the accident was the descent in turbulence, at airspeeds above the maximum structural…NTSB SEA08FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDebus J / Mountain S / Bowes E DEBUS-CASST-SNOSHOO · Reno, NVThe movement of the airplane’s modified horizontal stabilizer trim system during an intentional high speed aerobatic maneuver that resulted in exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and an in-flight structural failure. Contrubuting to the…NTSB LAX08LA253Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLong Lancair ES · Cliffdell, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was turbulence and clouds.NTSB NYC08FA260Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Highlands, NCThe pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to comply with FAA directives regarding issuance of precipitation location and…NTSB CHI08LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaggs Lancair 4P · Alhambra, ILThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into an area of known thunderstorm activity and the in-flight structural failure of the airplane.