Fatal NTSB investigations
126 cases where the sequence of events included Part(s) separation from AC.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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\" = '338' 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" = '338' 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 ERA26FA241Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 177RG · Morrison, TNOn June 17, 2026, about 1215 central daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N7637V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Morrison, Tennessee. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB ERA26FA239Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBlessing RV-3A · Lakeland, FLOn June 15, 2026, about 1955 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van’s RV-3A, N696DB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB ERA26FA178Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMooney M20J · Ironton, OHOn April 17, 2026, about 1414 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N205MK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ironton, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…NTSB DCA26MA024Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorPreliminary reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Louisville, KYOn November 4, 2025, about 1714 eastern standard time (EST), United Parcel Service (UPS) flight 2976, a Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) MD-11F airplane, N259UP, was destroyed after it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad…NTSB ERA25MA171Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorPreliminary reportBell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJOn April 10, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jersey City, New Jersey. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title…NTSB ERA25LA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportFokker D Viii Replica · Rhinebeck, NYOn October 5, 2024, about 1456 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Coughlin Fokker D-VIII Replica, N94100, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. The commercial pilot was…NTSB ERA24FA310Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWilliams John Titan T-51 Mustang · Geneva, OHA sudden propeller overspeed and subsequent separation of the propeller blades and hub, while maneuvering at high speed and at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree during the subsequent forced landing attempt.NTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN24FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KSThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.NTSB ERA24FA283Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Trout Creek, NYThe pilot’s loss of airplane control in flight due to spatial disorientation during a climb to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB ERA24FA274Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAir Tractor AT502 · Martin, TNOn June 25, 2024, about 0820 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, Inc. AT-502A, N325RA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Martin, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB CEN24FA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Marianna, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ANC24FA029Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDouglas C54D · Fairbanks, AKA loss of power of the No. 1 engine for reasons that could not be determined, and the incorrect installation of a B-nut fitting in the propeller feathering system, which allowed engine oil to spray onto the exhaust system when the propeller was feathered…NTSB ERA24FA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHughes Helicopters 369E · Miami, FLMain rotor contact with the tail boom for unknown reasons, resulting in the separation of the tail boom.NTSB WPR23FA351Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGolden Circle T Bird · Arlington, WAA failure of the forward left wing spar due to an improper repair, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing. Contributing to the accident was improper maintenance by splicing the wing spar.NTSB ERA23FA357Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Kingston, NJA loss of control, which resulted in the main rotor blade severing the tail boom, for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA23FA352Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEurocopter EC135 · Pompano Beach, FLAn inflight fire outside of the engine firewalls, likely from overheating of the No. 1 engine for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a partial tailboom separation.NTSB ERA23FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Junction City, GAThe pilot’s continued flight into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the penetration of a severe thunderstorm, the pilot’s loss of airplane control, and the airplane’s subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN23FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV7 · Gibbon, NEThe pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA219Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Reliance, TNThe pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in…NTSB GAA23WA139Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206 · Santa Ana del Yucuma, BoliviaNTSB WPR23FA141Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR23LA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStar Lite SL1 · Corning, CAThe student pilot’s loss of airplane control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing and subsequent impact with the terrain.NTSB WPR22FA264Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Seguin, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude after being distracted when the engine cowling opened during flight, which led to a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB WPR22LA253Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Buffalo, WYThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with convective turbulence and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR22FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBruce R Prouse M24 Orion Plus · Cape Girardeau, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain controlled flight, which resulted in a hard left roll, excessive blade flapping and a subsequent in-flight separation of the right horizontal stabilizer.NTSB GAA22WA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignRockwell 690 · Charallave, VenezuelaNTSB 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 CEN22FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA loss of helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom in flight, tail boom separation, and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA22FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV4 · Chattahoochee, FLThe pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy before takeoff, allowing the canopy to open and then separate in flight, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined based on the…NTSB ERA21FA317Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Exec 162F · Argyle, NYThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade.NTSB WPR21FA300Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Colusa, CAThe pilot’s abrupt flight control input that led to mast bumping and a subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN21FA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPZL Mielec M18 · Seiling, OKThe pilot’s in-flight loss of control due to the structural failure of a wing fitting and separation of the outboard wing section. Also causal were the inadequate wing fitting inspections, which failed to detect the initial corrosion and crack before it…NTSB ERA21LA269Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Alpine, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB 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…NTSB ERA21FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Eden, NCThe impact of the main rotor blades with the tail boom during low-altitude maneuvers, which severed the tail rotor drive shaft and resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR20LA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH 12D · Mehama, ORAn in-flight separation of a tail rotor blade due to fatigue cracking and overstress, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact.NTSB ERA20LA206Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 31T · Eatonton, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, which placed the airplane in an unusual attitude from which the pilot could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the convective and…NTSB WPR20LA130Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH 1H · Mesa, AZAn in-flight separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the airframe due to fatigue failure of the gearbox attachment studs, resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact. Contributing to the accident were 1) the improper application…NTSB ERA20FA118Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Bishop, GAThe pilot’s encounter with a rain shower updraft and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an inflight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information on his in-cockpit weather…NTSB ERA20FA074Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R66 · Mechanicsburg, PAA severe left roll excursion after the onset of pitch and roll oscillations, which were not arrested by the pilot for undetermined reasons. This resulted in main rotor blade contact with the airframe and a subsequent inflight breakup of the helicopter.NTSB CEN19WA289Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCapella XS · San Juan del Puerto, SpainOn August 23, 2019, about 1905 hours universal coordinated time, an amateur-built Capella XS airplane, Spanish registration EC-YTA, impacted terrain after an inflight separation of a wing near San Juan del Puerto, Spain. The pilot was fatally injured, and the…NTSB ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR19FA079Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 414 · Yorba Linda, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while climbing due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limits and subsequent in-flight break-up.…NTSB ERA19LA012Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Westhampton Beach, NYThe instructor's decision to conduct and continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions with a known flight instrument anomaly, which resulted in spatial disorientation, causing a loss of airplane control and subsequent…NTSB ERA18FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLance M Hooley Jetez · Covington, TNThe improper manufacture of the left wing, which resulted in a left wing flutter event and failure at low altitude and high speed.NTSB CEN18FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFisher Celebrity · Patriot, INAn in-flight separation of the right wing due to upward and rearward bending that led to an overstress fracture. The reason for the upward and rearward bending could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR18FA195Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Deer Park, WAAn in-flight breakup as a result of the airplane exceeding the structural strength of the airplane during a rapid descent that the flight instructor was unable to recover from following a collision with a large bird.NTSB CEN18FA258Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Arlington, INThe inflight separation of the upper transmission due to the thread failure of transmission housing attachment bolts, which were installed on the helicopter with thread damage from a prior installation.NTSB WPR18FA171Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech A35 · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted return to the airport following the separation of the spinner bulkhead during takeoff as a result of fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly…