Fatal NTSB investigations

12 cases where the defining event was Turbulence encounter.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 12 cases
20081
20101
20111
20121
20161
20171
20182
20192
20211
20241

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\" = '360')
  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 DCA24WA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBoeing 777 · Payagyi, Myanmar (Burma)May 21, 2024 · 9V-SWM · Minor damageNTSB CEN22FA035Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Estes Park, COThe airplane’s encounter with severe to extreme turbulence associated with mountain wave rotor cloud activity, which resulted in loss of airplane control.Nov 17, 2021 · N802NZ · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Blythe, CAA loss of control in flight due to the pilot’s decision to fly into a mountain range, at night, in conditions conducive to high wind, mountain waves, and turbulence.Nov 26, 2019 · N14UC · DestroyedNTSB CEN19WA077Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S12 · Bavispe, MexicoJan 26, 2019 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMustang II · Broomfield, COThe pilot's inability to maintain airplane control following an encounter with mountain wave turbulence.Nov 2, 2018 · N287BM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23-250 · Elko, NVThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in the flight over mountainous terrain into forecast instrument meteorological conditions, icing, and mountain wave, and resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.Jan 12, 2018 · N54857 · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Perkinsville, AZThe pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience.Sep 22, 2017 · N7070Q · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Moss Beach, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…Nov 18, 2016 · N6610D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12WA457Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech B36TC · Nassau, BahamasJul 16, 2012 · N6703K · DestroyedNTSB WPR11FA302Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Lone Pine, CAThe glider encountered a strong downward orographic wind flow and turbulence that forced it into terrain. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the glider very close to the terrain.Jul 2, 2011 · N838KS · Substantial damageNTSB ANC10FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight toward his destination in significant turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane while flying low over rising terrain.Jul 23, 2010 · N9290Z · Substantial damageNTSB DFW08FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Abbeville, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the prevailing clouds, rain, and turbulence.Mar 11, 2008 · N732RR · Destroyed