Fatal NTSB investigations
67 cases where the sequence of events included Windshear or thunderstorm.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 7 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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\" = '390' 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" = '390' 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 WPR26FA294Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportTextron 172S · Provo, UTOn August 7, 2026, about 1549 mountain daylight time, a Textron Aviation Inc. 172S, N1842E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Provo, Utah. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, and the pilot undergoing instruction…NTSB WPR26FA254Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBeech 95-B55 (T42A) · Waterloo, ILOn July 9, 2026, at about 2248 central daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N202DK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Waterloo, Illinois. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB ERA25FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportFFF Express 2000 FT · Polk, OHOn May 5, 2025, about 1940 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built FFF LLC Express 2000 FT airplane, N519EA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Polk, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated…NTSB WPR24FA257Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WYThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an…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 ERA24FA217Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Franklin, TNThe pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…NTSB CEN24FA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Hartsburg, MOThe pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the…NTSB CEN24FA049Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…NTSB ERA23FA380Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Whitesville, KYThe flight instructor’s improper decision to continue flight into a known area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.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 GAA23WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-32R-301 · Stella Maris, BahamasNTSB 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 CEN23FA113Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B200 · Little Rock, ARThe loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the sudden wind shifts during the initial climb.NTSB ERA22LA395Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 · Orlando, FLThe flight crew’s insufficient evaluation of the deteriorating weather conditions in the area, which resulted in an encounter with a microburst.NTSB ERA22FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Cynthiana, KYThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering to land with approaching convective activity.NTSB WPR21FA211Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTextron 172S · Eden, UTThe flight instructor’s improper aeronautical decision-making, which led to an encounter with a downdraft at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and resulted in the instructor’s loss of airplane control and an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46R-350T · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s encounter with mountain wave activity with severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.NTSB ERA20LA315Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Steinhatchee, FLThe failure of the air traffic controller to provide hazardous weather information to the pilot, resulting in the flight’s encounter with strong updraft conditions, an inflight loss of airplane control, and an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s…NTSB CEN20LA379Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Chester, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN20LA127Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Pleasant Plain, OHThe pilot’s encounter with convective turbulence and low-level wind shear in dark night instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN19FA247Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Ontonagon, MIThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions with thunderstorm activity, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA19FA188Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Castalia, NCThe pilot’s failure to navigate around hazardous weather, resulting in the penetration of a thunderstorm, a loss of airplane control, and an inflight breakup. The air traffic controller’s failure to provide the pilot with adequate and timely weather…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 CEN19FA094Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337 · Longview, TXThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue flight into convective weather conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its maximum maneuvering speed and the subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB ERA18LA157Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31 · Amagansett, NYThe pilot's decision to fly under a thunderstorm and a subsequent encounter with turbulence and restricted visibility in heavy rain, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA17FA313Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Jacksonburg, WVThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions in the vicinity of adverse weather conditions.NTSB ERA17FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA23 · Chatsworth, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…NTSB ERA17FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Clearwater, FLThe pilot's decision to attempt to land while a line of rain showers with microburst activity was crossing the airport, which resulted in a loss of control during a subsequent attempted go-around.NTSB ERA17FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPipistrel Virus SW · Micanopy, FLThe pilot's intentional flight into an area of known convective thunderstorm activity, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA17FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hayden, ALThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control and in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA17FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · New Gretna, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and in-flight weather evaluation, which resulted in an encounter with a strong cold front and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA16FA309Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in continued flight into a thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of airplane control.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 ERA16LA028Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchumacher Lancair Super ES · Pascagoula, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after encountering convective shower activity. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather.NTSB CEN16FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Eaton, COThe pilot's loss of airplane control in gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear, following a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly monitor the fuel level inflight because of his…NTSB ERA16LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Seville, FLThe airplane’s encounter with a downdraft, and the pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and airspeed, which provided insufficient time and altitude to recover before impacting terrain.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 ERA15FA325Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Titusville, FLThe pilot's continued flight into known convective weather conditions, which resulted in the airplane's encounter with thunderstorms and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control during a missed approach. Contributing to the accident was the failure of…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 CEN14FA300Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Lehman, TXThe pilot's improper decision to enter an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in the loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to provide critical weather information to the pilot to help him…NTSB CEN14FA249Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon G36 · Silver City, NMThe airplane’s encounter with a strong tailwind and/or windshear, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s continuation of the unstable approach, long landing, and delayed decision to conduct a go-around.NTSB WPR14FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207A · Page, AZThe pilot’s inability to maintain aircraft control due to a partial loss of engine power and an encounter with downdrafts and gusting crosswinds while on final approach to the runway. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined…NTSB WPR13FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Saratoga, WYThe pilot’s decision to attempt flight into approaching adverse weather, which led to his low-level flight, encounter with mountain obscuration and moderate turbulence, and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the severity of the pilot’s…NTSB CEN13FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wells, TXThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight into an area of extreme weather, which led to the in-flight encounter with a thunderstorm and structural failure of the wings and tail.NTSB WPR12FA378Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAircraft Mfg & Development CH 2000 · Nephi, UTThe pilot's inability to maintain airplane control due to an encounter with a microburst/downdraft that exceeded the climb performance capabilities of the airplane.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 CEN12FA421Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E90 · Karnack, TXThe pilot's inadvertent flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in the loss of airplane control and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane's design limits and in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control…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 CEN12FA320Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTackabury Air-Cam · Fort Morgan, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA12LA231Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFirefly Balloons Firefly 8 · Fitzgerald, GAThe pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing and his failure to follow the balloon manufacturer's published emergency procedure for weather deterioration during flight.