Major NTSB investigations
36 cases where the sequence of events included Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT).
Cases per year
| 2008 | 8 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c.\"investigationClass\" = 'Class 1' OR c.\"caseType\" = 'Major - Launch')
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '470' 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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c."investigationClass" = 'Class 1' OR c."caseType" = 'Major - Launch') AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '470' 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 ANC25MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportTextron 208B · Nome, AKThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s inadequate airspeed management due to workload and degraded situation awareness and his improper inputs leading up to and during the aerodynamic…NTSB CEN24MA111Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…NTSB ERA22FA279Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell UH-1B · Amherstdale, WVthe operator’s failure to adequately inspect the former military turbine powered helicopter, which allowed an engine issue to progress and result in a loss of engine power and a subsequent loss of control after the helicopter struck powerlines during a forced…NTSB DCA20MA059Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s likely self-induced pressure…NTSB CEN20MA044Accident · 5 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA 31T · Lafayette, LAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA20MA001Accident · 7 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportBoeing B17 · Windsor Locks, CTThe pilot’s failure to properly manage the airplane’s configuration and airspeed after he shut down the No. 4 engine following its partial loss of power during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/maintenance director’s inadequate…NTSB CEN19MA312Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · MajorFinal reportConvair 440 · Monclova, OHThe flight crew’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with trees, and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s fatigue due to the overnight flight schedule.NTSB WPR19MA177Accident · 11 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Mokuleia, HIThe pilot’s aggressive takeoff maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control at an altitude that was too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident were (1) the operation of the airplane near its aft center of gravity…NTSB WPR18MA087Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter EC130 · Peach Springs, AZA loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain during an approach to land in gusting, tailwind conditions in an area of potential downdrafts and turbulence.NTSB ERA17MA316Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 · Hertford, NCA failure of the rear bearing in the No. 2 engine, which (1) created multiple and likely unexpected and confusing cockpit indications, resulting in the pilot's improper diagnosis and subsequent erroneous shutdown of the No. 1 engine, and (2) the resulting…NTSB CEN17MA183Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportLearjet 35A · Teterboro, NJThe pilot-in-command's (PIC) attempt to salvage an unstabilized visual approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the PIC's decision to allow an unapproved second-in-command to act as pilot flying, the…NTSB CEN16MA036Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace HS 125 700A · Akron, OHThe flight crew's mismanagement of the approach and multiple deviations from company standard operating procedures, which placed the airplane in an unsafe situation and led to an unstabilized approach, a descent below minimum descent altitude without visual…NTSB CEN15MA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Frisco, COAirbus Helicopters' dual-hydraulic AS350 B3e helicopter's (1) preflight hydraulic check, which depleted hydraulic pressure in the tail rotor hydraulic circuit, and (2) lack of salient alerting to the pilot that hydraulic pressure was not restored before…NTSB DCA15FA085Accident · No injuriesClass 1 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD 88 · New York, NYthe captain's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane due to his application of excessive reverse thrust, which degraded the effectiveness of the rudder in controlling the airplane's heading. Contributing to the accident were the captain's…NTSB DCA15MA029Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer EMB-500 · Gaithersburg, MDthe pilot's conduct of an approach in structural icing conditions without turning on the airplane's wing and horizontal stabilizer deice system, leading to ice accumulation on those surfaces, and without using the appropriate landing performance speeds for…NTSB DCA13MA121Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Soldotna, AKThe operator's failure to determine the actual cargo weight, leading to the loading and operation of the airplane outside of the weight and center of gravity limits contained in the airplane flight manual, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing…NTSB ANC13GA036Accident · 3 fatalClass 1Final reportEurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control. Also causal was the Alaska Department of Public Safety's punitive culture and…NTSB ERA13MA139Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 390 · Thomson, GAThe pilot's failure to follow airplane flight manual procedures for an antiskid failure in flight and his failure to immediately retract the lift dump after he elected to attempt a go-around on the runway. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of…NTSB DCA12FA051Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportConvair 440 - NO Series · San Juan, PRthe flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after shutting down the right engine due to an in-flight fire in one of the right augmentors. The failure to maintain airspeed resulted in either an aerodynamic stall or a loss of directional control.NTSB DCA12MA020Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NVSundance Helicopters’ inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, including (1) the improper reuse of a degraded self-locking nut, (2) the improper or lack of installation of a split pin, and (3) inadequate postmaintenance inspections, which resulted in the…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 ERA12MA005Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · New York, NYThe pilot's failure to anticipate and correct for conditions (high gross weight, low indicated airspeed, and a right downwind turn) conducive to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE), which resulted in LTE and an uncontrolled spin. Contributing to the…NTSB CEN11FA599Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B2 · Mosby, MOThe pilot's failure to confirm that the helicopter had adequate fuel on board to complete the mission before making the first departure, his improper decision to continue the mission and make a second departure after he became aware of a critically low fuel…NTSB ERA10MA188Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TNThe pilot's decision to attempt the flight into approaching adverse weather, resulting in an encounter with a thunderstorm with localized instrument meteorological conditions, heavy rain, and severe turbulence that led to a loss of control.NTSB CEN10MA088Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · Prospect Heights, ILA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09PA348Accident · 2 fatalClass 1Final reportAgusta A109E · Santa Fe, NMThe pilot's decision to take off from a remote, mountainous landing site in dark (moonless) night, windy, instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were an organizational culture that prioritized mission execution over aviation safety…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 CEN09MA142Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale Alenia ATR 42-320 · Lubbock, TXThe flight crew's failure to monitor and maintain a minimum safe airspeed while executing an instrument approach in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. Contributing to the accident were 1) the flight crew's failure to…NTSB CEN09MA019Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Aurora, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the 734-foot-tall lighted tower during the visual night flight due to inadequate preflight planning, insufficient altitude, and a flight route too low to clear the tower. Contributing to the accident was the air…NTSB CHI08MA270Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportConvair CV-580 · Columbus, OHThe improper (reverse) rigging of the elevator trim cables by company maintenance personnel, and their subsequent failure to discover the misrigging during required post-maintenance checks. Contributing to the accident was the captain’s inadequate…NTSB LAX08MA277Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech A100 · Moab, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN08MA116Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Flagstaff, AZBoth helicopter pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad. Contributing to the accident were the failure of N407GA’s pilot to follow flight arrival route guidelines, and the failure of N407MJ’s pilot to follow…NTSB SEA08MA136Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350-D · Avalon, CALoss of engine power during approach for landing due to a fatigue fracture of a power turbine blade.NTSB NYC08MA090Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Mount Airy, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to descend below the minimum descent altitude, and failure to follow the published missed approach…NTSB MIA08MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · West Gardiner, METhe pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control.NTSB 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…