Fatal NTSB investigations

21 cases where NTSB found Doors.

Cases per year

20082026
Fatal NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 21 cases
20084
20104
20121
20153
20163
20171
20212
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20251

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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '010352'))
  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 ERA25FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Yulee, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the opening of the nose baggage door and subsequent distraction of the pilot…May 10, 2025 · N30689 · DestroyedNTSB ERA24FA154Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20K · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed of the airplane while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the in-flight opening of the main cabin door, which resulted from the…Mar 25, 2024 · N4387W · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA359Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV14 · Virden, ILThe pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an upset of the airplane, and a loss of control from which the…Aug 12, 2023 · N6161 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA095Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20J · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s likely distraction due to the opening of the baggage door.Dec 26, 2021 · N3707H · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CAThe failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.Nov 23, 2021 · N601KS · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV-12 · Fishers, INThe pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain pitch control following the in-flight opening of the canopy during the initial climb resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain and ground fire.Aug 31, 2017 · N212ZF · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Fargo, NDThe loose fuel fitting on the combustion heater that leaked a lean fuel-air mixture into the nose baggage compartment. The mixture was most likely ignited by the combustion heater, blowing off the nose baggage compartment doors and starting an in-flight fire.Dec 1, 2016 · N123KK · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStamper RV-10 · Dubois, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low…Nov 5, 2016 · N924WY · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA261Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at…Jul 8, 2016 · N32KK · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Farmington, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · DestroyedNTSB CEN15FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBarrow Ted A ONE Easy · Battle Creek, MIThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight.Aug 28, 2015 · N227TB · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Holly Ridge, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.Jun 21, 2015 · N35EP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12FA579Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLee Paul SQ 2000 · Pierre, SDThe airplane's entry into a pilot-induced oscillation and the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the left entrance door opening in flight for undetermined reasons.Aug 28, 2012 · N416 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA381Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAdvertising Mgmt & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5 · San Diego, CAThe pilot did not close and secure the right passenger door, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the door and subsequent loss of engine power due to the door’s collision with the rear-mounted engine assembly.Aug 2, 2010 · N444YP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA389Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Newfane, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his diverted attention, which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's attempt to secure the jump door after it opened…Aug 1, 2010 · N4976E · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA293Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans Coyote II S6 · Lincoln, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the increased drag on the airplane with the doors removed.Jun 15, 2010 · N1901C · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEvektor Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Richmond, TXThe opening of the cockpit canopy in-flight due to improper latching, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.May 29, 2010 · N121EV · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHeisler Lancair Legacy · Parowan, UTThe pilot failed to secure the canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his inability to control the aircraft during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from prescription medications and possible obstructive sleep apnea.Oct 18, 2008 · N151HT · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 Trinidad · Cassville, WIThe left seat pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around and the inadvertent in-flight opening of the cabin door for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the door opening.Sep 3, 2008 · N597TB · Substantial damageNTSB MIA08LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDayon Lancair Legacy · Lakeland, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction with the canopy during takeoff.Apr 13, 2008 · N1177M · Substantial damageNTSB 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…Jan 5, 2008 · N509FN · Substantial damage