Fatal NTSB investigations
3,458 cases where NTSB found Personnel issues.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 231 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 219 |
| 2010 | 226 |
| 2011 | 258 |
| 2012 | 247 |
| 2013 | 205 |
| 2014 | 225 |
| 2015 | 210 |
| 2016 | 190 |
| 2017 | 192 |
| 2018 | 199 |
| 2019 | 215 |
| 2020 | 173 |
| 2021 | 189 |
| 2022 | 175 |
| 2023 | 164 |
| 2024 | 126 |
| 2025 | 14 |
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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '02'))
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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '02')) 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 CEN25FA307Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHughes 369D · West Alton, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter clearance from the powerline during the powerline maintenance operation for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN25FA281Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.NTSB ERA25FA230Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20F · Beverly, MAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to return to the airport which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the improperly installed No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug by maintenance personnel,…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…NTSB WPR25FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Grass Valley, CAAn improperly tightened B-nut fitting at the fuel flow divider, which resulted in a fuel leak and loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect and correct the discrepancy.NTSB WPR25FA145Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Cottonwood, CAThe flight instructor’s delayed response to an improper landing approach and runway overshoot, which resulted in an impact with an airport perimeter fence and trees.NTSB ERA25FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · LaFayette, GAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ERA25LA144Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Mogadore, OHThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines.NTSB ERA25FA143Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Greenville, NCThe pilot’s loss of airplane control shortly after climbing into instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation (somatogyral illusion).NTSB WPR25FA100Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Ririe, IDThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.NTSB ERA25FA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Pierson, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.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 DCA25MA108Accident · 67 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Washington, DCThe Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) placement of a helicopter route in close proximity to a runway approach path; their failure to regularly review and evaluate helicopter routes and available data, and their failure to act on recommendations to…NTSB CEN25LA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Batesville, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while flying at low altitude.NTSB WPR25FA062Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · Potrero, CAThe pilot’s loss of control during cruise flight due to incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA25FA076Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008 · Greenwich, CTA total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and the pilots’ inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the water contamination were the missing o-ring or packing and damage to the left fuel cap, and the undetected improperly sealed…NTSB ERA25FA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMagni Builder M-16 · Foley, ALThe sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN25FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Drake, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Contributing was mountain wave turbulence in the area.NTSB ERA25FA037Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150F · Wilder, TNThe student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA25LA023Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Nicholasville, KYThe pilot’s loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN25FA019Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.NTSB WPR25FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s entry into an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that was insufficient to complete a successful recovery, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA25FA020Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGeisz Gilbert A Lancair 360 · Cross City, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover. Contributing to the accident was the total electrical failure, which likely resulted in a loss of airspeed indication.NTSB ERA25LA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation due to an in-flight cardiac arrest, which necessitated a landing by a non-pilot passenger and resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.NTSB ERA25FA008Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 336 · Savannah, GAThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power to both engines.NTSB WPR25LA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot’s incapacitation by an in-flight cardiac event that led to cardiac arrest.NTSB ERA24FA397Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Kill Devil Hills, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR24FA313Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Provo, UTThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB ERA24FA395Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEvolution Revo · Zephyrhills, FLThe flight instructor’s failure to ensure the haul back cable was securely connected to the “J” hook prior to departing on the accident flight, which resulted in the cable becoming disconnected and the wings folding up during flight.NTSB ANC24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 206 · Chalkyitsik, AKA loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to ensure replacement filters were available for use during refueling operations.NTSB ERA24FA391Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat S-1-11B · Chapmansboro, TNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR24FA309Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CAThe CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB WPR24FA304Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlobe Swift GC-1B · Minden, NVThe failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB ANC24FA092Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJon Bergstedt JP Flyer · Wasilla, AKThe installation of an improperly sized fuel line that did not allow for adequate fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and collision with trees.NTSB CEN24FA346Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Sonex · Sulphur Springs, INThe pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA24FA371Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Vergennes, VTThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to properly…NTSB ANC24FA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · King Salmon, AKThe pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.NTSB WPR24FA298Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBoeing A75L3 · Yacolt, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain in moderately high density altitude conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24FA340Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Anderson, INThe pilot’s inadequate airspeed management during the missed approach which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and loss of control at low altitude.NTSB CEN24FA338Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Camden, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transformer that was mounted to a power pole during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA24FA365Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Rockmart, GAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic…NTSB CEN24LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportApex CROSS-5X · Columbus, NEThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft after takeoff.NTSB WPR24FA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAero Commander 200D · Novato, CAThe pilot’s failure to abort takeoff or compensate for gusty crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.NTSB ANC24FA085Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · McGrath, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB CEN24FA327Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NEThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB CEN24FA326Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S19 · Crofton, NEThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of low cloud cover and precipitation which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR24FA285Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna A185F · Kent, WAThe pilot’s failure to properly configure the amphibious landing gear for a water landing, which resulted in a touchdown on the water with the wheels extended, noseover, and airplane submersion.NTSB ERA24LA346Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3 · Mooresburg, TNThe pilot’s intentional flight into a building as an act of suicide.NTSB WPR24FA270Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182K · Augusta, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24FA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172F · Brazoria, TXThe pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed for takeoff, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after not maintaining directional…