Fatal NTSB investigations
490 cases where NTSB found Physical.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 42 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 41 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 |
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\", '0201'))
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", '0201')) 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 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 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 WPR25LA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot’s incapacitation by an in-flight cardiac event that led to cardiac arrest.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 ERA24LA297Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Bainbridge, GAThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use.NTSB CEN24FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Clinton, MIThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s or flight instructor’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector valve between the Left Tank and Off…NTSB WPR24FA123Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAyres S2R-G10 · Derner, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor his fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and the airplane’s impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24FA104Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKolb Firestar KXP · Cave Junction, ORThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of potentially impairing substances with bipolar disorder, which resulted in a decreased…NTSB WPR24FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSwanson R/Swanson S RV-6 · Concord, CAA total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a separated fuel line and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's medical condition and the effects of multiple impairing substances.NTSB WPR24FA072Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKubicek BB85Z · Eloy, AZThe pilot’s decision to open the rapid deflation valve during flight as a means of descending, which resulted in the deflation of the envelope and hard impact with terrain.NTSB ERA24FA088Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 95-B55 (T42A) · Leyden, MAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin from which the airplane was not recovered. Contributing to the accident were the overall effect of the flight instructor’s use of multiple…NTSB CEN24FA089Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310R · Poolville, TXPilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons which resulted into controlled descent into terrain.NTSB CEN23FA369Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J5A · Iola, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing on a grass taxiway with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over.NTSB WPR23FA301Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlasair Glastar · Idaho City, IDThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA333Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway 162F · Oshkosh, WIThe failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.NTSB ERA23LA300Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot’s incapacitation due to a sudden in-flight cardiac event, which resulted in a gear-up landing.NTSB WPR23FA257Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 550 · Murrieta, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…NTSB CEN23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177 · Hot Springs, ARThe pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and inflight fuel mismanagement, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in the…NTSB CEN23FA239Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20R · Watertown, WIThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the prohibited substance; however, the extent of impairment could not be determined.NTSB ERA23FA256Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 560 · Montebello, VAPilot incapacitation due to loss of cabin pressure for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and owner/operator’s decision to operate the airplane without supplemental oxygen.NTSB CEN23FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Grand Isle, LAThe pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with the ocean.NTSB CEN23FA183Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Brady, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne. Contributing to the crash were the pilot’s various physical…NTSB ERA23FA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Johns Island, SCThe 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 degraded judgement and…NTSB WPR23LA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStar Lite SL1 · Corning, CAThe student pilot’s loss of airplane control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing and subsequent impact with the terrain.NTSB DCA23LA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Montgomery, ALThe ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion…NTSB CEN23FA050Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 170 · Gage, OKThe non-certificated pilots’ loss of airplane control, resulting in an impact with terrain during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the airplane owner’s impairment due to his use of ethanol and depressant medications, in combination with his…NTSB CEN23MA034Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing B17 · Dallas, TXthe air boss’s and air show event organizer’s lack of an adequate, prebriefed aircraft separation plan for the air show performance, relying instead on the air boss’s real-time deconfliction directives and the see-and-avoid strategy for collision avoidance,…NTSB CEN23FA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Morgan City, LAThe pilot’s loss of consciousness due to a cardiovascular event.NTSB ERA23FA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Hermantown, MNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long…NTSB WPR22FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Sisters, ORThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement due to fatigue.NTSB WPR22FA350Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAerovodochody L-29 Delfin · Reno, NVThe pilot’s in-flight incapacitation due to G-induced loss of consciousness, which resulted in a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA22FA422Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of…NTSB CEN22FA405Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Tomball, TXThe flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight, which allowed for an unintentional movement of the mixture control to the cutoff position that remained unnoticed until the airplane lost engine power due to fuel starvation and descended below the…NTSB WPR22FA254Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportStucky Steven D RV-7 · Topeka, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while performing an aerobatic maneuver on takeoff, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, a subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB WPR22FA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Boulder City, NVThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane by exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering in a turning climb at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot was unable to…NTSB CEN22FA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer SGS135 · Midlothian, TXThe pilot’s incapacitation by an aortic dissection (natural disease).NTSB CEN22FA217Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 162 · Memphis, TNPilot incapacitation due to an acute cardiac event.NTSB CEN22FA203Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Cleburne, TXThe student pilot’s decision to operate the airplane after consuming alcohol, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and a subsequent loss of control at a low altitude.NTSB ERA22LA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tybee Island, GAA loss of airplane control due to pilot incapacitation, which resulted in an overflight of his destination and subsequent descent into water.NTSB WPR22FA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 337 · Sylmar, CAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while troubleshooting a landing gear issue, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from alcohol consumption.NTSB CEN22LA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Kerrville, TXThe pilot’s sudden cardiac event, which resulted in incapacitation, uncontrolled taxi after landing, and collision with a stationary parked airplane.NTSB CEN22FA145Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OKThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR22FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDistar CZ D 13/15 SUN Dancer · Boulder City, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering, which resulted in a wire strike and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from alcohol consumption and his use of diphenhydramine before the…NTSB WPR22FA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CAThe helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…NTSB WPR22FA098Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell UH-1H · Coalinga, CAThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness for reasons that could not be determined given the available evidence, which led to controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter while ill and…NTSB ERA22FA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310 · Danville, VAThe pilot’s impairment due to exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of undetected engine exhaust penetration into the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's failure to maintain a minimum controllable airspeed after partially securing an engine after takeoff.NTSB CEN22FA100Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Houma, LAThe pilot’s sudden loss of consciousness for undetermined reasons during cruise flight, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Marana, AZThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.NTSB CEN22FA042Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T310R · Chadron, NEThe incapacitating effects of a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36TC · Lena, WIImpairment and subsequent incapacitation of the pilot for reasons that could not be determined. The incapacitation resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Likely contributing was pilot hypoxia due to altitude exposure, possibly worsened by…