NTSB investigations
40 cases where NTSB found Impairment/incapacitation, general.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '02012000')) 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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '02012000')) 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 CEN24FA089Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310R · Poolville, TXPilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons which resulted into controlled descent into terrain.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 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 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 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…NTSB CEN20LA407Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuicksilver MX II · Marengo, INA loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in conditions conducive to carburetor icing without a carburetor heating system, contrary to the engine manufacturer’s guidance.NTSB CEN20LA122Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · LaCrosse, KSAn infight loss of control as a result of pilot impairment, the cause of which could not be determined.NTSB ERA20FA022Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Ocala, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an acute medical event and/or his use of impairing medications.NTSB CEN19FA259Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Sumner, IAThe pilot’s impairment by medical conditions and/or medications, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and terrain.NTSB CEN18FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportX-Air XA85 · Oskaloosa, IAThe pilot's low altitude flight into a power line due to his impairment from an acute physiologic event during the flight. Contributing to the pilot's impairment was his use of two sedating medications.NTSB ERA17FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Minter City, MSThe pilot's incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR16FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT 6A · Astoria, ORThe pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.NTSB ERA16FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Climax, GAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by the combined effects of multiple medications and drugs.NTSB WPR15LA242Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBartels Lancair · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)The pilot's incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean.NTSB CEN15FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Wilmot, ARThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane as a result of incapacitation by drug effects or an acute cardiac event.NTSB ERA15LA114Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fernandina Beach, FLThe pilot’s physical impairment due to intense pain, which resulted in his failure to maintain airplane control.NTSB ERA14LA391Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLet L 23 Super Blanik · Sylacauga, ALThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly assess her physical condition prior to conducting the flight.NTSB ERA14FA289Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMeyer Clair O 2/3 P 51B/C Mustang · Marion, SCThe airplane's impact with terrain shortly after takeoff due to a physiological incapacitation of the pilot.NTSB WPR14LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Apache Sport · Polson, MTThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during initial climb due to his experiencing an incapacitating medical event.NTSB ERA13FA388Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Limington, MEAn impairing medical event of undetermined origin that led to a loss of control during takeoff.NTSB ERA13LA076Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCassutt Sport Racer · Collegedale, TNImpact with trees and terrain during the landing approach likely due to the physiological incapacitation of the pilot.NTSB ERA12FA465Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Berlin, MDPilot incapacitation of unknown origin, which resulted in the airplane’s loss of control and an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA12LA290Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421CPilot incapacitation, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the airplane’s subsequent ocean impact.NTSB CEN12IA123Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Denver, COThe snowplow operator’s incapacitation due to fatigue, which resulted in the snowplow contacting a parked airplane. Contributing to the incident was the company’s lack of a policy regarding employee fatigue.NTSB CEN12IA050Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportNusbaum Vaquero · Hebron, ILThe pilot’s operation of the airplane with known medical conditions and his subsequent heart attack during the flight.NTSB CEN12CA044Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A-1 · Wolverton, MNThe pilot's inadvertent excessive braking during the landing roll due to momentary pain.NTSB ERA12FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Moncks Corner, SCThe debilitating effects of ethylene glycol poisoning, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB CEN11FA666Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Curren, MIThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from multiple drugs.NTSB ERA11LA234Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLet L 33 Solo · New Castle, VAPilot incapacitation shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons.NTSB CEN11FA259Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Club Astir Iiib · Boulder, COThe pilot's incapacitation for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA11LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter MBB-BK · Cherry Point, NCThe pilot's impairment during cruise flight due to a recurring stroke. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of the pilot's known medical condition.NTSB WPR10LA370Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Walla Walla, WAThe pilot's partial incapacitation during cruise flight and his subsequent inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB ERA10FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Edgewater, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's likely impairment due to back pain, symptoms of opiate withdrawal, or both.NTSB CEN10LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Gatesville, TXThe pilot’s incapacitation as a result of one or more pre-existing medical conditions.NTSB CEN09FA610Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Albany, INThe incapacitation of the pilot during high-altitude cruise flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09IA606Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportSaab 340B · Traverse City, MIThe flight attendant's incapacitation due to an anxiety attack.NTSB WPR09LA032Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUniversal Globe · Wallace, CAThe pilot's incapacitation during cruise for unknown reasons that resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB DEN08FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Santa Fe, NMThe pilot's incapacitation due to fatigue resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB NYC08FA237Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Middletown, RIThe flight instructor's failure to initiate a go-around during a high approach, and his inadequate remedial action during an attempted touch-and-go.