Fatal NTSB investigations
1,607 cases where NTSB found Environmental issues.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 132 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 107 |
| 2010 | 97 |
| 2011 | 112 |
| 2012 | 118 |
| 2013 | 102 |
| 2014 | 115 |
| 2015 | 83 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2018 | 96 |
| 2019 | 109 |
| 2020 | 66 |
| 2021 | 86 |
| 2022 | 67 |
| 2023 | 82 |
| 2024 | 54 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
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\", '03'))
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", '03')) 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 ERA26LA207Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS-28B2 · Scotts Fork, VAThe photographer’s failure to remain clear of an active taxiway.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 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 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 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 WPR25LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Round Mountain, NVImpact with mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of available evidence.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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 CEN24FA295Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Irene, SDThe pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB WPR24FA257Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Recluse, WYThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an…NTSB WPR24FA255Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Izee, ORThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering through an area of low visibility due to wildfire smoke and haze.NTSB ERA24FA318Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Ronkonkoma, NYA loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of engine power and his decision to perform an intersection takeoff which, reduced…NTSB ANC24LA069Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A35 · Gustavus, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA24FA294Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.NTSB WPR24FA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportFantasy Air Sro Allegro 2007 · Eureka, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24FA226Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Eatonville, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid trees, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.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 ERA24FA283Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Trout Creek, NYThe pilot’s loss of airplane control in flight due to spatial disorientation during a climb to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN24FA243Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWaco YKC · Selden, KSThe pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which had not been forecast at the time of departure, and which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR24FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Big Creek, IDThe pilot’s delayed decision to go around after descending below the recommended abort altitude with a slight tailwind and an over-gross-weight airplane, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to…NTSB WPR24FA202Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NMThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…NTSB ERA24FA261Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Siler City, NCThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-speed, low-altitude left turn after encountering an undetermined issue during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR24FA195Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR24FA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Elk River, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while climbing in mountainous terrain during moderately high density altitude conditions, and conditions conducive to severe carburetor icing.NTSB WPR24FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZThe pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.NTSB ANC24FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Richvale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.NTSB ERA24LA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBrallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the overwater flight in conditions conducive to the…NTSB WPR24FA156Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.NTSB ANC24FA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AKThe non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.NTSB ERA24FA217Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Franklin, TNThe pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…NTSB CEN24FA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Marianna, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA24FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VAThe pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.NTSB CEN24FA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Spicewood, TXThe pilot’s failure to properly configure the airplane during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB CEN24FA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Hartsburg, MOThe pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the…NTSB WPR24FA124Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGulfstream 695A · San Bernardino, CAThe pilot’s continued use of the airplane’s autopilot after flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA24FA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.