Fatal NTSB investigations
48 cases where NTSB found Operating environment.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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\", '0301'))
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", '0301')) 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 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 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 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 ERA24FA050Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Attalla, ALThe undetected wear of both pawl retaining rivets of the left magneto impulse coupling and fatigue failure of one pawl retaining rivet, which led to cascading fractures of the second pawl retaining rivet, left gear retainer assembly, and gear teeth of…NTSB CEN23LA423Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36 · Broken Bow, OKThe pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during landing and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the airport grounds worker during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the absence of a NOTAM for mowing operations at the…NTSB ANC23LA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B36TC · Cape Yakataga, AKThe pilot’s continued flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, including supercooled large droplets, over mountainous terrain, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the National Weather Service…NTSB ERA22FA318Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · North Las Vegas, NVThe low-wing airplane pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was aligned with the correct runway, which resulted in a collision with the high-wing airplane on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the controller’s failure to provide timely and…NTSB WPR22FA068Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB CEN22FA081Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Fulshear, TXThe limitations of the see-and-avoid concept as a method for self-separation of aircraft, which resulted in an inflight collision. Contributing to the accident was the absence of collision avoidance technology on both aircraft.NTSB CEN22FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to adhere to the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN21FA239Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPZL Warszawa-Okecie PZL-104 · Pearland, TXThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the presence of a drainage ditch between the runway and taxiway.NTSB WPR21FA203Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDassault Mirage F-1 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on approach and failure to fly a traffic pattern track consistent with a no-flap configuration. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane’s flaps to extend while in the…NTSB ERA21LA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Citra, FLThe student pilot’s inadequate preflight planning likely due to impairment from ethanol, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was his improper decision to depart from an unlit airstrip in dark night conditions.NTSB DCA20MA059Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Calabasas, CAThe 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 likely self-induced pressure…NTSB DCA20MA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSaab 2000 · Unalaska, AKThe landing gear manufacturer’s incorrect wiring of the wheel speed transducer harnesses on the left main landing gear during overhaul. The incorrect wiring caused the antiskid system not to function as intended, resulting in the failure of the left outboard…NTSB CEN19FA072Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Zaleski, OHThe NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was Survival Flight's inadequate management of safety, which normalized pilots' and operations control specialists' noncompliance with risk analysis procedures and resulted in the initiation of the…NTSB CEN17FA331Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Ellabell, GAThe total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the No. 1 connecting rod, which resulted from the improper torque of the No. 1 cylinder hold-down bolts and through-studs at the time of the cylinder's installation, which resulted in the failure of the…NTSB ANC17MA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 208B · Togiak, AKThe flight crew's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility and their failure to perform an immediate escape maneuver after entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into…NTSB CEN16LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 3B 1 · Portia, ARThe pilot's decision to perform a sliding takeoff from the elevated platform, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the right skid plate caught on a protruding screw. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately inspect the landing…NTSB CEN15FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Clines Corners, NMThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known deteriorating weather conditions and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which ultimately resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA15FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Frederick, MDThe failure of the helicopter pilots and the airplane pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident were the airplane pilot's descent below the…NTSB CEN14FA467Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46 350P · Erie, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the critical angle of attack during a go-around with a tailwind condition, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue…NTSB CEN14FA462Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Las Cruces, NMThe misfueling of the airplane with jet fuel instead of the required aviation fuel, and the resultant detonation and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the line service technician's inadvertent misfueling of…NTSB CEN14FA300Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Lehman, TXThe pilot's improper decision to enter an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in the loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to provide critical weather information to the pilot to help him…NTSB WPR14FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing E75 · Fairfield, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver due to his impairment by an over-the-counter antihistamine. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries were the pilot's lack of fire protective clothing,…NTSB DCA13MA120Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 777-200ER · San Francisco, CAThe flight crew's mismanagement of the airplane's descent during the visual approach, the pilot flying's unintended deactivation of automatic airspeed control, the flight crew's inadequate monitoring of airspeed, and the flight crew's delayed execution of a…NTSB CEN13LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlon A2 · Greenbrier, ARThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and porpoise. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited recent flying experience and proficiency and the challenging runway environment.NTSB CEN13FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hillsdale, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a straight-in night visual flight rules approach to land in hazy weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience, the nonfunctional…NTSB CEN12FA321Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L4 · (Gulf of Mexico)The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while landing on an obstructed helipad, which resulted in a collision and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helipad owner to mark the helipad closed and the failure…NTSB ERA12FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Sterling, PAThe pilot’s decision to take off on an uphill slope without utilizing the entire available runway, and his failure to abort the takeoff when he realized he wasn’t going to liftoff in time to clear the trees at the end of the runway.NTSB WPR12FA184Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Blanding, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-level maneuvering flight. Contributing to the pilot’s death was the lack of a timely emergency rescue response due to the lack of effective emergency signal transmissions from both the airplane’s…NTSB ERA12FA196Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Melbourne, FLThe pilot's abrupt maneuver in response to a perceived traffic conflict, which resulted in an accelerated stall and a loss of airplane control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's incomplete instructions, which…NTSB WPR11MA454Accident · 11 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportNorth American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NVThe reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate…NTSB CEN11FA302Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Topeka, KSThe pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s minimal experience flying in actual instrument conditions.NTSB DCA11MA076Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream GVI · Roswell, NMThe National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: an aerodynamic stall and subsequent uncommanded roll during a one engine-inoperative takeoff flight test, which were the result of (1) Gulfstream’s failure…NTSB WPR11FA032Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Lander, WYThe pilot's decision to depart into known adverse weather conditions over mountainous terrain, which required operation near the limits of the airplane's performance capability and which resulted in a loss of airplane control and subsequent ground impact.…NTSB ANC10MA068Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Aleknagik, AKThe pilot's temporary unresponsiveness for reasons that could not be established from the available information. Contributing to the investigation's inability to determine exactly what occurred in the final minutes of the flight was the lack of a cockpit…NTSB ERA10FA259Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tuscaloosa, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with the ground.NTSB CEN10FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Cotulla, TXA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. Contributing to the accident was the low-altitude operating environment that would not allow for a successful autorotation after the loss of engine power.NTSB CEN10FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Boulder, COThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the lack of perceived visual relative motion of the Piper and the Cirrus to the pilot of each airplane, the terrain background, and the…NTSB WPR10FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Middletown, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to yield right of way to the glider.NTSB CEN09FA601Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hilltop Lakes, TXThe loss of control of the airplane in dark night light conditions due to the pilot’s spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA09FA514Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Flat Rock, NCThe pilot’s attempt to maintain visual flight during instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to advise the controller of the weather conditions…NTSB CEN09FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Kalkaska, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during the instrument-flight-rules flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with instrument flight procedures and his lack of recent instrument flight experience.NTSB ERA09FA053Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tallahassee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to fly the published instrument approach and his subsequent failure to…NTSB MIA08MA203Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale SA365N-1 D · District Heights, MDThe pilot's attempt to regain visual conditions by performing a rapid descent and his failure to arrest the descent at the minimum descent altitude during a nonprecision approach. Contributing to the accident were (1) the pilot’s limited recent instrument…NTSB SEA08FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · McCall, IDThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contributing to the accident was the non-standard pattern entry of the pilot.NTSB LAX08LA078Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJenkins RV-7A · Winslow, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/spin.