Fatal NTSB investigations
71 cases where NTSB found Turbulence.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
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\", '030320'))
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", '030320')) 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 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 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 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 WPR24FA105Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Madras, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with turbulence and structural icing conditions, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24FA049Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMD Helicopters 600 · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line pole’s static arm during forecasted gusting wind conditions, un-forecasted light turbulence, and un-forecasted low-level wind shear conditions, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the static…NTSB WPR23FA296Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T206H · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.NTSB CEN23FA174Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPool Cessna R172 · Victor, COThe pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance at the elevated density altitude…NTSB WPR23FA137Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182S · Alcova, WYThe airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN23FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Bignell, NEThe pilot’s flight into low instrument flight rules conditions and turbulence, which resulted in spatial disorientation, loss of control, and an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total instrument experience.NTSB WPR22LA253Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Buffalo, WYThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with convective turbulence and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN22FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Defiance, MOThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while flying in night instrument conditions due to spatial disorientation and the flight crew’s inability to recover from an unusual airplane attitude.NTSB CEN22FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Bloomington, INThe pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the presence of turbulence and low-level wind shear.NTSB ERA22LA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s encounter with a wake vortex from a preceding airplane, which resulted in a roll upset at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ATC to issue a wake turbulence cautionary advisory.NTSB CEN22FA035Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Estes Park, COThe airplane’s encounter with severe to extreme turbulence associated with mountain wave rotor cloud activity, which resulted in loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN21FA426Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S20 · Wadsworth, OHThe pilot’s decision to depart shortly after a landing helicopter, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s wake turbulence and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by his recent use of ethanol.NTSB WPR21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46R-350T · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s encounter with mountain wave activity with severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.NTSB WPR20LA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox Kitfox · Lander, WYThe inexperienced pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during a turn at high density altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor judgment to continue the…NTSB ERA20LA206Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 31T · Eatonton, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, which placed the airplane in an unusual attitude from which the pilot could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the convective and…NTSB CEN20LA127Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Pleasant Plain, OHThe pilot’s encounter with convective turbulence and low-level wind shear in dark night instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of airplane control.NTSB ANC20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Blythe, CAA loss of control in flight due to the pilot’s decision to fly into a mountain range, at night, in conditions conducive to high wind, mountain waves, and turbulence.NTSB WPR19FA216Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair Lancair IV · Kooskia, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in an area of precipitation and reduced visibility, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR19FA123Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua, HIThe helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor…NTSB WPR19FA080Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CAThe pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.NTSB CEN19FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMustang II · Broomfield, COThe pilot's inability to maintain airplane control following an encounter with mountain wave turbulence.NTSB WPR18FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DH112 Venom · Sheboygan, WIThe airplane's encounter with wake turbulence from the lead airplane in the formation flight, which resulted in a compressor stall and the airplane's subsequent inability to climb.NTSB ERA18LA157Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31 · Amagansett, NYThe pilot's decision to fly under a thunderstorm and a subsequent encounter with turbulence and restricted visibility in heavy rain, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…NTSB ANC18FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while departing in instrument meteorological conditions, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR18FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23-250 · Elko, NVThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in the flight over mountainous terrain into forecast instrument meteorological conditions, icing, and mountain wave, and resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA18FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Starke, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing was the pilot's lack of instrument currency and his self-induced pressure to complete the flight.NTSB ERA18LA002Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · San Juan, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from helicopters during the approach for landing, resulting in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR17FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Perkinsville, AZThe pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience.NTSB CEN17FA168Accident · 3 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC 12 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb after takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions and moderate turbulence.NTSB WPR17FA085Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Harrisburg, ORAn encounter with a downburst during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to solicit and disseminate pilot reports from arriving and departing…NTSB WPR17FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Moss Beach, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…NTSB CEN16LA347Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHaggenmacher Bensen · Bryant, ARThe pilot’s loss of gyroplane control during an intentional high-speed pass, which resulted in the gyroplane porpoising and impacting terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the flight in an aircraft in which he had little…NTSB WPR16FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Sparks, NVThe pilot's selection of a landing runway which, given the wind and traffic conditions, was susceptible to high crosswinds and the translation of wake turbulence across its approach path, and the controller's and pilot's failure to ensure separation from the…NTSB WPR16FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA40 F · Logan, UTThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in turbulence and gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR16FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Wikieup, AZAn encounter with turbulence due to updrafts and/or dust devils that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight break-up.NTSB ERA15FA144Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Norfolk, VAThe pilot's failure to properly execute the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight planning and his decision to conduct the flight in instrument meteorological conditions at night into forecast moderate…NTSB WPR14FA362Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Neihart, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over…NTSB CEN14FA438Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Bowie, TXThe pilot’s incapacitation in flight as the result of a an acute cardiac event, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR14FA124Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31 · Lanai City, HIThe pilot’s spatial disorientation while turning during flight in dark night conditions and terrain-induced turbulence, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from a sedating antihistamine.NTSB CEN13FA438Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Lake Michigan, WIAn encounter with wake turbulence, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of control of the airplane and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the approach controller’s failure to issue a wake turbulence advisory to the pilot.NTSB CEN13FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mosca, COThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR13FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Saratoga, WYThe pilot’s decision to attempt flight into approaching adverse weather, which led to his low-level flight, encounter with mountain obscuration and moderate turbulence, and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the severity of the pilot’s…NTSB CEN13FA183Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Angel Fire, NMThe pilot's loss of control while flying in a turbulent mountain-wave environment. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's overconfidence in his ability to safely pilot the airplane in gusting wind conditions and his lack of experience operating in…NTSB WPR13FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Payson, AZThe airplane’s inadvertent encounter, in night instrument meteorological conditions, with unforecast strong up- and downdrafts and possibly severe airframe icing conditions (which likely included supercooled large droplets that the airplane was not…NTSB CEN13FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after encountering icing conditions and heavy to extreme turbulence and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s design limit, which led to an in-flight breakup.