# Fatal NTSB investigations, PA

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 14 · 658 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA309.md): Cessna 150 · Carlisle, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 19, 2026 · N23330 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > On August 19, 2026, at 1852 eastern daylight time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407, N873ST, and a Cessna 150H airplane, N23330, collided in flight near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The two commercial pilots onboard the helicopter were seriously injured, and…
- [NTSB ERA25FA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA344.md): Hughes 369D · Jim Thorpe, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 11, 2025 · N5072F · Destroyed
  > On September 11, 2025, about 1402 eastern daylight time, a Hughes (McDonnell Douglas) 369D helicopter, N5072F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and line technician were fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB ERA25FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA272.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Lititz, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 20, 2025 · N819MA · Substantial damage
  > On July 20, 2025, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian airplane, N819MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The pilot was the sole person on board and was fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB ERA25MA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25MA106.md): Learjet 55 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Preliminary report · Jan 31, 2025 · XA-UCI · Destroyed
  > On January 31, 2025, at 1807 eastern standard time, a Learjet 55 airplane, Mexican registration XA-UCI (call sign MTS056) was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two pilots, two medical crewmembers, and two…
- [NTSB ERA24LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA316.md): Sheaffer Leroy B Kitfox Model IV · Palmyra, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2024 · N788KF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel airplane during takeoff from a narrow runway with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24FA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA292.md): Cessna 172N · Lock Haven, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 4, 2024 · N739GV · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA103.md): Grumman American Avn. GA-7 · Coatesville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N887CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and his subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual maintenance inspection, during which maintenance…
- [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2023 · N4209W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact.
- [NTSB ERA23LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA332.md): Bell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 12, 2023 · N1503L · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA252.md): Cessna 180 · Harrisburg, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 31, 2023 · N3178D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with terrain and objects.
- [NTSB ERA23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA045.md): Bearhawk Patrol · Hanover Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 29, 2022 · N964RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to unlatch his seatbelt during flight, which allowed him to exit the airplane and impact the tail, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22FA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA436.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Allentown, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 28, 2022 · N7329F · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA22FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA137.md): Beech 35 · Hilltown Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 24, 2022 · N6129V · Destroyed
  > The pilots’ exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while practicing maneuvers during an instructional flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA22FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA076.md): Cessna T210R · Grove City, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 24, 2021 · N6209U · Destroyed
  > A catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation after the pilot’s failure to secure the oil filler cap before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ decision to continue the flight following the oil loss event and precautionary landing.
- [NTSB ERA21FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA334.md): North American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 20, 2021 · N52900 · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…
- [NTSB ERA21FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA253.md): Vans RV6 · Buckingham, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N74MS · Substantial damage
  > An exhaust system leak that resulted in failure of the oil quick drain, a loss of oil lubrication, an in-flight fire, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA191.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 23, 2021 · N4055N · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA074.md): Robinson R66 · Mechanicsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 10, 2020 · N450MC · Destroyed
  > A severe left roll excursion after the onset of pitch and roll oscillations, which were not arrested by the pilot for undetermined reasons. This resulted in main rotor blade contact with the airframe and a subsequent inflight breakup of the helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA20FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA013.md): Sportine Aviacija LAK17B · Tamaqua, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 18, 2019 · N830DK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the glider's critical angle of attack while climbing in thermal lift, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
- [NTSB ERA19FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA275.md): Vans RV 8 · Stroudsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 17, 2019 · N7TL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA19FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA243.md): Poberezny Acro Sport II · Jersey Shore, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2019 · N43032 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to conduct low altitude aerobatic maneuvers which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA19FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA240.md): Beech F33 · Hatboro, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2019 · N4082S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb after entering instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA161.md): Cessna 172 · Tyrone, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2019 · N733KZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA144.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Williamsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2018 · N451TD · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to obtain an updated weather briefing before the flight and his subsequent loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions during a diversion to an alternate airport after…
- [NTSB DCA18MA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18MA142.md): Boeing 737 7H4 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Apr 17, 2018 · N772SW · Substantial damage
  > A low-cycle fatigue crack in the dovetail of fan blade No. 13, which resulted in the fan blade separating in flight and impacting the engine fan case at a location that was critical to the structural integrity and performance of the fan cowl structure. This…
- [NTSB ERA18FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA122.md): MD Helicopter 600 · Smethport, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2018 · N602BP · Destroyed
  > The helicopter pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during power line construction work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking and becoming entangled with a wire and a subsequent dynamic rollover and collision with terrain.…
- [NTSB ERA17FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA248.md): Aircraft Mfg & Dvlpmt CH601XLi Slsa · Towanda, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2017 · N601PH · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, and the pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an attempted return to the airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall…
- [NTSB ERA17FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA232.md): Morrisey 2150A · Honesdale, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N917JL · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of two psychoactive substances, which led to his impaired decision to attempt to takeoff after engine issues became evident.
- [NTSB ERA17FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA223.md): Slip Stream Genesis · Linesville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N3449 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB ERA17FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA153.md): Howard DGA 15P · Monongahela, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2017 · N4476N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA17FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA017.md): Piper PA28 · Austin, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2016 · C-GYSN · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control while maneuvering in night instrument conditions that included light-to-heavy rain with severe turbulence, updrafts and downdrafts, and hail. Contributing to the accident was the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation, his lack…
- [NTSB ERA16FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA269.md): Yakovlev YAK11 · West Mifflin, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2016 · N5940 · Substantial damage
  > A malfunction of the electrical system, which resulted in an electrical fire in the right wing root of the airplane, which compromised the fuel system and resulted in ignition of fuel. Contributing to the accident was the routing of the electrical wiring near…
- [NTSB ERA16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA215.md): Piper PA31 · State College, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2016 · N3591P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue an unstabilized instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA143.md): Robinson R44 · Canadensis, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2016 · N776JM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.
- [NTSB ERA16FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA064.md): Beech A36 · Farmington, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of…
- [NTSB ERA16FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA063.md): Timothy C Williams CCK-1865 · Linesville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2015 · N541TC · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt a flight under visual flight rules at night in instrument meteorological conditions to an unlit airstrip, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA010.md): Murray Blair L Free Bird Classic · Kylertown, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2015 · N176FB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach for landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.
- [NTSB ERA15FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA298.md): Mchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1 · Montrose, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2015 · N428YT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA15FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA171.md): Piper PA28 · West Chester, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N6842W · Destroyed
  > The failure of the flight instructor and the pilot to abort the takeoff after the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power with adequate runway remaining, and their subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane…
- [NTSB ERA15LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA001.md): Air Command 582 · Monongahela, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2014 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The amateur-built gyroplane’s collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the flight without obtaining additional training.
- [NTSB ERA14LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA290.md): Cameron Balloons US Z-225 · Spring City, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2014 · N65625 · No damage
  > The pilot's fall from the balloon’s basket during touchdown in a field for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in his fatal injury.
- [NTSB ERA14FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA153.md): Waters Peter T Avid Bandit · Washington, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 2014 · N62PT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control in gusty and turbulent wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA077.md): Piper PA-30 · Biglerville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2013 · N8372Y · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA13LA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA433.md): Enstrom F-28C · Bloomsburg, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2013 · N631DP · Minor damage
  > The relieved pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor blades after he exited the helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA13FA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA402.md): Cessna T-50 · Lenox Twp., PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2013 · N41759 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions and thunderstorms and his improper decision to takeoff without getting updated weather information after a briefer cautioned him during a previous flight that visual flight…
- [NTSB ERA13FA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA336.md): Robinson R66 · Noxen, PA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2013 · N646AG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA13LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA263.md): Wilson William M Cricket MC12 · Doylestown, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2013 · N2SZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff after detecting the airplane’s degraded performance. Contributing to the accident were the likely loss of power from the left engine for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident examination of the…
- [NTSB ERA13FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA026.md): Aerospatiale AS 355 · Erwinna, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2012 · C-FXGM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules in dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in subsequent spatial disorientation, uncontrolled descent, and impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA13FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA014.md): Bell 407 · Coolbaugh Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2012 · N108MF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions due to self-imposed pressure to complete the trip, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&state=PA&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'PA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&state=PA

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.