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Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 120

47 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 120. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19642026

Where

Latest cases

Query with 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402'))
  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 x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402'))
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 ERA16FA324Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · North Collins, NYThe failure of the second airplane's pilot to see and avoid the first airplane as he was overtaking the first airplane.Sep 25, 2016 · N3580V · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB WPR14FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Carson City, NVThe pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a course-reversal turn when the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to cross a mountain range, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall…Mar 9, 2014 · N76856 · Destroyed NTSB ERA11LA503Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Cordele, GAThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Sep 24, 2011 · N3101N · Substantial damage NTSB SEA05LA165Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Chiloquin, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and a loss of control during a pull-up maneuver. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall/spin, which resulted in the subsequent collision with terrain.Aug 7, 2005 · N627DM · Destroyed NTSB CHI93LA177Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Crawford, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.May 21, 1993 · N2976N · Destroyed NTSB CHI92FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Maple, WIThe non-instrument rated private pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.Aug 7, 1992 · N1947N · Destroyed NTSB LAX92LA019Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Olancha, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall while on final approach. Factors were the high density altitude and the pilot's poor approach planning.Oct 18, 1991 · N120MK · Destroyed NTSB NYC91FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Simsbury, CTThe pilot's intentional flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were psychological conditions.Mar 21, 1991 · N4117N · Destroyed NTSB ATL86FA178Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Marlton, NJAbout 10 min after takeoff, the acft collided with trees & crashed while the plts were performing aerobatic maneuvers. According to witnesses, aerobatics were being performed at an about 500 ft AGL. They rprtd that the plts had made an overhead maneuver…Jun 21, 1986 · N89789 · Destroyed NTSB FTW86FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Whitefield, OKThe pilot was flying at very low altitude while circling the area and most probably did not see the powerline, due to sunglare, until at very close range. He then pulled up steeply in the strong and gusty headwind and stalled the aircraft without sufficient…Mar 22, 1986 · N77483 · Destroyed NTSB BFO85FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Afton, VAThe plt and his wife departed waynesboro arpt in reported VFR wx conditions at aprx 1700 hrs. According to the assistantarpt mgr the ceiling was about 2500 ft however, the mountain tops were obscured in the direction the acft flew towards. At about 1710 hrs…Aug 24, 1985 · N1812V · Destroyed NTSB LAX85FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Irwindale, CAA Cessna 120, N9058Y, & a Cessna 152, N65599, collided in midair in the practice area for el monte, CA. Arpt. The two aircraft had departed the controlled arpt within three minutes of each other. Both had one instructor & one student aboard. The Cessna 152…Jan 27, 1985 · N9058Y · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB CHI79FEC59Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Vassar, MIOct 20, 1979 · N2854N · Destroyed NTSB MIA79FA130Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Vicksburg, MSSep 29, 1979 · N72504 · Destroyed NTSB MKC79FA039Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Madison, SDJul 6, 1979 · N2777N · Destroyed NTSB SEA79FA022Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Yakima, WAMar 1, 1979 · N1701N · Destroyed NTSB IAD79FA006Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Covington, TNOct 28, 1978 · N1811V · Substantial damage NTSB MKC78FA058Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Kimball, NEAug 2, 1978 · N16DF · Destroyed NTSB MKC78FA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Abilene, KSJun 11, 1978 · N1959V · Destroyed NTSB OAK77FA047Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · San Ramon, CAAug 7, 1977 · N2346N · Destroyed NTSB LAX77FA023Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Riverside, CAJan 12, 1977 · N2155V · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB DEN77FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Sheridan, WYDec 11, 1976 · N90193 · Destroyed NTSB MIA76AM045Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Warner Robins, GANov 22, 1975 · N3593V · Destroyed NTSB SEA75AS024Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Wasco, ORDec 19, 1974 · N2124V · Destroyed NTSB CHI74AC085Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Verona, WIApr 27, 1974 · N76072 · Destroyed NTSB OAK74AP022Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Columbia, CADec 5, 1973 · N1719N · Destroyed NTSB DEN74AD023Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Wiggins, CONov 17, 1973 · N3754V · Destroyed NTSB MIA71AM035Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Marietta, GAOct 23, 1970 · N89865 · Destroyed NTSB FTW71AF017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Whitney, TXOct 4, 1970 · N3570V · Destroyed NTSB MIA71AM001Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Ringgold, GAJul 4, 1970 · N77269 · Destroyed NTSB NYC70A0044Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Seneca, PAOct 18, 1969 · N72392 · Destroyed NTSB IAD70A0011Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Spruce Pine, NCAug 1, 1969 · N90109 · Destroyed NTSB NYC69A0023Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Braintree, MAAug 24, 1968 · N76424 · Destroyed NTSB SEA68A0067Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Monida, MTMay 13, 1968 · N90081 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI68A0102Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · ZMay 11, 1968 · N2357N · Destroyed NTSB MIA68A0093Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Princeton, FLMay 4, 1968 · N77168 · Destroyed NTSB OAK68A0024Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Tracy, CASep 3, 1967 · N1800N · Destroyed NTSB OAK67A0072Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Covelo, CAMar 29, 1967 · N2705N · Destroyed NTSB DEN66A0044Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Kingman, AZDec 12, 1965 · N89805 · Destroyed NTSB FTW66A0027Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Garland, TXSep 8, 1965 · N76416 · Destroyed NTSB IAD75AI030Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Black Mountain, NCSep 3, 1965 · N76173 · Destroyed NTSB MIA66A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Brooksville, FLJul 17, 1965 · N22412 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX66A0005Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Cayucos, CAJul 11, 1965 · N1772N · Destroyed NTSB FTW65A0104Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Plaquemine, LAApr 18, 1965 · N77380 · Destroyed NTSB DEN65A0048Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Albuquerque, NMJan 23, 1965 · N168D · Destroyed NTSB UNK65X1007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Anaheim, CADec 13, 1964 · N1708V · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB UNK64X0919Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Indian Grove, MOMar 15, 1964 · N2860N · Destroyed