Fatal NTSB investigations
1,451 cases where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with terrain/water”.
Cases per year
| 1982 | 107 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 79 |
| 1984 | 70 |
| 1985 | 67 |
| 1986 | 51 |
| 1987 | 56 |
| 1988 | 61 |
| 1989 | 46 |
| 1990 | 75 |
| 1991 | 63 |
| 1992 | 65 |
| 1993 | 72 |
| 1994 | 64 |
| 1995 | 67 |
| 1996 | 45 |
| 1997 | 50 |
| 1998 | 40 |
| 1999 | 53 |
| 2000 | 53 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2003 | 36 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2005 | 40 |
| 2006 | 34 |
| 2007 | 28 |
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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 230)
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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 230) 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 DFW08LA134Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Glenwood, NMA loss of control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the marginal weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident.NTSB CHI08FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Columbus, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and collision avoidance with terrain due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the low cloud ceiling and night conditions.NTSB CHI08LA046Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen T R/Masters W Rand KR 2 · Benton, ILThe reason for this accident is undetermined.NTSB SEA08FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T182T · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance/altitude during climb to cruise. Contributing to the accident were rising mountainous terrain, the dark nighttime lighting condition, the pilot's loss of situational awareness, and the Federal…NTSB DEN08FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, improper in-flight planning and decision making, the dark night, and the controller's failure to issue a safety…NTSB SEA07FA246Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Alsea, ORTerrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering. A low altitude during the maneuver and hilly terrain were factors.NTSB LAX07FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Joshua Tree, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during descent. Contributing to the accident were dark night conditions and mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA07FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Nokomis, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.NTSB NYC07LA219Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Virginia Beach, VAThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to physiological incapacitation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to deny or restrict the pilot's medical certification, and the pilot's improper…NTSB MIA07FA137Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Elizabethton, TNThe poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for flying towards rising terrain with inadequate clearance.NTSB ATL07LA119Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P206 · Center Hill, FLThe pilot committed suicide. Contributing to the event was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.NTSB DEN07MA134Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech E90B · Ruidoso, NMFailure to maintain clearance from terrain due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CHI07LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportOpus Motorsports BD02 · Dayton, OHThe pilot not maintaining clearance from terrain during the aerobatic maneuver. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's restricted ability to see the terrain and the oil smoke present in the air show performer's box.NTSB CHI07LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402A · Laurel, IAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance with the upsloping terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN07FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Placitas, NMthe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain separation, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. A contributing factor was the mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA07FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.NTSB CHI07LA162Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Watford City, NDThe agricultural pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines. The power lines were a contributing factor in the accident.NTSB SEA07FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Wilbur, WAIn-flight collision with terrain shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX07FA160Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 · Lake Pleasant, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the surface of water during an intentional buzzing maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the nighttime lighting environment.NTSB LAX07LA113Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Lincoln City, ORIn-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA07FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C · Titusville, FLThe pilot’s failure to ensure sufficient altitude while maneuvering in close proximity to the ground during an airshow, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB CHI07LA086Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCamair 480 · East Liberty, OHThe uncontrolled descent for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI07FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Bedford, INSuicide.NTSB DFW07FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Lago Vista, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention with a reported autopilot malfunction.NTSB SEA07FA051Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Belgrade, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude and descent rate during a night visual approach. Dark night conditions and mountainous terrain are factors in the accident.NTSB SEA07LA060Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrown Pitts S-1 · Incline Vlg, NVThe airplane collided with a frozen lake for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's intentional operation of the airplane while impaired by alcohol and the FAA's failure to obtain additional information about the pilot's…NTSB LAX07FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Ranchita, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a cruise descent. Contributing to the accident were the dark night lighting conditions and the mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA07FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPartenavia P 68C · Adjuntas, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons during a normal descent under instrument meteorological and dark night conditions.NTSB LAX07FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CAThe inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.NTSB LAX07FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Young, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight while flying at night at an altitude to remain clear of clouds and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident were an inadequate weather evaluation, the clouds, icing conditions, and…NTSB NYC07FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Dagsboro, DEThe pilot's improper decision to depart under visual flight rules into night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the fog and the dark night conditions.NTSB LAX07LA054Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohn Lauer Harmon Rocket II · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB SEA07LA025Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHolloway RV6A · North Bend, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while performing low altitude maneuvering flight resulting in an in flight collision with the water.NTSB DFW07FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Hominy, OKThe pilot's continued cruise flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, and the low ceilings.NTSB LAX07LA027Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creations Tanarg 912 · Bisbee, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI07FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Lawrenceville, ILThe improper judgment by the pilot to conduct a flight to, and execute an approach to, an airport with weather conditions that were below the required minimums. Also causal was the pilot's continued descent below the approach minimum descent altitude.…NTSB NYC07FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Odenton, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during the approach. Contributing was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land the airplane after being informed by air traffic control that he was not operating in compliance with the ADIZ…NTSB NYC07LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlynn William Pazmany PL-4 · Fredricksburg, VAThe pilot's intentional low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with terrain.NTSB LAX06FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Sedona, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain in a high density altitude environment.NTSB LAX06LA293Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · Clipper Mills, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from ingestion of marijuana.NTSB CHI06LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarner Garner Falcon · Newton, IAAn inflight collision with terrain during an unknown phase of flight. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience.NTSB LAX06GA287Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportNorth American OV-10A · Porterville, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering over rising terrain in a box canyon. Also causal was the pilot's failure to adhere to procedures/directives regarding minimum altitude requirements.NTSB LAX06LA275Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTerry Tevis RV-6A · Novato, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Rising terrain, fog and dark night conditions were factors.NTSB NYC06MA192Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 110P1 · Pownal, VTThe pilot's misinterpretation of the airplane's position relative to the final approach fix, which resulted in the displacement of the descent profile by 6 nautical miles and the subsequent controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB LAX06FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Whitethorn, CAThe pilot's loss of situational awareness with regard to the airplane's proximity to mountainous terrain, and her failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude or flight path, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the terrain.NTSB LAX06FA243Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon G36 · Bullhead City, AZThe pilot's misjudged distance and speed that led to a long landing, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, all due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted…NTSB LAX06FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Somis, CAa ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW06LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Colt, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground during an aerial application flight.NTSB LAX06FA206Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Payson, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a low level flyby maneuver. A factor was glare from the sun and shadows created by the mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA06FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportLciv Lancair IV-P Propjet · Provo, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during a VFR approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. Contributing factors were the dark night light conditions and the low clouds.