Fatal NTSB investigations
1,781 cases where the first occurrence was “In flight encounter with weather”.
Cases per year
| 1982 | 141 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 162 |
| 1984 | 135 |
| 1985 | 118 |
| 1986 | 94 |
| 1987 | 91 |
| 1988 | 88 |
| 1989 | 95 |
| 1990 | 67 |
| 1991 | 61 |
| 1992 | 57 |
| 1993 | 53 |
| 1994 | 36 |
| 1995 | 52 |
| 1996 | 50 |
| 1997 | 41 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 34 |
| 2000 | 36 |
| 2001 | 31 |
| 2002 | 39 |
| 2003 | 56 |
| 2004 | 69 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2006 | 36 |
| 2007 | 42 |
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\" = 240)
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" = 240) 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 LAX08FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Paso Robles, CAThe pilot's encounter with isolated moderate (or greater) turbulence, updrafts, and downdrafts associated with localized mountain wave conditions at low altitude, and, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the encounter that resulted in an…NTSB SEA08FA045Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Minersville, UTThe flying pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during cruise. Contributing to the accident were low clouds, reduced visibility and mountainous terrain.NTSB ANC08FA025Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland BK117C1 · Whittier, AKThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the operator's failure to adhere to an FAA-approved and mandated safety risk management program, the FAA's failure to provide…NTSB SEA08LA021Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Garberville, CAThe pilot's intentional visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and terrain during climb. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions of fog and a low…NTSB LAX08FA026Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A100 · Chino, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate during an instrument takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the low visibility.NTSB LAX08MA007Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Naches, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's impaired physiological state due to hypoxia, the pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation, and his…NTSB DEN08LA004Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar S-66A · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines, and the ground crew's improper assistance. Contributing to this accident were the high wind, the pilot's diverted attention, low…NTSB SEA08FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Ekalaka, MTThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, his continued flight into adverse weather (icing conditions), and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the emergency descent for landing. Contributing to the accident were the forecast icing…NTSB NYC08LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D55 · St.CroixThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC conditions subsequently leading to a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument experience, the weather conditions, and the night lighting…NTSB LAX08FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Oak Hills, CAThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were mountainous terrain, dark night, and fog.NTSB MIA08FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Walthourville, GAThe non-instrument rated pilot's loss of control at night in marginal night VFR operations due to spatial disorientation. A factor in the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue the flight.NTSB CHI07FA305Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Defiance, OHThe pilot's spatial disorientation when he encountered convective turbulence which resulted in a loss of control. This encounter resulted in an in-flight break up. Contributing to the accident was the convective turbulence in the clouds.NTSB MIA07FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Clayton, NCThe pilot's intentional abrupt maneuver during low altitude cruise flight to avoid obstructions ahead, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain and a building. Contributing to the accident were the failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather…NTSB NYC07FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Whitfield, ALThe pilot’s intentional flight into known thunderstorms.NTSB SEA07FA277Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB-180 · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with downdrafts that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the downdrafts, high density altitude, and mountainous terrain.NTSB DEN07FA140Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Dayton, WYthe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain due to gusty wind conditions, and lee side turbulence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, and his failure to…NTSB CHI07LA260Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · West Bend, WIThe pilot's decision to depart in adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Contributing to the accident included the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his lack of recent night experience, the night conditions and…NTSB ANC07FA068Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's decision to continue under visual flight rules into an area of instrument metrological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the FAA's inadequate surveillance of the commercial air tour…NTSB SEA07FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · New River, AZThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC and his ensuing failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight. Contributing factors were the cloudy weather and the dark night conditions.NTSB ATL07FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Tyringham, MAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control to appropriately issue weather information and initiate an in-flight deviation around known and clearly observed…NTSB LAX07FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E90 · Carlsbad, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an instrument takeoff attempt. Contributing to the accident were fog, reduced visibility, and the low ceiling.NTSB CHI07FA183Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-500TP · Wellsville, MOThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat as per the checklist, resulting in erroneous airspeed information due to pitot tube icing, and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continued flight in…NTSB CHI07FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Colona, ILThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CHI07FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Cannon Falls, MNThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientaton and loss of control.NTSB SEA07FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 (205) · Quilcene, WAThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident included the low clouds which obscured the rising, mountainous terrain.NTSB DFW07LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalker Zenith Zodiac 601 XL · Canadian, TXThe pilot's improper pre-flight planning and decision to depart into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent in-flight break up.NTSB DEN07FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26E · Castle Rock, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush.NTSB ATL07FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Dawsonville, GAThe pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with a low cloud ceiling, over mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA07LA084Accident · 5 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into known adverse weather conditions, resulting in an in-flight loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were thunderstorms.NTSB SEA07FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his ensuing failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the cloudy weather conditions and the mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA07LA073Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Bird Cay, BahamasThe pilot's poor in-flight weather evaluation, which resulted in flight into a level 6 thunderstorm.NTSB NYC07FA091Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Trappe, MDThe pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the thunderstorm.NTSB ATL07LA067Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-181 · New Tazewell, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight from visual meteorological conditions into instrument meteorological conditions, and a low cloud ceiling.NTSB LAX07FA103Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Tooele, UTThe pilot exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the wings and horizontal stabilizers. Contributing to the accident were the night lighting conditions, clouds, turbulence and icing conditions.NTSB CHI07FA073Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Council Bluffs, IAThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the presence of severe icing, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear.NTSB DFW07FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Rocksprings, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Contributing factors were the below approach/landing minimums weather and the drizzle/mist weather conditions.NTSB ATL07FA040Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Hinesville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the in-flight breakup of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing to the accident were airframe icing and the pilot's impairment by illegal drugs.NTSB ATL07FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Bessemer, ALThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DEN07FA054Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Centennial, WYthe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's improper preflight planning and decision making, the pilot's spatial disorientation, the pilot's lack of night…NTSB DEN07FA053Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Waltman, WYthe pilot's continued visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper preflight and…NTSB DEN07FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Manzanola, COthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, self-induced…NTSB DFW07FA049Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Armstrong, TXThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the clouds. low ceilings, and the pilot's limited night and instrument experience.NTSB CHI07FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International 114 · Jasper, TNThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to excessive airframe ice accretion, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Additional causes were the pilot's continued flight in icing conditions once they had been encountered, and his…NTSB MIA07FA029Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Greenhead, FLThe pilot-in-command's improper planning/decision and continued flight into known adverse weather which resulted in an encounter with a level 5 thunderstorm.NTSB LAX07FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bridgeport, CAThe pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.NTSB LAX07FA056Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 412SP · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions, fog, and mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI07FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Crookston, MNThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Factors were the snow, the low ceiling, and the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience.NTSB SEA07FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Escalante, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night and in rainy weather.NTSB LAX07FA021Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Meadview, AZThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and continued flight into forecasted icing conditions. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's failure to follow proper operating procedures and deploy the CAPS when the airplane entered a spin.…NTSB ATL07FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-19A · Gunthertown, ALThe pilot's continued flight from VMC into IMC conditions which resulted in an in-flight collision with rising terrain.