Fatal NTSB investigations
180,641 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,620 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.
Cases, newest first
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' 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' 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 ERA11WA439Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Istok, RussiaOn July 9, 2011, at 1900 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R-44, Russian registration RA-04304, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with the Yenisei River, near Istok, Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia, during a repositioning flight at…NTSB ERA11FA391Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Demopolis, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a…NTSB CEN11FA469Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBowie Richard Sonerai II · Dudley, MOFuel starvation due to the pilot’s improper fuel management and his decision to conduct the flight while under the influence of marijuana.NTSB CEN11FA468Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, INThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN11FA467Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRans S-12 · Scott, ARThe pilot’s loss of airplane control, likely due to a cardiac event.NTSB WPR11LA317Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · Bigfork, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR11FA319Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Verlot, WAThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into clouds and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in an area of reduced visibility, low clouds, and mountain obscuration.NTSB WPR11FA316Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Watsonville, CAThe pilot's decision to take off toward a nearby low cloud layer and the subsequent turn, stall, and spin during the pilot’s attempt to avoid the cloud layer. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to avoid the stall. His ability to avoid the…NTSB DCA11RA080Accident · 77 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 727 · Kisangani, Congo - KinshasaOn July 8, 2011 about 1311 UTC (1511 local time), a Hewa Bora Airways Boeing 727-100, 9Q-COP, a domestic scheduled commercial flight, operating as Hewa Bora flight 952, collided with the ground during visual approach to runway 31 at Bangoka International…NTSB CEN11WA493Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 - L4 · Tecpan, GuatemalaOn July 8, 2011, about 2145 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, TG-MUK, was destroyed after impacting wires and terrain near Tecpan, Guatemala. The pilot was seriously injured and two passengers were fatally injured. The accident…NTSB CEN11WA471Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA18 · Undrom, SwedenOn July 8, 2011, approximately 1920 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-18-A150 collided with trees and impacted terrain near Undrom, Sweden. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local flight departed River Aangermanaelven at an…NTSB CEN11FA465Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPipistrel Taurus · Durango, COThe pilot’s loss of control during the off-airport landing in strong winds, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR11FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180D · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a telephone line while flying at a low altitude in dusk lighting conditions.NTSB CEN11WA458Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationVans RV6 · Shoreham, United KingdomOn July 4, 2011, at 1528 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Vans RV-6A single-engine airplane, G-RVCG, and a Diamond DA-40 single-engine airplane, G-CEZR, collided in midair while maneuvering near Shoreham, West Sussex, United Kingdom. G-RVGC was destroyed…NTSB CEN11FA444Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing B75N1 · Wetmore, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN11FA443Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportKoen Lancair Laser IV-P · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined from the available information.NTSB CEN11FA437Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 7GCBC · Hayti, SDThe pilot's decision to attempt low-altitude flight and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines.NTSB WPR11FA302Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Lone Pine, CAThe glider encountered a strong downward orographic wind flow and turbulence that forced it into terrain. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to operate the glider very close to the terrain.NTSB ERA11FA374Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBinkley Richard Sonex · Calhoun, GAThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postimpact fire damage precluded a thorough examination of the engine.NTSB ERA11FA376Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Yabucoa, PRThe pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with a thunderstorm and subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN11FA436Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRay Aerial Spraying 773 Racer · Ottumwa, IAThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and ignition system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and extensive postaccident fire damage…NTSB CEN11FA434Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchaffer Gary W Lancair · Yukon, OKThe pilot's use of an excessive bank angle while in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane and the pilot’s distracted attention to the rough running…NTSB CEN11FA433Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKlemp Gregory J Challenger II · Neshkoro, WIThe total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a cold seizure as a result of a broken fan V-belt. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's interference with the flight controls during the forced landing.NTSB CEN11FA431Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBosonetto Thorp T-18 · Howell, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at a low altitude.NTSB CEN11FA428Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Thornton, COThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with a microburst while operating at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control from which the pilot could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for the forecasted…NTSB ERA11FA369Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Poughkeepsie, NYThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to impairment or incapacitation as a result of coronary artery disease in combination with atrial fibrillation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to report his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to the…NTSB CEN11FA422Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Del Valle, TXThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for reasons that cannot be determined because the pilot’s control inputs leading up to the event are unknown, resulting in mast bumping and main rotor blade separation.NTSB ANC11FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Beluga Lake, AKThe pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA11FA360Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportClabaugh Robert R Barracuda · Andalusia, ALThe pilot did not maintain airspeed while maneuvering on approach for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model airplane.NTSB CEN11FA425Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Romeoville, ILA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.NTSB CEN11FA420Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Farmdale, OHThe pilot's decision to initiate an aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that did not allow for full recovery of the airplane before ground impact.NTSB CEN11WA446Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Schefferville, CanadaOn June 24, 2011, about 0806 eastern daylight time, a Canadian registered Robinson R44 Raven II, C-FSKV, operated by Capital Helicopter, sustained substantial damage when it crashed on final approach to land near Lac Deborah, Schefferville, Quebec. The pilot…NTSB CEN11FA417Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Charlevoix, MIThe pilot's inadequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to not execute a missed approach in weather conditions below minimums.NTSB WPR11WA297Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHitchcock Christen Eagle II · Padang, West Sumatera, IndonesiaOn June 23, 2011 at 1020 universal coordinated time, a Hitchcock Christen Eagle II, N21H, collided with the terrain while performing an aerobatic maneuver at Tabing Airfield, Padang, West Sumatera. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was…NTSB ERA11WA368Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR20 · Cairo Montenotte, ItalyOn June 23, 2011, about 1000 UTC, a Cirrus SR20, Luxembourg registration LX-MPR, operated by a private individual, collided with mountainous terrain near Cairo Montenotte, Italy. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time and…NTSB ERA11FA354Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Valparaiso, FLThe pilots’ failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent, low altitude aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN11LA421Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUltralight America Spitfire II · Ranger, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after a takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB WPR11LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hogeland, MTCollision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR11FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTrusty Thorp T-18 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight, which resulted from his impairment or incapacitation due to multiple medical conditions and sedating medication.NTSB WPR11LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSix Chuter Skye Ryder Aerochute · Tooele, UTThe operation of a powered parachute by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct a flight in a strong gusty wind.NTSB CEN11FA401Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Columbus, OHThe pilot's spatial disorientation during the takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB ERA11FA349Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Armonk, NYThe pilot's decision to depart on the flight with a suspected mechanical deficiency and his subsequent decision to fly the final approach at a reduced power setting. Contributing to the accident was the improper timing of the magneto(s) that resulted in a…NTSB ERA11FA348Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Guntersville, ALThe pilot's excessive pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to comply with weight and balance limitations.NTSB CEN11WA463Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationShannon James A JR Aviat Eagle II · Plock Vistula, PolandNTSB CEN11WA407Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-39 · Mont Agel, FranceUnder the jurisdiction and control of the French government.NTSB CEN11LA399Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-300 · Highmore, SDThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN11WA394Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAmerican Blimp A60PLUS · Reichelheim, GermanyUnder the jurisdiction and control of the German government.NTSB WPR11FA256Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31ATC · Ukiah, ORThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into a region covered by clouds, which likely resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN11WA382Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT-502B · La Fora, Tiquisate, GuatemalaNTSB ERA11FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Westbrook, CTA total loss of engine power during approach due to inadequate torque on the No. 3 cylinder hold-down nuts.