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 CEN09LA277Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Surrey, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an abrupt pull-up maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynammic stall at low altitude.NTSB DCA09WA060Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Kwilu, Bandundu, Congo - KinshasaOn April 29, 2009, about 0800 UTC, TL-ADM, a Boeing 737-200, operated by Bako Air of the Central African Republic, a ferry flight, crashed at the locality of Massamba, District of Kwilu, province of Bandundu, Democratic Republic of Congo. All seven occupants…NTSB ERA09WA279Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCirrus Design SR22 · Mt. Ainos, GreeceNone.NTSB CEN09FA267Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Mayfield Village, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention to basic aircraft control while attempting to program the…NTSB ERA09FA273Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExplorer Aeronautique Ecoflyer · Lebanon, NYThe in-flight separation of the left wing due to failure of one of the inboard attachments to the fuselage.NTSB WPR09GA216Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLockheed P2V-7 · Stockton, UTThe flight crew's failure to maintain terrain clearance during low altitude flight in low ceiling and visibility conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's failure to adequately monitor their location with respect to the rising terrain…NTSB CEN09LA266Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcgrath Robert F Sonex · Louisville, OHThe pilot's failure to assure an adequate fuel level which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds and the pilot's loss of aircraft control during the forced landing.NTSB WPR09LA222Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportValentin Taifun 17 E II · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a canyon.NTSB ERA09LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKeeley/Tidd MK-1 · Demopolis, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a complete loss of engine power resulting in a stall while maneuvering to land. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.NTSB ERA09LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Pinehurst, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLaseure Sonerai II · Grantsburg, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the degraded engine performance.NTSB CEN09LA262Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCapra, Salvatore O Aventura 2 · Des Allemands, LAThe pilot’s failure to achieve adequate altitude and airspeed before beginning a downwind turn after takeoff.NTSB WPR09LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra EA-300 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.NTSB CEN09LA255Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWhitehead Titan · Slaughter, LAThe pilot's incorrect use of pitch control, resulting in induced pitch oscillations and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's total lack of experience in aircraft make/model, and his lack of recency of experience.NTSB WPR09LA202Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander Thomas P Sportsman GS-2 · El Dorado HIlls, CAThe in-flight separation of the elevator control torque tube rod end bearing from the elevator torque tube as a result of incorrectly tightened rod end bearing lock nuts.NTSB WPR09FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · San Jose, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering within a canyon in mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB ERA09LA250Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGladstone Kitfox · Dubre, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA09WA253Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Canaima, VenezuelaNone.NTSB ERA09FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Oakland Park, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and secure the right engine during an emergency return to the airport after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was an in-flight fire of the right engine for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09WA241Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Concepcion, BoliviaOn April 11, 2009, at 2305 universal coordinated time (1905 local time), a Cessna 210M, Bolivian registration CP-1373, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after taking off from Concepcion Airport (SLCP), Concepcion, Bolivia. The certificated…NTSB ERA09IA240Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportBeech B200 · Fort Myers, FLThe pilot’s abnormal heart rhythm resulting in incapacitation.NTSB WPR09FA192Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN09FA243Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEngineering and Research 415C · Sandwich, ILThe pilot's failure to execute an immediate forced landing to a suitable field and the engine's partial loss of power for an undetermined reason.NTSB CEN09WA248Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Steep, United KingdomNTSB DCA09WA061Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR-22 · Tizintichka, MoroccoOn April 9, 2009, about 1030 UTC, a Cirrus SR-22, a personal flight, collided with high terrain at an elevation of about 6700 feet, at Tizintichka, Morocco. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane was on a VFR flight plan. The pilot and 3…NTSB DCA09WA043Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBAE Avro 146RJ · Wamena, Indonesia.NTSB CEN09FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Edinburg, TXA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to select a suitable alternate landing site.NTSB CEN09WA370Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS350B2 · Cubiri, MexicoOn April 8, 2009 at approximately 0800 pacific daylight time a Eurocopter single engine helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain after departing from the Culiacan International Airport, Sinaloa, Mexico. The mission was to take aerial photographs. Several…NTSB CEN09GA242Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 337 · Pittsville, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.NTSB ERA09FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-1B · Chesnee, SCA loss of engine power in flight due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate inflight fuel planning and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while descending for a forced landing.NTSB ERA09WA237Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34 · Valdivia, ChileNone.NTSB ERA09LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCurtiss Wright P-40N · Mastic Beach, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while performing aerobatics at low altitude.NTSB ERA09LA231Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHoward William C KR-2 · Valdosta, GAAn in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09LA230Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7HC · Centre, ALThe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during climb due to an improperly installed rudder pedal control tube.NTSB ERA09LA229Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGaynor Donald J RV6A · Englewood, FLThe pilot's operation of the airplane while impaired (alcohol) and his decision to attempt aerobatic maneuvers at a low altitude resulting in the loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with trees.NTSB WPR09FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-4-220C · Hungry Horse, MTThe pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of reduced visibility and snow showers during cruise flight, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.NTSB WPR09FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Sherwood, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB CEN09WA240Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSchweizer 269C · Kilshanchoe, IrelandThis is under the jurisdiction and control of the Irish government.NTSB CEN09FA230Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337C · Stillwater, OKThe total loss of dual engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.NTSB ERA09FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Lexington, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA09WA067Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Kahramanmaras City, TürkiyeOn March 25, 2009, an Bell 206, registration TC-HEK, crashed in mountainous terrain near Kahramanmaras City, Turkey. The pilot and five passengers onboard were fatally injured and aircraft was destroyed. The investigation is being conducted by the Turkish…NTSB DCA09RA041Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMcdonnell Douglas MD11 · Narita, JapanOn March 23, 2009, at 0649 local time, a FedEx Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) MD-11 crashed upon landing at Narita International Airport (NRT), Narita, Japan. The flight originated at Guangzho Baiyun International Airport (CAN), Guangzho, China. Both pilots were…NTSB WPR09MA159Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Butte, MT(1) the pilot's failure to ensure that a fuel system icing inhibitor was added to the fuel before the flights on the day of the accident; (2) his failure to take appropriate remedial actions after a low fuel pressure state (resulting from icing within the…NTSB WPR09FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Corona, CAThe pilot did not maintain airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.NTSB WPR09LA153Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHowes RV-6 · Paulden, AZA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of a leak from the inadequate weld repair of a high-pressure oil line. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering that resulted in a stall during an…NTSB ERA09WA218Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-200 · Quito, EcuadorNone.NTSB WPR09FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180F · Townsend, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR09FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-236 · Pomona, CAThe pilot's spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in a loss of control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.NTSB ERA09LA198Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcNear Explorer Coupe · Okeechobee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the gyrocopter while taxiing for takeoff.NTSB CEN09RA205Accident · 17 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S-92A · St. John's, Newfoundland, CanadaNot required for RA.