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 ERA09LA193Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkholder Jimmy C Zodiac 601HD · Live Oak, FLThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09LA188Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMXR Technologies MX2 · Dade City, FLAn in-flight loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason.NTSB CEN09FA195Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-1B · Golden, NMThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's recent usage of alcohol and his subsequent impairment.NTSB ERA09WA223Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech A36 · Querencia, BrazilNoneNTSB ERA09FA185Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Carrollton, GAThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.NTSB CEN09FA193Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Moundridge, KSInflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09LA196Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFritz RV3-A · Greencastle, INA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent.NTSB WPR09LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Oceanside, CAA loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09LA184Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKevin Eldredge Stewart · Ocala, FLA loss of engine power due to contamination and clogging of the fuel system by a post-assembly fuel tank sealant.NTSB ERA09LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Glenn Moronca · Burgaw, NCA partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot's operation of the airplane with a deteriorated fuel tank.NTSB WPR09FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStephenson Zodiac 601 XL · Antelope Island, UTThe in-flight failure of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and the lack of aileron counterbalances.NTSB WPR09FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA-40 · Arcata, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and glidepath while executing a night instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue.NTSB ERA09WA180Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-100 · San Miguel, VenezuelaNone.NTSB WPR09FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Rio Linda, CAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB ERA09WA178Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Liquino, EcuadorNone.NTSB CEN09FA178Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Albany, LAThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation after an encounter with marginal VMC and/or instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt the flight with the preflight…NTSB WPR09LA130Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportToland S/Thornburgh J Twin 503SL · Torrance, CAThe passenger’s inadvertent activation of the engine throttle.NTSB ERA09LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ridgeland, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA09RA030Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationBoeing B737-800 · Amsterdam, NetherlandsOn February 25, 2009 at approximately 10:40 am local time, a Turkish Airlines B737-800 (registration TC-JGE), equipped with CFM engines, flight TK 1951, crashed during approach to Schipol Amsterdam Airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The flight originated…NTSB ERA09LA173Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369F · Moyock, NCThe flight instructor's failure to verify that the helicopter's skid was clear of an obstruction while demonstrating a one-skid and toe-in landing maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to practice this maneuver at an…NTSB CEN09WA174Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus Design SR 22 · Itzehoe, GermanyOn February 24, 2009, at 1600 coordinated universal time, a Cirrus Design Corporation SR22 , German registered D-EPDK, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Itzehoe Germany. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the…NTSB CEN09WA216Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Tocumen, PanamaThe investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Panama. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Direccion de Aeronautica Civil Apartados 7501 y 7615 Panama 5 http://www.aeronautica.gob.pa This report is for…NTSB ERA09FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Deltona, FLThe pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and both pilots'…NTSB WPR09FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, IDThe student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…NTSB CEN09WA176Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Island of Cebaco, PanamaNot Required. Investigation is being conducted by AAC, Panama.NTSB ERA09WA167Accident · 13 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Chanco, ChileNone.NTSB DCA09MA027Accident · 50 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier DHC-8-402 · Clarence Center, NYThe captain’s inappropriate response to the activation of the stick shaker, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the airplane did not recover. Contributing to the accident were (1) the flight crew's failure to monitor airspeed in relation to the…NTSB CEN09WA177Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationDassault Falcon · Samedan, SwitzerlandThis is under the jurisdiction and control of the Swiss government.NTSB CEN09FA164Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-A55 · Porter, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09WA163Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Budaors, HungaryN/aNTSB ERA09MA157Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Quebradillas, PRThe pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break up while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.NTSB ERA09WA166Accident · 24 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB110 · Coari, BrazilOn February 7, 2009, at 1810 universal time coordinates, an Embraer EMB 110P1, Brazilian registry PT-SEA, operated by Manaus Aerotaxi as a commuter flight, experienced an unknown problem after take-off from the Coari, Amazonas Airport (SWKO) in Coari, Brazil,…NTSB ERA09RA161Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 650 · Rome, ItalyNone.NTSB WPR09FA112Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Avalon, CAThe pilot’s failure to follow the published instrument departure procedures during the climb to cruise, and loss of control in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total experience in instrument…NTSB ERA09WA211Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R · Santo Antonio do Leverger, BrazilNone.NTSB ERA09LA152Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 -150 · Tallahassee, FLThe pilot's decision to initiate takeoff in close proximity to other vehicles which were operating on the runway resulting in collision with a vehicle during takeoff.NTSB CEN09FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Elbert, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR09FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Fillmore, CAAn in-flight break-up while maneuvering as a result of the main rotor blades diverging from the normal plane of rotation and severing the tailboom. The underlying reason for the main rotor divergence could not be determined.NTSB ERA09LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II Sport · Ellenboro, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during climbout. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model of the airplane.NTSB ERA09LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Moscow, TNThe pilot's initiation of a low altitude maneuver followed by an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB CEN09FA146Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Menomonie, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while flying at night in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA09FA145Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Huntington, WV(1) The pilot’s failure to perform adequate preflight planning and to use available in flight resources in a timely manner and (2) his decision to continue visual-flight-rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of an instrument…NTSB WPR09FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti SF-260C · Santa Monica, CAThe pilot’s failure to select the proper fuel tank for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting a return to runway maneuver.NTSB ERA09FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Moncks Corner, SCA loss of aircraft control during the landing approach for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09LA144Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCox William M Bearhawk · Anahuac, TXA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRemos Remos GX · Sebring, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight assembly and inspection which resulted in the pushrod connection to the left aileron not being connected, which led to a subsequent inflight loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR09FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot's loss of situational awareness and failure to maintain clearance from hilly terrain while flying in an area of a low cloud ceiling. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight due to a self-induced pressure.NTSB ERA09LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Monroe, NCThe pilot-rated-passenger’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during low-level maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.NTSB CEN09WA138Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-42-720 · Konigstein, GermanyThis is under the jurisdiction and control of the German Government.NTSB WPR09FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-400 · Volcano, HIThe pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.