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 CHI08FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 310N · Keflavík, IcelandThe reported loss of both engines' power during cruise for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA08LA072Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWooters Lancair ES · Albany, ORThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were inadequate planning/decision, icing conditions, and continued flight into known icing conditions.NTSB DEN08WA062Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206B · Totes Gebirge, AustriaOn February 8, 2008, at 0830 UTC, a Bell 206B, Austrian registration OE-XRH, serial number 2795, was destroyed when the helicopter struck a cableway cable while maneuvering in mountainous terrain, and subsequently impacted terrain in the vicinity of Totes…NTSB CHI08LA080Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Grand Meadow, MNThe pilot's continued visual flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB DFW08FA062Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter France AS350B2 · S. Padre Island, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the helicopter impacting the water. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, the low ceiling, dark night conditions, and…NTSB DFW08FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Baytown, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after flying into clouds.NTSB MIA08FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKaylor J E/Strahlmann R L RV-4 · Elkin, NCThe pilot's decision to attempt an aerobatic maneuver in close proximity to the ground.NTSB SEA08LA070Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKidd Chris Harmon ROC · Maricopa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering in mountainous, hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain, a low ceiling and gusty winds.NTSB LAX08FA058Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Cabazon, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance while en route. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.NTSB DFW08FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lindsay, OKThe flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.NTSB NYC08MA090Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Mount Airy, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to descend below the minimum descent altitude, and failure to follow the published missed approach…NTSB MIA08MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · West Gardiner, METhe pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control.NTSB NYC08LA087Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUnknown Free Bird Sportlite · McCullough, ALThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight prior to the airplane being properly inspected and certified.NTSB LAX08FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from transmission wires during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the dark night conditions.NTSB DEN08WA052Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58P · Cherbourg, FranceNTSB MIA08FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ochopee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were a tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.NTSB MIA08WA103Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 177B · Perugia, ItalyNTSB LAX08FA049Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Corona, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane.NTSB LAX08LA050Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creation Clipper · Green Valley, AZAn in-flight loss of control and an uncontrolled descent into terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA08WA031Accident · 13 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 200 · Huambo, AngolaOn January 19, 2008 at 0732 UTC, D2-FK, Beech 200, a charter flight, operated by Gira-globo Company, crashed in mountainous terrain near Huambo, Angola. The airplane crashed during an approach to land at Huambo Aerodrome. Instrument meteorological conditions…NTSB LAX08FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft V35B · Selma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in the in-flight break-up of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing factors included the pilot's impairment due to multiple medical conditions and due to recent use of alcohol.NTSB DFW08FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's failure to execute an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to recent use of over-the-counter medication.NTSB DFW08FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500B · Tulsa, OKThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation and the pilot exceeding the design/stress limits of the aircraft. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's reported gyro problem, the dark night conditions , and prevailing instrument…NTSB CHI08FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Beechcraft 58 · Cleveland, OHThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation during the inital climb causing him to lose control of the airplane.NTSB DCA08WA030Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90B · Port Said, EgyptOn January 15, 2008, at 1120 UTC, SU-ZAA, Beech C90B, a training flight, operated by the Nuclear Center Survey, crashed at Port Said Airport (HEP), Egypt. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and training pilot were fatally injured. The…NTSB SEA08FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Beechcraft 1900C · Lihue, HIThe pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness. Contributing to the accident were the dark night and the task requirements of simultaneously monitoring the cockpit instruments and the other airplane.NTSB NYC08WA082Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Treviso, ItalyNTSB MIA08FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Clearwater, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above the design gross weight.NTSB CHI08FA061Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Port Clinton, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during the landing approach.NTSB DFW08WA110Accident · 8 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 412HP · Puebla, MexicoOn January 11, 2008, at approximately 1500 central standard time a Bell helicopter model 412HP, serial number 36077 and Mexican registration XC-JCD, departed from an elevated soccer field near the police station at Tepango de Rodriguez for an approximate 70…NTSB DCA08WA027Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210M · Windhoek, NamibiaOn January 11, 2008 about 1625 UTC, Namibian registry V5-GWH, Cessna 210M, a charter flight, operated by Atlantic Aviation, reportedly lost engine power after takeoff from Eros Airport, Windhoek, Namibia; The airplane crashed in a residential area and struck…NTSB SEA08LA058Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCorsario MK-5 · Perris, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering.NTSB DEN08WA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206B · Zuzenhausen, GermanyOn January 7, 2008, at 0800 coordinated universal time, a Bell 206B, German registered D-HJET, owned by LGM Luftfahrtgesellschaft mbH and piloted by the accident pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Zuzenhausen,…NTSB ANC08MA038Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kodiak, AKThe failure of company maintenance personnel to ensure that the airplane's nose baggage door latching mechanism was properly configured and maintained, resulting in an inadvertent opening of the nose baggage door in flight. Contributing to the accident were…NTSB DFW08LA055Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Oklahoma City, OKThe line technician's failure to remain clear of the propeller. A factor was the night lighting conditions.NTSB NYC08FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Cherokee, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground-effect hover. Contributing to the accident was a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.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 LAX08WA045Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Westgate Bridge, AustraliaNTSB DFW08LA052Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlthouse RAF 2000 GTX · Crowley, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of rotor blade rigidity.NTSB DFW08FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L1 · Venice, LAThe pilot’s decision to continue to the destination landing platform in weather conditions below the company’s weather minimums and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach. Contributing to the passenger fatality and the severity of the…NTSB CHI08FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Traverse City, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during the instrument approach, which led to his loss of control and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB DFW08WA050Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Boquete, PanamaNTSB 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 CHI08FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Warrens, WIThe decision by the pilot to fly into known adverse weather, and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors include the clouds and the night conditions.NTSB CHI08FA053Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Springfield, ILThe loss of control during an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation.NTSB NYC08WA065Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR22 · Gurupi, BrazilNTSB DEN08WA042Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationReims F172 M · Chevroux, FranceNTSB DEN08LA040Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarniss Stol 701 · Mesilla, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an intentional low altitude maneuver due to impairment, resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB NYC08LA059Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWootton, John Aero Canard · Statesville, NCAn inadvertent opening of the canopy during takeoff.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.