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 DFW08WA034Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV4 · Palencia, SpainNTSB ANC08WA016Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Golden, CanadaNTSB LAX08FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Cedar City, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the dark conditions.NTSB ANC08WA013Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22B · Yao-City, JapanNTSB ANC08WA012Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46 · Fairmont, CanadaNTSB LAX08LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Mustang II 17.5 · Tracy, CAFailure or disconnection of a wing support/brace assembly for undetermined reasons during an undetermined phase of flight.NTSB DEN08LA017Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Ventus B/16.6 · Salida, COThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CHI08FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Browerville, MNAn in-flight collision with at least one Canada goose, and the resulting damage to the left stabilator that caused the airplane to become uncontrollable. Contributing to the accident was the night lighting condition, which precluded any possibility of the…NTSB MIA08WA059Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Araya, VenezuelaNTSB DCA08WA010Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech A36 · Windhoek, NamibiaNTSB ANC08WA014Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34 · Vancouver, CanadaNTSB DFW08FA015Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Glenpool, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after departure, which resulted in a collision with power lines. A factor was the high winds.NTSB DEN08WA018Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationNorth American T-6G · Neuchatel, SwitzerlandNTSB NYC08FA012Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 560-F · Wiley Ford, WVA partial power loss in the right engine due to the failure of the number one exhaust valve, and the airplane's inability to maintain a climb on one engine for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident were fog and rising terrain. [This report was…NTSB NYC08WA014Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSullivan Lancair IV · Great Harbor, BahamasOn October 13, 2007, at 1036 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Lancair IV, N95HS, was destroyed when it encountered turbulence over Bahamian waters near Great Harbor Cay, Berry Islands. The certificated commercial pilot was presumed to be fatally…NTSB ANC08WA015Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Bamfield, CanadaNTSB NYC08WA013Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationHawker-Beechcraft BE-200 · Bogota, ColombiaNTSB 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 DCA08WA002Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGulfstream Aerospace Giib · Santo Domingo, VenezuelaNTSB CHI08LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Festus, MOThe pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight, fuel system water contamination and fuel starvation which resulted in a loss of engine power during landing approach. An additional cause was the emergency landing procedure not followed by the pilot following a loss…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 DFW08FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Castroville, TXLoss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.NTSB NYC08LA005Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPelt Mad Max II Special · Blacksburg, VAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was a lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB MIA08LA002Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Toughkenamon, PAThe reason for this accident is undetermined.NTSB MIA08FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Newton, GAThe failure of the right wing wooden spar due while the airplane was in cruise flight, due to the mechanic's inadequate annual inspection and his failure to comply with an airworthiness directive.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 DEN08FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon C90A · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, improper in-flight planning and decision making, the dark night, and the controller's failure to issue a safety…NTSB SEA08FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Crowley Ranch, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transmission line while maneuvering. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's diverted attention, and decision to maneuver at a low altitude.NTSB NYC08LA001Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLambert John G Varieze · Chesapeake, VAA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.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 ANC07FA109Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportHelio H-295 · King Salmon, AKA corrosion-induced fatigue fracture of the airplane's left wing to fuselage attachment cap fitting, which resulted in a partial separation of the left wing, and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB DCA07WA064Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationReims F406 · Entebbe, UgandaNTSB 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 DEN07FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Moriarty, NMthe instructor pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aborted landing and attempted go-around which resulted in an inadvertent elevator trim stall. Contributing to the accident were the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision during the…NTSB MIA07LA155Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Worthington, KYThe separation of the engine's No. 4 piston from the crankshaft for unidentified reasons and the pilot's continued operation with known equipment deficiencies.NTSB ATL07LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKolb MK II · Sweetwater, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during climb.NTSB ANC07FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Whittier, AKThe failure of the pilot's seat to engage, or remain engaged, and the pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during takeoff-initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to comply with an FAA AD regarding the pilot's seat rails.NTSB NYC07LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTemco GC-1B · New Smyrna Bch, FLA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which was the result of a blocked fuel tank vent.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 ANC07FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportShort Bros. SC-7 · McGrath, AKA collision with trees during takeoff-initial climb for an undetermined reason.NTSB DEN07WA164Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Airolo, SwitzerlandNTSB DCA07RA063Accident · 89 fatalForeign investigationBoeing MD-82 · Phuket, ThailandNTSB NYC07FA228Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Dallas, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise due to fuel contamination.NTSB DFW07LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMonocoupe 110SP · Utopia, TXThe pilot's loss of control while performing a low level inverted flight maneuver.NTSB DEN07FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEvektor-Aerotechnik a.s. SportStar · Erie, COThe flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff-initial climb to avoid a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning, his failure to calculate the airplane's weight and…NTSB SEA07FA264Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDeluca-Owl OR-71 · Reno, NVThe failure of the pilots of both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout and clearance from one another during a low altitude aerial race.NTSB SEA07FA263Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39C · Reno, NVThe pilot's encounter with wake turbulence while maneuvering over a race course. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude at which the encounter occurred.NTSB SEA07FA262Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36TC · Burlington, WAThe pilot's decision to descend below the published minimum descent altitude (MDA), and his failure to maintain clearance from vertical objects during an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, inadequate preflight planning, and…