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 SEA07FA246Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Alsea, ORTerrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering. A low altitude during the maneuver and hilly terrain were factors.NTSB NYC07FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Whitfield, ALThe pilot’s intentional flight into known thunderstorms.NTSB SEA07LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRose Peregrine · Reno, NVThe overspeed of the modified racing engine during takeoff that created an oil mist on the exhaust and smoke, and the pilot's failure to maintain a speed above stall speed (Vs) during his attempted emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB LAX07FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Joshua Tree, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during descent. Contributing to the accident were dark night conditions and mountainous terrain.NTSB DFW07FA198Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Hosston, LAThe in-flight separation of the main rotor mast while in cruise flight following a mast bumping event. The reason for the mast bumping event was not determined.NTSB MIA07FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Nokomis, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.NTSB DCA08WA009Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Johannesburg, South AfricaNTSB LAX07LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Ellensburg, WAThe passenger's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor disc while the helicopter was hovering. An uphill terrain condition was a factorNTSB DEN07WA159Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22 Beta · Buhl, GermanyNTSB ATL07FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Mansfield, MAThe pilot's improper use of wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the accident was the exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight.NTSB NYC07LA219Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Virginia Beach, VAThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to physiological incapacitation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to deny or restrict the pilot's medical certification, and the pilot's improper…NTSB NYC07FA217Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Syria, VAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the dark night conditions.NTSB CHI07FA290Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Kelleys Island, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the water and dark night conditions which resulted in the lack of ground references during the takeoff.NTSB SEA07FA277Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB-180 · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with downdrafts that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the downdrafts, high density altitude, and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC07LA212Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchrack Starduster Too · Verona, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI07FA286Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev Yak 52 · Lake-in-Hills, ILThe airplane descended and impacted terrain during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the soft, uphill terrain.NTSB NYC07LA210Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Hazleton, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CHI07LA288Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Union Star, MOThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the subsequent inadvertent stall while buzzing residences. Contributing to the accident was the pilot performing buzzing maneuvers.NTSB SEA07FA247Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair LC41-550FG · Kernville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed.NTSB NYC07CA215Accident · 1 fatalData collectionFinal reportEbersole Hummel Ultra Cruiser · Newry, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering.NTSB MIA07FA137Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Elizabethton, TNThe poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for flying towards rising terrain with inadequate clearance.NTSB LAX07FA258Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Cameron Park, CAThe airplane's sudden encounter with a wind shift during the initial takeoff climb that resulted in degraded climb performance and a stall mush condition. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's over gross weight condition, high density altitude, the…NTSB MIA07LA136Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportApollo North America Tundra · Zephyrhills, FLImproper in-flight maneuvering that resulted in the weight-shift-aircraft's design limits being exceeded, wing failure, and a loss of control.NTSB DEN07LA148Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportElliott Cirrus VK30 · Watrous, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing that resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the ruptured pressurized oil line.NTSB DEN07LA145Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAdams Airborne Australia O · Taos, NMThe pilot's intentional low altitude flight in a confined area and an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factors in this accident were the blind/box canyon and the aircraft's low airspeed.NTSB ATL07LA119Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P206 · Center Hill, FLThe pilot committed suicide. Contributing to the event was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.NTSB NYC07FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Westhampton, NYUndetermined. The airplane remains missing.NTSB DFW07IA193Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Colorado City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clear of the rotating propeller.NTSB DEN07WA147Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-39 · Vannes, FranceNTSB CHI07FA279Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 Trinidad · Pointe Aux Pins, MIUndetermined.NTSB MIA07WA135Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206G · Anaco, VenezuelaNTSB DEN07FA140Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Dayton, WYthe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain due to gusty wind conditions, and lee side turbulence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, and his failure to…NTSB ATL07LA116Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNiva Thorp T-18 · Wellington, FLA loss of engine power due to a partially blocked intake manifold and water contamination of the fuel.NTSB CHI07LA273Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTerpstra Exec 162F · Winamac, INThe inadequate installation of the horizontal stabilizer bracket by the pilot, the fatigue fracture seperation of vertical stabilizer bracket during cruise flight, and the aircraft control not possible by the pilot.NTSB CHI07LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportClifford Titan Tornado II · Henning, MNThe inadvertent stall and low airspeed while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude of the maneuver.NTSB ANC07MA083Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKAn inadvertent aerodynamic stall resulting from the pilot's poor decision-making and inadequate planning and execution when he took off toward nearby rising terrain, in strong winds, under circumstances where his options for maneuvering were severely limited…NTSB NYC07FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Rochester, NYThe pilot's failuire to maitain adequate airspeed during a turning maneuver which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW07WA188Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25-235 · Tamoyo, Dominican RepublicNTSB DFW07LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHuggles Sonex · Bonham, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane on take off, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB DEN07FA136Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZlin Aviation s.r.o. Savage · Mosquero, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the conflicting airspeed information provided by the manufacturer, the incorrect airspeed indicator markings, and the high density…NTSB ANC07FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-180C · Arctic Village, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall/spin while maneuvering.NTSB ANC07WA091Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR-22 · Spirit River, CanadaNTSB DFW08WA037Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Zihuatanejo, MexicoNTSB SEA07FA228Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210G · Lomita, CAThe loss of engine power during approach as a result of fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper pre takeoff fuel system selector valve positioning. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB SEA07FA231Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Ventus-CM · Benton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering and the inadvertent entry into a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the mountainous terrain conditions, unfavorable wind conditions, and the terrain-induced turbulent wind…NTSB CHI07LA260Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · West Bend, WIThe pilot's decision to depart in adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Contributing to the accident included the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his lack of recent night experience, the night conditions and…NTSB DEN08WA039Accident · 20 fatalForeign investigationde Havilland DHC6-33 · Moorea, French PolynesiaNTSB ATL07LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Leonardtown, MDThe pilot's inadequate performance planning and failure to abort the takeoff.NTSB DEN07MA134Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech E90B · Ruidoso, NMFailure to maintain clearance from terrain due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ANC07FA073Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Sitka, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/distance from obstacles during an IFR circling approach, and his failure to follow the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident was clouds.