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 LAX07FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · S. Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/decision, and his failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff-initial climb. Contributing to the accident were turbulence, downdrafts, and rising terrain.NTSB CHI07WA257Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-140 · Sandown, United KingdomNTSB ATL07LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Lovell, METhe pilot's failure to retract the amphibious floatplane's landing gear during a water landing.NTSB WAS07WA013Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 412 EP · Eket, NigeriaNTSB CHI07WA256Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Lancastershire, United KingdomNTSB SEA07FA223Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Easton, WAThe pilot's improper planning/decision in attempting a downwind takeoff under high density altitude conditions that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the helicopter's gross weight in excess of the maximum…NTSB DFW07WA176Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-38-112 · Madrid, SpainNTSB LAX07WA239Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRockwell 500S · Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaNTSB SEA07FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Tonasket, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during initial climb following an aborted landing that resulted in a stall/spin. The pilot's misjudged speed and distance that resulted in a failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a factor.NTSB DEN07WA129Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationStein Skybolt · Ardfert, IrelandNTSB SEA07LA217Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BF12 · West Linn, ORThe corrosion, fatigue fracture, and subsequent separation of the left wing lift strut attachment fitting. Also causal was the inadequate maintenance and annual inspection by the owner/pilot/mechanic.NTSB NYC07WA180Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Izhevsk, RussiaNTSB CHI07LA238Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSwanson Aventura II · Lakewood, WIThe pilot's excessive pull up, his not maintaining airspeed, and the inadvertent stall resulting in the loss of control. A factor contributing to the accident was the trees.NTSB CHI07LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportOpus Motorsports BD02 · Dayton, OHThe pilot not maintaining clearance from terrain during the aerobatic maneuver. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's restricted ability to see the terrain and the oil smoke present in the air show performer's box.NTSB LAX07MA231Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter AS350-B2 · Phoenix, AZBoth pilots' failure to see and avoid the other helicopter. Contributing to this failure was the pilots' responsibility to perform reporting and visual tracking duties to support their station's ENG operation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of…NTSB CHI07FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeck P-51A · Oshkosh, WIThe P-51A pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain clearance from the P-51D. Contributing factors to the accident included the restricted forward visibility of the P-51A, the air race team representative's inadequate flight brief, the…NTSB NYC07LA177Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-23 · Science Hill, KYA loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.NTSB NYC07FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150B · Campbellton, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB NYC07LA174Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWolfe Titan · Surry, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.NTSB NYC07FA173Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Hammondsport, NYThe pilot's inadequate in flight decision and failure to maintain aircraft control during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were inadequate preflight planning, dark night and poor weather conditions.NTSB ANC07FA068Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's decision to continue under visual flight rules into an area of instrument metrological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the FAA's inadequate surveillance of the commercial air tour…NTSB LAX07TA227Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 205 A1++ · Happy Camp, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility…NTSB DEN07WA125Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationExpress Express 2000 ER · Basel, SwitzerlandNTSB DFW07WA166Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 Beta II · San Salvador, El SalvadorNTSB SEA07FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Cottage Grove, ORThe partial/momentary loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stall speed while maneuvering following the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB DFW07WA168Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-36TC · Tlajomulco, MexicoNTSB NYC07LA171Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMidget Mustang M-1 · Covode, PAA loss of engine power for undermined reasons.NTSB DFW07LA170Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHazen Fly Baby · Page, OKThe airplane's collision with wooded and mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA07RA059Accident · 199 fatalForeign investigationAirbus Industrie A320-233 · Sao Paulo, BrazilNTSB CHI07LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402A · Laurel, IAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance with the upsloping terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA07LA196Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American F-51D · Camarillo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.NTSB SEA07FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · New River, AZThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC and his ensuing failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight. Contributing factors were the cloudy weather and the dark night conditions.NTSB CHI07LA208Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Osceola, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during the aerial application flight. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the pilot's lack of experience in flying aerial application flights.NTSB SEA07FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK-55M · Everett, WAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inspection that led to oil exhaustion and a catastrophic engine failure. Also causal was the pilot's attempted operation of an aircraft with known deficiencies, and the lack of a current airworthiness inspection.…NTSB MIA07LA121Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G102 Astir CS · Unionville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX07FA219Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt low altitude flight operations into a box canyon in mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction, which led to an accelerated stall and spin.NTSB CHI07LA207Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Wyoming, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during the aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident were the power lines and the low altitude.NTSB ENG07WA039Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAerospatiale 350B1 · Ballynacally, County Clare, Republic of Ireland, IrelandNTSB NYC07MA162Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 310R · Sanford, FLActions and decisions by National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's corporate aviation division's management and maintenance personnel to allow the accident airplane to be released for flight with a known and unresolved discrepancy, and the accident…NTSB DFW07LA155Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-232 · Tunica, MSGorund service personal's removal of the portable stairway prior to the main cabin door being secured. Factors were the high winds and heavy rain.NTSB MIA07FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nichols, FLFailure of the flight crew to maintain minimal controllable airspeed following a total loss of power in the right engine.NTSB ATL07FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Tyringham, MAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control to appropriately issue weather information and initiate an in-flight deviation around known and clearly observed…NTSB NYC07FA159Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Brooks, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.NTSB LAX07FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCub Crafters CC11-100 · Aurora, ORThe airplane is missing.NTSB DFW07FA149Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 · Groesbeck, TXThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors were the pilot's perceived need to fly to home station and his lack of flight experience in actual instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DFW07WA159Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationNorth American T39A · Culiacan, MexicoNTSB DEN07WA113Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Inverin, IrelandNTSB CHI07LA195Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1C · Carrollton, OHThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from trees during cruise. Factors were the inadequate preflight planning, the thunderstorm in the area at the time of the accident, and the trees.NTSB CHI07LA191Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Johnson, NEThe failure of the left wing's lift strut, which resulted in the separation of the left wing, and the subsequent airplane control not being possible. Factors were the overdue annual inspection, the overdue compliance with an Airworthiness Directive on the…NTSB LAX07FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E90 · Carlsbad, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an instrument takeoff attempt. Contributing to the accident were fog, reduced visibility, and the low ceiling.