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 ANC07WA065Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS 350-B2 · Bernick Lake, CanadaNTSB NYC07LA155Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau Speed Astir II · Centre Hall, PAThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the glider for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI07FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Conway, ARThe pilot's failure to fly a stabilized approach and his delayed decision to abort the landing. Contributing to the accident was the standing water on the runway.NTSB SEA07FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Cashmere, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on final approach. A contributing factor was the sun glare.NTSB NYC07WA153Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationHughes MD369 · Ayapel, ColombiaNTSB DCA07WA054Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · M'banza Congo, AngolaNTSB CHI07FA183Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-500TP · Wellsville, MOThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat as per the checklist, resulting in erroneous airspeed information due to pitot tube icing, and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's continued flight in…NTSB DEN07LA108Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchwarz RV-6A · Greeley, COthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CHI07FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Colona, ILThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC07LA148Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSyracuse Vans RV-4 · Wallkill, NYThe pilot's improper decision to attempt low altitude aerobatics, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the aerobatics, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.NTSB ANC07FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Wasilla, AKThe flight instructor's failure to adequately supervise the private pilot (dual student), and his delayed go-around during approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the dual student's misjudged distance/altitude.NTSB SEA07LA177Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Price, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines while on a night straight-in visual flight rules approach. Factors include a power transmission line about one and three-tenths mile off the approach end of the runway, and the pilot's…NTSB NYC07LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 8GCBC · Sanford, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his excessive pitch attitude while maneuvering.NTSB CHI07FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Cannon Falls, MNThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientaton and loss of control.NTSB NYC07FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Hiddenite, NCCarburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Also causal, was the pilots' failure to maintain airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW07WA141Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 337G · Moixent, SpainNTSB LAX07LA148Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHill Europa XS · Livermore, CAthe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during the initial climb, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting a return to runway maneuver, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB DEN07FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Placitas, NMthe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain separation, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. A contributing factor was the mountainous terrain.NTSB DCA07WA049Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206F · Chelinda, MalawiNTSB SEA07LA158Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportShepard Lancair Propjet · Portland, ORThe loss of airplane control during climb for an undetermined reason.NTSB DFW07WA137Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · San Luis Gonzag, MexicoNTSB SEA07FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.NTSB ATL07LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGordon R Smith Sea Rey · Port St. Joe, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout and his improper decision to conduct a low altitude maneuver.NTSB DFW07WA135Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 · Guipuzcoa, SpainNTSB SEA07FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 (205) · Quilcene, WAThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident included the low clouds which obscured the rising, mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA07WA105Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L-3 · Simiti, Bolivar, ColombiaNTSB CHI07LA162Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Watford City, NDThe agricultural pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines. The power lines were a contributing factor in the accident.NTSB NYC07FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Canton, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CHI07MA160Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 550 · Milwaukee, WIThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilots’ mismanagement of an abnormal flight control situation through improper actions, including failing to control airspeed and to prioritize control of the…NTSB NYC07WA129Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Kashira, RussiaNTSB DFW07WA133Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172P · Meranges, SpainNTSB NYC07WA142Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Teramo, ItalyNTSB ANC07WA041Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 412SP · Nakatsugawa, JapanNTSB SEA07GA142Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportChristen Industries A-1 · Loa, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during low altitude maneuvering flight that resulted in a stall. The pilot's decision to operate the airplane at a center of gravity beyond the rear limit, the low altitude of the flight, and the high…NTSB DFW07LA124Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAdams RV-6A · Boerne, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain the best angle of climb speed resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.NTSB SEA07LA135Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Columbus, MTThe fatigue failure of a turbine blade due to a localized over-temperature of the turbine section as result of a non-uniform fuel distribution by the fuel nozzle. Contributing to the accident was the close proximity of a power line support structure which…NTSB SEA07FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Wilbur, WAIn-flight collision with terrain shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI07LA157Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPurvis Rans S6S · Newark, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in inadequate airspeed and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper installation of the altimeter and airspeed indicator which rendered them inoperative…NTSB MIA07LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Hayden, ALThe student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, following a bounced landing.NTSB NYC07FA126Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC42-550FG · Burnsville, NCThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with several parked airplanes.NTSB LAX07LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSkygear Skygear · Chino, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW07LA120Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Leeville, LAThe failure of the operator of the powerboat to maintain separation from the departing floatplane.NTSB NYC07LA124Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman A75N1 · Charleston, SCAn in-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN07WA093Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGrumman American AG-5B · Fulda-Jossa, GermanyNTSB SEA07LA249Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Pinecliff, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Factors include the mountainous terrain, low ceilings, and trees in the area where the pilot was maneuvering.NTSB DFW07GA119Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Elizario, TXThe pilot's encounter with a vortex ring state and his inability to maintain control of the helicopter.NTSB CHI07LA150Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWood Vans RV7A · Marysville, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object during a go-around and subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed. An airport sign and an inadvertent stall were factors.NTSB SEA07LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSIAI-Marchetti FN-333 · Minden, NVThe loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector and failure to select a tank containing fuel.NTSB CHI07LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThrush S2RHG-T65 · Tyndall, SDThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from a powerline while maneuvering. A factor was the low visibility associated with the thunderstorm and the powerlines.NTSB SEA07LA126Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Pahrump, NVThe loss of engine power due to fuel contamination followed by the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight and an inadequate 100-hour maintenance inspection by other maintenance…