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 DCA07WA024Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCirrus Design SR20 · Greenland, GreenlandNTSB CHI07LA062Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHallburg Amphibian S21D · Grinnell, IAThe inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot in command and the fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. An additional cause was the inadequate forced landing procedure. A contributing factor was the tailwind.NTSB ATL07FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Bessemer, ALThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX07WA084Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172RG · Nadi, FijiNTSB ATL07FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Haddock, GALoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN07FA054Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Centennial, WYthe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's improper preflight planning and decision making, the pilot's spatial disorientation, the pilot's lack of night…NTSB DEN07FA053Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Waltman, WYthe pilot's continued visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper preflight and…NTSB NYC07FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Wayne, NJThe pilot's failure to comply with the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB MIA07FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPartenavia P 68C · Adjuntas, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons during a normal descent under instrument meteorological and dark night conditions.NTSB LAX07MA069Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the second pilots inadequate preflight, failure to properly secure the front baggage door, and the front…NTSB MIA07RA034Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGates Learjet 24F · Guadalajara, MexicoNTSB DFW07FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Jackson, MSThe pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC07FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Kenai, AKThe total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the disintegration of engine bearings and the fracture of a connecting rod, which resulted in a ditching into ice covered ocean water. Factors contributing to the survivability of the accident were…NTSB NYC07FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Jamestown, NYThe pilot's incorrect selection of the right engine fuel selector position, which resulted in fuel starvation of the right engine, a loss of the right engine's power, and a loss of control during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's…NTSB ANC07WA012Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech A-100 · Sandy Bay, CanadaNTSB WAS07WA007Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Selous, TanzaniaNTSB DEN07FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Manzanola, COthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, self-induced…NTSB ATL07FA031Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Columbia, SCThe pilot's failure to follow approach procedures by descending below the prescribed descision height altitude resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground. This report was modified on January 25, 2008.NTSB DFW07FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Batesville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees. A contributing factor to the accident was the prevailing low ceilings.NTSB DFW07FA049Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Armstrong, TXThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the clouds. low ceilings, and the pilot's limited night and instrument experience.NTSB CHI07FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Washington, INThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while attempting to return to the departure airport for undetermined reasons after takeoff. The intervening tree line was a contributing factor.NTSB DCA07RA019Accident · 102 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-400 · Makassar, IndonesiaNTSB NYC07FA052Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Charlotte, NCThe pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX07LA067Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · San Diego, CAThe pilot's improper use of the throttle and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CHI07LA051Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Romeo, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and proper rate of descent during the VOR approach. Factors associated with the accident were the low cloud conditions and moderate to heavy rain.NTSB SEA07LA040Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTessier Avid Flyer · Hillsboro, ORThe loss of engine power during maneuvering flight due to carburetor icing, and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the ambient weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing and fog.NTSB DFW07WA054Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSabreliner NA-265T39 · Culiacan, MexicoNTSB DEN07WA041Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-161 · Cantal Region, FranceNTSB CHI07FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20F · Mt. Gilead, OHBoth the pilot-in-command/aircraft owner and the flight instructor failed to recover from the stall and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to maintain stall speed which resulted in the…NTSB NYC07FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Johnstown, PAThe pilot's improper decision to abort the landing with a damaged airplane. Contributing to the accident were the damage from the airplane's impact with the runway, the pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to the landing attempt, and the in-flight…NTSB CHI07FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International 114 · Jasper, TNThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude due to excessive airframe ice accretion, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Additional causes were the pilot's continued flight in icing conditions once they had been encountered, and his…NTSB ATL07FA030Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Lawrenceville, GAThe pilot's failure to follow the instrument approach procedure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's descent below the prescribed decision height altitude.NTSB CHI07FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Chattanooga, TNThe pilot's reported spatial disorientation which lead to not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain and not obtaining/maintaining a proper climb rate during the missed approach. Factors were the night, the clouds encountered on approach, and trees.NTSB MIA07FA029Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Greenhead, FLThe pilot-in-command's improper planning/decision and continued flight into known adverse weather which resulted in an encounter with a level 5 thunderstorm.NTSB LAX07FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bridgeport, CAThe pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.NTSB ATL07FA029Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Charleston, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a turn from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the impairment of the pilot due to the combination of drugs found in his toxicological report.NTSB LAX07FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CAThe inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.NTSB LAX07FA059Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Concord, CAFailure of the pilot to follow the prescribed instrument approach procedures and to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the airport environment that led to a stall.NTSB LAX07FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Young, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during cruise flight while flying at night at an altitude to remain clear of clouds and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident were an inadequate weather evaluation, the clouds, icing conditions, and…NTSB DFW07FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Austin, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while executing an instrument approach for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW07FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Fayetteville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles. Contributing factors were the below approach/landing weather minimums, and the prevailing dark night conditions.NTSB SEA07FA035Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D95A · Gilroy, CAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CHI07FA041Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Bucyrus, OHThe inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during cruise flight while inadvertently entering an area of icing and his exceeding the design limits of the airplane during the subsequent descent. Factors were the reported icing weather present aloft, the…NTSB DFW07FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Jay, OKThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's improper decision to extend the landing gear for the water landing. Contributing factors were the prevailing night conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB WAS07WA005Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310Q · Mbeya, TanzaniaNTSB DFW07WA040Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-220T · Cadiz, SpainNTSB NYC07FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Dagsboro, DEThe pilot's improper decision to depart under visual flight rules into night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the fog and the dark night conditions.NTSB NYC07FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Montgomery, NYImproper maintenance performed on the airplane by maintenance personnel, and the failure of the mechanic with an inspection authorization (IA) to verify the maintenance work performed, which resulted in a reverse elevator trim system, and subsequent loss of…NTSB ANC07FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Port Heiden, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent, and an in-flight collision with snow-covered terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's spatial disorientation, and dark night…NTSB SEA07FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bandon, ORThe loss of aircraft control in the traffic pattern for undetermined reasons.