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 CHI07FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Lawrenceville, ILThe improper judgment by the pilot to conduct a flight to, and execute an approach to, an airport with weather conditions that were below the required minimums. Also causal was the pilot's continued descent below the approach minimum descent altitude.…NTSB ATL07FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Statesville, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering with a low ceiling in instrument flight conditions, resulting in an inadvertent stall, and collision with trees and the ground. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to follow the published…NTSB DEN07WA016Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCASA C-212-CE · Skanoer, SwedenNTSB WAS07WA003Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna 425 · Tulear, MadagascarNTSB SEA07FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Escalante, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night and in rainy weather.NTSB LAX07FA021Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Meadview, AZThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and continued flight into forecasted icing conditions. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's failure to follow proper operating procedures and deploy the CAPS when the airplane entered a spin.…NTSB NYC07LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBishop Bakeng Duce · South Boston, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing was the deteriorating weather and diminishing light conditions, the pilot's decision to take off despite the weather advisory, and the pilot's…NTSB LAX07LA017Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWilson Quicksilver Sport 2S · Buckeye, AZFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles.NTSB DFW07FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28C · Georgetown, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which led to an aerodynamic stall. A contributing factor was the dark night.NTSB DFW07FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Dry Prong, LAThe loss of engine power during cruise flight due to oil starvation, resulting in an emergency off-airport forced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the instructor's improper in-flight decision in delaying to seek an emergency landing site…NTSB ATL07FA010Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182T · Rocky Mount, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB MIA07LA009Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMike Smilee CGS Hawk II Arrow · Crystal Springs, FLThe failure of the non-rated pilot to maintain airspeed. A finding in the accident was a malfunction of the ignition switch.NTSB WAS07WA001Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-140 · Petrusburg, South AfricaNTSB NYC07FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Odenton, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during the approach. Contributing was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land the airplane after being informed by air traffic control that he was not operating in compliance with the ADIZ…NTSB LAX07FA012Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-42 · Prescott, AZThe failure of the pilot following a jet aircraft to maintain adequate separation from the high velocity jet core exhaust. The separation of the T-tail upper section vertical stabilizer of the following aircraft due to contact with the high velocity jet core…NTSB DEN07WA012Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech 90 · Besancon, FranceNTSB DFW07WA005Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32 · Alava, SpainNTSB NYC07LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlynn William Pazmany PL-4 · Fredricksburg, VAThe pilot's intentional low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with terrain.NTSB DFW07FA004Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 690A · Antlers, OKThe pilot's failure to reduce airspeed while operating in an area of moderate turbulence, resulting in an in-flight break up. Contributing factors were the pilot's decision to exceed the maximum takeoff weight, and the prevailing turbulence.NTSB NYC07FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau Gmbh 300 · Culpeper, VAThe pilot’s disorientation while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in the airplane’s inadvertent impact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overuse of prescription medication.NTSB MIA07WA006Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200 · Victoria, BrazilNTSB DFW07WA002Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Sosua, Dominican RepublicNTSB DCA07MA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCirrus Design SR-20 · Manhattan, NYC, NYThe pilots' inadequate planning, judgment, and airmanship in the performance of a 180º turn maneuver inside of a limited turning space.NTSB WAS07WA002Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech V35 · Himeville, South AfricaNTSB DCA07WA002Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBritish Aerospace BAe-146-200A · Stord-Sorstokke, NorwayNTSB NYC07FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Brownsville, PAA loss of aircraft control, for unknown reasons, while maneuvering.NTSB ATL07FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-19A · Gunthertown, ALThe pilot's continued flight from VMC into IMC conditions which resulted in an in-flight collision with rising terrain.NTSB SEA07FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Sumner, WAThe complete loss of engine power, for undetermined reasons, while on final approach, and the pilot's loss of control of the helicopter after the power loss. Factors include a lake below the final approach to the private landing pad.NTSB LAX07LA003Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUlfeldt Kitfox IV-1200 · Gridley, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while attempting a return to runway maneuver that led to a stall spin. The reason for the power loss was not ascertained.NTSB ATL07FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Stockbridge, GAThe pilot's attempted takeoff over the allowable takeoff gross weight of the airplane and his failure to maintain airspeed during climb after takeoff.NTSB DEN07FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Tucumcari, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aerobatic flight, resulting in an inadvertent accelerated stall. Contributing factors include the low altitude for recovery from the loop and the high density altitude.NTSB DCA06RA076Accident · 154 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-800 · Azevedo, BrazilNTSB DFW06LA216Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeber Venture · El Paso, TXThe aircraft's inadequate landing gear design, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose-over. A factor was the owner/builder's failure to incorporate modifications to the landing gear.NTSB NYC06FA230Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Lake City, FLA loss of control during an unintentional takeoff for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX06FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Sedona, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain while maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain in a high density altitude environment.NTSB CHI06FA269Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Cumberland, WIThe pilot's inadvertent attempt to land on water with the wheels down and his failure to verify the gear position prior to landing. Contributing factors were the inoperative gear system due to the open gear selector circuit breaker, which tripped for…NTSB ANC06WA139Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 204B · Stony Rapids, CanadaNTSB ATL06FA129Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Alabaster, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering toward an emergency landing area following the total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and collision with the ground, and a fence. A…NTSB MIA06WA138Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 · San Vicente, ColombiaNTSB DEN06WA133Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Bad Schwartau, GermanyNTSB CHI06LA268Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWindler Tri Q2 · Branson, MOFatigue failure, originating in an area of surface corrosion, of the right elevator mid span hinge pin and the subsequent failure of the elevator torque tube. Additional causes are the separation of the elevator from the airframe due to the hinge pin and…NTSB CHI06FA264Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-95-B55 · N. Sioux City, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight, and subsequent inadvertent flat spin from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident were clouds, turbulence, and rain showers.NTSB ANC06FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Kodiak, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent. Factors associated with the accident were the inadvertent stall and wind gusts.NTSB SEA06LA184Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportShimer One Design · Lake Wales, FLThe loss of control for an undetermined reason during the landing roll.NTSB NYC06LA227Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Trikes Tourist · Middlebury, VTA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI06WA280Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGuscott VariViggen · Plaster Rock, CanadaNTSB ANC06FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Skwentna, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. A factor associated with the accident was a low cloud ceiling.NTSB DFW06WA211Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46-310P · Toluca, MexicoNTSB DEN06FA132Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Telluride, COThe pilot's inadvertent flight into mountain wave turbulence resulting in the airplane's loss of control and subsequent impact into mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the mountain wave turbulence and high winds.NTSB DEN06FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Maybell, COThe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making resulting in an inadvertent encounter with severe icing conditions during cruise flight and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to obtain a weather…