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 DEN06GA128Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Fort Meade, FLA loss of power in the right engine while manuevering for reasons undetermined, and failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the airspeed below Vmc, and an altitude too low to afford a safe…NTSB NYC07WA089Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMD Helicopters MD-600N · Novokuznetsk, RussiaNTSB LAX06LA292Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G-103A Twin II Acro · Minden, NVThe inadequate pre-takeoff checks by the flightcrew that failed to detect that the spoilers were deployed during the takeoff and initial climb. Also causal was the inadequate supervision of the flight by the flight instructor.NTSB LAX06LA293Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · Clipper Mills, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from ingestion of marijuana.NTSB DEN06WA130Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22 Beta · St. Florian, AustriaNTSB CHI06LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarner Garner Falcon · Newton, IAAn inflight collision with terrain during an unknown phase of flight. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience.NTSB LAX06FA289Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Santa Maria, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.NTSB DFW06WA210Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech 35 · Ensenada, MexicoNTSB LAX06LA288Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Somis, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires.NTSB LAX06GA287Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportNorth American OV-10A · Porterville, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering over rising terrain in a box canyon. Also causal was the pilot's failure to adhere to procedures/directives regarding minimum altitude requirements.NTSB CHI06FA256Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Smithville, OHThe altitude/ clearance not maintained by the pilot during cruise flight.NTSB NYC06FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Penhook, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during climb, which resulted in exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane, and an in-flight breakup. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into…NTSB MIA06LA135Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Ocala, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb.NTSB NYC06LA214Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Shelby Gap, KYThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with mountainous terrain. A factor was the low ceiling.NTSB LAX06FA283Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337G · Prescott, AZA loss of power in the rear engine for undermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to promptly and correctly configure the airplane for single engine flight, and to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall mush.NTSB DFW06FA205Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE95 A-55 · McGregor, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control of the airplane.NTSB DEN06WA120Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBellanca 17-31 ATC · Neuwerk Island, GermanyNTSB DEN06MA119Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Argyle, FLthe pilot's inadvertent flight into thunderstorm activity that resulted in the loss of control, design limits of the airplane being exceeded and subsequent in-flight breakup. A contributing factor was the failure of air traffic control to use available radar…NTSB NYC06FA209Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401A · Whick, KYThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing was the instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX06LA275Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTerry Tevis RV-6A · Novato, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Rising terrain, fog and dark night conditions were factors.NTSB CHI06FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Indianapolis, INThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent spin. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, the overloaded condition of the airplane, and the CG aft of the CG limit.NTSB SEA06LA169Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCurtiss-Wright Travel Air C-4000 · Elmira, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stall speed (Vs) while turning to avoid trees along the side of the runway during the initial climbout after takeoff. Factors include, a variable wind that became a tailwind, and trees growing near the side of…NTSB DCA06MA064Accident · 49 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CRJ-100 · Lexington, KYthe flight crewmembers's failure to use available cues and aids to identify the airplane's location on the airport surface during taxi and their failure to cross-check and verify that the airplane was on the correct runway before takeoff. Contributing to the…NTSB NYC06MA208Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-40 · Bunnell, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms.NTSB DEN06LA118Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportScheibe Flugzeugbau SF-24A Motorspatz · Wichita, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the low airspeed and the inadvertent stall and spin.NTSB DEN06LA116Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBaker RV-3AB · Laramie, WYThe in-flight failure of the right wing spar during aerobatic flight. Contributing to the accident was the owner/operator's failure to comply with the service bulletin issued by the kit manufacturer.NTSB CHI06FA275Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Kulm, NDThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with a thunderstorm and his loss of aircraft control. A factor to the accident was the thunderstorm.NTSB CHI06LA243Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFrick Questair Q20 · Big Rapids, MIThe pilot's failure to ensure an adequate fuel supply, which resulted in the exhaustion of the fuel supply and the subsequent loss of engine power. The trees that the airplane struck during the forced landing were a factor.NTSB ANC06GA121Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEurocopter France AS350 B2 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the sling load during cruise flight, which resulted in the load becoming entangled in the tail rotor, and an in-flight loss of control.NTSB DEN06FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStallings VariEze · Loveland, COthe pilot's intentional aerobatics performed at low altitude, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's poor judgment.NTSB SEA06LA162Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKaman HH-43F · Metaline Falls, WAThe failure of the left-hand cross-shaft input internal spline while the helicopter was in a hover, which resulted in the loss of gear box timing, in-flight blade contact and separation, and the subsequent loss of control and impact with a log deck.NTSB LAX06LA266Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSaloff Sonerai Iilt · Williams, AZthe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control.NTSB ATL06FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Hartsville, SCThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.NTSB NYC06FA205Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportScheibe SF-28A · Canandaigua, NYThe private pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with trees. Factors were the FAA inspector's delayed remedial action, and his lack of experience in the make and model motorglider.NTSB LAX06LA264Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchifferer Breezy RLU-1 · Ramona, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff climb, that resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB ANC06WA120Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna 337 · Ft. Good Hope, CanadaNTSB CHI06FA232Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Sault Ste Marie, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the circling approach and his failure to perform a missed approach when the airplane was no longer in a position to land using normal flight maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB SEA06GA158Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's intentional low altitude flight and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude to clear the trees.NTSB SEA06FA159Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Warrenton, ORThe pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions while maneuvering which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain/water.NTSB NYC06WA202Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationLockheed L-100-30 · Piacenza, ItalyNTSB CHI06LA230Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDix Acro Sport II · Coldwater, MIThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the resulting forced landing which resulted in the inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with the ground. The rising terrain was a factor.NTSB MIA06WA128Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 207A · Puerto Ayacucho, VenezuelaNTSB LAX06LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Tucson, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering to reverse direction. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, that exceeded the helicopter's performance capability, and the rising mountainous…NTSB DEN06FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Salida, COthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographical area, his becoming lost/disoriented, his improper decision, the high density altitude, and the reduction in…NTSB LAX06LA255Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Chowchilla, CAThe pilot's loss of control while maneuvering resulting from an incapacitating physiological event.NTSB LAX06GA254Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAviation International Rotors CH-54A · Happy Camp, CAThe fatigue failure of tail rotor blade spindle, which resulted in the separation of the blade and tail rotor gearbox.NTSB NYC06MA192Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 110P1 · Pownal, VTThe pilot's misinterpretation of the airplane's position relative to the final approach fix, which resulted in the displacement of the descent profile by 6 nautical miles and the subsequent controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB LAX06FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Whitethorn, CAThe pilot's loss of situational awareness with regard to the airplane's proximity to mountainous terrain, and her failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude or flight path, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the terrain.NTSB DFW06LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Sumrall, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the partial loss of engine power and the low altitude.NTSB CHI06WA248Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBussey Express FT · Regina, SK, Canada