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 DEN06FA109Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Mosca, COa non-mechanical partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing factors in this accident were weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing and the pilot inadvertently flying…NTSB CHI06LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Underwood, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line during the aerial application flight.NTSB ATL06LA115Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcWhorter Skystar Vixen · Peachtree City, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering to reverse his direction following loss of engine power shortly after takeoff resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was a loss of engine power for…NTSB NYC06LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurleigh SeaRey · Ringoes, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors included a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN06FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 7KCAB · Winter Park, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's performance of a low altitude flight maneuver, an inadvertent stall/spin, and…NTSB CHI06FA224Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Legend AL11C · Chicago, ILThe failure of both pilots to assure that the fuel cap was securely in place prior to takeoff which resulted in fuel siphoning and untimately fuel exhaustion. An additional cause was the decision to fly over the lake outside of gliding distance to shore along…NTSB CHI06FA206Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman TBM-3 · Oshkosh, WIThe Avenger pilot's visual lookout was inadequate and he failed to maintain clearance from the RV-6. Contributing factors were the Avenger's restricted visibility and the RV-6.NTSB CHI06FA210Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-100 · Sullivan, MOthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of power in the right engine due to the fracturing of compressor turbine blades for undetermined reasons. Contributing to some parachutists' injuries was the lack of a more effective restraint system…NTSB ANC06FAMS1Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportAero Commander 690A · Anchorage, AKUndetermined; the airplane and its occupants are missing.NTSB LAX06LA246Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Kalaupapa, HILoss of aircraft control during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. Clouds, rain, and dark night conditions were factors.NTSB NYC06WA186Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28RT-201T · Guipuzcoa, SpainNTSB DFW06FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Newellton, LAThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms, the dark night conditions, and Air Traffic Control's failure to issue hazardous weather information to the pilot.NTSB SEA06FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSpectrum Aeronautical 33 · Spanish Fork, UTIncorrect installation by company maintenance personnel of the aft upper torque tube bell crank resulting in roll control that was opposite to that commanded in the cockpit. Contributing factors were the lack of maintenance documentation detailing the…NTSB CHI06FA184Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Brookville, INThe in-flight loss of engine power during cruise flight due to restricted fuel flow and the inadequate preflight the pilot performed. An additional cause was the trees.NTSB ATL06LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCanadair F86 · Hickory, NCThe pilot's improper assembly of the airplanes brakes, exceeding the authorized gross weight of the airplane at takeoff, and the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time to avoid an on-ground collision with fixed objects. A factor in the…NTSB ATL06LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArter RV6 · Hartselle, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with trees and the ground. Factor in the accident were the pilot's ostentatious display and impairment due to alcohol.NTSB LAX06FA243Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon G36 · Bullhead City, AZThe pilot's misjudged distance and speed that led to a long landing, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, all due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted…NTSB CHI06FA196Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportShaw Europa XS · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach which resulted in a stall.NTSB DEN06LA103Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-G10 · Dexter, NMThe pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane's propeller resulting in the propeller contacting the pilot and causing fatal injuries to the pilot.NTSB DFW06LA188Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Amarillo, TXThe loss of engine power as result of the failure by maintenance personnel to install oil pump support bushings, which resulted in the fracture of the driven-gear and subsequent loss of oil pressure. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for…NTSB DFW06FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Petal, MSThe pilot's improper use of flaps, which resulted in an impact with trees during takeoff-initial climb.NTSB CHI06FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Cresco, IAThe flight crew's inadequate aeronautical decision-making and poor crew resource management (CRM), including the inadequate use of the on-board sources (such as the flight management system and navigation charts), to get critical information about Ellen…NTSB DFW06FA186Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE58P · Jeanerette, LAThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather condition and his delayed attempt to abort the landing. A contributing factor was the prevailing thunderstorm.NTSB LAX06FA233Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-19 · Arcata, CAThe pilot's failure to follow the prescribed instrument approach procedure and to maintain the proper glide slope and altitude/clearance from obstacles while on an instrument landing system approach, resulting in a collision with trees. Contributing to the…NTSB DFW06FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Walnut Ridge, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the subsequent stall. Contributing factors were the low altitude and impairment due to drugs.NTSB SEA06FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley MK-58A Hunter · Hillsboro, ORLoss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons during the takeoff sequence.NTSB MIA06LA122Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 320E · Wimauma, FLPilot's inadequate preflight planning and exceeding the weight and balance limitations of the airplane.NTSB CHI06WA192Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46-310P · Marina di Campo, ItalyNTSB DEN06WA102Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna T310R · Saint Tropez, FranceNTSB CHI06LA190Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArmpriest Breezy · South Haven, MIThe inadvertent stall by pilot during climb following propeller blade damage from the compartment door separation after takeoff. The low altitude and airspeed not maintained by the pilot were additional causes. Contributing factors were the compartment door…NTSB NYC06LA179Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Pompton Lakes, NJImproper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing.NTSB DEN06WA098Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · El Rosario, SpainNTSB WAS06WA012Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationLockheed 382 C130 · Kigoma, TanzaniaNTSB SEA06FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Easton, WAThe loss of power in both engines for undetermined reasons while in cruise flight, leading to an attempted forced landing. Factors include unfavorable winds at the site of the forced landing, and trees off the approach end of the grass runway the pilot was…NTSB DFW06FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Virginia Beach, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing was the pilot's diverted attention to an open door.NTSB CHI06LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Steubenville, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the unmarked power line which resulted in the subsequent impact with the roadway. Factors were the unmarked power line, and the low altitude at which the flight was conducted.NTSB CHI06FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR-22 · Edgewater, MDThe pilot' failure to maintain sufficient airspeed which resulted in a stall. A factor was the pilots failure to properly set the flaps for the go-around.NTSB DFW06WA177Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182C · Tepic, MexicoNTSB DCA06RA055Accident · 124 fatalForeign investigationAirbus Industrie A310-300 · Irkutsk, RussiaNTSB DCA06RA053Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S61N · Tenerife, SpainNTSB ATL06FA102Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Suches, GAThe pilot's failure to retract the wing flaps and his decision to make a turn while performing a go-around.NTSB CHI06LA178Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoon Rans S-14 · Berlin, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC06FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Manley Hot Spng, AKThe pilot's continued cruise flight into known adverse weather conditions, his failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, and his exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break-up. Factors associated with…NTSB NYC06FA169Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Block Island, RIThe pilot's inadequate preflight decision making and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during departure. Contributing, were low ceilings, rain, and thunderstorms.NTSB NYC06LA171Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Monticello, KYThe misplaced parachute suspension line, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB DEN06FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Montrose, COthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/decision by not having the airplane refueled prior to takeoff, and allowing the engine to be starved of fuel because he failed to switch the fuel selector valve. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's…NTSB NYC06LA165Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Sturgis, KYA total loss of engine power due to a leaking fuel pump gasket.NTSB DFW06FA173Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Owasso, OKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain, a residential street, for both takeoff and landing, which resulted in a collision with a static wire and terrain during takeoff-initial climb.NTSB SEA06LA134Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylor Royal T · Davenport, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, resulting in a collision with terrain.NTSB LAX06FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Somis, CAa ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.