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 SEA06FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Carson, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Icing conditions, clouds and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather were factors.NTSB ANC06FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39MS · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's failure to follow published instrument landing procedures and his descent below approach minimums during an IFR circle to land approach, which resulted in the airplane striking the ocean and a loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the…NTSB SEA06MA047Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Carlsbad, CAThe captain's delayed decision to execute a balked landing (go-around) during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident include the captain's improper decision to land with a tailwind, his excessive airspeed on final approach, and his failure to…NTSB CHI06LA071Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVillarubia RV-6 · Decatur, NEAn inflight collision with the terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA06WA046Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Port Alberni, CanadaNTSB DFW06WA086Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBrantly Helicopter B-2B · Googlong, NSW, AustraliaNTSB CHI06LA070Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Harrison, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.NTSB LAX06WA093Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · McArthur Rive M, AustraliaNTSB LAX06FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Big Pine, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude during a cruise descent that resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Factors in the accident were the rising mountainous terrain, the dark nighttime lighting condition.NTSB WAS06WA007Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Cape Point, South AfricaNTSB SEA06WA045Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationEADS Socata TB-20 Trinidad · Bourdeau, FranceNTSB DFW06FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-524 · El Paso, TXthe mechanic's failure to maintain proper clearance with the engine intake during a jet engine run, and the failure of contract maintenance personnel to follow written procedures and directives contained in the airline's general maintenance manual. Factors…NTSB WAS06WA006Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Mariental, NamibiaNTSB ATL06WA036Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech D35 · Tierra Blanca, Costa RicaNTSB LAX06FA089Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Visalia, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's impairment due to his prolonged use of a highly sedating over-the-counter sleep aid…NTSB CHI06FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Pierre, SDThe loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb due to the pilot's failure to correctly position the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.NTSB LAX06FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Lancaster, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, and, the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. A factor in the accident was the strong tailwind encountered as the airplane turned from an upwind to a downwind…NTSB LAX06FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Mammoth Lakes, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall/spin.NTSB SEA06FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Burlington, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain the published minimum descent altitude and not adhering to the published missed approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings and…NTSB SEA06FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · North Plains, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, resulting in a stall-spin and uncontrolled descent to ground impact. A contributing factor was the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's…NTSB DFW06WA052Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95B55 · Piedras Negras, VenezuelaNTSB MIA06WA038Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172RG · Mendoza, ArgentinaNTSB SEA06FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-A33 · Heber City, UTThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors were low ceilings, snow, and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC06WA052Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRaytheon HS-125-700 · Kharkiv, UkraineNTSB MIA06FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grand Ridge, FLThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, and his impairment, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain during cruise flight.NTSB LAX06WA077Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206 · Brisbane, AustraliaNTSB ATL06FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Peachtree City, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while performing an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ANC06LA015Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Seward, AKThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with low ceilings, turbulence, and downdrafts in cruise flight, and the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight…NTSB NYC06FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D55 · Dawson, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and loss of control while circling to land. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and weather…NTSB DEN06FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Heber, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain. Contributing factors included the pilot's lack of night flying experience and the dark night.NTSB LAX06FA075Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Valley Center, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb, resulting in a stall/spin. While the laboratory tests indicated the presence of an unknown biological contaminant in the fuel manifold…NTSB CHI06FA057Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · La Vista, NEThe non-instrument rated pilot not maintaining aircraft control and not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain during takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were the low ceilings, night conditions present, and the pilot's…NTSB ATL06FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Sylva, NCThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions resulting in a collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX06FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · Truckee, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in a steep turn close to the ground.NTSB MIA06WA035Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · South Caicos, Turks & Caicos IslandsNTSB LAX06FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369FF · Lihue, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in external load operations.NTSB DFW06LA041Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 (PT17) · Fort Worth, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factors were the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the low altitude maneuver.NTSB LAX06LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hopland, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the low clouds.NTSB MIA06WA036Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-260 · Cali, ColombiaNTSB DEN06LA026Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSyracuse Kitfox · Niwot, COThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of aerobatic experience.NTSB LAX06FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 36 · Livermore, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain the appropriate glidepath alignment during an instrument landing system approach, resulting in collision with terrain. A contributing factor to the accident was the failure of the air traffic controllers to issue a minimum safe…NTSB LAX06LA064Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Gilroy, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low…NTSB NYC06WA046Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationMitsubishi MU-2B-36 · Terrace, BC, CanadaNTSB CHI06WA047Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · Coupar Angus, United KingdomNTSB DCA06MA010Accident · 20 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGrumman G-73T · Miami, FLThe in-flight failure and separation of the right wing during normal flight, which resulted from (1) the failure of the Chalk's Ocean Airways maintenance program to identify and properly repair fatigue cracks in the right wing and (2) the failure of the…NTSB MIA06LA041Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · St. Augustine, FLThe loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an emergency descent and ditching. Factors contributing to the survivability of the accident were the low ceilings and rough water.NTSB SEA06LA029Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Butte, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during low-level maneuvering at night. Factors included the pilot’s improper in-flight decision to continue into an area that was forecasted to possibly contain snow, fog, and low ceilings. Additional…NTSB LAX06FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Hana, HICollision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX06LA058Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Dixon, CAthe pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and failure to maintain obstacle clearance with a high tension static line. The glare from the setting sun was a factor.NTSB DEN06FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Pinon, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.