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 LAX06FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Mammoth Lakes, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and, the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering following the loss of power, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CHI06FA043Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Arco, MNThe pilot's inadvertent cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft after experiencing spatial disorientation. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper planning/decision…NTSB WAS06RA005Accident · 107 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · Port Harcourt, NigeriaNTSB LAX06FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Kingsburg, CAThe pilot's in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions during descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Fog, low ceiling, and obscuration were factors.NTSB SEA06WA035Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 152 · Clinge, NetherlandsNTSB DCA06MA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-700 · Chicago, ILThe pilots' failure to use available reverse thrust in a timely manner to safely slow or stop the airplane after landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. This failure occurred because the pilots' first experience and lack of familiarity with the…NTSB LAX06WA053Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150G · Packsaddle, NSW, AustraliaNTSB DFW06WA039Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna A150L · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaNTSB LAX06WA051Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Condobolin, AustraliaNTSB NYC06FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B-55 · Nantucket, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during the instrument approach, which resulted in controlled flight into water. Factors were the failure of the air traffic controllers to issue minimum safe altitude warnings, night lighting conditions,…NTSB DFW06FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Raymond, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power to the right engine and the prevailing gusty wind conditions.NTSB SEA06FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Belgrade, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the approach which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were dark night conditions, clouds, icing conditions, low visibility and snow.NTSB LAX06FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion G · Imperial, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree and transmission wires while performing a low altitude maneuver. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment and performance due to alcohol ingestion.NTSB NYC06LA039Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRogers Lancair 360 · Vineyard Haven, MAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI06FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Atlanta, NEThe non-instrument rated private pilot not maintaining clearance from the marked tower and his continued flight into adverse weather during cruise flight. Factors were the marked tower and the low ceilings present at the accident.NTSB ATL06LA019Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Blairsville, GAThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance in mountainous terrain, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of an…NTSB MIA06FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mims, FLThe loss of engine power due to improper installation of the #2 cylinder by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the separation of the cylinder as a result of fatigue cracking of the cylinder to crankcase fasteners. A contributing factor was the lack of…NTSB NYC06FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Burlington, VTThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument flight procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were the local air traffic controller's inadequate monitoring of the MSAW system, and his delayed…NTSB MIA06WA023Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBell B-206L · Cundinamarca, ColombiaNTSB MIA06FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350B · Homestead, FLThe failure of both pilot's to maintain visual lookout resulting in the mid-air collision. A factor in the accident was the failure of the AS-350B pilot to follow approach procedures suggested in the Speedway Heliport Operations Manual. Findings in the…NTSB DEN06FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Calhan, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, and the resultant stall/spin.NTSB NYC06RA032Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Moscow, RussiaNTSB LAX06LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTingle Special · Tucson, AZThe pilot's excessive use of power during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent torque roll shortly after lift off. Also causal was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when directional control could not be maintained during the takeoff roll.NTSB LAX06FA043Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Dana Point, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and a stall/spin. The inability of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane was likely due to an incapacitating cardiac event.NTSB DFW06WA036Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBritten-Norman BN2A-21 · Cayo Province, BelizeNTSB DEN06GA017Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 182R · Alpine, WYthe pilot's intentional low level flight/maneuver. A contributing factor was his exercising poor judgment.NTSB CHI06FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500B · Gaylord, MIThe clearance not maintained with terrain during a nonprecision approach. Contributing factors were the ceiling, visibility, night conditions, and trees.NTSB MIA06WA018Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206E · Ituango, ColombiaNTSB DFW06LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRehler Gyrocopter · New Braunfels, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control while landing. A contributing factor was the high winds.NTSB ATL06LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Summerville, SCThe pilot's failure to follow the pre-landing checklist which resulted in a gear up landing and subsequent propeller strike. The pilots improper decision to attempt a go-around after the propeller strike, resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent…NTSB LAX06FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Geyserville, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude profile during the descent that resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CHI06FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Bloomington, ILThe aircraft control not possible by the pilot during a visual approach to the runway due to the physical impairment of the pilot.NTSB NYC06FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Leesburg, VAThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.NTSB DEN06FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Datil, NMthe pilot's loss of control during flight as a result of incapacitation due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.NTSB CHI06FA026Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Ankeny, IAThe pilot's failure to preflight the airplane, the pilot's improper in-flight decision not to land the airplane on the runway when he had the opportunity, and the inadvertent stall when the pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low. Factors that contributed…NTSB DFW06FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Tomball, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while attempting to execute a missed approach procedure in weather that was below landing minimums. Contributing factors were the low ceiling, and the below approach landing minimums.NTSB NYC06FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Pohatcong, NJThe inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes, which resulted in a midair collision during descent.NTSB DFW06LA027Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArrow Falcon Exporters Arrow F OH-58A · West Memphis, ARThe loss of engine power due to a disconnected pneumatic (Pc) line. A contributing factor was the ravine.NTSB DFW06FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Contributing factors were the unsecured passenger door and the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB MIA06WA016Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95-55 · Porlamar, VenezuelaNTSB SEA06WA016Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBoeing Vertol BV-107 II · Bella Bella, CanadaNTSB DFW06WA023Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · El Marques, MexicoNTSB NYC06WA018Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Barcelona, SpainNTSB NYC06FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · East Hampton, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, while maneuvering with the left engine inoperative. Contributing to the accident were the failure of the left engine, and the pilot's lack of multiengine certification.NTSB DEN06FA010Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair LC-40-550FG · Steamboat Spgns, COthe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain. Contributing factors include the pilot's lack of recent experience, the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, the dark night and the mountainous terrain.NTSB WAS06RA004Accident · 117 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Lagos, NigeriaNTSB LAX06WA018Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT-602 · Ballidu, AustraliaNTSB LAX06LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNord 3202 · Casa Grande, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low-altitude evasive maneuver away from another airplane, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent.NTSB CHI06WA015Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-38-112 · Biggin Hill, United KingdomNTSB WAS06WA003Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Windhoek, Namibia