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 MIA06FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P337H · Port St. Lucie, FLThe pilot's continued flight into an area of known convective weather, resulting in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors were the failure of the FAA center controller to provide information on depicted severe weather to the pilot and the…NTSB SEA06WA042Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185 · Limestone Lake, CanadaNTSB LAX06FA014Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair LC-41-550FG · Warner Springs, CAThe flight crew's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance and their decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was overcast conditions, and terrain obscuration. A finding of the investigation is that…NTSB WAS06WA002Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206P · Mahone, TanzaniaNTSB MIA06FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · La Belle, FLThe student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent to ground impact. A contributing factor was the failure of the wing flap control, which resulted in the flaps…NTSB ATL06LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportElan/Glaser Dirks DG-300 · Brownsboro, ALThe pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude on final approach which resulted in an undershoot of the runway, and an in-flight collision with a embankment. A factor was the dirt bank/rising terrain.NTSB SEA06FA007Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Everett, WAThe pilot's inadequate airspeed during his aborted landing takeoff/climb which lead to a series of stall/mushes and subsequent impact with trees. Contributing factors were the pilot's loss of aircraft control during his initial landing approach and his…NTSB MIA06LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSteven W. Jones KR2 · Venice, FLThe in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL06LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Mocksville, NCThe pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and an in-flight collision with trees and the ground.NTSB LAX06LA006Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R-22 Beta II · Eagar, AZThe pilots' inadequate in-flight planning, which led the helicopter toward rising terrain in excess of the performance capability of the helicopter. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, and the rapidly rising terrain.NTSB CHI06FA010Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPlavcan Lancair 235 · Rootstown, OHThe failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other and a midair collision.NTSB NYC06LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Pineville, KYThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Factors in the accident were the low cloud ceiling and fog.NTSB LAX06FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Oroville, CAThe certified flight instructor and the private pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting a return to runway maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI06LA005Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Union City, OHThe pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his spatial disorientation. The low ceilings and the dark night were contributing factors.NTSB NYC06MA005Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAugusta 109E · Smethport, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were, night instrument meteorological conditions, pilot workload, and improper air traffic control procedures by the approach controller.NTSB ATL06LA003Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman F6F · Monterey, TNThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadequate evaluation of the weather, inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain clearance, resulted in the in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB NYC06FA004Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Pikeville, KYThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. A factor was the low ceiling.NTSB DEN06LA004Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Truth or Conseq, NMthe pilot's attempt to fly VFR into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the reported low ceiling and mountain obscuration, resulting in the pilot being unable to maintain a visual…NTSB NYC06RA003Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Winnipeg, CanadaNTSB LAX06WA004Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22 Beta · Nr Calindary Ho, AustraliaNTSB DFW06FAMS1Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Gulf of MexicoUndetermined. The aircraft is missing.NTSB DFW06WA006Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28-181 · Ansa village, MoroccoNTSB DEN06FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft V35B · Barnum, WYthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision to continue flight into forecasted icing conditions and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to wing contamination in the form of ice. Contributing factors included the weather conditions…NTSB WAS06WA001Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter Deutschland BO-105 · Harlem, South AfricaNTSB DFW05FA251Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Crystal Springs, MSThe pilot's failure to retract the flaps during the go-around and his failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions.NTSB SEA05MA202Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A II · Edmonds, WALoss of control for an undetermined reason during maneuvering flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.NTSB MIA05WA165Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Barinas, VenezuelaNTSB CHI05LA276Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStits Playboy SA3B Lightning · Kimball, NEThe inadvertent stall and low airspeed by the pilot following takeoff. Contributing factors were the low altitude at the time of occurrence, the high density altitude, and the propeller.NTSB SEA05FA201Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Salmon, IDThe pilot's failure to obtain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB LAX05LA321Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Taft, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. The mountainous terrain was a factor.NTSB SEA05WA203Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationHughes 269C · Daisen, JapanNTSB MIA05WA162Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-36-375 · Puerta del Segu, SpainNTSB DFW05WA254Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Pisa Flores, MexicoNTSB SEA05MA199Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · Haena, HIThe pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to an encounter with a microburst. Contributing to the accident was inadequate Federal Aviation Administration surveillance of Special Federal…NTSB LAX05WA323Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech A36 · Tenterfield, NS, AustraliaNTSB IAD05LA142Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creation Clipper 912 · Millstone, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with trees.NTSB CHI05FA274Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Drummond, WIClearance not obtained/maintained by the pilot during an unknown phase of flight. Contributing factors were the improper use of procedures by the pilot, the inadequate surveillance of the operation by company/management, and the wire.NTSB CHI05FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-36 · West Memphis, ARThe pilot's improper in-flight decision not to land at the departure runway or other available airports during the emergency descent, and his failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle and terrain. Contributing factors were a false engine fire warning…NTSB SEA05LA198Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Ione, WAThe pilot's failure during low-level maneuvering flight, to maintain clearance from a pair of unmarked power lines. Factors include the pilot's intentional low altitude flight/maneuver and wires.NTSB LAX05WA316Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22 Mariner · Falaise, FranceNTSB DFW05WA245Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationBell 412EP · Llano Grande, MexicoNTSB DFW05FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA20-C1 · Pleasanton, TXThe flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from an unmarked transmission line. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight.NTSB LAX05FA311Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Baker, CAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the obscuration of mountainous terrain by rain and low clouds, moderate turbulence, and the pilot's…NTSB IAD05LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Tiffin, OHThe pilot's decision to takeoff in weather below the published takeoff minimums, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane's collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions, and the…NTSB DFW05FA242Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAkro Tech Aviation Inc. Giles G-300 · Yukon, OKThe catastrophic separation of the canopy as result of the failure of the forward canopy hinge while performing aerobatics and the subsequent incapacitation of the pilot.NTSB DFW05FA241Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Houston, TXThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to maneuver back to the departure airport following a loss of engine power on initial climb. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the dark night conditions.NTSB DEN05LA148Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrown Hi-MAX 1700R · Fort Morgan, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing. Contributing factors were the resultant and inadvertent stall, the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB MIA05WA159Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 207 · La Esmeralda, VenezuelaNTSB MIA05LA158Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Saint Cloud, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain the airspeed while maneuvering following loss of engine power resulting in a stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with trees and the ground.NTSB DFW05WA243Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 525 · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil