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 DEN05LA141Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDenight 100D2 · Hudson, COthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB DFW05FA240Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175B · Cleveland, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB ANC05FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Nenana, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum airspeed to avoid a stall while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of control, a stall/spin, and impact with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were an aerobatic maneuver, and a stall/spin.NTSB SEA05WA193Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna A185F · Port Hardy, CanadaNTSB LAX05FA296Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lakewood, CAthe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control. Also causal was the engine's loss of partial power due to inadequate maintenance, worn spark plugs, worn pistons, and broken piston rings.NTSB CHI05FA260Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Wabash, INThe pilot's spatial disorientation that resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night experience and the hazy night conditions.NTSB CHI05LA261Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Faulkton, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation during initial climb after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the fog and the dark night.NTSB MIA05WA154Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-58 · Exuma Cay, BahamasNTSB LAX05FA290Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Avalon, CAan in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ENG06WA011Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Slieve Aughty Mountains, Co Galway, Ireland, IrelandNTSB DFW05WA232Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 152 · Guadalajara, MexicoNTSB CHI05LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHildebrant Rutan Defiant · Bloomfield, INThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the airplane overrunning the end of the runway during the aborted takeoff. A factor to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane and the corn crop.NTSB DFW05LA229Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Blytheville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA05RA096Accident · 145 fatalForeign investigationBoeing B737-200 · Medan, IndonesiaNTSB SEA05WA190Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHughes 300AG · Tallard, FranceNTSB NYC05FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177A · S. Hackensack, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the pilot's impairment from prescription medication.NTSB SEA05LA188Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKirner Fisher FP404 · Prineville, ORThe design stress limits of the aircraft were exceeded resulting in a wing separation while the pilot was accomplishing maneuvers of hard banking turns, spins and steep descents.NTSB LAX05LA286Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Yuma, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed on short final, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW05WA227Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Bogota, ColombiaNTSB CHI05LA250Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPorterfield FP-65 · Sedalia, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and the inadvertent stall/spin resulting in an in-flight loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB LAX05LA324Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Mountain City, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in mountainous terrain, which led to a stall and impact with trees and terrain.NTSB LAX05LA283Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAvions Robin R.2160 · Avalon, CAThe flight instructor's unsuccessful recovery from a spin. The underlying reason was not determined.NTSB DFW05WA228Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Cieneguilla, BoliviaNTSB CHI05LA243Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAllensworth Baby Belle · El Dara, ILThe manufacturer failed to specify a relief radius on the tail rotor spindle drawings, which resulted in the spindle being manufactured with an inadequate relief radius at the point of fatigue failure.NTSB ATL05LA154Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSamson Seawind 3000 · Wrightsville Bh, NCThe pilot's improper preflight decision to attempt night VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in an inflight encounter with weather and the pilot's subsequent loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.NTSB SEA05FA181Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Challis, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and the subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention while spotting/locating Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep.NTSB NYC05FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Winthrop, METhe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and a subsequent forced landing and impact with terrain.NTSB IAD05FA146Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Dunkirk, NYLoss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD05LA126Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Corry, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain.NTSB SEA05FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule Bee Dee M-4 · Ritter, ORThe loss of control for an undetermined reason which resulted in a ground collision.NTSB IAD05RA127Accident · 45 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Pucallpa, PeruNTSB ATL05WA152Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Simplon, SwitzerlandNTSB IAD05FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · West Chester, PAThe pilot's improper decision to abort the landing after the airplane contacted the runway. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the landing gear was extended during the landing.NTSB CHI05LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKircher RV-8 · Menomonie, WIThe pilot's decision to perform an aerobatic roll during takeoff, the low altitude, and his failure to maintain clearance from the crops and terrain.NTSB ATL05LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Colquitt, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled descent into the ground.NTSB SEA05WA178Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV-6 · Nadrybie Dwor, PolandNTSB MIA05FA152Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Freeport, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX05LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPatch Dan F Varieze · San Diego, CAa divergence from the final approach course and an in-flight collision with storage containers for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX05FA271Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Pomona, CAA loss of engine power during the landing approach due to fuel starvation caused by debris and corrosion in the carburetor assembly. A factor contributing to the accident was the failure of the owner to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin…NTSB DFW05FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Gulf of MexicoThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel calculations.NTSB ATL05FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Jamestown, TNThe pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known thunderstorm activity, which resulted in loss of aircraft control and collision with trees and the ground during the result uncontrolled descent.NTSB ATL05FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Apopka, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and object clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees.NTSB SEA05LA172Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMK II Legacy Sport · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent collision with the ground.NTSB DCA05RA093Accident · 160 fatalForeign investigationBoeing MD-82 · Machiques, VenezuelaNTSB NYC05LA134Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Erie, PAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion on approach, and subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB DFW05WA214Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R · Serignan, FranceNTSB DEN05FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Lone Tree, COThe pilot's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB DCA05RA092Accident · 121 fatalForeign investigationBoeing B737-300 · Grammatikos, GreeceNTSB SEA05FA169Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Cascade, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a stand of conifer trees during low altitude maneuvering in mountainous terrain. Factors include the mountainous/hilly terrain, gusty winds, a high density altitude, and maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB IAD05FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Wht Sulfur Sprg, NYThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout during a precautionary landing, which resulted in collision with a wire and terrain. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in his becoming lost/disoriented, and a low fuel…