Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 WPR24FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WAThe pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA24WA311Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT-502 · West Wyalong, AustraliaNTSB ANC24FA052Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-18-150 · Moose Pass, AKOn June 18, 2024, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N645DT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Moose Pass, Alaska. The instructor pilot and the pilot receiving instruction were fatally…NTSB ERA24FA265Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Methuen, MAThe pilot’s failure to manage the available fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA24FA262Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA31 · Loudonville, NYOn June 17, 2024, at 0816 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-310, Canadian registration C-GKSI, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Loudonville, New York. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured and one person on the ground…NTSB CEN24FA228Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 421 · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude.NTSB GAA24WA221Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignDe Havilland DHC2 · Red Lake, CanadaNTSB WPR24FA196Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLockheed 12A · Chino, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude insufficient for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was…NTSB ERA24FA261Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Siler City, NCThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-speed, low-altitude left turn after encountering an undetermined issue during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB CEN24FA221Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Whiteface, TXBoth pilot’s failure to see and avoid the other airplane during simultaneous aerial application operations over the same area. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s poor decision to assign the pilots to conduct separate aerial application operations…NTSB CEN24FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Broseley, MOThe pilot’s inflight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR24FA195Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8A · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot’s decision to continue low-altitude flight toward rising mountainous terrain in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR24FA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Elk River, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while climbing in mountainous terrain during moderately high density altitude conditions, and conditions conducive to severe carburetor icing.NTSB CEN24FA218Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Gainesville, TXThe fuel pump manufacturer’s improper torquing of screws on the engine-driven fuel pump, which resulted in a disruption in the fuel system and a loss of engine power on initial climb.NTSB GAA24WA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 206 · Haines Junction, CanadaNTSB CEN24FA215Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Clinton, MIThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s or flight instructor’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector valve between the Left Tank and Off…NTSB WPR24FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRans S-12XL Airaile · Picacho Peak, AZThe pilot’s decision to conduct a low-altitude flight in mountainous terrain and his subsequent loss of airplane control after encountering mechanical turbulence, which resulted in an impact with the terrain.NTSB WPR24FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A45 · Deer Harbor, WAThe pilot’s decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at low level, and his misjudged entry altitude for the maneuver, which resulted in impact with water.NTSB GAA24WA186Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA46 · Sorriso, BrazilNTSB CEN24FA212Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35A · Arvada, COA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of loose turbocharger oil line fittings.NTSB WPR24FA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-12 · Auburn, WAThe pilot’s improper installation of the control stick pushrod assemblies, which resulted in separation of the left pushrod and a total loss of roll control during flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to detect the installation error during…NTSB GAA24WA214Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 55 · Santa Catarina, BrazilNTSB GAA24WA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-34-200T · Santa Rosa, EcuadorNTSB ANC24FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Richvale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.NTSB ERA24LA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBrallier Scott Glasair I · Gulf of Mexico, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying over water in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the overwater flight in conditions conducive to the…NTSB GAA24WA182Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMurphy Rebel · Squamish, CanadaNTSB GAA24WA175Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Kerestinec, CroatiaNTSB GAA24WA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignZenair Unknown · Caceres, SpainNTSB DCA24WA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBoeing 777 · Payagyi, Myanmar (Burma)NTSB ERA24FA221Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRadley Vincent Quicksilver Sport 2S · Cleveland, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of…NTSB WPR24FA156Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WAThe pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.NTSB ERA24FA219Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportM-Squared Breese 2 · Culpeper, VAOn May 17, 2024, about 1430 eastern daylight time, an M-Squared Aircraft Inc. Breese 2 airplane, N99VY, was involved in an accident near the Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpeper, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB ANC24FA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AKThe non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.NTSB GAA24WA171Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Macas, EcuadorNTSB CEN24FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150L · Godley, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while practicing a power-on stall, which resulted in an inadvertent spin at an altitude from which he was unable to recover.NTSB ERA24FA217Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Franklin, TNThe pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…NTSB WPR24FA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…NTSB CEN24FA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Marianna, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB GAA24WA178Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28R · Barcarena, BrazilNTSB GAA24WA167Accident · 8 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 200 · Zapara Island, VenezuelaNTSB GAA24WA169Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA25 · Iracema, BrazilNTSB GAA24WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignExtra EA-330SC · Alcázar de San Juan, SpainNTSB ERA24FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VAThe pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.NTSB WPR24LA142Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportUltramagic Z-90 · Del Mar, CAThe passenger’s intentional departure from the balloon in flight as an act of suicide.NTSB GAA24WA162Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 406 · Windhoek City, NamibiaNTSB ERA24FA206Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Augusta, GAThe pilot’s excessive turn rate and bank angle while at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN24FA170Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith CH601 · Bristol, INThe pilot’s loss of control during the descent for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a steep descent into terrain.NTSB CEN24FA167Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVertical Aviation Technologies Hummingbird · Spring Branch, TXA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24FA132Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Anaconda, MTA total loss of engine power due to a loss of cooling oil to the turbine-to-compressor coupling shaft and subsequent fracture of the shaft at an altitude too low for the pilot to complete a successful autorotation. Contributing to the accident was carbon…NTSB GAA24WA154Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 340 · Puerto Cabelio, Venezuela