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 NYC05LA096Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHall Maxair Drifter · Gloucester, VAThe in-flight separation of the empennage, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB SEA05LA114Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAvia Stroitel AC-4B · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW05FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Conroe, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, the pilot's improper decision to secure the left engine, and his attempt to perform a single-engine go-around.NTSB DEN05FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Telluride, COthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident were the high, rising terrain and fatigue.NTSB DCA05MA070Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 170 · Washington, DCThe inexperience of the driver (fleet service agent) in the operation of a belt loader, which resulted in the belt loader being driven under, and colliding with, the airplane.NTSB DFW05FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Jeanerette, LAThe pilot's failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed to maintain control. A contributing factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reason.NTSB LAX05FA193Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's decision to attempt flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze and low ceilings, the night lighting condition, an…NTSB MIA05WA117Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185 · Neiva, ColombiaNTSB MIA05WA115Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206C · Puntarenas, Costa RicaNTSB MIA05LA119Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWatson Slip Stream · Wildwood, FLAn in-flight loss of control during takeoff/initial climb for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a stall/spin, and impact with terrainNTSB NYC05LA088Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKlasing Bradley BA100 · Xenia, OHA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB MIA05WA113Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · San Jose, Costa RicaNTSB IAD05FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Levittown, PAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the forced landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled…NTSB DFW05LA138Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStearman D75 · Taylor, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an unmarked transmission line. A contributing factor was low altitude selected by the pilot.NTSB SEA05FA105Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-25 · Hillsboro, ORThe pilot's failure to obtain minimum controllable airspeed during the takeoff climb, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control when the left engine lost partial power. A fatigue failure to an oil tube, which resulted in the partial power loss to the left…NTSB MIA05WA110Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-300 · Caracas, VenezuelaNTSB IAD05FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · New Fairfield, CTFailure of the aluminum-clad, number two connecting rod bearings, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. A factor was the relatively short forced landing area.NTSB CHI05LA125Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHurley Searey · South Beloit, ILIn-flight collision with the ground for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL05FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Conway, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering after releasing a banner aerial sign, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's improper supervision of the pilot receiving…NTSB NYC05FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Edinburg, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB IAD05FA067Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Brooklyn, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB DFW05LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMiller Rand Robinson KR-2 · Galliano, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin during initial takeoff climb. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience for the make/model airplane.NTSB LAX05FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13-3 · Caliente, CAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into the terrain. Contributing factors were the pilots' delayed decision to reverse course, the…NTSB DFW05LA126Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Ralls, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the antenna tower. Contributing factors were the recency of the tower's construction and the lack of obstruction lights on the tower.NTSB DFW05LA125Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar International S53A · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from electrical power lines.NTSB SEA05WA111Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech B55 · Ipil, PhilippinesNTSB MIA05WA105Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationBeech 65-A80 · Patagonia, ArgentinaNTSB ATL05LA081Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPaul E. Conner Rotor-EZ · St Elmo, ALThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power. The pilot failed to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB ATL05FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Nashville, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering resulting in an in flight loss of control, stall, and collision with trees and the ground. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.NTSB LAX05WA174Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAmerican Champion 7GCAA · Stonefield, AustraliaNTSB LAX05FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Palm Springs, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, and his failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering in rising terrain, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB SEA05LA098Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Elk River, IDThe pilot's inability to control the airplane during initial climb due to the restricted movement of the control yoke and rudder control by the passenger, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees.NTSB CHI05LA114Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Ludell, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during an aerial application maneuver. The trees and the sun glare were contributing factors.NTSB IAD05LA063Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 65-TAC · Harrisonburg, VAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB LAX05FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Elko, NVThe pilot's continued VFR cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A contributing factor was mountain obscuration and clouds.NTSB DEN05FA074Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210G · Ouray, COthe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, loss of control, and resulting exceedence of the design stress limits of the aircraft. which led to an in-flight structural failure. Factors in the accident included the pilot's inadequate…NTSB ATL05FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-6 · Kissimmee, FLThe failure of the outboard right-wing lower attachment bracket due to fatigue cracking and the subsequent in-flight separation of the right wing assembly.NTSB SEA05WA095Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 207 · Tanauan City, PhilippinesNTSB MIA05WA101Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Cordoba, ArgentinaNTSB ATL05LA078Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEarnest Jodel D-9 · Memphis, TNThe pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent undershoot.NTSB LAX05LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream 695A · North Las Vegas, NVThe incapacitation of the pilot.NTSB SEA06WA060Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationFairchild Swearingen SA227-AC · Stratford, New ZealandNTSB SEA05FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Kalispell, MTLoss of aircraft control during climb while in instrument meteorological conditions. Icing conditions was a factor.NTSB SEA05FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Portland, ORThe pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his incapacitation (carbon monoxide poisoning) from a deteriorated engine exhaust muffler. A contributing factor was the inadequate annual inspection by other maintenance personnel.NTSB ANC05FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft F-19 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a minimum airspeed during a low-altitude turn to return to the airport, and his improper in-flight decision to initiate a steep, low altitude turn, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and an in-flight collision with…NTSB DFW05WA114Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 · La Primavera, MexicoNTSB DFW05FA111Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Midland, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB LAX05LA149Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchlitter Randy J Rans S6ES Coyote II · Tombstone, AZloss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the flying pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB CHI05FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Lake Michigan, WIThe pilot's inaccurate preflight planning and his delayed en route decision to make a fuel stop, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent ditching.NTSB LAX05WA150Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A150L · Healesville, Australia