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 NYC05FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Armonk, NYThe flight instructor's failure to maintain the proper altitude\clearance during the approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors in this accident were low ceilings, fog, and gusty wind conditions.NTSB MIA05LA096Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6 · Deland, FLThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout.NTSB SEA05MA085Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed P-3B · Chico, CATerrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. Mountainous terrain was a factor.NTSB CHI05FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Festus, MOThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent flight in close proximity to a severe thunderstorm associated with…NTSB ATL05LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAnderson Mini Mustang · Mullins, SCThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.NTSB SEA05FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon Bonanza · South Bay, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight. Factors include night conditions and flat featureless terrain.NTSB LAX05LA135Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCameron Balloons A-210 · Marana, AZthe failure of the flying pilot to attain a proper climb rate and maintain an adequate clearance from rising terrain. Also causal was the commercial pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delayed remedial action.NTSB DFW05LA102Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSpearman Raptor · Bogalusa, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the make/model airplane.NTSB NYC05LA070Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Warren, PAThe pilot's failure to follow the balked landing checklist while attempting to abort a landing. Factors in the accident were his failure to maintain directional control during the landing, and a gust of wind.NTSB NYC05FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Williamsburg, OHAn improperly installed rudder bumper, which resulted in a rudder jam during spin training and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. A factor was the operator did not comply with the service bulletin.NTSB DFW05FA099Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Jefferson, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an unmarked transmission line. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight.NTSB SEA05FA072Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 10-A · Oak Harbor, WAThe pilot's failure to adequately plan the approach for landing and maintain clearance from trees during the go-around. A tailwind and trees were factors.NTSB LAX05FA132Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Tranquility, CAthe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a likely accumulation of airframe ice that led to a high speed descent and a structural breakup once the aerodynamic forces exceeded the strength limits of the structure. A factor in the…NTSB DEN05FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Kremmling, COthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB DEN05FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Broomfield, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factor's included the quartering tailwind, and the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making.NTSB LAX05LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · Mokuleia, HIthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a scenic flight, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin and secondary stall/spin encounter. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of total flight experience, his inadequate…NTSB IAD05FA052Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Green Creek, NJThe flight crew's failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing a practice published instrument approach in night visual meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the dark night.NTSB DEN05FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E55 · Fort Collins, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the left engine loss of power for reasons undetermined, and the pilot allowing the airspeed to drop below Vmc during an attempted single-engine go-around.NTSB MIA05FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommander 114-B · Venice, FLThe pilot's in-flight loss of control during takeoff/initial climb over the water at night due to spatial disorientation. A related factor was the night conditions.NTSB SEA05LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T337E · Orcas Island, WAThe loss of power for undetermined reasons which resulted in a forced landing and impact with water.NTSB MIA05LA088Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269D · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)An inflight collision with the ocean for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI05LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Bloomfield, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The low altitude was a factor.NTSB CHI05LA082Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMatthews Christen Eagle II · Iowa City, IAThe pilot not maintaining airplane control and airspeed, and the stall/spin encountered during aerobatic maneuvering. A factor in the accident was the pilot exceeding the published airplane's aft center of gravity limit and a factor in the pilot rated…NTSB CHI05FA080Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · West Union, IAThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and the pull-up to avoid obstacles which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's failure to maintain…NTSB ATL05FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Johns Island, SCThe pilot's failure to follow instrument flight procedures and descent below the published minimum descent altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an instrument approach.NTSB SEA05LA067Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHoover Challenger II STD · La Grande, ORThe pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain clearance with terrain during cruise flight. Factors were the existing weather conditions that included low ceilings, snow, obscuration, and the mountainous, rising terrain.NTSB NYC05WA064Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech A23A · Ottengruner, GermanyNTSB IAD05WA048Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · Sirnach, SwitzerlandNTSB IAD05FA047Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Bellefonte, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during an instrument final approach to land, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors associated with the accident are the inadvertent stall/spin, the pilot's failure to follow…NTSB CHI05FA081Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · West Lafayette, INThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument conditions and his not maintaining control of the complex airplane during initial climb. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, the early dawn condition, and the pilots intentional unauthorized use of the…NTSB NYC05FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Chesapeake, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW05FA086Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-3 · Shelbyville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude and clearance for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA05WA073Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 500 · Caracas, VenezuelaNTSB DFW05FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Hot Springs, ARA loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and a shoulder harness restraint system was not installed.NTSB LAX05WA107Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310R · Tamworth, AustraliaNTSB SEA05LA054Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSimpkins RV-6A · Yamhill, ORThe failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. Factors contributing to the accident included the wet runway and the embankment.NTSB NYC05FA053Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Coatesville, PAThe pilot's inadequate remedial action during an engine failure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. A factor was the pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation to one engine, and its subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB SEA05WA053Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna 340A · Bologna, ItalyNTSB LAX05FA106Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Yucaipa, CAThe failure of the private pilot and the flight instructor to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in unfamiliar mountainous terrain in dark night conditions.NTSB DEN05LA060Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiel Emeraude CP-305 · Del Norte, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD05FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · West Milford, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel ice, during the initial climb after takeoff.NTSB DEN05LA059Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBourgeois-Avid Flyer MK IV · Kaycee, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall.NTSB DFW05WA078Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationIsrael Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124 · Sapotito, MexicoNTSB SEA05LA052Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAvery Glasair · Brookings, ORIn flight collision with water while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA05WA039Accident · 15 fatalForeign investigationCASA 212 · Sarmi, Papua, IndonesiaNTSB ANC05FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Cedar Key, FLThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an abrupt maneuver to avoid a power line, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, a loss of control, and subsequent collision…NTSB DFW05FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L1 · Gentry, ARThe pilot’s improper decision to maneuver in an environment conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB LAX05LA100Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R · Firebaugh, CAthe loss of engine power during takeoff climb resulting from the fatigue failure of one of the compressor turbine blades; the cause of the fatigue failure could not be definitively determined.NTSB DCA05MA037Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 560 · Pueblo, COthe flight crew's failure to effectively monitor and maintain airspeed and comply with procedures for deice boot activation on the approach, which caused an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover. Contributing to the accident was the Federal…NTSB LAX05FA099Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 · Calistoga, CAThe pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain clearance and impact with rising terrain.