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 ANC05FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Clearwater, FLThe loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel exhaustion, the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, and the pilot's failure to maintain minimum airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into a residence.NTSB ANC05FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Leesburg, FLAn abrupt maneuver performed by the pilot at a low altitude, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which precipitated an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.NTSB DFW05WA071Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationTwin Commander Acft. 685 · Toluca, MexicoNTSB ANC05LA033Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTwente Pitts Model 12 · Marion, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a low altitude, aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent, and an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the initiation of a low…NTSB LAX05FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Lebec, CAthe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the flight's encounter with unforecasted localized mountain wave activity with severe to potentially extreme turbulence, downdrafts, and rotors.NTSB NYC05WA051Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182Q · Villac, FranceNTSB LAX05FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA1B · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed above the stall speed (Vso) while maneuvering to a landing area that resulted in a stall-spin. Factors in the accident were the fuel starvation induced loss of engine power due to the pilot's fuel system…NTSB DCA05RA036Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-902 · Shanghai, ChinaNTSB ATL05WA050Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182Q · Limoges Bellega, FranceNTSB ANC05LA027Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), his improper in-flight planning and decision making, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse direction at a low altitude. Factors…NTSB MIA05WA056Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 340 · Mendoza, ArgentinaNTSB LAX05FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 G2 · Norden, CAthe pilot's in-flight loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with unforecast severe icing conditions. A factor in the accident was the inaccurate icing forecast developed by the NWS Aviation Weather Center.NTSB IAD05LA039Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creation Clipper 912 · Woodbine, NJThe student's failure to maintain control of the airplane, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB NYC05FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Norwich, NYA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA05FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Bonifay, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a climb after takeoff and his continued descent which resulted in an in-flight collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the dark night.NTSB CHI05LA065Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRamsey RV-8A · Rochester, INThe pilot failed to obtain a preflight weather briefing for his destination airport and he initiated the flight into known adverse weather conditions at the departure airport. The pilot subsequently failed to maintain adequate altitude while circling the…NTSB CHI05FA063Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-58 · Niles, MIThe steep nose down descent from cruise for undetermined reasons and the subsequent collision with terrain in a steep nose down attitude.NTSB DFW05FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Alexandria, LAThe pilot's loss of control while maneuvering to land.NTSB DCA05RA033Accident · 104 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Kabul, AfghanistanNTSB SEA05WA046Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Taupo, New ZealandNTSB ATL05FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Shallotte, NCThe partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX05FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Adelanto, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during an attempted go-around, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB DFW05WA064Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L3 · Villarrica, ChileNTSB DFW05FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-36 · Brownwood, TXThe pilots failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while on final approach to land. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area, the dark night light conditions, the non-availability of a visual approach glide…NTSB SEA05FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Hood River, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, the low ceiling weather conditions, and dark night light conditions.NTSB DFW05FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J-35 · Abernathy, TXThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power while maneuvering.NTSB CHI05FA056Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C Riley Turbine E · Overland Park, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during cruise flight, resulting in collision with trees. Contributing factors were the low altitude and low ceiling.NTSB DFW05RA063Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32RT-300 · Guerrero, MexicoNTSB LAX05LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172SP · Casa Grande, AZthe pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the pilot's fatigued condition.NTSB WAS05WA004Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationAerostar 600 · Cornelia, South AfricaNTSB SEA05FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander AC200D (Meyers) · Hatch, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Inadequate airspeed, the pilot's diverted attention, and low altitude flight were factors.NTSB CHI05FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T-37B · Hollister, OKThe pilots of the AT-502B and the T-37B failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from the other aircraft. Contributing factors included the lack of a transponder and radios on the AT-502B, and the reduced visibility due to…NTSB LAX05LA069Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSlipStream Revelation · Camarillo, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB IAD05FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Coconut Creek, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent to the ground. Factors included an avionics failure, pilot disorientation, and instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the severity of the impact was the…NTSB NYC05FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-110P1 · Swanzey, NHThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a single-engine missed approach with the airplane in a slow airspeed, full flap configuration, which resulted in a minimum control speed (Vmc) roll. Contributing factors included an inoperative engine for undetermined…NTSB MIA05FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Lakeland, FLThe pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment related to pitch, an abrupt pitch-up during the initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed (Vs) resulting in inadvertent…NTSB DFW05LA069Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNolen Lite Squared · Holdenville, OKUndeterminedNTSB DFW05FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Patterson, LAThe pilot's failure to follow check-list procedures and the required placard instructions, which resulted in the fuel selectors being selected to the improper fuel tanks for take-off, resulting in a loss of engine power to the left engine. Also causal was the…NTSB LAX05LA064Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJimmy Hill Lancair 235 · El Cajon, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath to avoid obstacles and terrain.NTSB DEN05FA051Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-90 · Rawlins, WYThe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather [severe icing] conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall impact with rising, mountainous terrain during approach. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate planning for the…NTSB CHI05FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Eureka Springs, ARThe pilot misjudged his distance/speed which resulted in the overrun and subsequent impact with trees. The wet turf runway and the trees were factors in the accident.NTSB ATL05FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Huntsville, ALThe pilot's decision to attempt flight into known adverse weather, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with a thunderstorm.NTSB SEA05FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Monroe, LAThe failure of the pilot manipulating the controls to maintain aircraft control during a night missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors include a dark night and low ceilings.NTSB NYC05MA039Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2 · Oxon Hill, MDThe pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions, limited outside visual references, and the lack of an operable radar altimeter…NTSB MIA05LA046Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Orlando, FLThe failure of the CFI to initiate a precautionary landing after noticing zero oil pressure with corresponding oil temperature increase, resulting in total loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion. A contributing factor in the accident was the failure of…NTSB MIA05FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Leesburg, FLThe pilot's decision to continue VMC flight into IMC conditions.NTSB ATL05FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Charleston, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight and mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB DFW05LA118Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Little Rock, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an instrument approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the mist and low cloud ceiling.NTSB DFW05FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Coleman, TXThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his VFR flight into IMC which resulted in his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were fog and the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation.NTSB ATL05LA042Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. A factor was dark night.