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 NYC05WA041Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSchweizer 269 · Gara, HungaryNTSB LAX05FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Marana, AZthe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate altitude and clearance from obstructions that resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB ATL05FA041Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bradley, SCThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees and the ground. A factor was the dark night conditions.NTSB LAX05FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportVail Lancair 235 · Sacaton, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB DFW05WA051Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802A · Wynella Station, AustraliaNTSB ATL05FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350-D · Falkner, MSThe pilot's improper decision to attempt VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions and failure to maintain altitude clearance resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground.NTSB MIA05FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210N · Weston, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain his assigned altitude, and allowed the airplane to descend for undetermined reasons resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were clouds, rain, and the dark night.NTSB IAD05LA028Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Knottsville, KYthe pilot's loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in his inadvertent flight into night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC05LA033Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Mount Gilead, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the rapidly deteriorating weather.NTSB LAX05FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter France AS350BA · Panamint Spring, CAThe pilot's misjudged lateral distance from a mountainside and failure to maintain an adequate clearance from terrain and obstacles while performing a low altitude filming maneuver.NTSB DEN05FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Gallup, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed which resulted in the loss of control, and impact with wires, a tree and terrain.NTSB SEA05WA031Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 II · Fairmont Hot Sp, CanadaNTSB DEN05FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Roswell, NMthe pilot not maintaining control of the aircraft resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision on a highway. Factors contributing to the accident were the dark night and the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation.NTSB CHI05FA049Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Ironwood, MIFatigue fracture of an engine cylinder resulting in a loss of power on the left engine. Additional causes were the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed (Vmc), the resulting loss of aircraft control, and an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing…NTSB CHI05FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Herman, WIThe installation of the improper cylinder base packing seals by maintenance personnel resulting in the loss of lubriation and subsequent failure of the number four connecting rod/bearing. A factor associated with the accident was the trees that the airplane…NTSB NYC05WA032Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech 65-90 · Montpellier, FranceNTSB LAX05WA072Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Saga, JapanNTSB LAX05FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · La Mirada, CAthe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission tower while on an extended base leg of the traffic pattern. A factor in the accident was the sun glare condition.NTSB DFW05LA043Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAkers Douglas RA40 Defiant · Slaton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the opening of the canopy in-flight and the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB DFW05FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Ship Shoal 130EThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a stationary object while maneuvering for landing. Contributing factors were the inadequate facilities available for landing, the pilot's lack of information regarding the landing area, and the operational status…NTSB DEN05FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Englewood, COloss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were a partially blocked fuel line resulting in restricted fuel flow, the instructor's failure to perform critical emergency…NTSB LAX05FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Apache Junction, AZA loss of control during the final approach to land for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW05WA039Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander AC-685 · Apodaca, MexicoNTSB DFW05FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Abita Springs, LAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's improper in-flight emergency planning when he misjudged his available altitude and made a 360 degree turn away from the airport instead of proceeding directly to it, which resulted…NTSB DFW05LA037Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCrosley Christen Eagle II · Morris, OKThe pilot's intentional spin, which was unrecoverable due to exceeded aircraft weight and balance limitations as a result of improper preflight planning/preparation.NTSB DEN05FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Englewood, COthe pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed during the night visual approach resulting in a loss of control and uncontrolled descent into terrain. A contributing factor was the precautionary shutdown of the left engine for undetermined…NTSB DFW05WA035Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-36-TC · Pereira, ColombiaNTSB CHI05FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Glenwood, MNThe pilot's failure to execute a missed approach and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from terrain and obstructions. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, his decision to delay descent…NTSB ATL05FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond DA40-180 · Pelzer, SCThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures and to maintain assigned altitude resulting in a collision with a transmission wire and trees.NTSB LAX05FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207A · Meadview, AZa loss of control due to the in-flight separation of the right elevator and elevator trim tab control surfaces. The precipitating reason for the elevator separation could not be resolved as related to the tab foam core issue with the available evidence.NTSB LAX05FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot's decision to attempt flight into known adverse weather conditions beyond the capability of the airplane and his failure to ensure that the airplane's wings were free of ice and/or snow contamination that accumulated while the airplane was on the…NTSB NYC05FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Vandalia, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude\clearance while on approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors in the accident were the fog and low ceiling conditions.NTSB DFW05WA036Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206G · La Macarena, ColombiaNTSB DEN05FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A45 · Montgomery, TXthe in-flight separation of the left wing as a result of extensive fatigue cracking throughout the wing carry-through structure.NTSB SEA05FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Bellevue, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on approach for landing in icing conditions. Inadequate airspeed was a factor.NTSB DFW05FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hammond, LAA loss of engine power due to the pilot's in-flight mismanagement of the available fuel supply by his failure to switch fuel tank position, which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the low ceilings and the prevailing dark night conditions.NTSB SEA05FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Renton, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control when the flaps became jammed/stuck in their full-down position during a takeoff from a touch-and-go landing. Factors include a worn/disconnected flap latch mechanism, and the flaps being unable to be retracted.NTSB SEA05FA023Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Belgrade, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering in mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain and the downdraft.NTSB NYC05LA027Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportClose Air Command · Wilmont, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while maneuvering to land in an open field.NTSB ATL05FA032Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Apison, TNThe pilot's improper identification of a partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb resulting in a collision with trees and the ground. A factor was a partial failure of the left engine starter adapter due to overload.NTSB CHI05FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHamburger Flugzeugbau HFB 320 Hansa · Chesterfield, MOThe maintenance facility failed to properly install and inspect the elevator trim system resulting in the reversed elevator trim condition and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the terrain. Contributing factors included the dark night and low…NTSB SEA05WA020Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Mt. Taranaki, New ZealandNTSB IAD05RA020Accident · 25 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-82 · Solo City, IndonesiaNTSB DEN05MA029Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2A12 · Montrose, COthe flight crew's failure to ensure that the airplane’s wings were free of ice or snow contamination that accumulated while the airplane was on the ground, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with upper wing contamination that induced the subsequent stall…NTSB SEA05FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Arlington, WAThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, resulting in rotor contact with the aircraft's left windscreen. The failure of the door pins to be installed was a factor.NTSB IAD05FA023Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportCASA 212-200-CC · Bamiyan, Afghanistanthe captain's inappropriate decision to fly a nonstandard route and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in the inflight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the operator's failure to require its flight crews to file…NTSB MIA05FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Kilmichael, MSThe pilot's ostentatious display, flying at low altitude, resulting in collision with a static wire power line, in-flight loss of control, and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was sun glare.NTSB LAX05FA041Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · Corona, CAA loss of engine(s) power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc) during the initial climb following a loss of power in one engine, which resulted in a loss of aircraft…NTSB NYC05FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Paeonian Spring, VAThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor related to the accident was the low cloud ceiling.NTSB SEA05LA017Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTrikes GTE 503 SL · Emmett, IDThe pilot intentionally performing an aerobatic maneuver while not maintaining clearance of the terrain.