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 DCA05MA011Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream Aerospace G-III · Houston, TXthe flight crew's failure to adequately monitor and cross check the flight instruments during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's failure to select the instrument landing system frequency in a timely manner and to adhere to…NTSB DCA05RA010Accident · 55 fatalForeign investigationBombardier CRJ-200 · Baotou, ChinaNTSB MIA05WA031Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBritish Aerospace 3101 · Caracas, VenezuelaNTSB LAX05FA035Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337B · Drake, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed above stall speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and spin. A factor in the accident was the pilot's performance of maneuvering flight at an altitude insufficient to allow for…NTSB NYC05LA017Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLabhart Kolb Twinstar Mk III · London, KYThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor was the lack of an installed fuel strainer.NTSB MIA05FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Dubbs, MSThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his in-flight loss of control, resulting in overstress of the airframe and subsequent structural failure.NTSB LAX05FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lake Havasu, CAthe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions leading to spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control.NTSB DFW05FA020Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an ILS approach. Contributing factors were the prevailing instrument meteorological conditions( clouds, low ceiling and drizzle/mist), and the pilot's spatial disorientation.NTSB CHI05LA030Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHedge Bede-4 · Omaha, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in a stall and spin, while on approach to land. Contributing factors were the airplane's low altitude and low airspeed at the time of loss of control.NTSB IAD05FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210 · Paint Lick, KYImproper alignment of a turbocharger oil line, which resulted in wear damage through the hose wall and a subsequent loss of engine oil. Contributing to the accident was the low cloud ceiling.NTSB NYC05WA015Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22B · Bishopton, United KingdomNTSB MIA05WA023Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310 · San Salvador, El SalvadorNTSB LAX05FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to select and maintain an adequate terrain avoidance cruise altitude. Contributing factors were the dark nighttime conditions, the rising mountainous terrain, and the Federal Aviation Administration controller's failure to issue a…NTSB LAX05FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Mesa, AZthe pilot's failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CHI05LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBruce Protech PT2B · Anita, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and an inadvertent stall/spin resulting in loss of control and an in-flight collision with terrain. An additional cause was a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI05LA023Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Wasta, SDThe pilot inadvertently pulled the fuel shut off valve resulting in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. The pilot also failed to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in the airplane stalling.NTSB MIA05FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB 20 · Key West, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control as a result of spatial disorientation. A related factor was the dark, night conditions.NTSB LAX05FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Lomita, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's mismanagement and inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB DFW05FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Boise City, OKThe pilot's incapacitation (cardiovascular) resulting in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB MIA05LA021Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJ.D. Calhoun Vans Acft RV6A · Weirsdale, FLFailure of the nose landing gear for undetermined reasons, resulting in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll, and the pilot's decision to operate the airplane with known deficiencies in the nose landing gear. A factor contributing to the fatality…NTSB MIA05FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRawdon Bros. T1 · Pembroke Pines, FLImproper maintenance by company maintenance personnel, and the pilot-in-command's operating the airplane with known deficiencies, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, and a loss of control while maneuvering to return to…NTSB LAX05FA023Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Lebec, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain, low ceilings, and turbulence.NTSB SEA05FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Olympia, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.NTSB MIA05FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P206 · Jacksonville, FLThe improper setting of the elevator trim by the pilot-in-command, his failure to follow the checklist related to elevator trim setting, and his failure to maintain VS during climb after takeoff resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and…NTSB CHI05FA020Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Downing, MOThe pilot not maintaing airplane control during cruise flight. Factors present were night and thunderstorm conditions.NTSB ATL05LA018Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca Citabria 7ECA · Summerville, SCThe loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC05LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas Adventure Air Ampib · Pawtucket, RIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DFW05LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHuber DR 107 · Fletcher, OKThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision to conduct an aerobatic maneuver without sufficient altitude to recover.NTSB IAD05LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Freedom, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the takeoff resulting in an in-flight collision with trees.NTSB CHI05FA017Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Springfield, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance while turning to reverse direction on final approach. A factor associated with the accident was the night lighting conditions which existed at the time of the…NTSB ATL05FA013Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-60 · Asheville, NCThe pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures and to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent uncontrolled impact with terrain. Contributing to the cause was inadequate…NTSB IAD05LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSanClemente Zenith CH 601HDS · Leominster, MAA loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason.NTSB CHI05FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Wautoma, WIThe pilot not maintaining airplane control during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions after reporting a loss of gyros leading to his exceeding the design load limits of the wings. Factors were the clouds, the deteriorated vacuum manifold…NTSB ATL05FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-P35 · Aiken, SCThe pilot’s failure to follow IFR procedures, and continued flight below the minimum descent altitude and collided with trees.NTSB LAX05FA015Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportLearjet 35A · San Diego, CAThe failure of the flight crew to maintain terrain clearance during a VFR departure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain, and the air traffic controller's issuance of a clearance that transferred the responsibility for terrain clearance from the…NTSB IAD05MA006Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 200 · Stuart, VAThe flight crew's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach procedure, including the published missed approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the flight crew's…NTSB CHI05LA015Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStrissel Pitts S1S · Liberal, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing aerobatic flight maneuvers resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB CHI05LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P206B · Taylorville, ILAircraft control not possible by the pilot following a premature deployment of a parachute as a parachutist exited the jump airplane during cruise flight. The inverted spin encountered by the pilot was an additional cause.NTSB LAX05LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAMS Flight Carat A · Minden, NVthe pilot's likely inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions created by the rapidly changing cloud conditions that resulted in his spatial disorientation and exceeding the glider's ultimate design loads while in a spiral dive, which resulted…NTSB ATL05LA009Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Harvard II T-6 · Leesville, SCLoss of engine power due to fuel system contamination which blocked the flow of fuel which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB ATL05FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Flat Rock, NCThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. Factors were low ceilings and fog.NTSB SEA05WA012Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna F-406 · Inverness, United KingdomNTSB DEN05FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Chester, ARthe pilot's inadequate planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the briefing recommendation, fog, mist, and observation.NTSB CHI05LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Ashley, NDThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and his not maintaining aircraft control during cruise flight. Factors present were the night condition and low ceilings.NTSB MIA05FA008Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland BO-105 CBS5 · Santa Rosa Bch, FLThe pilot's spatial disorientation and in-flight loss of control of the helicopter after encountering night instrument meteorological conditions resulting in collision with water during the resultant uncontrolled descent. A factor in the accident was the…NTSB DCA05MA004Accident · 13 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace Jetstream 32 · Kirksville, MOthe pilots' failure to follow established procedures and properly conduct a nonprecision instrument approach at night in IMC, including their descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) before required visual cues were available (which continued…NTSB SEA05LA133Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C · Hyak, WAThe loss of aircraft control during climb to cruise due to an undetermined flight control malfunction.NTSB ATL05FA010Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B-55 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot initiated flight into known adverse weather conditions (thunderstorms), which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent in-flight collision with the ground.NTSB LAX05FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310K · Kula, HIThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from mountainous terrain during cruise flight. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions.NTSB NYC05FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H50 · Hartwood, VAThe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with full flaps, and subsequent loss of control.