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 FTW04FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Rachel, TXThe total failure of the vacuum pump that resulted in an inoperative attitude gyro and spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of aircraft control by the pilot. Factors were; the prevailing instrument meteorological conditions, and the dark night light…NTSB SEA04WA184Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Roma, AustraliaNTSB DEN04FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20D · Pagosa Springs, COthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, and the rough and uneven runway surface.NTSB FTW04FA232Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild M-62A-3 · Corsicana, TXThe loss of engine power due to a faulty carburetor and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing after takeoff.NTSB ATL04LA173Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-401B · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an abrupt maneuver which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground.NTSB ANC04FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Koliganek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to land, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB LAX04LA313Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRedgate Europa Classic · Marble Canyon, AZan in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW04LA226Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCassutt Iiim · Pearland, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin while turning from the base leg of the traffic pattern to final. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience for the make/model airplane.NTSB NYC04WA203Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31P-425 · Sevilla, SpainNTSB SEA04WA177Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421 · Station Townshi, AustraliaNTSB SEA04FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Kalispell, MTThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power while maneuvering.NTSB NYC04FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · Northport, NYAn improper maneuver by the flightcrew while attempting to avoid a kite, which resulted in mast bumping, the separation of the main rotor system, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent into water.NTSB FTW04WA230Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-30 · Aldama, MexicoNTSB NYC04WA208Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 337C · Bresso, ItalyNTSB LAX04FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Prescott, AZThe failure of both pilots to maintain adequate clearance from each other while performing formation aerobatic maneuvers.NTSB CHI04LA243Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75 · Wisconsin Rapid, WIThe pilot's improper in-flight decision when he decided to fly at a low altitude over the river and failed to maintain clearance from the power lines. A factor was the wires.NTSB ANC04LA098Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-3 · McGrath, AKThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings due to smoke, rain, and mist.NTSB WAS04WA012Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S-64E · Bastia, Corsica, FranceNTSB MIA04WA125Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Nirgua, VenezuelaNTSB LAX04FA301Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Malibu, CAThe failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft.NTSB CHI04WA235Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationChampion 7ECA · Angle Inlet, MNNTSB SEA04MA167Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Battle Mountain, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper decision to take the direct route over mountainous terrain, the dark night conditions, and the pressure to complete the mission induced by the…NTSB CHI04FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Decorah, IAThe pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a defective magneto, his failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded aircraft performance, and his failure to obtain or maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with the…NTSB SEA04FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Toutle, WAThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, trees, a low ceiling and no suitable terrain available for the landing were factors.NTSB LAX04FA300Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Oroville, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water's surface, which resulted in his dragging of the right wing pontoon during low-altitude flight. The glassy-surfaced water was a contributing factor to the accident.NTSB IAD04FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Clarkson, NYThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel by his failure to select the proper fuel tank which resulted in starvation and subsequent loss of engine power in both engines.NTSB SEA04LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Angela, MTThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance while maneuvering. A factor contributing to the accident was the physical impairment of the pilot due to an elevated blood alcohol level.NTSB SEA04FA166Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-99 · Neihart, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during cruise, which resulted in the in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Dark night conditions and mountainous terrain were contributing factors.NTSB ANC04LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHudson Hiperbipe SNS-7 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was a low altitude maneuver preformed by the pilot just after takeoff.NTSB SEA04TA163Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Mead, WAThe reversal of the reel machine during a sock line pull which resulted in a loss of control while hovering out of ground effect. Factors were the failure of company management to develop adequate procedures for conducting sock line pulls, the inadequate…NTSB SEA04FA165Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Tulsa, OKThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection by his failure to secure the oil cap, which resulted in oil leakage on the windscreen, obstructing his vision, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed.NTSB LAX04WA293Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20K · Queensland, AustraliaNTSB LAX04FA291Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Yuba City, CAthe pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.NTSB ANC04FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Seward, AKThe failure of an aviation mechanic/inspector to adequately inspect the pilot/owner's work during the engine overhaul, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power during cruise flight, and a subsequent ditching. Factors associated with the…NTSB MIA04FA119Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206B · Key West, FLA loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during cruise flight, which resulted in the pilot ditching the airplane in ocean waters.NTSB LAX04WA295Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 Beta · McIvor Lake, BC, CanadaNTSB FTW04WA216Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 · Santa Cruz, MexicoNTSB DCA04MA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportConvair Div. of Gen. Dynamics CV-340 (580) · Florence, KYfuel starvation resulting from the captain's decision not to follow approved fuel crossfeed procedures. Contributing to the accident were the captain's inadequate preflight planning, his subsequent distraction during the flight, and his lateinitiation of the…NTSB IAD04LA036Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Brownville Junc, METhe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.NTSB CHI04LA225Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Mylo, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windmill. The windmill was a contributing factor.NTSB CHI04FA223Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Webster, WIThe high velocity impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA04TA158Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 205A1 · Leavenworth, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke jumper's misjudgment of the tree heights in the area, which resulted in the use of too short a long line, and…NTSB LAX04WA294Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 Beta · Sazava, CzechiaNTSB CHI04LA220Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAllied Ag Cat Productions G-164B · Moville, IAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were low altitude flying and the tree.NTSB DEN04FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Monarch Crest, COthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the high density altitude, and an inadvertent stall.NTSB ATL04LA166Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSidney Freebird · Lexington, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall, and collision with the ground. A factor was the pilot's total lack of experience in type of aircraft.NTSB NYC04FA185Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150L · Kinnelon, NJBoth pilots inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB FTW04FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Burnet, TXThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. A contributing factor was the cloudy weather.NTSB CHI04FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJorgensen Velocity XL-RG · Belvidere, KSThe non-instrument rated pilot's VFR flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in an inverted flat spin, in-flight breakup, and explosion.NTSB CHI04FA214Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter France EC130 B4 · Prairie du Sac, WIThe pilot's intentional low-level flight toward the lake and his failure to maintain clearance from the static wire on power transmission lines. Contributing factors were the separation of the Fenestron (tail rotor) assembly from the tail boom as a result of…