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 DCA04WA070Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationSocata Rallye TB-10 · Solroed Strand, DenmarkNTSB ANC04WA101Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206G · Optand, SwedenNTSB SEA04FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Port Angeles, WAThe pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain clearance from trees. Trees, mountainous terrain, dark night conditions, clouds and VFR flight into IMC were factors.NTSB MIA04GA117Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Bunnell, FLThe pilot's continued flights and inadequate inspections after repeated tail rotor guard ground strikes due to improper flaring, which resulted in an in-flight failure of tail rotor drive shaft components, a loss of control, and the helicopter crash.NTSB FTW04FA206Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Olney, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in the inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor was the prevailing tailwind.NTSB DEN04FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Mineral Wells, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB FTW04FA204Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Lakeway, TXThe pilot's failure to successfully perform a short-field takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB MIA04FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Miami, FLThe failure of company maintenance personnel to secure the push/pull tube to the left lug of the non-rotating portion of the swashplate assembly following maintenance, and the inability of the pilot to control the helicopter resulting in the in-flight…NTSB CHI04FA205Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Point Lookout, MOThe pilot's failure attain adequate flying speed and his delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in premature liftoff and an overrun of the runway. Contributing factors were the descending embankment, trees and ravine.NTSB SEA04LA152Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPaulick Wittman W-10 · Langley, WAThe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation to assure adequate takeoff performance to clear obstacles, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.NTSB FTW04LA199Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDrzymala RV-4 · Collinsville, TXThe pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CHI04FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKnoepflein Lancair Legacy 2000 · Madison, WIA loss of engine power due to high engine temperatures which resulted in a failure of the number three piston, the pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known high temperature problems, the pilot's poor inflight planning, and the pilot's failure to…NTSB ATL04LA164Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Waterloo, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision into water.NTSB FTW04WA203Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHelio H-295 · La Campa, HondurasNTSB ANC04FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Kenai, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vs) while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and loss of control.NTSB SEA04WA148Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31T · Benalla, AustraliaNTSB CHI04FA198Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Fox Lake, ILThe flight crew's failure to maintain airspeed which led to an inadvertent stall/spin. An additional cause was the flight instructor's unsuccessful remedial action during the course of the accident sequence. The slow flight performed was a factor.NTSB CHI04FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Alpha · Mount Clemens, MIA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC04FA179Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Exton, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting a residence. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience.NTSB NYC04LA178Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarrett Stephens Akro · Westport, NYThe pilot's loss of aircraft control while maneuvering, due to incapacitation, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB SEA04FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Cle Elum, WAThe pilot's failure to obtain and maintain a safe rate of climb after takeoff, due to his failure to perform pre-takeoff weight/balance and takeoff/climb performance calculations. Factors include a high density altitude environment, and trees off the…NTSB IAD04FA033Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Toughkenamon, PAThe pilot's decision to add power, in an attempt to abort the landing after the airplane had veered off the runway. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after the landing.NTSB DEN04FA109Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Fort Collins, COthe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin. Clouds and the pilot's diverted attention were contributing factors.NTSB CHI04WA192Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Hamm-Lippewiese, GermanyNTSB LAX04LA274Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFinke Rotorway Exec 162F · Cameron Park, CAThe owner-builder's improper main rotor blade (MRB) maintenance/installation by under torquing the blade retaining nut.NTSB NYC04FA170Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Wheeling, WVThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while executing an instrument approach. A factor was the night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC04FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Brookville, OHThe student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed and a stall/mush.NTSB MIA04WA108Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Algarrobo, ChileNTSB ATL04FA159Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 36TC · Sylvester, GAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in flight into thunderstorms resulting in an in-flight breakup of the airframe.NTSB LAX04FA271Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Bishop, CAthe pilot's continued VFR flight into marginal weather conditions with lowering ceilings in a box canyon in mountainous terrain, and his subsequent inability to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction, which led to an accelerated…NTSB FTW04FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 L-1 · Cameron, LAThe helicopter's in-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL04LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S-1 · Durham, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ANC04FA080Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Willow, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering, and a collision with trees and terrain during an uncontrolled descent.NTSB SEA04FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Ontario, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering for an approach to land.NTSB FTW04LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Morrilton, ARThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation to assure adequate takeoff performance to clear obstacles.NTSB CHI04MA182Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Newberry, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance as a result of fog conditions. A contributing factor was inadequate weather and dispatch information relayed to the pilot.NTSB ATL04LA153Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportConvair Div. of Gen. Dynamics 440 · Beef IslandThe in-flight fire on the number two engine, for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC04FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E95 · Atlantic City, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while performing a go-around after experiencing a loss of power to the left engine for undetermined reason(s). A factor related to the accident was the loss of power to the left engine.NTSB IAD04FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Edinburgh, NYThe pilot's occluded left main coronary artery, which resulted in a massive heart attack and sudden death in flight.NTSB DEN04FA104Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Paris, ARthe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees resulting in the airplane's collision with the trees and subsequent impact with the ground. Factors…NTSB IAD04FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Ticonderoga, NYReason for occurrence undetermined.NTSB CHI04FA177Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Rochester, MNThe loss of control due to the student pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.NTSB LAX04LA253Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAnderson Harmon Rocket II · Seal Beach, CAthe in-flight separation of the elevator, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an uncontrolled descent. The underlying cause and mechanism of the elevator separation could not be determined.NTSB CHI04WA171Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Qaqortoq, GreenlandNTSB NYC04FA157Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Wilmot, NHThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Factors in the accident were the low cloud ceiling and the pilot's lack of recent instrument time.NTSB ATL04WA147Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-161 · Liverpool, United KingdomNTSB NYC04RA153Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124 · Tocumen, PanamaNTSB FTW04FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Hot Springs, ARThe pilot's failure to fly a stabilized, published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the clouds and the air traffic controllers' failure to provide known information that may have assisted the…NTSB SEA04WA131Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSocata TB-200 · Mianyang, ChinaNTSB SEA04LA119Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportApco Powered Parachute · Wolf Point, MTThe pilot's loss of control as a result of trying a low altitude quick turning maneuver. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.