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 DEN04FA079Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Pinedale, WYThe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the downdraft, the snow shower weather and mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA04LA095Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec PZL M-18B · Borah Peak, IDThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision, VFR into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological condition.NTSB IAD04LA022Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMasak Scimitar · Alexandria, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the turbulent wind conditions.NTSB ANC04FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Cold Bay, AKA loss of engine power during the final approach to land for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the ensuing emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the stall.NTSB MIA04FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Venice, FLFailure of the pilot to recover from an improper landing flare resulting in his failure to maintain airspeed (Vs), an inadvertant stall, loss of control, and inflight collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent.NTSB SEA04FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Molalla, ORThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain control. Factors include mountain obscuration, clouds and convective weather conditions.NTSB CHI04WA125Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationde Havilland DHC-2 MK.1 · Fawcett Lake, CanadaNTSB SEA04FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Tenino, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.NTSB NYC04WA126Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Ulenurme, EstoniaNTSB FTW04WA129Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210J · Rosario, ArgentinaNTSB ATL04FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Morrisville, NCThe failure of the engine for undetermined reasons resulting in the aircraft colliding with powerlines and the ground during the subsequent forced landing.NTSB LAX04LA213Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBachman Lancair IV-P · Supai, AZthe loss of aircraft control while in cruise flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC04FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Willoughby, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff. Factors in this accident were clouds and the night conditions.NTSB IAD04FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Ferndale, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a sharp turn, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Factors included the pilot's failure to fly to the intended point of landing, and his abrupt course reversal back towards…NTSB ATL04TA116Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHughes 269A · Louisburg, NCFatigue failure of the tailboom saddle fitting which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Also causal was inadequate maintenance due to non-compliance to an airworthiness directive requiring inspection of the saddle fitting. A contributing factor was the…NTSB LAX04FA207Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Wittmann, AZThe flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall/spin while maneuvering the airplane with a dual student.NTSB SEA04LA082Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKaman K-1200 · West Fork, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with trees during logging operations. Contributing factors were the trees, mountainous (steeply sloped) terrain, and the pilot's decision to conduct operations in this terrain with a 200 foot long line.NTSB MIA04WA083Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206C · Guaviare, ColombiaNTSB LAX04FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Julian, CAThe incorrect use of an abbreviated callsign by the TRACON sector radar controller to issue a descent clearance to N434PA and the sector controllers failure to detect that the clearance had been read back with the full callsign by the pilot of N304PA. Also…NTSB FTW04IA147Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Smi-28Incapacitation of the pilot due to a heart attack.NTSB ATL04LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Cortland, ALThe pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an undershoot and collision with trees.NTSB FTW04WA126Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172M · Curico, ChileNTSB LAX04LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Reno, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while performing a return to runway maneuver, which led to a stall and spin. Factors in the accident were: 1) the deteriorated condition of the glider towrope, which resulted in towrope failure…NTSB NYC04LA118Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T-50 · Sharon, MAThe loss of power in one engine for undetermined reasons. Factors were the excessive weight, and degraded climb performance.NTSB ATL04LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRiggs Skyraider 1 · Blounts Creek, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. A factor was loss of engine power and water in the fuel.NTSB ATL04LA109Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBergmann Rans S-12 XL Airaile · Cummings, GAThe unqualified person's poor judgement and his failed to maintain clearance from power lines and trees while maneuvering for a landing which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees and power lines. Factors were the dark night and the unqualified…NTSB MIA04WA079Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen SA-227 · Carepa, ColombiaNTSB MIA04WA078Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Chimanta Tepuy, VenezuelaNTSB ATL04FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Cary, NCThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with trees. Factors were low ceilings and fog.NTSB FTW04WA120Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 840 · Milpillas, MexicoNTSB ANC04FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Deadhorse, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his spatial disorientation and loss of control during a subsequent landing. Factors associated with the accident are flat light and whiteout conditions, fog, and…NTSB ATL04LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-31 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot's failure to recover from an intentional spin during an attempted aerobatic maneuver.NTSB CHI04LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1B · Dodge Center, MNThe pilot's failure maintain climb and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during initial climb out after takeoff. The aircraft's low altitude, high gusty winds and low level turbulence were contributing factors.NTSB SEA04LA074Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchramm Helicycle · Montour, IDIn flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL04FA099Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Moselle, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance and his inadequate visual look-out while maneuvering resulting in an in-flight collision with a radio tower.NTSB ATL04LA097Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDurr Lancair Legacy · Oakland, TNThe pilot loss control of the airplane when he continued flight into known thunderstorm and convective activity. A factor is insufficient information provided by ATC personnel.NTSB CHI04FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Boonville, INThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision which resulted in his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, his diverted attention, and the dark night conditions.NTSB MIA04FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Tampa, FLImproper maintenance by other maintenance personnel, and the reinstallation of an unserviced magneto during an engine overhaul, which resulted in the magneto malfunctioning, a loss of engine power, and the airplane being ditched into the water.NTSB IAD04FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · North Lima, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude clearance from trees. Factors included the night lighting conditions and the pilot's diminished night vision capability.NTSB ATL04FA096Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Greenwood, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb that resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with trees. A factor was the inadequate preflight planning/preparation when he failed to lower the wing flaps.NTSB MIA04WA073Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310P · Caracas, VenezuelaNTSB FTW04LA108Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Goliad, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB ATL04FA093Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · North Augusta, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and the ground.NTSB IAD04LA016Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPilatus P3-05 · Edgewater, FLThe delamination of the no. 2 connecting rod bearing for undetermined reasons, resulting in a total loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inability to complete a successful forced landing due to oil on the windscreen, and smoke and…NTSB FTW04WA137Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationLancair IV-P · Novalato, MexicoNTSB ATL04LA094Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFirefly F8B · Eatonton, GAThe overload failure of the windline quick release tiedown eyebolt.NTSB DEN04FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182F · Burlington, COloss of aircraft control due to structural icing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, the icing conditions, and ice fog.NTSB CHI04LA100Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChristen A-1 · Curtis, NEThe pilot's ostentatious display of a "hammerhead stall" during intial climb and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A factor was the post impact fire.NTSB ATL04FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Johns Island, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent into trees and terrain. A factor was the loss of engine power in one engine due to pre-ignition/detonation.NTSB MIA04LA069Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLouis Amato Buccaneer · Labelle, FLThe pilots improper preflight preparation resulting in loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel and his failure to maintain airspeed while attempting to reverse direction to land resulting in an inadvert stall, uncontrolled descent, and impact with…