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 MIA04FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Homestead, FLThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in an encounter with rain showers and turbulence, a loss of aircraft control, and overstress of the airframe.NTSB LAX04LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTailwind W-8 · San Pedro, CAThe pilot's incapacitation during descent, which resulted in a loss of control and an in-flight collision with water.NTSB LAX04FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Laupahoehoe, HIthe pilot's disregard for an in-flight weather advisory, his likely encounter with marginal VFR or IMC weather conditions, his decision to continue flight into those conditions, and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude resulting in an…NTSB ATL04FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · High Falls, GAThe pilot's impairment due to alcohol which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees.NTSB FTW04WA074Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGarlick OH58A · La Laya, MexicoNTSB MIA04WA054Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-300RT · Capitan Miranda, ParaguayNTSB LAX04LA106Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCox Thorpe T-18 · Compton, CAboth pilots' failure to see and avoid one another that resulted in the airplane's encounter with downwash induced wake vortices from the helicopter, and the airplane pilot's subsequent loss of control.NTSB MIA04FA047Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Lake Worth, FLThe pilot's inadequate control of the aircraft by his use of an excessive bank angle, and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and a loss of control following a loss of power in one engine. The reason for the loss of the engine power was…NTSB LAX04FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Big Pine, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX04FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Grass Valley, CAthe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. Also causal was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to return to the origin airport in the face of…NTSB MIA04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fort Pierce, FLThe flight instructor's failure to comply with the instrument approach procedure in that he descended prematurely below decision height resulting in an in-flight collision with trees, power lines and the ground. Contributing factors were the dark night light…NTSB MIA04FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Venice, FLThe spatial disorientation of the flightcrew during the dark night and their failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB MIA04FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Clearwater, FLThe failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout while entering the traffic pattern (downwind leg) at an uncontrolled airport resulting in a midair collision. inadvertent stall, and in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ATL04FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Traphill, NCThe loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors were conditions conducive for carburetor icing.NTSB LAX04FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout during climb, and the pilot of the other airplane's inadequate visual lookout during cruise.NTSB FTW04FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Willow Park, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night and rain.NTSB DEN04FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B95 · Cedar City, UTthe pilot in command's (examinee) failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate supervision by the designated examiner.NTSB CHI04FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Baudette, MNThe pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, low ceiling, low altitude, and the dark night conditions.NTSB FTW04FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182RG · El Dorado, ARThe loss of engine power as a result of loss of engine oil due to the failure of the oil filter converter plate gasket and the noncompliance to an airworthiness directive. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the…NTSB FTW04FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Amarillo, TXThe pilot's incapacitation due to chest pains, resulting in a loss of control.NTSB FTW04FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Beaumont, TXThe flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. Contributing factors were the low cloud ceiling weather conditions and night light conditions.NTSB DEN04FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690A · Cortez, COthe pilot's inadequate planned approach and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing factors were low altitude flight maneuvering in an attempt to lose excessive altitude and realign the airplane for landing, and his failure to…NTSB SEA04FA032Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Glasgow, MTLoss of aircraft control resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors include marginal weather and dark night conditions.NTSB SEA04FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Cave Junction, ORBoth the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot allowing the aircraft to enter into an area of adverse weather (icing conditions at low [-20 degrees C] temperatures) resulting in sequential induction icing, induction filter blockage, carburetor icing and the…NTSB NYC04WA055Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31T · Toussus Le Nobl, FranceNTSB FTW04FA052Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Dallas, TXThe failure of flight/navigation instruments while in instrument meteorological conditions (in-cloud flight and low ceilings) resulting in spatial disorientation. A contributing factors was the prevaling instrument meteorological conditions (low ceiling and…NTSB MIA04FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Greenacres City, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent uncontrolled descent into a canal. A factor was the pilot's impairment by the drug chlorpheniramine.NTSB ATL04LA064Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAtkinson SA 102.5 · Trenton, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ATL04FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney 20F · Campobello, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and a collision with trees and the ground during an uncontrolled descent. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight…NTSB ANC04FA016Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Peoria, AZThe inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both aircraft, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other's aircraft and a subsequent midair collision. A factor associated with the accident was the airplane pilot's failure to determine that…NTSB LAX04WA080Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPacific Aerospace 750XL · Pacific Ocean, New ZealandNTSB LAX04LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Vacaville, CAthe pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.NTSB WAS04RA010Accident · 141 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 727-223 · Cotonou, BeninNTSB LAX04FA078Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · North Las Vegas, NVAn in-flight collision with terrain for an undetermined reason while the pilot was maneuvering to return for a landing during an unknown emergency.NTSB LAX04FA077Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Avalon, CAThe failure of both pilots to properly execute the published missed approach procedure.NTSB LAX04FA076Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A · Redwood Valley, CAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent in-flight encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a collision with rising…NTSB LAX04FA075Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportLearjet 24B · Helendale, CAA loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW04WA050Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Shiona, EcuadorNTSB FTW04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Grand Saline, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. Factors were the high winds and prevailing crosswind.NTSB CHI04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney 20E · Webster, WIThe pilot's inadequate decision to conduct a low altitude flight maneuver without sufficient altitude to maintain clearance from the terrain. Low altitude flight and ostentatious display are contributing factors.NTSB ATL04LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportInterplane Skyboy-2 · Covington, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and collision with the ground. A factor was the unqualified person (pilot).NTSB MIA04FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Thonotosassa, FLThe pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to landing on the water, resulting in a loss of control, and the airplane nosing over.NTSB CHI04FA044Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Brooklyn, IAThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision resulting in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his…NTSB CHI04FA043Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Daytona Beach, FLThe unqualified pilot's continued flight into known instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience and the low ceiling.NTSB ATL04FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Sanford, NCThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during takeoff initial climb due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees and the ground. Factors were the dark night, fog, and low ceilings.NTSB SEA04LA027Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErickson SHA Glasair TD · Vansycle, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the anemometer pole/wires during low altitude flight. Contributing factors were the pole and the pilot's low altitude flight.NTSB LAX04FA081Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Corona, CAThe student pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control as a result of spatial disorientation.NTSB LAX04FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Redlands, CAa loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently turning off the magnetos and his failure to initiate an autorotation and to maintain main rotor rpm. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of an over-the-counter medication that impaired his…NTSB LAX04FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Claremont, CAthe pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.NTSB FTW04FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H-35 · Mena, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain, fog, clouds, and turbulence.