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 FTW04LA040Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHackney Vans RV-6A · Carthage, TXThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall,NTSB ANC04FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Tonopah, NVThe pilot's failure to follow approved instrument flight procedures, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstacles/terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident are snow and low clouds.NTSB FTW04WA048Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46 · Guaymas, MexicoNTSB SEA04LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUpright RV-7A · McMinnville, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Cloudy weather, continued flight into adverse weather, inadequate preflight planning and mountainous terrain were factors.NTSB ATL04FA051Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Greeneville, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in icing conditions on a circling approach for landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with trees and terrain. A factor in the accident was a partial loss of engine power due to the…NTSB FTW04FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Sugar Land, TXThe pilots failure to maintain clearance with powerlines during a VFR approach. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions,and the high winds.NTSB ATL04FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Vestavia Hills, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climb in icing conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall / spin of the airplane and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. A factor was the accumulation of airframe ice.NTSB MIA04WA033Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter France AS 350 B3 · Guayaramerim, BrazilNTSB FTW04FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Livingston, TXThe pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditions and maintain control of the airplane during the final approach. Contributing factors were the gusty and high wind conditions.NTSB LAX04FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportIniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 650 TC · Placerville, CAthe pilot's failure to fully remove an accumulation of ice and frost on the wings, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly configure the flaps for takeoff.NTSB LAX04FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Chino Hills, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by which he conducted VFR flight into night instrument meteorological conditions. Mountainous terrain, dark night conditions and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing are contributing…NTSB DCA04WA009Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationSocata TBM-700 · Oxford, United KingdomNTSB ATL04FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 11AC · San Antonio, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance above objects on approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ATL04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B200 · Morlan, GAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision when he continued the flight below the decision height and collided with trees. A related factor was the low ceiling.NTSB LAX04FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWing D-1 · Rosamond, CAThe flying pilot's failure to obtain/maintain control of the airplane during practice stalls, which resulted in the inadvertent entry into a spin.NTSB FTW04FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Harrison, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedures, and his failure attain the proper glidepath.NTSB NYC04LA043Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBarness Pulsar I · Bardstown, KYThe pilot's loss of aircraft control, resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane.NTSB SEA04LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportShear Titan Tornado · Brooks, ORThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering due to a hypoglycemic condition.NTSB FTW04WA034Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna R172E · Macas, EcuadorNTSB FTW04FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · High Island 573The loss of engine power due to the failure of the 3rd stage turbine wheel and subsequent catastrophic failure of the turbine assembly.NTSB SEA04FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Swearingen SA227-AT · Spokane, WAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper glidepath alignment during an ILS approach in poor weather resulting in collision with trees and terrain. Contributing factors were the unreliable status of the primary (NAV 1) ILS receiver (leaving the pilot…NTSB MIA04FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-26-AT · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot's descent below decision height while performing an ILS approach with low ceilings and fog, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees and the ground. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the instrument…NTSB SEA04FA022Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Warren, ORThe vacuum pump failure and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident included the instrument meteorological weather conditions and the pilot's improper recovery from the descent.NTSB MIA04WA030Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-201T · Caracas, VenezuelaNTSB LAX04GA051Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Big Bear City, CAThe pilots inadequate preflight planning and intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to this accident was the fact that it was a dark night with no moon illumination.NTSB FTW04WA033Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-36 · Santa Cruz, BoliviaNTSB MIA04FA023Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Okolona, MSThe pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing resulting in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's ostentatious display.NTSB FTW04WA032Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna P337 · Versalles, BoliviaNTSB ATL04FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 55 · Griffin, GAA loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to follow the engine failure after liftoff emergency procedure to feather the left engine propeller resulting in a loss of control during climbout, and the subsequent collision with a commercial building. A…NTSB SEA04LA019Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKaman K-600 · Nordman, IDThe total failure of the helicopter's right main rotor shaft while in an ascending hover due to the propagation of a fatigue crack that initiated in a corrosion pit on the surface of a slot in the wall of the subject shaft. Factors include accumulation of…NTSB SEA04FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Bellevue, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during descent. Factors included the mountainous terrain, the high wind condition, and dark night light conditions.NTSB NYC04FA036Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Somerset, KYA total loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. A factor was the impairment of the pilot in command due to an over-the-counter antihistamine.NTSB FTW04FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A45 · Montgomery, TXThe non-compliance with applicable Airworthiness Directives which required wing spar inspections, and the continued operation of the aircraft beyond the compliance time extension granted as per the approved alternate means of compliance (AMOC). Also causal…NTSB NYC04LA035Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNortham RAF 2000 · Nelsonia, VAA loss of control for undetermined reason(s).NTSB NYC04FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Westerly, RIThe Piper pilot's improper decision to continue a landing on an occupied runway, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the departing Cessna. Factors related to the accident were the departing Cessna pilot's inattentive radio communications, and the…NTSB FTW04FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Tolar, TXThe pilot's improper pre-flight planning and loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the fog.NTSB MIA04FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Missing, BahamasUndetermined.NTSB LAX04WA148Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200 · New South Wales, AustraliaNTSB LAX04FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Blk Canyon City, AZa loss of engine power due to the failure of the single-drive dual magneto that resulted from inadequate lubrication of the breaker cam. Also causal was the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel during a recent inspection, which should have…NTSB FTW04WA035Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L4 · Urucu, BrazilNTSB LAX04LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDaughters T18C · Needles, CAthe pilot's continuation of a visual flight rules (VFR) flight into an area of adverse weather, which resulted in an encounter with moderate to severe turbulence and in-flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB MIA04WA021Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 Raven II · Darien, PanamaNTSB MIA04WA020Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationShort Brothers Skyvan SC7 · Georgetown, GuyanaNTSB LAX04WA040Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Derby, AustraliaNTSB LAX04LA038Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCathaway RV-6A · Saticoy, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of a loose B-nut fitting for the carburetor fuel inlet line, which allowed fuel to leak out.NTSB NYC04LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Bruceton Mills, WVThe pilot's physical impairment due to alcohol and his improper decision to attempt flight with a low cloud ceiling, low visibility, after consuming alcohol. A related factor in the accident was the low cloud ceiling.NTSB LAX04FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta II · Torrance, CAthe failure of the pilot of the R22 to comply with an ATC clearance.NTSB CHI04FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommander 114TC · Hutchinson, KSThe pilot's diverted attention during the missed approach which resulted in aircraft control not being maintained. Factors to the accident included the pilot not being current for instrument operations and the low cloud ceiling at night.NTSB NYC04LA021Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFleet 16B · Fishers Island, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with water.NTSB MIA04WA017Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182P · Santa Elena, Venezuela