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 LAX04LA034Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCanadair T33 · Santa Clarita, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during low altitude maneuvers.NTSB CHI04LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaster Donald C BD5B · Traverse City, MIThe pilot in command not maintaining control of the aircraft during the final approach.NTSB LAX04FA031Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Kelso, CAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument conditions between cloud layers and with reduced visibility due to smoke that resulted in an in-flight loss of control from spatial disorientation, and the structural overload of the airframe during the…NTSB DEN04MA015Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Cody, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to divert to an alternate airport, an inadvertent stall, and the snow and icing conditions.NTSB LAX04LA029Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28B · Hornbrook, CAa catastrophic engine failure from oil exhaustion due to inadequate maintenance installation of the lubricating system hoses.NTSB FTW04WA016Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRaytheon Corporate Jets Hawker 125 · Tampico, MexicoNTSB ATL04FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Spartanburg, SCThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures and descent below the glide path, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees during an instrument approach. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the sedating effects of medication.NTSB MIA04WA014Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationFairchild FH227B · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaNTSB ATL04FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Spencer, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with the ground.NTSB NYC04LA013Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLoranger Emeraude CP301A · Brookville, OHThe pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane with insufficient fuel for the flight, his improper decision to return to the airport with inadequate altitude remaining, and his failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A…NTSB MIA04FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2A-1 · Balm, FLThe pilot's intentional buzzing and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a building.NTSB MIA04FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Olive Branch, MSThe student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso), which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terrain. A factor in the accident was his failure to follow the airplane's operating checklist and retract the…NTSB SEA04FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Seaside, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects while maneuvering. High winds, gusts and rain were factors.NTSB ATL04LA021Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGodwin Lancair 360 · Knoxville, TNA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and subsequent inflight collision with rocks during forced landing.NTSB LAX04FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Mesquite, NVfuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and fuel system management, and failure to select a fuel tank containing fuel. Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.NTSB FTW04LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-10 · Ponder, TXThe pilot's decision to conduct low altitude maneuvering flight and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed.NTSB SEA04FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Scappoose, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering. An inadvertent stall, the pilot's failure to follow engine operation procedures and engine detonation were factors.NTSB FTW04LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGeneral Motors FM-2 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin while maneuvering to land.NTSB CHI04LA015Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Fenton, MIThe intentional low altitude flight maneuvering and the ostentatious display by the pilot. The water was a factor to the accident.NTSB NYC04LA011Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Wax, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor.NTSB SEA04LA005Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Swisshome, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering. The power line, mountainous terrain with high obstructions (thick trees and underbrush) and the operators failure to maintain a "hazard map" as indicated in their procedures manual…NTSB ATL04FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Cordesville, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent into trees and the ground. A factor was physical impairment.NTSB NYC04LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Cheswold, DEThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with an unlit utility pole. Factors related to the accident were the unlit utility pole, and the dark…NTSB NYC04LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA-300L · Queen Anne, MDThe pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers with positive and negative Gs, which resulted in a G induced loss of control, and uncontrolled impact with the ground.NTSB ATL04WA042Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCirrus Design SR-22 · Pamplona, SpainNTSB FTW04FA007Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · W. Cameron 509The pilot's loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms, the low ceilings, and the miscommunication between the pilot and the company's communication center in…NTSB CHI04LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAviat Pitts S-2B · Cromwell, MNThe altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing factors were the planning/decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.NTSB SEA04FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Chinook, MTThe total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the separation of the carburetor from its mounting bolts, and the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for strong crosswinds while attempting the subsequent forced landing. Additional factors include…NTSB NYC04LA004Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPfeifler Edge-540 · Warrenton, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while performing aerobatic maneuvers.NTSB FTW04LA004Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportColliander RV-8 · Van, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors were the low ceilings, rain, and fog.NTSB DEN04FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Grantsville, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual outlook during low level flight maneuvers that resulted in a collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's attention being diverted.NTSB LAX04FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed P2V · East Highlands, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW04WA005Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna U-206G · El Peru, BoliviaNTSB DEN04FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Teasdale, UTThe student pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the student pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, the low ceiling, the rain, the student…NTSB DCA04WA007Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationConvair Div. of Gen. Dynamics CV340/580 · Kapiti Coast, New ZealandNTSB CHI04LA003Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Orange City, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance from the trees while manuevering at a low altitude. A factor was the trees.NTSB ATL04LA003Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWhitty Mustang II · Holly Ridge, NCThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing.NTSB LAX04WA006Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Queensland, AustraliaNTSB LAX04FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Corona, CAfailure of the turbocharger exhaust clamp due to a pre-existing weld crack, which allowed the release of high temperature exhaust gasses in the engine compartment, causing an in-flight fire.NTSB ATL04LA001Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Walter A Hornet · Saint Marys, GAThe loss of engine power due to improper maintenance and the pilot's failure to maintian airspeed during the attempted forced landing that resulted in a stall.NTSB DEN03FA157Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Belen, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control immediately after takeoff due to spatial disorientation. A factor was the dark night light conditions.NTSB LAX03WA303Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Derby, AustraliaNTSB NYC03FA206Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-180 · Bardstown, KYThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC03FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182T · Concord, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. A factor was the low ceilings.NTSB LAX03LA300Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcClanahan Stits Playmate SA-11 · Fontana, CAa loss of engine power due to oil starvation that was the result of misaligned main bearing halves that obstructed the oil galley passages. Since the history of the engine could not be reconstructed, the person or entity responsible for the bearing…NTSB CHI03FA320Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Three Oaks, MIThe pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed resulting in a stall during takeoff. Contributing factors were the buzzing flight and trees.NTSB ATL03FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman HU-16C · Fort Pierce, FLA loss of engine power due to the pilot placing the fuel selector in the off position which resulted in fuel starvation to the left engine, after the pilot intentionally shut down the right engine.NTSB NYC03FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Nantucket, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a missed approach. Factors in this accident were fog and the night light conditions.NTSB DEN03FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBeech F33A · Greer, AZThe airplane is missing for unknown reason.NTSB LAX03MA292Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · GrandCanyonWest, AZThe pilot's disregard of safe flying procedures and misjudgment of the helicopter's proximity to terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a canyon wall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of Sundance Helicopters and the Federal…