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 DEN03FA155Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS-125-700A · Beaumont, TXthe first pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed. Contributing factors included performing intentional stalls at too low an altitude to afford a safe recovery, the pilot's failure to add power in an attempt to recover, and the…NTSB LAX03LA291Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Lone Pine, CAthe pilot's inadequate assembly of the glider and improper preflight inspection, which resulted in an inadvertent deployment of the spoilers. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. His diverted attention to the control problems…NTSB FTW03FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLearjet 25B · Del Rio, TXThe pilot's misjudged distance and speed during the approach to landing, and his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point resulting in an overrun. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to abort the landing.NTSB ATL03FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Perry, GAThe pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss of engine power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an stall.NTSB LAX03LA289Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportButzbach Smith Miniplane DSA1 · Escondido, CAThe pilot's low level aerobatic maneuver and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.NTSB FTW03WA227Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 690 · Soto La Marina, MexicoNTSB ATL03FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft A36 · Stone Mountain, GAThe pilot's intentional flight into the ground for the purpose of suicide while impaired by alcohol.NTSB FTW03FA225Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310J · New Orleans, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control of the airplane during a go-around. A contributing factor was the crosswind.NTSB NYC03FA197Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Greenville, METhe pilot's improper fuel management by which he failed to position the fuel selector in the proper position and resulted in fuel starvation during the initial climb.NTSB MIA03LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Atlantic OceanPilot incapacitation due to a cardiovascular event which led to loss of control and subsequent impact with water.NTSB SEA03LA190Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Challis, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering. Factors include mountainous terrain and trees.NTSB FTW03WA228Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31 · Uraba, ColombiaNTSB FTW03WA226Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Tecalitran, MexicoNTSB ATL03FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20C · Monticello, GAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance and collision with trees. A factor was low ceiling.NTSB NYC03LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · Norfolk, VAthe airline ground person's failure to properly control the pushback tug, and her subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance between the tug and the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were the airline ground person's operation of the tug…NTSB FTW03LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Farwell, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DCA03WA056Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationBeech King Air B200 · Madeira Islands, PortugalNTSB CHI03FA301Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 11BC · Colfax, WIThe pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the pilot was maneuvering.NTSB FTW03FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · New Braunfels, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff.NTSB ATL03FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-55 · Winder, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in which he failed to secure the cabin door which diverted his attention and resulted in the failure to maintain directional control.NTSB SEA03LA185Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 65-CA · Polson, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while maneuvering and alcohol impairment. Transmission wires, dark night conditions, and drug impairment were factors.NTSB LAX03LA275Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBacon Questair #20 Venture · Carefree, AZThe pilot's misjudgment of speed/distance and his failure to do a go-around. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and his delay aborting the landing.NTSB CHI03FA291Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Uniondale, INThe pilot's inaccurate preflight planning which resulted in an inadequate fuel supply and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceiling, dark night conditions, and the utility pole which the airplane contacted during…NTSB ANC03FA106Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · Chickaloon, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident were weather conditions consisting of clouds/mist and low ceilings, and the…NTSB FTW03WA215Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L-3 · Solola, GuatemalaNTSB ATL03FA134Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-35 · Kingsport, TNThe certified flight instructor's mismanagement of the fuel, resulting in a loss of engine power and his failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall.NTSB ATL03FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Hilton Head Is, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a VFR pattern for a precautionary landing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the…NTSB LAX03LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Gerlach, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall mush and collision with terrain.NTSB NYC03WA191Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Malaga, SpainNTSB FTW03WA210Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna R172K · Juan de Morros, VenezuelaNTSB LAX03LA267Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPetz Flying Boat · Tracy, CAThe inadequate design of the engine exhaust system and inappropriate selection of propeller materials by the designer/builder, which resulted in separation of the propeller blades during takeoff/initial climb, and a subsequent in-flight collision with terrain…NTSB CHI03FA296Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Grand Marais, MNThe continued descent below minimum descent altitude and the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot during approach to the airport. The low ceiling was a contributing factor.NTSB MIA03WA172Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-38-112 · Penalolen, ChileNTSB SEA03FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Warm Lake, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during final approach resulting in a stall/spin. Contributing factors were the rapidly rising terrain and trees.NTSB NYC03MA183Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Yarmouth, MAThe improper replacement of the forward elevator trim cable, and subsequent inadequate functional check of the maintenance performed, which resulted in a reversal of the elevator trim system and a loss of control in-flight. Factors were the flightcrew's…NTSB LAX03FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Encinitas, CAThe student pilot's spatial disorientation and inadvertent descent into the ocean while maneuvering to avoid inclement weather. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision due to his improper approval of his student's preflight preparation…NTSB NYC03FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39ZO · Forest Hill, MDThe pilot's in-flight decision to delay application of engine power to account for the engine's slow response to throttle input, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with a residential area. A factor related to the accident was the…NTSB CHI03LA282Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Edwardsburg, MIThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line during his low level cruise. Factors were the power transmission line, the lake, and low altitude flight.NTSB CHI03FA284Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Lake Elmo, MNBoth pilots failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from the other aircraft.NTSB MIA03FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Clearwater, FLThe failure of the flightcrew to maintain airspeed (Vs) resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with the ground.NTSB CHI03LA278Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-G6 · Breckenridge, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines during the aerial application pass rendering the airplane uncontrollable. The powerlines were a factor.NTSB ATL03FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Rome, GAA loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination (water). Also causal was the pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL03FA127Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing PT-17 Stearman · Tuckasegee, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor was drug impairment.NTSB ANC03FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportAlon A-2 (Aircoupe) · Ketchikan, AKUndetermined. .NTSB ANC03FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportReims 406 · Barrow, AKAn in-flight collision with ocean waters while maneuvering for an undetermined reason.NTSB SEA03LA170Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAvid Magnum · Greenwater, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while manuevering for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW03WA218Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-140 · Chilpancingo, MexicoNTSB CHI03LA269Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHolden Pulsar · Willmar, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB CHI03LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Sparta, MIThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the inadvertent stall/spin encountered. The inadequate fuel supply, airspeed not being maintained, low altitude, and terrain were factors to the accident.NTSB CHI03FA259Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · E.I. 276, LAThe inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and the directional control not obtained/maintained by the pilot during takeoff. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the planned approach to position the helicopter with a crosswind in order to…