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 LAX03WA281Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 404 · Jandakot, AustraliaNTSB LAX03FA254Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Bishop, CAthe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to a Somatogravic illusion and/or spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the dark lighting conditions and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB FTW03WA193Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185F · Prto. Echeverry, ColombiaNTSB ANC03FA094Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35-B · Skagway, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and subsequent inadvertent stall, which resulted in a collision with trees during takeoff-initial climb. Factors contributing to the accident were terrain features consisting of a ravine and rising terrain on…NTSB IAD03FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Factoryville, PAThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to descend below the published minimum descent altitude while executing a non-precision approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with trees. A factor was the fog.NTSB CHI03FA251Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Topeka, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in a stall during takeoff. Contributing factors were the low altitude he was at during the takeoff, and the trees.NTSB NYC03FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Pleasantville, PAThe pilot's improper IFR procedure by his failure to maintain published altitudes, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain. A factor was his impairment due to prescription medication.NTSB DEN03FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWright Hughes 1-B · Yellowstone Nat, WYThe in-flight loss of a propeller counterweight, followed by the pilot's loss of aircraft control during a forced landing attempt and subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground.NTSB DEN03FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Antonito, COThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the trees, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI03FA246Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Clarkfield, MNThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain and his continued VFR flight into IMC during cruise flight. A factor was the low ceilings.NTSB NYC03FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · Groton, CTThe first officer's inadvertent retraction of the flaps during the low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in the inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with a residential home. Factors in the accident were the captain's decision to perform a…NTSB MIA03WA156Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22 · Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicNTSB CHI03LA241Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportYoung Pietenpol Air Camper · Peru, INThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during the landing. A factor was the trees he impacted.NTSB IAD03FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Galion, OHThe pilot's improper in-flight decision making and flight into known adverse weather conditions while maneuvering to land. Also causal was the pilot's failure to regard the pre-flight weather briefing. Factors were the thunderstorm, rain, wind gusts and hail.NTSB CHI03LA242Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTeratorn · Elbow Lake, MNThe pilot's intentional flight into known fog and failure to maintain aircraft control during cruise flight. A factor was the fog, and the low altitude flight.NTSB NYC03WA174Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182T · Buckinghamshire, United KingdomNTSB NYC03LA171Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStewart Hummel Bird · North Baltimore, OHThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during an emergency landing.NTSB SEA03LA157Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-24E · Hood River, ORThe pilot's failure to refuel prior to the flight, resulting in fuel exhaustion during the initial climb, followed by the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. An inadvertent stall was a factor.NTSB MIA03LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTurkan Delta Wing Kite Trik · Odessa, FLThe pilot's improper assembly and failure to connect a bolt following an attempted modification that resulted in airframe malfunction, and uncontrolled descent, and an impact with the ground.NTSB CHI03LA227Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUllrich Auriga FT · Aberdeen, SDA loss of engine power due to the lack of design fuel pressure for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA03GA153Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportKaman K-1200 · Keller, WACorrosion fatigue within the blade retention bolt bushing(s) of the main rotor blade grip resulting in fatigue, cracking and ultimate separation of the upper grip plate. The separation of the upper blade grip plate led to a dynamic imbalance within the rotor…NTSB LAX03GA244Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Whiteriver, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain a minimum translational lift airspeed while maneuvering in high density altitude conditions at near maximum required torque and above the in ground effect hover altitude, that resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and…NTSB DEN03FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Blanding, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB MIA03WA159Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 551 · Sorocaba, BrazilNTSB LAX03FA241Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Waialeale,Kauai, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance/altitude while descending over mountainous terrain, and his continued flight into adverse weather. Factors contributing to the accident were clouds and a low ceiling.NTSB SEA03FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Tulalip, WAA loss of control for unknown reasons.NTSB NYC03FA164Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker T Mk 7A · Pittston, PAThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, after the engine experienced a partial power loss for undetermined reasons. Factors were the pilot's improper preflight planning by his failure to determine if the airplane was airworthy, and the operators inadequate…NTSB CHI03FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Jackson, MNThe pilot's intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.NTSB MIA03LA146Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSonerai Sonerai IIB · Lakeland, FLThe pilot's decision to conduct low level flight and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.NTSB LAX03LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThompson Quickie Q2 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's inadvertent entry into a pilot induced oscillation and failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff initial climb. A contributing factor was the pilot's likely impairment by an over-the-counter drug substance that degraded his physical…NTSB WAS03WA017Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationHughes 369HS · Sevenoaks, Kent, United KingdomNTSB WAS03RA016Accident · 14 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen SA-226TC · Mount Kenya,, KenyaNTSB NYC03FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStart & Flug H101 · Rock Hill, NYThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing.NTSB DEN03FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Steamboat Sprng, COThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors include the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, high density altitude, and mountainous conditions.NTSB NYC03FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Quakertown, PAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA03WA147Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-235 · Freeport, BahamasNTSB CHI03LA216Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Isle, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The trees, high density altitude, and the soft field were additional factors.NTSB SEA03FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · White Bird, IDThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with terrain while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident included the impairment of the pilot due to carbon monoxide exposure and the trees.NTSB DCA03WA045Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLockheed L-188A · Cranbrook, CanadaNTSB CHI03LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAllenberg Swick BC 12-D · Winsted, MNThe inadequate aircraft preflight by both pilots of the closed main fuel valve which led to fuel starvation of the engine. Additional causes were the lack of recent experience in the accident airplane and the inadvertent stall by both pilots after a loss of…NTSB DEN03LA128Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrob G103 Twin Astir · Morgan, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to fly low over a mountain ridge. Contributing factors included the wind shear, altitude/clearance, and the…NTSB ANC03LA076Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Gustavus, AKThe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making process, and failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of a suitable forced landing site.NTSB WAS03WA014Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 RG · Pianello/Carena, SwitzerlandNTSB MIA03FA141Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportCessna 402C · Treasure Cay, Bahamasthe in-flight failure of the right engine and the pilot’s failure to adequately manage the airplane’s performance after the engine failed. The right engine failure resulted from inadequate maintenance that was performed by Air Sunshine’s maintenance personnel…NTSB ENG04WA019Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech A-36 · Miyazaki Airpor, JapanNTSB ANC03FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · English Bay, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aborted landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with water. Factors were the high velocity crosswind conditions, the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind…NTSB MIA03WA142Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech S-35 · San Vito Java, Costa RicaNTSB DEN03FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCASA 2.111 · Cheyenne, WYA loss of engine power for reasons undetermined, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing, low airspeed, the fence, automobile, and the school bus wash barn.NTSB FTW03FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · McAllen, TXThe pilot's failure to recover from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the gusty winds.NTSB WAS03RA019Accident · 115 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Port Sudan, Sudan