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 FTW03FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · McKinney, TXThe CFI's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing. A contributing factor was the impact with a bird, which affected the performance of the airplane.NTSB CHI03FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Schaumburg, ILThe pilot not maintaining airplane control and the inadvertent stall he encountered during initial climb.NTSB NYC03FA153Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Montauk, NYA loss of control during climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI03WA198Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-58TC · Toronto, CanadaNTSB NYC03FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-35 · Middlesboro, KYThe pilot's improper decision to descend into clouds, and his exceeding the maximum speed and design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight breakup and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB MIA03WA137Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-220T · Estancia, ParaguayNTSB MIA03WA136Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Uriman, VenezuelaNTSB CHI03LA201Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcIlraith Sea Rey · Tomah, WIThe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall/spin during the forced landing.NTSB SEA03FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · East Wenatchee, WALoss of engine power due to fuel starvation that resulted from the right wing tank reaching an unusable fuel level. Also causal was an unapproved alteration of the aircraft’s fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the incorrect installation of an…NTSB SEA03FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A24-R · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance. Factors include trees and mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX03FA224Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Saugus, CAin-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX03FA207Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Truckee, CAan in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's rotation to an excessive pitch up attitude after takeoff and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Factors in the accident were the high density altitude and the lack of stall…NTSB ANC03FA066Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Sitka, AKThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures by not following the published approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling, and the pressure induced by conditions/events (the…NTSB ATL03LA116Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportButler Bowers Fly Baby 1A · Lincoln, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering resulting in a stall.NTSB ATL03FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Memphis, TNAn encounter with wake turbulence on approach, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control and subsequent in-flight collision with the ground.NTSB ATL03LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero Works L39C · Gadsden, ALThe loss of engine power during takeoff due to foreign object damage, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during forced landing. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, his failure to secure the…NTSB SEA03FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLamb RV-4 · Vail, WAA loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were the non-operating (vandalized) runway lights, the pilot's delayed departure to his…NTSB DEN03FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStugart Vans RV-6A · Fort Collins, COthe pilot's improper preflight planning/decision resulting in the fuel selector positioned improperly and fuel starvation, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor contributing to the accident was the low altitude.NTSB DEN03FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMattison Starduster Too · Ellicott, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to perform aerobatics at low altitude and the failed welds at the elevator horn and torque tube. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot performing aerobatics at low altitude, his inability to…NTSB NYC03FA136Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Harned, KYThe airplane's in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA03LA118Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHerrin Hornet · Newberg, ORAircraft control not maintained while maneuvering for landing.NTSB MIA03FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · N. Fort Myers, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed (Vs) following a total loss of engine power from the right engine due to fuel starvation, resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the…NTSB CHI03FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC120B · Boonville, MOThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The dark night, thunderstorms, rain and lack of…NTSB CHI03LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Dexter, MOThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the wires during the aerial application flight. Factors contributing to the accident were the helicopter's low altitude and the transmission wires.NTSB CHI03FA181Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Coleta, ILThe pilot not maintaining main rotor RPM during cruise flight. The factor in the two passenger's fatal injuries was the pilot not following directives concerning the prohibition of carrying passengers while a student pilot. Other factors were the pilot's use…NTSB ANC03LA067Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Anchor Point, AKAn in-flight collision with water for an undetermined reason.NTSB ANC03FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Skagway, AKThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, rain, and fog.NTSB DEN03FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHammond Vans RV-6A · La Junta, COthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall during the turn from base leg to final approach.NTSB LAX03WA223Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Cambelltown, AustraliaNTSB DCA03WA041Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCanadair CRJ-100 · Brest, FranceNTSB ATL03FA111Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Rockvale, TNLoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW03FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Cushing, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB SEA03FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHarshbarger W/Reed RV-8 · Grants Pass, ORCorrosion and contamination within the fuel servo unit and the pilot's delayed turn back to the runway. Contributing factors were trees and the pilot's impairment due to prescription medication.NTSB LAX03WA222Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-22M · Camden, AustraliaNTSB SEA03WA114Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-12 · Nimpo Lake, BC, CanadaNTSB NYC03FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Tyringham, MAThe pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB LAX03FA206Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27B · Valyermo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance altitude and his delayed remedial action by not turning away from the ridge when a lack of lift became apparent..NTSB ATL03FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Scottsboro, ALThe pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and subsequent impact with trees.NTSB SEA03FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDowner RC-3 · Yelm, WAThe failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the failure of the aircraft to accelerate for undetermined reasons and the trees.NTSB MIA03FA124Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Deerfield Beach, FL**This case was revised 6/10/2005 and 2/24/2016. Refer to the public docket for this accident for details.** The failure of the pilot of N4903F, the Cessna 172, and the pilot of N759XA, the Cessna 182, to see and avoid each other while operating in Class E…NTSB IAD03FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · NewPhiladelphia, OHThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel, and his failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed with one engine inoperative.NTSB ATL03FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Augusta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering on initial take off climb resulting in an inadvertent stall, loss of control, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and a swamp. A factor in the accident was a reported loss of engine power…NTSB NYC03FA131Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · Jeannette, PAThe loss of power caused by fragments of the air filter being ingested in the engine. A factor was the pilot's delayed decision to perform a forced landing after experiencing a partial loss of engine power.NTSB LAX03FA200Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369D · Volcano, HIa loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture and separation of the compressor coupling adapter. The fatigue fracture was initiated by fretting on the pilot diameter due to both the inadequate design of the coupling and the coaxial misalignment of the…NTSB FTW03LA173Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportApex CAP 10B · Gladewater, TXThe failure of the left wing, which resulted from progressive compressive fractures in the upper wooden spar cap. Contributing the accident was the difficulty in performing adequate inspections of the spar caps in an attempt to detect the compressive…NTSB ATL03FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Dover, TNThe pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions including instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence in thunderstorms, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB LAX03LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4 · Porterville, CAloss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA03FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Atlanta, IDClearance from trees was not maintained during the initial climb. A proper touchdown point was not attained, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area and trees were factors.NTSB NYC03FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Pittsfield, METhe inadvertent resumption of power during a forced landing that resulted in a subsequent spin. Factors related to the accident were the CFI's delayed remedial action, the loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel, an obstructed fuel screen, and the…NTSB MIA03FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Carthage, MSThe failure of the non-instrument rated pilot to following the in-flight weather avoidance assistance instructions offered by the controller and his continued flight into known adverse weather condition (thunderstorm), resulting in overload failure of the…