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 ATL03LA152Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChinook Plus 2 A13-SWB · Elsanor, ALThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX03LA192Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArgus CA-7 · Angleton, TXthe pilot's loss of lateral aircraft control. Also causal was the pilot's intentional flight with an asymmetrical fuel loading, and his improper use of the fuel system. A factor in the accident was the insufficient information provided by the kit manufacturer…NTSB LAX03FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International Aero-Commander 112TC · Santa Nella, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by conducting VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were low clouds, fog, and mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA03FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1A · Sandpoint, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low pass maneuver which resulted in a stall. A related factor was the trees.NTSB DEN03FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAgusta A109K2 · Salt Lake City, UTFatigue of the tail rotor trunnion resulting in complete trunnion failure and subsequent tail rotor separation from the helicopter. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, low airspeed, excessive tail rotor loading, and the worn tail-rotor…NTSB CHI03FA151Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Sheboygan, WIThe pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane after encountering instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceiling, fog and lack of instrument rating.NTSB ATL03FA104Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Battleboro, NCThe certified flight instructor's (CFI) failure to maintain flying speed that resulted in a stall/spin and the uncontrolled collision with the ground.NTSB SEA03LA095Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-14 · Pasco, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. A physical impairment due to alcohol was a factor.NTSB LAX03FA182Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Los Angeles, CAthe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation, and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin. Also causal was the pilot's disregard of the weather information provided and his attempt to continue VFR flight into IMC. A…NTSB DCA03WA039Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationChristchurch, New ZealandNTSB CHI03FA149Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Sidnaw, MIThe improper short/soft field landing procedure by the pilot and his lack of recent experience in type of operation. Contributing factors were the short/soft field runway, the trees and his delay in aborting the takeoff.NTSB IAD03FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Montpelier, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CHI03FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Gettysburg, SDThe pilot not maintaining aircraft control in cruise flight leading to his inadvertent spiral. A factor was the pilot's in-flight encounter with moderate to heavy rain.NTSB DCA03WA037Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 45 · Milan, ItalyNTSB LAX03LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWinters Glasair SH-2 · Riverside, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an abrupt, low altitude maneuver during the takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in a collision with terrain during the subsequent uncontrolled descent.NTSB LAX03LA175Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGray Jerry Kitfox · Jerome, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance/altitude from rising terrain, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX03LA173Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39 · Tracy, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while performing low level aerobatics.NTSB SEA03FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Republic, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent loss of control during low altitude maneuvering.NTSB FTW03LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Brazos Blk 532undetermined, aircraft not recovered.NTSB DEN03FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Watkins, COfailure of both pilots to initiate a timely recovery from a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.NTSB ANC03FA051Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, an uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was rising terrain.NTSB LAX03FAMS3Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172B · Little River, CAAircraft is missing.NTSB LAX03FA166Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114 · Bishop, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering close to the ground over mountainous terrain in a high density altitude environment near the upper performance capability of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush into…NTSB SEA03FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering. Trees, a box canyon and rising terrain were factors.NTSB DEN03FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415D · Los Lunas, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire. Contributing factors were the high wind, the pilot's decision to make a low-altitude turn onto the crosswind leg, and the power line.NTSB CHI03FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Woodruff, WIThe pilot's failure to follow the before take-off checklist which led to an improper selection of the auxilliary fuel tanks for the takeoff leading to the subsequent fuel starvation of the left engine. Additional causes were the pilot not maintaining minimum…NTSB LAX03FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T28C · Sherman Oaks, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the distraction caused by the malfunctioning mode C altitude reporting system, and the location of the transponder control head, which necessitated repeated…NTSB LAX03LA160Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1H · Kahoolawe, HIThe pilot's failure to remove the external load cable before the repositioning flight, which resulted in the cable striking the tail rotor in cruise flight.NTSB LAX03FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Ely, NVthe airplane collided with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC03FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Bruceton Mills, WVThe pilot's intentional decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in the airplane striking a guy wire on the communications antenna. A factor was the fog.NTSB LAX03LA157Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSabre Trike 330 · Jean, NVThe pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in an inadvertent liftoff at an inadequate airspeed and a subsequent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.NTSB CHI03LA133Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir & Space 18A · South Shore, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The pilot's lack of experience, the rain, the dark night, the low ceiling, and the rising terrain were contributing factors to the accident.NTSB ATL03LA094Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKerner Lancair IV · Allendale, SCThe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather ,thunderstorms, that resulted in the design limits of the airplane being exceeded.NTSB IAD03FA053Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 24R · Wauseon, OHThe pilots failure to maintain control during the approach-to-landing. Factors were the high wind gusts and turbulence, and the pilot's decision to fly in those conditions.NTSB DEN03TA079Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas A-4N · Salt Lake City, UTThe lose of engine power during descent due to the in-flight collision with a bird which FOD damaged the engine and subsequently melted the turbine section. A contributing factor was the airplane's malfunctioning ejection seat.NTSB FTW03FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Shelby Aero 47G2 · Ardmore, OKThe pilot's failure to control the rate of descent, which resulted in an improper touchdown of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the loss of throttle control for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC03FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Farmingdale, NJThe pilot's delayed decision to refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB CHI03LA118Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-503A · Pontiac, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude maneuver.NTSB ATL03FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Calhoun, GAThe pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, which would have indicated that MVFR to IFR conditions prevailed over the route with embedded thunderstorms and rain, and his decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological…NTSB NYC03GA094Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Ashland, METhe pilot's impairment due to over-the-counter medications, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control while maneuvering.NTSB LAX03FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · Corona, CAThe failure of the pilot to properly configure the airplane for a one engine inoperative condition (including his failure to feather the propeller of the affected engine, retract the landing gear, and maintain minimum single engine speed). Factors related to…NTSB NYC03LA090Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStarnes Quickie Q-200 · Henderson, KYThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control, after experiencing an in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA03WA077Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46-350 · Lop Buri, ThailandNTSB LAX03FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Eagleville, CAthe pilot's encounter with mountain wave activity with downdrafts and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of…NTSB IAD03MA049Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSino-Swearingen SJ30-2 · Loma Alta, TXThe manufacturer's incomplete high-Mach design research, which resulted in the airplane becoming unstable and diverging into a lateral upset.NTSB IAD03FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Jackson, OHThe flight instructor's improper decision to turn back to the airport at an insufficient altitude after takeoff and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, during a simulated engine failure.NTSB DEN03FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChristen Industries Pitts S-2B · Longmont, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision that resulted in fuel exhaustion and his entering an aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude. Factors contributing to the accident were the low airspeed and low altitude, and the fuel exhaustion.NTSB CHI03LA117Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSmith Rans S-7 · Baudette, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude maneuver by the student pilot.NTSB ATL03FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700B · Mobile, ALThe improper installation of the power control linkage on the engine fuel control unit by maintenance personnel which resulted in a loss of power lever control, and the pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures and his intentional engine shutdown which…NTSB NYC03FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat Pitts S-2B · Newport, PAThe pilot's improper decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude, which inhibited his ability to recover from an encountered flat spin. A factor related to the accident was the aft center of gravity, which was beyond the operational limit for the…