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 LAX03LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 200D · Corona De Tucso, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstructions while performing low level passes. The pilot's physical impairment due to a high blood alcohol level was also causal.NTSB ATL03LA080Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-12 · West Point, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in the inflight collision with a utility line. A factor was utility lines.NTSB SEA03FA165Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320D · Mazama, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain, trees and mountain obscuration were factors.NTSB DEN03FA068Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310D · Provo, UTfailure of the student to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the instructor's inattention to the fuel supply, fuel exhaustion, an inadvertent stall/spin during the turn from base leg to final approach. and the instructor's inadequate…NTSB FTW03WA137Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationGrumman HU-16 · Chetumal, MexicoNTSB LAX03FA135Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Sedona, AZa partial loss of engine power due to the certified flight instructor's failure to comply with the pilot operating handbook requirements for the mixture setting during takeoff. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, failure to…NTSB NYC03FA082Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Conesus, NYThe flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent spin.NTSB FTW03WA130Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182L · Esmeralda, VenezuelaNTSB LAX03FA134Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Auburn, CAthe misjudged flare maneuver by an unknown crewmember during a likely practice autorotation that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB IAD03FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Pomona, NJThe pilot's failure to follow instrument approach procedures. Factors in the accident included the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience and the instrument weather conditions.NTSB ATL03FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Waleska, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB ATL03FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Oxford, ALThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was low ceilings.NTSB SEA03FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207 A · Merlin, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while in cruise flight. Factors include low ceilings and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC03FA080Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDassault DA-20 · Swanton, OHThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, including his failure to maintain an approach airspeed consistent with the airplane's configuration, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall due to slow airspeed, and subsequent uncontrolled descent…NTSB NYC03FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon V35A · Delaware City, DEThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB MIA03LA088Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor 502B · Belle Glade, FLThe failure of both pilots to use on-board communication radios to advise takeoff and landing intentions, the reduction of visibility of the pilot-in-command of N6037H due to sun glare during takeoff, and the poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command of…NTSB MIA03WA076Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R-T41 · Pasto, ColombiaNTSB LAX03FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Big Bear Lake, CAthe pilot's inadequate decision regarding a departure route and his failure to maintain clearance with rapidly rising mountainous terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's impairment by the effects of exposure to marijuana within the 10-hour period…NTSB LAX03FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · North Las Vegas, NVthe applicant pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB IAD03FA043Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft B200 · Leominster, MAThe pilot's low altitude maneuver using an excessive bank angle, and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with a building. A factor was the pilot's impairment from prescription medications.NTSB FTW03FA120Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Broken Arrow, OKFailure of the engine due to the blow-by condition in the number six cylinder for undetermined reasons, which resulted in oil starvation and eventual failure of the associated connecting rod end cap. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed…NTSB NYC03WA074Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421C · Humberside, United KingdomNTSB CHI03FA094Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · New Vienna, IAThe improper planning/decision by the pilot to fly into forecast icing conditions with an airplane not equipped with a certified deice system. The continued flight in known icing conditions and the flight to an alternate destination not performed by the pilot…NTSB ATL03FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Cherokee, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW03FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Broadus, TXThe partial loss of engine power due to erratic fuel flow metering to the engine resulting from the single point failure of the PLA potentiometer in the hydro-mechanical fuel control unit. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain to execute a…NTSB DEN03FA059Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Grand Junction, COthe pilot's poor judgment and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to go home.NTSB ATL03FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690B · Homerville, GAAn in-flight encounter with unforecasted severe turbulence in cruise flight resulting in the design limits of the airplane being exceeded due to an overload failure of the airframe, and collision with a swampy area.NTSB SEA03WA051Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGulfstream Aerospace Commander 695 · Ogawa Village, JapanNTSB ATL03FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-61A · Kimble, TNThe interruption of rotor system drive power due to the input free wheeling unit malfunctioning , and the pilot's operation of the helicopter in the critical area of the height-velocity curve.NTSB MIA03LA079Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTechno Avia SP-95 · Panama City, FLThe pilot's attempted abrupt maneuver at a low altitude resulting in loss of control and collision with terrain before control could be regained.NTSB LAX03FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Santa Maria, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff ground roll, which resulted in the left wing contacting the brush lining the runway edge. The combined effects of the brush and tree contact retarded the airplanes acceleration and…NTSB CHI03FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · North English, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the CFI's improper decision to attempt to takeoff from a short, grass taxiway instead of departing from a runway aligned with the prevailing winds,…NTSB IAD03FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20R · Leesburg, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW03FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Fayetteville, ARThe pilot's failure to fly a stabilized, published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Factors were the low clouds and night conditions.NTSB ATL03FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Monroe, GAThe pilot’s exceedence of the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in the overload failure of the horizontal stabilizers, followed by the overload separation of the right wing and subsequent loss of control.NTSB MIA03FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7BCM · Pahokee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.NTSB CHI03FA086Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Foley, MNThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing factors was the pilot's lack of instrument rating, the pilot's disregard of the preflight…NTSB ATL03FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320D · Perry, GAThe pilot continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/terrain clearance.NTSB SEA03FA045Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 501 · Carey, IDPilot incapacitation for unknown reasons.NTSB IAD03LA036Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Richmond, VAThe passenger's failure to remain clear of the propeller. Factors included the passenger's recent use of marijuana, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, and the night lighting conditions.NTSB FTW03FA111Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Prattsville, ARThe pilot's execution of VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Fog conditions and the pilot's lack of an instrument rating are contributing factors.NTSB SEA03WA048Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172G · Trefoil Island, AustraliaNTSB ATL03FA061Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Old Fort, NCThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain terrain clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX03FA111Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 3NM · Anza, CAthe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control.NTSB CHI03FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Tower, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during cruise flight. A factor to the accident was the clouds and night conditions.NTSB FTW03WA128Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna R172HP · Ocana, ColombiaNTSB DEN03FA045Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-500TP · Albuquerque, NMThe pilot's unstabilized approach and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition, and the static wires.NTSB ATL03FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Milledgeville, GAThe pilot's improper IFR procedure by which he failed to maintain the minimum descent altitude, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was low the ceiling.NTSB LAX03FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Rosamond, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and impact with flat level terrain. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment due to recent use of cocaine, and ethanol.NTSB DCA03RA029Accident · 102 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-2T4 · Tamanrassett, Algeria