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 FTW03FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lindsay, OKThe in-flight separation of the right wing due to the missing nut that secures the right wing's strut to fuselage fitting to the fuselage.NTSB IAD03FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Bastian, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling.NTSB FTW03FA051Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · McAlester, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed during a single-engine go-around which resulted in his loss of control. Contributing factors to the accident included the loss of power from the left engine as a result of…NTSB SEA03FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Malaga, WAThe pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and up sloping terrain. Contributing factors were clouds, trees, and uphill terrain. The pilot’s performance and judgment were likely impaired by the effects of…NTSB LAX03FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Union City, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's loss of situational awareness to his terrain proximity, the dark night, and the…NTSB FTW03LA049Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGirard RV-4 · Homer, LAThe pilot's VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to obtain/maintain altitude/clearance from trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing factors were fog and trees.NTSB FTW03FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Salem, UTThe pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision to continue flight from visual to instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain while in cruise flight. A low ceiling, obscuration, mountainous terrain…NTSB NYC03FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 · Massena, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Factors in this accident were the icing conditions, deteriorated airplane performance due to ice accumulation, and control interference by the passenger as reported by the pilot.NTSB FTW03FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Kentwood, LAThe failure of the #1 and #2 connecting rods during climb to cruise due to overheating, resulting from oil starvation. A contributing factor was the low cloud conditions limiting the pilot's visibility during the ensuing emergency landing.NTSB ATL03FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Cornelia, GAThe pilot's failure to follow IFR approach procedures and continue below the minimum descent altitude, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees, and the ground. A factor was the pilot's impairment from a prescription drug.NTSB MIA03LA019Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohn H. Heiring Express · Moncks Corner, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with water.NTSB NYC03FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · NewPhiladelphia, OHThe pilot's improper decision to disregard the weather briefing, and to conduct an intentional flight into known icing conditions, with an airplane not equipped for that flight, and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors were the clouds and icing…NTSB MIA03WA017Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · San Carlos, ArgentinaNTSB FTW03LA041Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Houston, TXThe dual student's intentional suicide by exiting from the airplane during descent. A contributing factor was the psychological condition of the dual student.NTSB NYC03FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M10 · Fairfield, NJThe inadequate visual lookout of both pilots. Factors in the accident were the FAA controller's failure to provide a traffic advisory, the improper decision among the three controllers to leave only one controller in the cab, and night conditions.NTSB MIA03FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Climax, NCThe pilot's operation of the airplane at a low altitude during final approach that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, a witness reported pitch-up, and subsequent stall and in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB FTW03WA043Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182M · Gonzaga, MexicoNTSB ANC03LA015Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Kingman, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during cruise flight, which resulted in the helicopter striking a transmission line, and subsequently the ground.NTSB NYC03FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Rochester, NYA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in this accident was the night light condition which precluded the pilot's ability to adequately view suitable forced landing areas.NTSB SEA03FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · San Andreas, CALoss of engine power during takeoff climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC03LA019Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20R · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot's spatial disorientation during a missed approach, which resulted in a loss of control, and the airplane's subsequent impact with water. Factors included clouds, rain, and night lighting conditions.NTSB FTW03WA042Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-236 · Polvaredas, ArgentinaNTSB CHI03FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 175 · MIUndetermined. Missing aircraft.NTSB ATL03LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChance Vought F4U-4 · Columbia, SCAn in-flight engine fire for undetermined reasonsNTSB IAD03LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWestland Helicopters Gazelle AH-MK1 · East Hampton, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. Factors included the pilot's decision to fly over water on a moonless night, his lack of experience in that environment, and the dark night lighting…NTSB LAX03FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150E · Anaheim Hills, CAthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment by medication.NTSB FTW03FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Justin, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall.NTSB FTW03FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124A · Taos, NMThe pilot's inadvertent flight into mountain wave weather conditions while IMC, resulting in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB DEN03FA012Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Parks, AZthe pilot's improper in flight planning/decision making, his flight into known icing conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in the inadvertent stall/spin and impact with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the…NTSB SEA03LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRiddell IV-P · Bozeman, MTThe loss of power for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to maintain the aircraft's flying speed above the power off stall speed in the landing configuration.NTSB FTW03WA032Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Cambita, Dominican RepublicNTSB FTW03WA031Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCanadair F-86 · San Isidro, Dominican RepublicNTSB CHI03FA018Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Fond du Lac, WIThe pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the power lines while on a night VFR approach. Factors to the accident included the dark night and the power lines.NTSB MIA03LA012Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Memphis, TNThe cause of the accident is unknown as the airplane has not been located. A finding in the investigation was the fact that the pilot conducted an unstabilized approach; the flight was right, left, then right of the final approach course during the approach…NTSB FTW03FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Las Vegas, NMThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance with the terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to obtain an updated preflight weather briefing.NTSB FTW03FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Fort Gibson, OKThe in-flight separation of the tail boom resulting from the failure of the fuselage to tail boom attachment fitting lugs, due to fatigue.NTSB FTW03FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500-B · Rayville, LAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB NYC03FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Accident, MDThe pilots improper in-flight decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions. A factor related to the accident was the icing conditions.NTSB ATL03LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Fernandina Bch, FLWater contamination in the fuel system which resulted in the loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with trees.NTSB FTW03FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Hobbs, NMThe pilot's loss of control while in instrument meteorological conditions during initial takeoff climb. Contributing factors were the prevailing clouds and fog.NTSB FTW03WA021Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Caraballeda, VenezuelaNTSB MIA03FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Coral Springs, FLThe failure of the dual students and flight instructors on both N9840V and N6101F to see and avoid each other, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB DCA03MA008Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech King Air 100 · Eveleth, MNThe flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.NTSB ATL03FA010Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Greensboro, NCThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the ground. Factors were low ceilings and fog.NTSB ATL03FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft A60 · Jesup, GAThe loss of power in one engine and the loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL03FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Spanish Fort, ALthe pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the night instrument meteorological conditions with variable cloud layers.NTSB MIA03FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Merritt Island, FLThe pilot's decision to take off with a known equipment deficiency, and his failure to maintain airspeed (VMC) following a loss of engine power to one of the airplane's two engines for undetermined reasons, which resulted in descent and an impact with terrain.NTSB LAX03FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601 · Agua Dulce, CAthe pilot's failure to attain and maintain a sufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall mush. The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for departure, considering the uphill gradient, the wind direction, and a takeoff path into rising terrain are…NTSB FTW03FA016Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Paron, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the low ceiling, the pilot's decision to fly in known adverse weather conditions, and his lack of an instrument rating.NTSB FTW03WA020Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 430 · Jalapa, Mexico