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 CHI02FA228Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Caro, MIThe passenger became incapacitated as a result of a stroke which lead to the inadvertent interference with the flight controls.NTSB ATL02FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Spartanburg, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff initial climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with an embankment.NTSB NYC02FA152Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Marietta, PAThe pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane with known mechanical deficiencies, his improper decision to return to the airport with inadequate altitude remaining, and his failure to maintain airspeed. A factor related to the accident was the…NTSB LAX02FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58TC · Avalon, CAthe pilot's misjudged distance and speed during the landing approach, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. Also causal was the pilot's failure to conduct a go-around during the approach, or abort the landing when an overrun became obvious.NTSB FTW02FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Gypsum, COThe pilot's failure to perform remedial action and maintain clearance with the rising mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's poor planning/decision, the rising terrain, and the high density altitude.NTSB DEN02GA085Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAerospatiale SA315B · Estes Park, COthe pilot's abrupt collective input during water application to a forest fire. Contributing factors were encountering a vortex ring state, the inadvertent settling with power, the low altitude, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB DEN02FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Greeley, COthe student pilot's improper handling of the airplane's controls (for reason undetermined), and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. A contributing factor was the high density altitude weather condition.NTSB ATL02LA146Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Indianola, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and the subsequent uncontrolled collision with the ground while maneuvering for an aerial application run.NTSB MIA02WA142Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna F172N · Nykoebing Mors, DenmarkNTSB DEN02FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Crowheart, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the high mountain terrain. Contributing factors were the high mountain terrain, and the high density altitude weather condition.NTSB IAD02FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S-35 · Clear Spring, MDThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with rising terrain. Factors included dense fog and mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI02FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Marble Hill, MOThe solid fuel system contamination resulting in a loss of engine power. The inadequate emergency procedures, and the airspeed not maintained by the pilot were additional causes.NTSB MIA02LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportInteravia E-3 · Santa Rosa Bch, FLThe separation of the canopy for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW02WA215Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210M · Urrao, ColombiaNTSB LAX02FA234Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Kneeland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees while executing an instrument approach. Contributing factors were the clouds and obscuration weather conditions.NTSB FTW02WA213Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Guachochi, MexicoNTSB CHI02FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Bloomington, ILThe cause of the accident is undetermined.NTSB IAD02FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWehrlen Glassair II RG · Jackson, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ATL02LA144Accident · 5 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Atlantic Ocean, BahamasThe pilot continued VFR flight into IMC and thunderstorm conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.NTSB DEN02GA074Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportConsolidated-Vultee P4Y-2 · Estes Park, COthe inflight failure of the left wing due to fatigue cracking in the left wing's forward spar and wing skin. A factor contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance procedures to detect fatigue cracking.NTSB NYC02FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Grindstone, PAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in overstress of aircraft. A factor was the thunderstorm activity.NTSB FTW02FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6A · Albany, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB CHI02FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60 · Columbus, INThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a missed approach. Additional factors included the operator's inadequate oversight, the pilot's improper in-flight decision, conditions conducive to pilot fatigue, fog, and night.NTSB CHI02FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Lee's Summit, MOThe inadequate preflight planning/preparation, the flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and lack of instrument certification by the pilot. Contributing factors were fog/clouds and the pilot's nondisclosure of his physical condition to the Federal…NTSB MIA02GA137Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 172S · Tyner, NCThe loss of power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB DEN02FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWheeler Doug 2000 · Ogden, UTthe pilot's failure to obtain and maintain adequate main rotor rpm, resulting in blade flapping and subsequent blade contact with the airframe, severing of the tailboom, and causing loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high gusty winds, and…NTSB ATL02FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Duncanville, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed , which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent collision with the ground. A contributing factor was low level flight.NTSB LAX02FA227Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Hana, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall.NTSB LAX02LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSteen SE-1 · Tucson, AZthe loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA02FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican General AA-5 · Boca Raton, FLThe owner/operator's failure to perform an overhaul or comply with a service bulletin 240 which would have probably precluded the continued installation of the number four cylinder exhaust valve and its subsequent failure.NTSB ANC02FA075Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering inside a box/blind canyon, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the box/blind canyon.NTSB CHI02FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58ET · Brookville, INThe pilot's intentional low altitude fight and his failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines. Factors to the accident were the power transmission lines followed by the inability to control the aircraft after the collision with power…NTSB FTW02LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Denton, TXThe pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the runway localizer antenna.NTSB SEA02FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Otis, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with power lines while conducting low altitude flight resulting in a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's low altitude flight and the power lines.NTSB NYC02FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 20C-1 · Leesburg, VAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX02LA215Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS8-18 · Incline Village, NVthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to maintain an adequate clearance from terrain.NTSB SEA02FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 335 · Tensed, IDAircraft control was not maintained during an emergency landing. A loss of power for undetermined reasons was a factor.NTSB LAX02FA214Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · San Dimas, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of power in one engine during takeoff. The reason for the loss of power in the left engine could not be determined. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's failure to…NTSB DCA02WA048Accident · 23 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 707 · Bangui, Central African RepublicNTSB ANC02FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZawada Super Cuby · Cantwell, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's impairment from the effects of prescription painkilling drugs.NTSB NYC02LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPank KitFox · Sprakers, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in category of aircraft.NTSB MIA02LA127Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThomas Outback · Edenton, NCThe pilot/owner's failure to establish an adequate climb rate and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.NTSB ATL02FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Lebanon, TNThe certified flight instructor attempted flight with known deficiencies in equipment, inoperative magneto, and subsequent lost engine power and collided with a transmission line while maneuvering for a forced landing.NTSB NYC02FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Farmingdale, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.NTSB FTW02FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H-18 · Tatum, NMThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance.NTSB DEN02LA067Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchreder RS-15 · Jackson, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the mountain summit.NTSB DCA02RA047Accident · 71 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 757-23F · Uberlingen, GermanyNTSB LAX02FA212Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Ojai, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude within the canyon.NTSB LAX02FA211Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V-35A · Ojai, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude within the canyon.NTSB LAX02FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Chambers, AZThe pilot's loss of airplane control after falling asleep due to fatigue, which resulted in a structural failure of the airframe during a high speed descent after the design stress limits of the aircraft were exceeded.