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 FTW02FA192Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Gorman, TXThe pilot's loss of control and the exceedence of the design limits of the airplane which resulted in an in-flight break-up. A factor was inadvertent VFR flight into IMC.NTSB DEN02LA063Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRich RV-4 · Grand Junction, COthe pilot failing to maintain aircraft control during the pull up maneuver. A factor relating to the accident was the inadvertent stall spin.NTSB ANC02FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDenzer RAF 2000 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's abrupt liftoff during takeoff, and his failure to correct a pilot-induced-oscillation during takeoff initial climb which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the tail mounted rudder, and an in-flight loss of control. A factor in the accident…NTSB DEN02FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206BIII · Raton, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the static wire. Factors were the static wire, and the glaring sunlight condition.NTSB CHI02LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBar/Curtiss JN-4D · Owatonna, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff climb resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the stall occurred.NTSB FTW02LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLidster Wittman Tailwind W-8 · Mesquite, TXThe in-flight separation of the outboard portion of the left wing due to the failure of the wing spar resulting from the builder's improper installation of a wing that did not meet the drawing specifications.NTSB SEA02FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Atlanta, IDClearance from an object was not maintained during an aborted landing. Trees and mountainous terrain were factors.NTSB ANC02FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Central, AKThe pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the snow and whiteout weather conditions.NTSB SEA02FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGarlick UH-1H · Clark Fork, IDA failure of unknown origin in the tail rotor drive assembly. Factors include mountainous terrain unsuitable for an emergency landing.NTSB CHI02FA174Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter France AS-350-B2 · Norfolk, NEA loss of tail rotor effectiveness and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the binding of the tail rotor pitch changed rod, the gusty wind conditions, and the pilot’s lack of total experience in…NTSB MIA02LA115Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBailey Dragon Fly · Trenton, GAthe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane stalling, spinning, and impacting with the ground.NTSB LAX02LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Westmorland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the dark night condition.NTSB MIA02FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Naples, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed above the stall speed while maneuvering to land after the engine ceased operating for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with the ground.NTSB LAX02LA202Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Antioch, CAThe loss of control while performing acrobatic maneuvers due to a screwdriver restricting elevator travel. A contributing factor was the airplane's fuselage not being sterile of foreign objects.NTSB LAX02GA201Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLockheed C-130A · Walker, CAthe inflight failure of the right wing due to fatigue cracking in the center wing lower skin and underlying structural members. A factor contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance procedures to detect fatigue cracking.NTSB CHI02FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Foster City, MIThe incapacitation of the pilot. A contributing factor was the pilot and medical examiner providing false information on the pilot's medical applications.NTSB CHI02LA166Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJacobs Rutan Vari Viggen · Urbana, ILThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Additional factors included the partial loss of engine power due to an excessively rich mixture as a result of a bad accelerator pump housing seal, and the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB MIA02FA111Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Osteen, FLthe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after entering an area of thunderstorms resulting in an in-flight separation of the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer and impact with the ground during an…NTSB LAX02LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Brownsville, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a turn to reverse course back to the runway, resulting in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB MIA02LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHarrison Pietenpol Air Camper · Bainbridge, GAa loss of power due to the passenger's inadvertent deactivation and restricting the movement of the throttle, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with trees.NTSB CHI02LA159Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGalbraith Piel Emeraude · Hot Springs, SDThe loss of engine power due to the connecting rod fatigue failure during takeoff climb.NTSB SEA02LA098Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportUnknown Quicksilver MX II · Cook, WAFailure to maintain aircraft control. High winds were a factor.NTSB LAX02FA191Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Rio Rico, AZa loss of engine power in the left engine for undetermined reasons, and the failure of the flying pilot to maintain an adequate single engine minimum control airspeed and aircraft control. Also causal was the decision of all three of the pilots to continue…NTSB LAX02FA188Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFisher Celebrity · Chandler, AZfailure of the wing spars and the in-flight separation of the aircraft wing due to the builder's inadequate manufacture of this experimental aircraft. Also causal was the current owner/pilot's continued flight with known mechanical discrepancies.NTSB LAX02FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Santa Paula, CAthe pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument conditions and failure to maintain clearance with the terrain.NTSB DEN02FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Briggsdale, COcontrolled descent into terrain for reasons undetermined.NTSB WAS02WA045Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSchweizer 269C · Paderborn-Lipsd, GermanyNTSB ATL02FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Palmetto, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall while maneuvering after a banner release.NTSB WAS02WA046Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B (II) · Dhoyntji, AustraliaNTSB MIA02FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Lutz, FLThe suicidal act by the pilot resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then the ground. A contributing factor in the accident was the pilot's depression. Findings in the investigation were the pilot's overdose of zolpidem and citalopram before the…NTSB WAS02WA054Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationHawker Siddeley 748 · George, South AfricaNTSB ATL02WA116Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 500-B · Roseau, DominicaNTSB NYC02FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Pleasant Mount, 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 the aircraft. A factor was the thunderstorm activity.NTSB MIA02FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Conway, SCThe failure of the pilot to request in-flight weather avoidance assistance and his poor in-flight planning/decision for flying into a Level 5 thunderstorm resulting in an in-flight loss of control, uncontrolled descent, and subsequent in-flight collision with…NTSB LAX02FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance. Contributing factors included the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, the low ceilings, and the dark night conditions.NTSB FTW02FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR-20 · Angel Fire, NMThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into the rising mountainous terrain, and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing factors were the rising mountainous terrain, and the high density altitude,NTSB ANC02FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Lime Village, AKThe pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather and his inability to maintain aircraft control. A contributing factor was high winds due to thunderstorm outflow activity.NTSB DCA02RA038Accident · 206 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 747-200 · Makung Island, TaiwanNTSB ATL02FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Yauco, PRThe pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB SEA02FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Mariner · Merlin, ORClearance from a cable running perpendicular to a river was not maintained during low level cruise flight. A cable was a factor.NTSB CHI02FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchutte Ms. Ryan Special · Anderson, INThe pilot's failure to properly install the canard attach bolts prior to the flight and the resulting inflight separation of the canard.NTSB ATL02WA109Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210F · Grand Cayman, Cayman IslandsNTSB ATL02FA104Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Ball Ground, GAThe flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees.NTSB MIA02FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrob G120A · Mobile, AZThe failure of the pilot to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.NTSB LAX02FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot's poor decision to continue the flight into the rising mountainous terrain, and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing factors were rising mountainous terrain, the high density altitude, and the exceeded weight and…NTSB WAS02WA043Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas 369HS · PremierGameFarm, South AfricaNTSB FTW02FA155Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-35 · Stephenville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control and adequate airspeed, resulting in the inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB NYC02FA098Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 23 · King George, VAThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to perform low passes; and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and collision with trees.NTSB IAD02FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S-2R · Swanton, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain visual separation from a set of known, yet unmarked power lines.NTSB LAX02FA166Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB-21 · New River, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude during a cruise descent that resulted in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Factors in the accident were the rising mountainous terrain, the dark nighttime lighting condition, and the…