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 DEN02FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Casper, WYthe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor contributing to this accident was the fog.NTSB ATL02FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe LL-8-E · Olar, SCThe in-flight separation of the elevator push-pull control tube that resulted in a loss of flight control and subsequent collision with the ground.NTSB ATL02LA100Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaber Lancair Super ES · Hattiesburg, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the ground.NTSB FTW02LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNolan RV-4 · Jonesboro, ARThe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.NTSB ATL02LA099Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Partners One CA 7SL · Merritt Island, FLThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in the misconfiguration of the flaps and the elevator trim setting. The misconfiguration resulted in an inadvertent pitch-up, loss of airspeed, stall and collision with the ground.NTSB LAX02FA163Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Groveland, CAa catastrophic engine failure due to the fatigue fracture and failure of the crankshaft. A factor contributing to the accident was the unsuitable nature of the mountainous terrain for a successful forced landing. The precipitating cause of the fatigue…NTSB LAX02LA155Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMueller Skyraider 1 · Elko, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB FTW02WA144Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Mamayac, EcuadorNTSB DCA02RA034Accident · 14 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-500 · Tunis, TunisiaNTSB MIA02LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHispano Aviacion HA-200-Saeta · Perry, GAThe pilots failure to maintain airspeed while performing a turn at a low altitude, which resulted in a inadvertent stall, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CHI02LA121Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportYoder GP-4 · Mount Pleasant, MIThe inadvertent stall/spin by the pilot-in-command.NTSB WAS02WA040Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28 · Edenkoben, GermanyNTSB CHI02FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Sheboygan, WIThe pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW02LA134Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Tierra II · Hooker, OKthe loss of control for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX02FA148Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Oak Shores, CAthe number 1 cylinder exhaust valve fractured and separated resulting in a loss of engine power and an off airport forced landing. A finding in the accident was the owner's failure to maintain the engine in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.NTSB FTW02FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Alpine, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain and continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the fog and rain weather conditions.NTSB ATL02LA092Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHartman Buccaneer 2 · Estero Bay, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL02FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-35 · Warsaw, NCThe pilot's physical impairment due to the use of marijuana. The pilot's diminished judgment to continue flight into known instrument flight conditions that resulted in an in-flight loss of control, failure of the right wing due to overstress separation, and…NTSB DEN02GA039Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper/Cub Crafters PA-18-150 · USAF Academy, COThe loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WAS02RA036Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206G · Catacamas, HondurasNTSB NYC02FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR-22 · Parish, NYThe pilots' failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The continued spin to the ground was a result of the pilots' failure to deploy the onboard parachute recovery system, for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI02FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Marthasville, MOThe inadequate supervision and the stall encountered by the certified flight instructor.NTSB CHI02FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601P · Moscow, KSThe pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a known engine boost problem resulting in the improper use of brakes to maintain directional control during takeoff, the brake system fire, and the loss of control for undetermined reasons during the…NTSB SEA02LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGallagher Taylor "Coot" · Creswell, ORA loss of engine power due to oil starvation followed by the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb shortly after takeoff. An improper engine modification was a factor.NTSB MIA02LA085Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrote Cruiser TR-4 · Pembroke Pines, FLthe pilot-in-command delayed initiating a go-around and failed to obtain sufficient altitude to clear obstacles at the departure end of the airport which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB FTW02LA125Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHoward Harder Skybolt · Claremore, OKThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while conducting aerobatic maneuvers. A factor contributing to the accident was the physical impairment of the pilot.NTSB DCA02WA033Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCommander 112TC · Milan, ItalyNTSB WAS02WA035Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Pico, Duarte, Dominican RepublicNTSB MIA02FA084Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Carolina, PRThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed (Vs) while maneuvering following inadvertent encounter with clouds resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with trees, a wall, and a building.NTSB DCA02RA032Accident · 138 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 767-200ER · Pusan, South KoreaNTSB IAD02FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Oxford, CTThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure. Factors were the night and low ceiling conditions.NTSB NYC02FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Gardiner, NYThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, mountainous terrain, clouds, and the pilot's decision to continue the flight in…NTSB FTW02FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T182 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power plant while maneuvering, and his intentional flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were low clouds, fog, the power plant, and low altitude flight.NTSB DCA02WA031Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen Metro SW3 · PalmaDeMallorca, SpainNTSB LAX02FA134Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Willows, CAthe pilot's entry into an abrupt maneuver at an excessive airspeed beyond Va, which resulted in exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits.NTSB ANC02FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Juneau, AKThe pilot's excessive loading of the airplane that precipitated an inadvertent stall/mush during the initial climb.NTSB CHI02LA105Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBozeman Pietenpol Aircamper · Rocky Comfort, MOThe pilot not maintaining aircraft control while maneuvering, and his failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall. Low altitude flight was a contributing factor.NTSB ATL02FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E35 · Blowing Rock, NCThe pilot's continued VFR flight in to known IMC, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees in mountainous terrain. A factor was low ceiling.NTSB SEA02FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Silesia, MTThe non-certificated pilot's inadvertent entry into a stall condition at low altitude.NTSB MIA02LA080Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGary L. Zeigler Monnett Moni · Sevierville, TNThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while turning to reverse direction resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with trees. A factor in the accident was the failure of the pilot to tighten the spark plugs…NTSB LAX02FA131Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Three Rivers, CAthe pilot's attempt to continue visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were low ceiling and mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW02FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-45 · Minden, LAThe private pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. Contributing factors were the private pilot's impairment due to drugs, the pilot-rated passenger's lack of experience in the airplane, and the prevailing gusty crosswind conditions.NTSB FTW02WA145Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206G · Santa Ana, BoliviaNTSB ATL02FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Lakeland, FLThe failure of the PA-16 pilot to maintain a visual lookout and to yield the right-of-way to a lower aircraft while on final approach resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both pilot's to adhere to an ATC clearance…NTSB FTW02FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28B · Uvalde, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA02FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Palm Bay, FLThe in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB WAS02WA031Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-38-112 · Newport, United KingdomNTSB ATL02FA072Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-6-AT6D · Gainesville, GAA loss of engine power following a supercharger bearing failure and subsequent collision with the ground while maneuvering for an emergency landing.NTSB ATL02FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Apex, NCThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control and the overload failure of the airframe. A factor was low visibility and ceilings.NTSB LAX02FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3F-65 · Parker, AZThe failure of the student to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed following liftoff, which resulted in a stall/mush condition. Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and failure to take timely remedial…