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 LAX02LA072Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHillyer XL-RG Velocity · San Diego, CAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, which resulted in exhaustion of the airplane's fuel supply and loss of engine power.NTSB CHI02FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Winfield, KSThe pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in a loss of control and collision with the ground. Additional factors included the pilot operating the airplane with known deficiencies and the instrument flight conditions.NTSB DEN02LA023Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · American Fork, UTThe pilot's poor judgment in that he intentionally initiated VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were low ceiling and obscuration, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument time.NTSB DCA02WA019Accident · 92 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 727-134 · Ipiales, ColombiaNTSB IAD02LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWilburn Jodel F-12 · Clarksville, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed after a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Also causal, was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI02LA070Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Alexandria, MNThe pilot's disregard of the weather evaluation and his attempt to fly into known adverse weather without an instrument rating. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, the low visibility, and the icing conditions.NTSB MIA02LA054Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuitzau, Carl Vortex · Immokalee, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the gyroplane resulting in the in-flight loss of control and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX02FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCameron Balloons US N-145 · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's misjudged approach and inadequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Contributing factors were the high gusty wind condition, and the pilot's failure to provide protective safety equipment.NTSB NYC02FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Aerostar 601P · Chittenden, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while holding.NTSB CHI02FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Bronson, MIThe maneuver to avoid the utility wire while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with the ground. Factors were the pilot's inadvertent activation of the elevator trim, resulting in a loss of control during flight in instrument…NTSB WAS02WA042Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSchweizer 333 · Gaborone, BotswanaNTSB NYC02LA049Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStiles Choctaw · Danville, KYFailure of a connecting rod bearing, which resulted in a loss of engine power during climb.NTSB FTW04WA068Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182L · Trinidad, BoliviaNTSB FTW02FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Farmington, NMthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion while in the traffic pattern at the destination airport.NTSB WAS02WA018Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGrandman Cozy · Los Barriles, MexicoNTSB IAD02FA026Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BK-117 A-3 · Cleveland, OHpilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter while hovering, which resulted in its collision with a building. Factors were the confined area, tail wind, and wind gusts.NTSB FTW02FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Sinton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while executing a missed approach procedure. Contributing factors were the prevailing fog and the dark night conditions.NTSB WAS02RA025Accident · 26 fatalForeign investigationFairchild FH-227 · El Tigre, ColombiaNTSB FTW02FA070Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Temple, TXThe pilot's mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the checklist to feather the propellers in order to reduce drag.NTSB DCA02RA017Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-300 · Solo (Java Is.), IndonesiaNTSB ANC02FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Haines, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with trees while in cruise flight. Factors in the accident were weather conditions consisting of freezing rain, mist, and low ceilings.NTSB SEA02FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Ilwaco, WAA loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude turn.NTSB MIA02FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Micanopy, FLThe pilot's experiencing spatial disorientation while maneuvering at a low altitude at night under visual meteorological conditions which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and an in-flight collision with a tree.NTSB CHI02LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWolter Avid Flyer · Rush City, MNThe unqualified pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane. A factor was the unqualified pilot's lack of total experience.NTSB ATL02LA035Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSpringer Longbow 150 · Oak Hill, FLThe improper modification of the exhaust muffler which resulted in fractures that enabled the contamination of the cabin heating and ventilation system. The pilot subsequently became incapacitated by carbon monoxide poisoning, and the airplane descended…NTSB LAX02FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337H · Buena Park, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing approach. Factors included the pilot's distraction when informed that his landing gear was not down, and his impairment from the effects of prescription drugs.NTSB LAX02FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.NTSB FTW02FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Oak Grove, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB DEN02FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Boulder, COthe pilot's intentional suicidal flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's psychological depressive state, and his use of inappropriate medication.NTSB ATL02FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Tampa, FLThe pilot's unauthorized use of an aircraft for the purpose of commiting suicide.NTSB ATL02FA031Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Rio Grande, PRThe pilot continued visual flight flight into instrument flight conditions resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Low clouds were a factor.NTSB DCA02RA014Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCanadair Challenger 604 · Birmingham, United KingdomNTSB MIA02FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot's inadequate planning for a Title 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, and his failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while en route over the Atlantic Ocean, a power off glide, and ditching in the ocean.NTSB NYC02FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon BE-23-B24R · Armonk, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB IAD02FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Milford, CTThe pilot's failure to follow the published IFR approach procedure, which resulted in a premature descent and subsequent impact with water. A factor was the night, overwater visual conditions.NTSB ATL02FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Gainesville, GAThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, resulting from fuel system blockage and improper maintenance by maintenance personnel. A factor was the unsuitable terrain.NTSB ATL02FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-210N · Lilburn, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB CHI02FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBorgman Smyth Sidewinder · Independence, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane and the subsequent inadvertant stall during the base to final turn. A factor associated with the accident was that an unqualified person was piloting the airplane.NTSB DEN02GA016Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportHughes 369E · Park City, UTthe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, resulting in an inflight collision with powerlines. Contributing factors were the fog and the powerlines.NTSB LAX02FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · San Clemente, CAa loss of engine power due to a loss of magneto to engine timing resulting from stress corrosion crack induced fracture, and separation of the magneto impulse coupling spring.NTSB WAS02WA014Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 337D · Piura, PeruNTSB ATL02WA020Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna CE-560 · Zurich, SwitzerlandNTSB LAX02FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · San Jacinto, CAThe pilot's loss of situational awareness and his failure to adhere to the prescribed instrument approach procedures, including the track and altitudes flown. The underlying reasons for the pilot's loss of situational awareness are unknown.NTSB MIA02FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot becoming spatially disoriented and losing control of the airplane during a missed approach resulting in the airplane descending uncontrolled and colliding with trees and the ground.NTSB MIA02FA044Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Raleigh, NCthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation, while performing a missed approach, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, and subsequent impact with a tree and a house. Factors in this accident were dark night, fog,…NTSB CHI02FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Waukesha, WIThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and not maintaining altitude/clearance from the static line during cruise flight. Factors were the static wire, the darkness of night, the low ceiling, and the vehicle.NTSB ATL02FA017Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-55 · Montgomery, ALThe pilots failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in instrument flight conditions resulting in an inadvertence stall/spin (vertical descent) and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WAS02WA011Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Phitippeburg, GermanyNTSB SEA02LA037Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Netarts, ORReason for occurrence undetermined.NTSB FTW02FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 24D · Sierra Blanca, TXloss of control during descent for undetermined reasons.