Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 ERA24FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FLThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s…NTSB GAA24WA034Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 421C · Sunshine Coast, AustraliaNTSB GAA24WA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 150 · Ponte de Sor, PortugalNTSB GAA24WA028Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignGulfstream 695A · Cloncurry, AustraliaNTSB GAA24WA025Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR20 · St. Andrä im Lunga, AustriaNTSB GAA24WA024Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Cirque de Salazie, RéunionNTSB ERA24FA026Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Marion, OHA descent and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN24FA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · McCook, NEThe pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, resulting in an aerodynamic stall from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane well above its maximum…NTSB GAA24WA022Accident · 12 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Rio Branco, BrazilNTSB WPR24FA024Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T206H · Orangeville, UTThe pilot's controlled flight into mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA24WA023Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R66 · Williamtown, AustraliaNTSB CEN24FA024Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair 320 · Manitowoc, WIThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during an unapproved instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB CEN24FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Vidalia, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s cell phone use and the position of the sun, which reduced the pilot’s ability to perceive the location of the power…NTSB CEN24LA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Pierre, SDThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper configuration of the automatic fuel transfer system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the header tank’s fuel quantity.NTSB WPR24FA018Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Covelo, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after entering a steep banked turn for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off toward rising terrain.NTSB GAA24WA042Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C23 · Bram Fischer International Airpor, South AfricaNTSB GAA24WA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C23 · Pretoria, South AfricaNTSB GAA24WA014Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 172 · Barrancabermeja, ColombiaNTSB WPR24FA014Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Williams, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight airplane performance…NTSB GAA24WA011Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Pacencia-Yacma, BelizeNTSB GAA24WA013Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Monêtier-Allemont, FranceNTSB GAA24WA124Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobin DR400-180 · Propriano, FranceNTSB CEN24FA010Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 414 · Patterson, LAThe pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.NTSB WPR24FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobert L Thurmond RV8 · Centerville, UTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to return to the departure airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the No. 2…NTSB GAA24WA010Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignBell 206 · Bondeno, ItalyNTSB GAA24WA009Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignDiamond DA20 · Almeria, SpainNTSB GAA24WA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-24-250 · San Juan de la Costa, MexicoNTSB GAA24WA015Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172N · Merriton, AustraliaNTSB ERA24FA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Croydon, NHThe pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience,…NTSB CEN24LA006Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGyro Technic GT-VX2 · Saint Peter, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.NTSB GAA24WA018Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA 34 · Chilliwack BC, CanadaNTSB GAA24WA006Accident · 4 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Canberra, AustraliaNTSB WPR24FA004Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Newberg, ORThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control of the airplane and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in a stall/spin from which they were unable to recover.NTSB GAA24WA004Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 90 · Cuiaba, BrazilNTSB WPR24FA002Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Moab, UTThe pilot’s loss of visual reference to the horizon while departing during dark night, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR24FA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCubcrafters CCK-1865 · Twisp, WAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a rock during an aborted landing on a hillside, the collision with which resulted in damage to the aileron system that precluded subsequent control of the airplane.NTSB ERA24FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Lake Placid, NYA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weight and balance planning and his aggressive low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB GAA23WA273Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Uk, GermanyNTSB ERA23FA384Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150K · Gilford, NHThe pilot’s loss of control during visual flight rules flight in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s motivation to depart on the flight despite being made aware that conditions…NTSB GAA23WA282Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206G · Mashava, ZimbabweNTSB ERA23FA382Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith William S Smith Cozy Mark IV · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s improper installation of engine…NTSB CEN23LA423Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36 · Broken Bow, OKThe pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during landing and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the airport grounds worker during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the absence of a NOTAM for mowing operations at the…NTSB ERA23FA380Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Whitesville, KYThe flight instructor’s improper decision to continue flight into a known area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR23FA351Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGolden Circle T Bird · Arlington, WAA failure of the forward left wing spar due to an improper repair, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing. Contributing to the accident was improper maintenance by splicing the wing spar.NTSB GAA23WA271Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Garmen village, BulgariaNTSB CEN23LA413Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPowrachute Airwolf · Erie, COThe pilot’s inadvertent manipulation of the throttle, which resulted in the aircraft traveling on the ground and the unsecured pilot being ejected from the aircraft and sustaining fatal injuries.NTSB CEN23FA412Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · New Rockford, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from overhead power lines during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly under the power lines with a small area of clearance available for the airplane.NTSB WPR23FA345Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Reno, NVThe failure of both the Race 14 and Race 6 pilots to see and avoid each other while in the airport traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ failure to fly the standard downwind and base legs.NTSB GAA23WA259Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Bamberg, GermanyNTSB WPR23FA344Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSeawind 3000 · Bellevue, WAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control after encountering a lake swell and skipping during takeoff.