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 DEN01FA157Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing 777-236 · Denver, COthe overstress fracture of the airplane's refueling adapter ring that resulted from the abnormal angular force applied to it. The applied angular force occurred due to the ground refueler inadequately positioning the hydrant fuel truck (in relation to the…NTSB LAX01FA297Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Watsonville, CAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA01MA163Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportKawasaki KV-107-II · Emigrant, MTThe loss of control during cruise/climb flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI01FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSpears RV-6 · Grayslake, ILThe pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane. A factor was the impairment due to marihuana.NTSB CHI01FA297Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Stevens Point, WIthe pilot not obtaining/maintaining aircraft control.NTSB LAX01LA294Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHarter Kitfox Classic · Sedona, AZThe failure of the pilot to initiate a course reversal in a timely manner after flying into a box canyon and his failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted course reversal, which resulted in a stall spin.NTSB DCA01WA059Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCASA 235 · Malaga, SpainNTSB LAX01GA291Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportGrumman TS-2A · Hopland, CAthe failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout. The failure of the pilot in Tanker 87 to comply with suggested procedures regarding positive radio contact and orbit entry was a factor.NTSB SEA01LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMatey Hawker Hurricane · Buckley, WAA loss of power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's inflight decision to attempt a 180 degree turn back to the runway from low altitude and his failure to maintain sufficient flying airspeed during the turn. A contributing factor was drug impairment of…NTSB NYC01FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172SP · Matawan, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during the initial climb. Factors were the pilot's failure to perform a go-around, the pilot's lack of flight experience in nighttime conditions, the nighttime conditions, and a tailwind.NTSB ATL01LA097Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTroy A. Woodland Sky Raider II · NewSmyrna Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing an emergency maneuver, resulting in a stall and an uncontrolled descent, and the subsequent collision with terrain. A factors was, the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA01RA225Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Marsh Harbour, BahamasNTSB IAD01LA100Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 · Amherst, NHSuicide, when the pilot intentionally crashed his airplane into his house.NTSB DEN01FA152Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · Raton, NMa nonmechanical total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while performing an aerobatic maneuver, and an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the insuffieient altitude to effect a safe recovery.NTSB CHI01FA291Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Crestline, KSThe airplane's departure from level flight and subsequent impact with the terrain as a result of a maneuver initiated by the pilot, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The reason for the pilot's actions were not determined.NTSB NYC01FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-200 · Piqua, OHThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual landing under instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the ground fog.NTSB NYC01FA214Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLearjet 25 · Ithaca, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate while taking off at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the low visibility and cloud conditions, and the dark night.NTSB FTW01LA191Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Bulverde, TXthe pilot's failure to obtain airspeed after rotation, which resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing factors were the tailwind condition, high density altitude, and upsloping runway.NTSB DEN01FA151Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Montrose, COthe pilot's intentional abrupt maneuver immediately after takeoff and the subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors were high density altitude weather conditions, and the airplane improper weight and balance.NTSB CHI01FA290Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion L-17B · Newaygo, MIThe pilot inadvertently positioning the fuel selector in an intermediate position, resulting in a loss of engine power. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to verify the fuel selector position during the engine restart attempt. Factors to the accident…NTSB FTW01FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Weatherford, TXThe student pilot's improper decision making in that he landed with a tailwind and failed to execute a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing factors were the inaccurate reading of the left fuel gage as a result of improper maintenance by…NTSB CHI01LA294Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Alice, NDThe pilot's unsuccessful recovery from an intentional aerobatic stall/spin maneuver. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's impairment (alcohol), and his psychological condition.NTSB NYC01FA212Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPitts S-2B · Shirley, NYThe pilot under instruction's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during a simulated engine-out approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent ground impact.NTSB MIA01LA220Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-4A · Mosheim, TNThe failure of the student pilot to maintain altitude clearance during a balked landing go-around resulting in the collision with a utility pole, transmission wires, and a ground borne vehicle.NTSB MIA01FA223Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Blairsville, GAThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall an subsequent in-flight collision with trees then the ground during the uncontrolled descent.NTSB ATL01FA094Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Rienzi, MSThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with trees and terrain. A factor was the dark night condition.NTSB LAX01LA281Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Lancair 360 · Placerville, CAIn-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX01FA279Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Mobile, AZThe flying pilot's initiation of an intentional maneuver at an altitude inadequate to maintain terrain clearance. Low altitude flight was a contributing factor.NTSB IAD01FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Mcgaheysville, VAThe flight instructor's failure to recover from a spin for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC01FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-6-235 · Kotzebue, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from an obstruction (antenna tower), and his continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, and low visibility.NTSB LAX01FA274Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Boulder City, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain and obstruction clearance altitude while maneuvering in a non-standard visual approach to land. The pilot's misjudgment of his altitude and distance from the airport was due to impairment by alcohol. Factors…NTSB IAD01WA081Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210M · Innsbruck, AustriaNTSB FTW01LA179Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPdps PZL-Bielsko SZD-55-1 · Uvalde, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the base turn, which resulted in an inadvertant stall/spin.NTSB NYC01LA209Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDominiak Kitfox · Byron, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the physiological impairment of the pilot due to the consumption of alcohol.NTSB IAD01FA096Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Rohrersville, MDThe pilot's continued VFR flight into obscured, mountanous terrain. Factors included the rising terrain and weather obscuration.NTSB CHI01LA273Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Hazelton, NDthe pilot's ostentatious display when he performed a low level manuever and stalled the airplane.NTSB LAX01MA272Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350-B2 · Meadview, AZThe pilot’s loss of control of the helicopter for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC01FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Tyonek, AKA loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel system contamination with water, and the pilot's inadequate preflight procedures. A factor in the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB NYC01WA207Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationHughes 369D · Baffin Island, CanadaNTSB MIA01LA212Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Key West, FLThe inadvertent disabling of the throttle in the idle position during a cockpit disturbance created when an armed hijacker forcibly attempted to cause the aircraft to fly to Cuba, resulting in a loss of controllability of power for sustainable flight and an…NTSB MIA01WA214Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Barcelonette, FranceNTSB NYC01FA201Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Sedgwick, METhe failure of the pilot to maintain control while maneuvering.NTSB LAX01FA270Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Weaverville, CAthe pilot's selection of the wrong runway, which resulted in an attempted takeoff uphill in a prevailing tailwind toward rising terrain and high obstacles. Also causal was the pilot's loading of the airplane above maximum gross weight and his failure to…NTSB ENG01RA005Incident · 3 fatalForeign investigationDassault Falcon 20 · Narsarsuaq, GreenlandNTSB DCA01MA056Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland Dash 8-100 · Washington, DCThe ramp agent's impaired performance due to his hyperthyroidism, which was exacerbated by the heat and was inadequately controlled by medication, and possibly also due to the use of an antianxiety medication.NTSB CHI01FA257Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Waterloo, INAircraft control not maintained for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI01FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E55 · Rensselaer, INthe pilot's ostentatious display when he buzzed the farmstead and did not maintain clearance from the barn.NTSB DEN01FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V-35A · Lusk, WYthe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with transmission wires.NTSB MIA01FA206Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Hilton Head, SCImproper maintenance/installation and and inadequate inspection of the airplane's flap torque tube joints during routine maintenance by company maintenance personnel, which resulted in the right flap torque tube assembly coupler becoming detached and the…NTSB IAD01FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Baltimore, MDThe pilot's improper decision to maneuver in an environment conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and his inadequate recovery from the resultant unanticipated right yaw.