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 NYC01FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Xenia, OHThe flight instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent spin.NTSB MIA01LA202Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLancair 360 · St. Marys, GAThe flight instructor/pilot in command's continued flight into known adverse weather, which resulted in a loss of control, and uncontrolled descent, and the airplane crashing into the Atlantic Ocean.NTSB DEN01FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWilson Glastar · Henefer, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for an undetermined reason.NTSB ANC01FA093Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Haines, AKThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his poor in-flight decision making. Factors associated with the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain. A finding is the pilot's use of FAA prohibited drugs.NTSB SEA01FA145Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Puyallup, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during departure resulting in a stall. Trees were a factor in the accident.NTSB NYC01LA190Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHolsclaw Barnett J4B · Titusville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control while maneuvering. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in type of gyroplane.NTSB NYC01FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350 · Westfield, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering during a go-around.NTSB MIA01LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Pelham, GAThe ground refueler's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his walking into the rotating propeller of the airplane and receiving fatal injuries.NTSB IAD01FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca S-65-CA · Esperance, NYThe pilot's inadequate decision and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors are a transmission wire and the pilot's intentional low pass.NTSB FTW01FA171Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · De Queen, ARthe pilot's VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's lack of total instrument flight time.NTSB ANC01WA091Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185 · Yakutat, AKNTSB CHI01LA243Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Wheeler, WIThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power transmission line. A factor to the accident was the power transmission line.NTSB CHI01FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchuchart Stoddard HamiltonSH3 · Oshkosh, WIThe inadvertent stall/spin by the pilot.NTSB CHI01LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVeith Kolb Sling Shot · Goodview, MNThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by a blocked, unsecured, fuel vent line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall at a low…NTSB CHI01FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPayne Giles G-202 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot failed to maintain aircraft control which resulted in an inadvertant stall. Factors with the accident were the pilot misjudged the approach and the pilot's lack of total experience in the Giles G-202.NTSB ATL01FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman PT-17 · Anniston, ALThe inadvertent activation of the flight control gust locks by the pilot rated passenger that resulted in the loss of control inflight. Contributing was the pilot in commands failure to follow the airplane's pre-flight inspection check list.NTSB FTW01LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchnitz FIIC-2 Goshawk · Marion, TXthe loss of control on takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI01FA234Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Benton, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall.NTSB CHI01FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWorld Helicopters 47D1 · Ballard, MOThe pilot's improper preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's subsequent improper autorotation.NTSB MIA01FA193Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Black Mountain, NCThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions resulting in the airplane colliding with mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA01FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-35-F35 · Bamberg, SCthe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, while attempting a forced landing following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and subsequent impact with the terrain. A factor in this accident was…NTSB LAX01FA253Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcDougall Veri EZE · Palm Springs, CAthe failure of the builder to balance the elevators per the kit manufacturer's instructions resulting in flutter and in-flight separation of the right elevator.NTSB CHI01FA233Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Chenoa, ILThe inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during his turn with an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel starvation on initial climbout and the improper in-flight decision he made to continue the turn. Factors were the fuel starvation and the incorrect…NTSB CHI01FA232Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith Kelly-D · Poplar Grove, ILThe right upper wing failed due to overload. A factor was the pilot performing aerobatic manuevers.NTSB CHI01FA230Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Grafton, IAThe pilot's improper inflight decision to continue into known adverse weather. A factor was the thunderstorm.NTSB CHI01FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20R · Eden Prairie, MNThe fractured camshaft gear and the pilot not maintaining aircraft control. Factors relating to this accident were metal fatigue in the camshaft gear teeth, the inadvertent stall, the low airspeed, and the trees.NTSB NYC01FA178Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58-TC · Sidney, NYThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures which resulted in a collision with rising terrain. Factors related to the accident were the rising terrain and fog.NTSB CHI01FA218Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Oak Creek, WIThe pilot not maintaining clearance from objects during an ILS approach in low night IFR conditions and his descent below decision height. Factors were the dark night, mist, low ceiling, and the trees west of the approach.NTSB MIA01WA188Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigation206 · Minas Parapapoy, VenezuelaNTSB NYC01FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23-24 · Bridgeville, DEThe pilot's incapacitation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. A factor was the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division's inadequate certification/approval of the pilot's medical certificate. Findings were the pilot's inappropriate…NTSB ANC01FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Bettles, AKThe pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane during an unknown phase of flight.NTSB SEA01LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Nez Perce, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX01LA244Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLevitsky BD-5T · Cameron Park, CAan in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI01LA212Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportReitz Mohawk 1 · Camdenton, MOThe pilot not performing an aborted takeoff and the inadvertent stall he encountered on his inadvertent initial climb. Factors were his inadvertent lift-off, the reported inadequate rudder control, his inadvertent flight with known deficiencies, and the…NTSB CHI01FA206Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-55 · Carterville, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, the inadvertent spiral, and the residence.NTSB ATL01FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Resaca, GAThe certificated flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a turning maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain. A factor was the loading of the airplane over maximum gross weight.NTSB MIA01LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFloback Lancair 4 · Kissimmee, FLthe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and subsequent impact with the terrain.NTSB CHI01FA204Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · West Lafayette, INThe fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's alcohol impaired decision making. Additional factors were the trees and night.NTSB SEA01FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell S-2R-1200 · Cottonwood, IDFailure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while dropping fire retardant. Factors include low visibility with smoke.NTSB NYC01FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1C · Medford, NJThe pilot's improper use of the flight controls while turning to base, which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB MIA01WA183Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20M · Manhay, BelgiumNTSB WAS01RA011Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · La Fortuna, ParaguayNTSB LAX01LA239Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohansen/Thiessen RV-6A · Jackpot, NVthe private pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ATL01LA077Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKenneth West ARV 582 · Sebring, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, followed by a subsequent inadvertent stall spin.NTSB LAX01LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca O-58B · San Andreas, CAAn in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB WAS01WA015Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S-76B · P'ohang, South KoreaNTSB FTW01LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Belle Chase, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a utility pole while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol intoxication and the night light conditions.NTSB WAS01RA013Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206G · San Ignacio, BoliviaNTSB NYC01FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMoravan Zlin 526F · Queen Anne, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent inverted spin.NTSB CHI01LA194Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHouston Challenger II · Sedalia, MOthe unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. Additional factors were the pilot's lack of experience in the type of airplane, the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the trees.