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 FTW01LA128Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBlucher KR-2S · Wichita Falls, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control following a loss of engine power while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factors to the accident were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lack…NTSB IAD01WA060Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE-36 · Berlin, GermanyNTSB DEN01FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-3DM · Alamogordo, NMThe flight crew's inadequate in-flight planning to fly over the mesa with insufficient altitude. A contributing factor was the downdraft weather conditionNTSB SEA01LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-105 Special · Wilbur, WAA collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC01FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Danvers, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were the dark night, low ceiling, reduced visibility, and the pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in marginal weather conditions.NTSB FTW01LA125Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGideon Wittman Tailwind W8 · Manvel, TXthe flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing, for an undetermined reason.NTSB CHI01LA145Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter 407 · Schoolcraft, MIThe pilot rated passenger failed to maintain clearance with the rotor blades as he exited the helicopter.NTSB SEA01WA099Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172P · Kuwana Mie Pre., JapanNTSB LAX01FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot/owner's failure to correctly install the oil filter, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a loss of engine power. Also causal was his attempt to modify the design of the oil filter element adapter by breaking the bond between the base and the…NTSB WAS01RA008Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 · Puerto Princesa, PhilippinesNTSB LAX01FA178Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D45 · Julian, CAThe pilot's selection of an insufficient altitude over rising mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.NTSB CHI01LA138Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrault Glasair SH2F · Green Bay, WIThe pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low and inadvertently stalled the airplane.NTSB CHI01LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13-3 · Scott City, KSThe low level roll maneuver the pilot performed on final to runway 17 and his not maintaining clearance from terrain during the maneuver.NTSB WAS01WA007Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Zumatlan, MexicoNTSB DEN01FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech King Air B90 · San Jon, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his incapacitation for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground.NTSB FTW01FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportConvair BT-13A · Odessa, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain the minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in a loss of control while performing a go-around. A contributing factor to the accident was the gusty tailwind condition.NTSB NYC01FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150A · Jackson Twp., PAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout while manuevering at low level. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level flight.NTSB MIA01FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 404 · Pena Pobre, PRfailure of the pilot-in-command to maintain altitude/clearance, resulting in an in-flight collision with rising terrain.NTSB FTW01FA116Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Leakey, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during a go-around, which resulted in the aircraft impacting a tree.NTSB NYC01FA122Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206E · New Market, VAA loss of engine power due to a failure of the number 5 piston for undetermined reasons. A factor in this accident was the inadequate emergency handling provided by the air route traffic controller.NTSB MIA01WA141Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-24-250 · Maldon Essex, United KingdomNTSB IAD01WA057Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182S · Leicester, United KingdomNTSB DEN01FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Gunnison, COintentional buzzing by both pilots and their failure to maintain clearance with transmission wires. A contributing factor was the sun glare.NTSB ATL01FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 G · Dunlap, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed that resulted in a stall and subsequent loss of control in flight.NTSB SEA01FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Gorst, WAAn abrupt application of the tail rotor/anti-torque pedal by an unknown pilot resulting in tail rotor contact with the tail boom. Tail rotor blades and empennage assembly separation, and trees were factors.NTSB CHI01LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMadsen Lancair 320 · Valparaiso, INThe pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff and the inadvertent stall/spin. A factor to the accident was the pilot's total lack of experience in accident airplane.NTSB CHI01FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Wichita, KSthe student pilot not maintaining clearance from the tower support wire during the practice emergency landing maneuver and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors relating to the accident were the static wire and the low…NTSB NYC01WA117Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-42-1000 · Nurnberg, GermanyNTSB DEN01FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Steamboat Spngs, COan inadvertent stall during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the pilot's attention being diverted by an abnormal indication, conditions conducive to airframe icing, and the pilot's lack of total experience…NTSB WAS01RA005Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182J · Coban, GuatemalaNTSB LAX01FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-19 · Casa Grande, AZA fuel leak on the cabin and engine sides of the firewall with a probable origin at the firewall pass-through fitting for the fuel pressure gage line. The fire likely began on the engine side of the firewall near the bottom with the explosive ignition of the…NTSB FTW01FA111Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-40 · The Woodlands, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a loss of right engine power, which resulted in impact with terrain in an uncontrolled descent. A contributing factor was the loss of right engine power as a result of the fatigue failure of the…NTSB IAD01FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Afton, VAThe pilot's loss of consciousness due to a medical condition, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane and subsequent impact with rising terrain.NTSB MIA01WA142Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna C-208 Caravan · Nagambie, AustraliaNTSB NYC01FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Middletown, RIThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while landing.NTSB MIA01WA133Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Roque Perez, ArgentinaNTSB LAX01LA141Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMotley Vans RV-6A · Baker, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin. The wind gusts were a factor.NTSB NYC01LA108Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBensen Gyroplane · Watertown, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in rotary wing aircraft.NTSB FTW01FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Del Rio, TXthe loss of control due to a jammed trim tab, which resulted from the failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the trim tab actuator rod when installing a replacement elevator.NTSB CHI01FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Farmington, MOThe fracture of the crankshaft due to fatigue, the propeller separating from the airplane while in-flight, which resulted in the propeller striking the empennage structure and flight controls, yielding the airplane uncontrollable. Contributing factors to the…NTSB FTW01FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Brackettville, TXthe pilot's intentional low flight and his poor judgment to intentionally fly into known adverse weather, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the thunderstorm.NTSB NYC01WA104Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20E · Saint Mamet, FranceNTSB LAX01LA153Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHolt Christian Eagle II · White Water, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the power lines during an intentional low level flight.NTSB LAX01FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310F · Carmel Valley, CAThe in-flight loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC01FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · La Grange, KYThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering the airplane at low altitude. A factor was the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities.NTSB MIA01FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot's exceeding the forward center of gravity (CG) ) limits at the time of engine start, the inability of the pilot to control the airplane due to the exceeded CG limits, the failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff with sufficient runway remaining,…NTSB MIA01WA132Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech 55 · Carache, VenezuelaNTSB CHI01WA123Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T310R · Madinah, Saudi ArabiaNTSB DEN01FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Glenwood Sprgs, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush to the ground. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience in make/model airplane, the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's attempted…NTSB CHI01FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The low altitude was a contributing factor.