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 FTW01FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Borger, TXthe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain an updated preflight weather briefing and the dark night conditions.NTSB DEN01FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRoss G-202 · Grand Junction, COthe pilot's inadvertent entry into a spin while performing aerobatic maneuvers. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of aerobatic experience.NTSB LAX01FA101Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Long Beach, CAThe failure of the flight crews of both airplanes to maintain adequate visual lookout for traffic.NTSB CHI01FA089Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Webb Lake, WIthe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during takeoff. Factors were the trees, transmission wire, and the dark night.NTSB ATL01FA036Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Munford, ALThe pilot continued visual flight into instrument weather conditions that resulted in the inflight collision with a river bank. Factors were reduced visibility and dark night.NTSB MIA01FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Stuart, FLThe loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons resulting in the forced landing. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.NTSB FTW01FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Pampa, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dark night and the fog.NTSB MIA01FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrantly B-2B · Archer, FLThe flight crew's loss of control for undermined reasons.NTSB FTW01FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39C · Pecan Island, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain while performing low level aerobatics. A factor was fatigue.NTSB CHI01FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Horicon, WIthe inadvertent stall/spin. Additional factors included the aerobatic manuevers, low altitude, and the procedures not followed.NTSB CHI01FA083Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA227-AT · Beaver Island, MIThe flightcrew not maintaining altitude/clearance during the circling instrument approach. Factors were the pilot in command initiating the flight without proper weather reporting facilities at the destination, the flightcrew not flying to an alternate…NTSB WAS01RA001Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationGates Learjet 35A · Nurnberg, GermanyNTSB MIA01FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ponce, PRThe pilot's decision to attempt flight with known deficiencies in the airplanes right engine, his failure to feather the right propeller after the engine failed , his failure to retract the landing gear following the engine failure, and his failure to…NTSB SEA01LA046Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWestern International UH-1H · Darby, MTInflight loss of a tail rotor pitch change link-to-blade grip attach bolt, resulting partial loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent entanglement of the helicopter's external load cable with a tree during emergency descent. Factors included the pilot's…NTSB CHI01FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Ainsworth, NEthe pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue flight into known adverse weather. A factor was the icing conditions.NTSB FTW01FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Platter, OKthe failure of both pilots to maintain a visual lookout, which resulted in a mid-air collision over a lake. A contributing factor to the accident was the sun glare from the setting sun.NTSB MIA01FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20R · Bluffton, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB LAX01LA087Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSutton Tailwind W-8L · Reno, NVThe pilot performed aerobatics at low altitude and failed to maintain clearance from the gound resulting in a collision with the terrain.NTSB CHI01FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWatson Steen Skybolt · Camdenton, MOThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain during the low altitude maneuver. Factors were the wind gusts and the low altitude maneuver the pilot performed.NTSB MIA01GA070Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Marathon, FLThe pilot-in-command's lack of recent experience in instrument flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with water while descending.NTSB MIA01WA069Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationYopal, ColombiaNTSB NYC01FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Discus CS · Wurtsboro, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin while on base leg.NTSB MIA01WA067Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 500 · Tamboril, Dominican RepublicNTSB DCA01MA017Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 200 · Strasburg, COThe pilot’s spatial disorientation resulting from his failure to maintain positive manual control of the airplane with the available flight instrumentation. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the loss of a.c. electrical power during instrument…NTSB LAX01WA084Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310R · Newman, AustraliaNTSB MIA01WA063Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Augeburg, GermanyNTSB DEN01FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Elbert, COthe pilot's continued visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the low clouds, reduced visibilities due to fog, and the…NTSB DCA01WA016Accident · 24 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-3 · Cuidad Bolivar, VenezuelaNTSB DEN01FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39CT · Watkins, COThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush. Factors were the pilot's diverted attention due to the failure of the rear canopy's acrylic transparency and the loss of communication with his back seat passenger,…NTSB ATL01FA027Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F90-42 · Nashville, TNThe pilot's failure to follow loss of engine power emergency procedures by not feathering the propeller following the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, resulting in a descent and collision with trees and the ground.NTSB ANC01FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3 · Unalaska, AKThe airplane flightcrew's failure to maintain adequate distance/altitude from mountainous terrain during a departure climb to cruise flight, and the captain's impairment from drugs. Factors in the accident were dark night conditions, and the first officer's…NTSB NYC01LA070Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWhittman Tailwind DN-1 · Grafton, WVThe pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB FTW01LA052Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNanchang CJ-6A · Edgewood, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance with the tower guy wire while the airplane was in cruise flight. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to update his navigation chart with the location of the tower during his preflight…NTSB CHI01FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Piedmont, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were low altitude maneuvering and the transmission wire.NTSB MIA01WA066Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95-55 · Dijon, FranceNTSB NYC01LA132Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Falmouth, MAThe pilot's improper decision to takeoff and attempt VFR flight in IMC conditions.NTSB LAX01FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Monterey, CAUndetermined.NTSB DEN01FA041Accident · 9 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Lake Point, UTthe pilot's exercise of poor judgment and his failure to maintain a safe altitude/clearance above the water. Contributing factors were the weather conditions that included low ceiling and visibility obscured by snow and mist, an inadequately equipped airplane…NTSB MIA01FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Bethel, NCthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines and the subsequent impact with terrain. A factor in this accident was: the pilot's lack of recent instrument…NTSB CHI01FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Martinsville, INThe pilots decision not to fly to the alternate airport, his decision to continue the flight in known adverse weather conditions, spatial disorientation by the pilot, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the low ceilings, the dark night,…NTSB ATL01FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Vandiver, ALThe pilot's inflight decision to continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulted in the inflight collision with trees. Low ceilings and trees were factorsNTSB NYC01FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Bluefield, WVThe pilot's failure to execute the published missed approach procedure. A factor was heavy snowfall during the approach.NTSB FTW01FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Mineral Wells, TXthe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB LAX01FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate to VFR conditions on-top.NTSB IAD01WA025Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L4 · Mussoorie, IndiaNTSB SEA01WA033Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationAerostar 602P · Penticton, CanadaNTSB FTW01FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Gilchrist, TXThe loss of control for reasons undetermined.NTSB SEA01FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Pierce, IDWhile maneuvering, clearance from an object was not maintained. A tree was a factor.NTSB MIA01WA053Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Rio Sidra, PanamaNTSB FTW01FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBell 206B · High Island 116undetermined, missing aircraft.