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 ERA23FA370Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Fitzgerald, GAThe pilot’s failure to perform pre-takeoff engine runup and carburetor heat check procedures, which resulted in rotation with inadequate climb performance, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB ANC23FA074Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · St. Mary's, AKThe pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum certificated gross weight, and his installation of an unapproved external load that degraded takeoff performance and flight characteristics resulting in a loss of airplane control during takeoff…NTSB CEN23FA409Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportThrush S2R-T660 · Ardoch, NDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an aerial application flight.NTSB GAA23WA255Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Vologda Oblast, RussiaNTSB GAA23WA253Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignNorth American T28 · Székesfehérvár, HungaryNTSB CEN23FA410Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Sonex · Dowagiac, MIThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.NTSB GAA23WA250Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 212 · Um Al Quwain, United Arab EmiratesNTSB CEN23FA401Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150K · Huntsville, TXA partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by a fuel system blockage, and the flight instructor’s subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed after the loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of…NTSB ERA23FA358Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Toms River, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation (somatogravic illusion), which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB GAA23WA280Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172N · Mountains, IcelandNTSB ERA23FA357Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Kingston, NJA loss of control, which resulted in the main rotor blade severing the tail boom, for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA391Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Wellington, COThe pilot’s loss of glider control during approach for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ENG23WA044Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignChristen Eagle II · Raufoss, NorwayNTSB ERA23FA352Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEurocopter EC135 · Pompano Beach, FLAn inflight fire outside of the engine firewalls, likely from overheating of the No. 1 engine for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a partial tailboom separation.NTSB ANC23LA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B36TC · Cape Yakataga, AKThe pilot’s continued flight into moderate to severe icing conditions, including supercooled large droplets, over mountainous terrain, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the National Weather Service…NTSB WPR23FA323Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHensler Howard Cassutt · West Jordan, UTA loss of control during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA23WA243Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignGulfstream 690C · Las Velas, VenezuelaNTSB GAA23WA245Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSupermarine Spitfire MK26 · Enstone-, United KingdomNTSB ERA23FA346Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C-99 · Litchfield, MEA horizontal stabilizer pitch trim anomaly that was not identified in the available evidence.NTSB GAA23WA242Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Holstead Hall, Essex, United KingdomNTSB ERA23LA342Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech C23 · Greer, SCA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the formation of carburetor ice, resulting in reduced climb capability. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during the emergency descent, which…NTSB CEN23FA369Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J5A · Iola, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after landing on a grass taxiway with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over.NTSB CEN23LA376Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSixchuter Spirit XL · Hovland, MNThe collision with the lake by a noncertificated pilot for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA23FA340Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Fort Pierce, FLThe left seat instructor’s intentional maneuvering of the airplane in an aerobatic steep turn for which it was not approved, which resulted in an exceedance of the structural limitations of the airplane and an inflight breakup.NTSB DCA23WA416Accident · 10 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRaytheon 390 · Elmina, MalaysiaNTSB ERA23LA334Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Hickory, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.NTSB ERA23LA332Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Mifflinville, PAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23FA359Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV14 · Virden, ILThe pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an upset of the airplane, and a loss of control from which the…NTSB GAA24WA051Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignDiamond DA20-C1 · Cooking Lake, CanadaNTSB ERA23FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Junction City, GAThe pilot’s continued flight into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the penetration of a severe thunderstorm, the pilot’s loss of airplane control, and the airplane’s subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB ANC23FA061Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Skwentna, AKAn impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered due to the inaccessible nature of the accident site.NTSB CEN23FA353Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Gilman City, MOThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a steep turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR23FA302Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Cabazon, CAThe Skycrane flight crew’s decision to enter the Fire Traffic Area’s 7-nm NOCOM ring at an altitude significantly above their maximum cleared altitude, which resulted in their need for an aggressive descent into congested airspace and subsequent failure to…NTSB CEN23FA352Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Caddo Mills, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during an attempted forced landing following a loss of engine power.NTSB WPR23LA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Davis, CAAn inflight loss of control during a low altitude operation for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN23FA349Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Peyton, COThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in a steep bank at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR23FA301Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlasair Glastar · Idaho City, IDThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA23LA328Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CBThe pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA23FA323Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent rapid descent into terrain.NTSB ERA23FA321Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKolb Firestar · McAlpin, FLA collision with trees during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.NTSB WPR23FA299Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCzech Sport SportCruiser · Van Nuys, CAThe misalignment of the carburetor piston slides, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an emergency landing, leading to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA23LA320Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMesnard Velocity Twin · Sandersville, GAA total loss of power in the right engine due to the right ECU injector wires being severed by the main landing gear actuator piston teeter bar as a result of a lack of clearance and protection of the wiring bundle.NTSB CEN23FA340Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRichards Heavylift Helo UH-1H · Oakdale, ILAn in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR23FA296Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T206H · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot’s decision to perform a go-around into rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow published airport guidance about go-arounds, and landings and takeoffs with unfavorable winds.NTSB WPR23FA287Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech P35 · Upland, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and impact with a building.NTSB CEN23LA342Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Denison, IAThe pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.NTSB GAA23WA231Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignHawker Beechcraft G58 · Vilhena, BrazilNTSB ERA23FA317Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Springfield, OHThe pilot’s failure to remain clear of powerlines during an agricultural spraying operation.NTSB CEN23FA333Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway 162F · Oshkosh, WIThe failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.NTSB CEN23FA332Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin.