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 NYC01FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Seven Springs, PAThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.NTSB LAX00FA354Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while turning to reverse course following inadvertent nighttime flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in nighttime operations.NTSB FTW01WA010Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU-206F · San Mateo, MexicoNTSB MIA00RA275Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Carlos Tejedor, ArgentinaNTSB DEN00LA183Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Tucumcari, NMloss of control during initial climb following takeoff by an unqualified person.NTSB DEN00FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-26MX · Telluride, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground. A contributing factor was the high density altitude weather condition.NTSB ATL00LA095Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWilliam J. Knowles KNOWLES-THORP KT-18 · Opa-Locka, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain flying airspeed during initial climb, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB FTW00LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Stanton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from guy wires and tower.NTSB SEA00WA196Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna A185F · Smithers, CanadaNTSB MIA00WA274Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185 · Vargas, VenezuelaNTSB FTW00FA268Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Navasota, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributory factors were the clouds, dark night light conditions, the pilot's lack of total instrument flight time, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB SEA00LA186Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DH-100 MK.6 · Ontario, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-altitude maneuvering flight, resulting in an accelerated stall and spin. A factor was the pilot's intentional low-altitude maneuvering flight.NTSB LAX00FA346Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Tuba City, AZthe pilot's inadvertent descent into terrain on the downwind leg for landing. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and sparse population.NTSB CHI00FA302Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Jasper, INthe inadvertent stall by the pilot in command. Contributing factors were the approach airspeed not obtained/maintained by the pilot in command and the wind gusts.NTSB ANC00FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Aniak, AKThe pilot's decision to initiate visual flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident are a low ceiling, a dark night, the pilot's failure to follow regulatory procedures and directives, and his self-induced…NTSB CHI00LA282Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Chesaning, MIThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from the trees. A factor was the trees.NTSB ANC00MA125Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T3 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, his improper aborted landing procedure, and inadvertent stall/mush. Factors in the accident were an improper adjustment of the landing gear warning horn system by company maintenance personnel, and the failure…NTSB DEN00FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Longmont, COThe pilot/passenger's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the pilot in command's inadequate supervision of the flight. A factor was the pilot/passenger's lack of experience in aircraft type.NTSB FTW00LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Lariat, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the antenna guy wire. A factor was the pilot's physical impairment from his use of diphenhydramine.NTSB ATL00FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Ft. Pierce, FLFailure of local controller to provide adequate spacing between two airplanes that resulted in a midair collision. Contributing Factors: the local controller declined receiving a formal brief before relieving the controller on duty. The controller who was…NTSB IAD00FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Carrollton, OHPilot's improper decision to delay the aborted landing, which resulted in an insufficient airspeed during climb and subsequent collision with terrain. A factor was the wet runway and tailwind.NTSB MIA00FA265Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Brookhaven, MSThe poor in-flight planning/decision by the pilot for flying a close-in downwind leg, improper aircraft handling by the pilot for his executing a 70-75 degree angle of bank turning base to final while circling to land, and inadvertent stall/mush of the…NTSB LAX00LA331Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportE. J. Humphrey Christen Eagle II · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground obstacles that resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree, while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude, and the pilot's inattentive visual lookout.NTSB FTW00RA262Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationDornier DO-28D-2 · Manta, EcuadorNTSB CHI00FA288Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Custer, SDThe pilot not maintaining clearance from the tree. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, the high density altitude, the inadequate rate of climb, the pilot's improper in-flight decision to fly into…NTSB MIA00GA264Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1H · Waynesville, NCAn in-flight encounter with ground level fog due to the pilot's decision to continue VMC flight into instrument conditions, resulting in an in-flight collision with trees.NTSB LAX00LA328Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Rancho Murieta, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout during cruise, which subsequently led to a wire strike.NTSB IAD00WA083Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLockheed C-130A · Aubenas, FranceNTSB MIA00FA260Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B-95 · Odessa, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain Vmc, which resulted in a loss of control, and collision with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to feather a propeller powered by an operational engine, while at a low altitude.NTSB DCA00WA092Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationBeech Kingair 200 · Queensland, AustraliaNTSB NYC00FA248Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · South Kingstown, RIThe pilot's loss of control, and his subsequent overstress of the airplane after a vacuum system failure during flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions, a sheared coupling on the vacuum pump,…NTSB DEN00LA163Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNicholson Thorp T-18CWS · Tooele, UTFailure by the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during aerobatic maneuvers as a result of his alcohol impairment. Factors were: The pilot's inadequate planning and decision making and the inadequate altitude he choose for maneuvering.NTSB DEN00FA164Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · Steamboat Spg, COthe pilot's inadvertent entry into a spin while performing aerobatics.NTSB NYC00FA247Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Apple Creek, OHThe pilot's premature liftoff and failure to attain a proper climb rate. Factors related to the accident were the over-gross weight conditions, and the low cloud ceilings.NTSB CHI00FA284Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Manitowish Watr, WIthe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the trees during an approach on a dark, low overcast night, the pilot's improper use of an IFR procedure without clearance, and the pilot's improper in-flight decision to attempt an IFR approach without…NTSB LAX00FA322Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · So. Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control in the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI00LA279Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMockler Zodiac CH-600 · Carmel, INthe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the tower. A factor was the tower.NTSB ANC00FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Juneau, AKThe pilot's inadvertent stall/mush. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of certification.NTSB NYC00FA245Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Lexington, VAThe pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation. A factor in this accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.NTSB LAX00FA319Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Laton, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in a stall at an altitude too low to allow recovery.NTSB CHI00FA276Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-55 · Grafton, ILThe pilot not maintaining aircraft control and altitude/clearance from the river. Factors to the accident included the pilot not obtaining an air traffic control clearance prior to departure into instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot becoming…NTSB MIA00WA262Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S55B · Wanganui, New ZealandNTSB LAX00FA320Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions into rising terrain and the air traffic controller's failure to issue a Safety Advisory.NTSB IAD00FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Jonestown, PAThe pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in a collision with transmission wires. Factors in the accident were the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a landing with a 14-knot tailwind, and his use of an unapproved pain medication.NTSB NYC00FA257Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Mill Creek, PAThe pilot's improper pre-flight planning, and in-flight planning decision to continue visual fight into deteriorating adverse weather conditions. Factors were the night conditions, low clouds and fog.NTSB MIA00LA252Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S1-T · Vero Beach, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain control in flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent, and collision with the ground.NTSB LAX00FA314Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Poway, CAThe pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather.NTSB MIA00WA249Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · La Fortuna, Costa RicaNTSB LAX00LA312Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCable-Breigler BG-12BD · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot exceeded the airspeed limit for operation of the flaps resulting in flap and wing overload and separation.NTSB LAX00FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Hilo, HIDeterioration and failure of the oil filter converter plate gasket, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a subsequent in-flight fire.