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 CHI00FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWsk Pzl Mielec M-18A · Muskegon, MIthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors relating to this accident were the low altitude and the trees.NTSB MIA00FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Titusville, FLThe failure of the PIC to maintain control of the aircraft while in the simulated engine inoperative configuration in the landing pattern during a checkout flight resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor in the accident is the…NTSB FTW00RA155Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182P · Coban, GuatemalaNTSB NYC00FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1H · Frenchville, PAForeign object damage to the compressor and turbine sections of the engine, which resulted in a loss of power.NTSB DEN00GA089Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna T337C · Alamogordo, NMthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power on both engines for unknown reasons and the terrain induced turbulence.NTSB MIA00LA153Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMclarty Vans RV-4 · Apex, NCThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB NYC00LA134Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHing FLY Baby 1A · Keymar, MDAn overload failure of both flying wires, on the underside of the right wing, while the airplane was climbing, due to improper balance between the two flying wires, by unknown person(s).NTSB CHI00LA135Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway Exec 162F · Ithaca, MIthe door separation for undetermined reasons and the foreign object damage due to the door impact to the tailboom and tail rotor drive system.NTSB FTW00FA146Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-95-B55 · Houston, TXthe loss of control on takeoff as a result of the pilot's failure to remove the flight control lock due to his inadequate preflight inspection. A contributing factor was the pilot exceeding the aircraft's certificated maximum weight and balance limitations.NTSB LAX00FA191Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell NA-265-65 · Kaunakakai, HIInadequate crew coordination led to the captain's decision to discontinue the instrument approach procedure and initiate a maneuvering descent solely by visual references at night in an area of mountainous terrain. The crew failed to review the instrument…NTSB MIA00LA149Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMorphew Pitts Model 12 · New Smyrna Bch, FLthe pilot's loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW00RA147Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250F · Santa Cruz, BoliviaNTSB FTW00FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Mack, COThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the mountain obscuration and the rising terrain.NTSB FTW00TA142Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Fort Stockton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the antenna tower. A factor was the smoke weather condition.NTSB NYC00WA271Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · Mattawa, CanadaNTSB DEN00FA084Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350B · Blanding, UTthe pilot's loss of aircraft control due to abrupt flight maneuvering. Contributing factors were the high density altitude weather condition, the total loss of engine power due to the pilot manually introducing excessive fuel into the engine and over temping…NTSB IAD00RA041Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 35A · Lyon, FranceNTSB DEN00FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369E · Bloomfield, NMThe pilot's intentional buzzing (low level flying), and his failure to maintain clearance with the static wire. A factor was his physical impairment by a contraindicated drug controlled substance.NTSB CHI00FA129Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Cornell, WIthe pilot not maintaining aircraft control and the stall/spin he encountered. A factor was the extended flaps.NTSB ANC00FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Kotzebue, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were weather conditions consisting of low ceilings, fog, a whiteout, and the…NTSB DEN00LA079Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGreen GTX-SE-FI · Gillette, WYThe pilot's abruptly pulling the nose up at an excessive airspeed, resulting in the rotor blades striking the vertical stabilizer and a subsequent loss of aircraft control.NTSB DEN00FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 · Estes Park, COA descent below the surrounding terrain, by the pilot, in IMC conditions. Factors were high mountainous terrain, clouds, inaccurate weather evaluation by the pilot, and the pilot's flight into IMC conditions.NTSB DCA00WA046Accident · 12 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-10-30 · Entebbe, UgandaNTSB SEA00FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Fort Smith, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include low ceilings, snow, rain, and rising, mountainous/hilly terrain.NTSB MIA00FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · Elk Park, NCThe inflight loss of control for undetermined reasons resulting in the airplane colliding with mountainous terrain during the uncontrolled descent.NTSB LAX00FA178Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Chester, CAThe pilot's encounter with a wind shear at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and a stall/spin. Factors in the accident were the high density altitude and the pilot's lack of experience and training in high density altitude operations. The…NTSB LAX00FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around in a crosswind condition.NTSB LAX00LA172Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · San Diego, CAThe failure of the flight instructor to maintain control of the helicopter, resulting in skid contact with an obstacle and dynamic roll over.NTSB CHI00FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Watertown, SDthe pilot failed to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were the dark night, clouds, and rain.NTSB LAX00FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Austin, NVThe pilot's decision to attempt flight in an area of high rising mountainous terrain at an inadequate altitude, which resulted in an impact during a turn to reverse direction. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in mountain flying…NTSB ATL00FA048Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter BK117-A3 · St. Petersburg, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance that resulted in the in-flight collision with a tower.NTSB NYC00FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Conicville, VAThe pilot's in-flight decision to continue flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors related to the accident were the failure of the vacuum pump and the pilot's lack of recent instrument time.NTSB LAX00WA205Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206F · Wanaka, New ZealandNTSB LAX00FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEmigh Trojan A2 · Brentwood, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB LAX00FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor 502A · Queen Creek, AZThe fatigue failure and in-flight separation of the left wing due to the manufacturer's underestimation during the aircraft design process of the time interval from fatigue crack initiation to failure, and, the manufacturer's subsequent specification of an…NTSB LAX00FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D35 · Agua Dulce, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while cruising up a mountain pass, on a dark night, in IMC conditions, and his improper in-flight decision to perform a VFR flight in the inclement weather.NTSB NYC00FA118Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Norton, VAThe pilot's improper weather evaluation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors in this accident were icing conditions, and aircraft loading which exceed the airplane's weight and balance limitations.NTSB MIA00WA188Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150J · Epping Essex, RussiaNTSB DCA00WA040Accident · 131 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Samal Island, PhilippinesNTSB LAX00GA158Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportGrumman US-2C · Reno, NVthe flying pilot's failure to maintain directional control following a loss of engine power. Also causal was the failure of the flight crew to follow the published checklist and use the rudder assist system, and the decision not to abort the takeoff.NTSB IAD00FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Norfolk, MAThe loss of power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during at banner pick-up.NTSB FTW00RA128Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206F · Nevaj, GuatemalaNTSB SEA00FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-210C · Babb, MTTerrain clearance was not maintained. High mountains, mountain obscuration, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation were factors.NTSB NYC00LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Lanconia, NHThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB ATL00FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-58 · Palatka, FLThe pilot's physically impaired condition due to his high level of alcohol. Factors were the pilot's intentional VFR flight into IMC conditions and failure to perform a missed approach, which resulted in a collision with the ground.NTSB NYC00FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Grottoes, VAThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included the pilot's lack of instrument time under actual conditions, and his lack of recent instrument flight experience.NTSB MIA00LA133Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir & Space. 18A · Lakeland, FLThe pilot's in-flight loss of control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB LAX00FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Fullerton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention with the loss of engine power from his inadvertent activation of the auxiliary…NTSB LAX00FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFouga 6 CM 170 · San Joaquin, CAThe pilot's intentional performance of aerobatic maneuvers that resulted in the aircraft stalling and entering a spin from which he did not recover. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.NTSB CHI00FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Embarrass, MNthe inadvertent stall/spin the pilot encountered. A factor was the wind gusts.