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 CHI00FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Lewiston, IDthe pilot failed to follow the flight manual procedures and did not engage the Continuous Ignition system resulting in both engines flaming out when the air induction system was blocked with ice. Additional factors to the accident included the hilly terrain,…NTSB ATL00FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Odessa, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing. A factor was the utility pole.NTSB FTW00FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · New Braunfels, TXthe seizure of the engine while maneuvering due to the oil pressure relief valve plug ball seat becoming contaminated with metal. Contributing factors were the inadequate engine maintenance, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB CHI00MA066Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMoravan Z242L · Zion, ILClearance not maintained by the pilot of the other airplane. A factor relating to the accident was the airport control tower's local controller's failure to provide effective sequencing.NTSB LAX00FA093Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGray Questair Venture · Sylmar, CAThe pilots' inadequate visual lookout in visual conditions and class 'E' airspace. Contributing to the accident were the initial position report location and the approach speed of the Questair.NTSB LAX00FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Redwood City, CAThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the pilot's improper remedial action and his self-induced pressure.NTSB MIA00WA084Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas 369E · Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos IslandsNTSB ANC00FA024Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's attempted flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance above the snow-covered tundra. Factors associated with the accident were snow, rain, and whiteout conditions.NTSB FTW00FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Frisco, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees during an intentional low altitude flight maneuver.NTSB NYC00WA071Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R-44 · Chorley, United KingdomNTSB DCA00MA023Accident · 88 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas MD-83 · Port Hueneme, CAA loss of airplane pitch control resulting from the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly's acme nut threads. The thread failure was caused by excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines' insufficient lubrication of…NTSB DCA00WA022Accident · 169 fatalForeign investigationAirbus Industrie A 310 · Abidjan, Côte d’IvoireNTSB FTW00RA076Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 404 · Guadalajara, MexicoNTSB SEA00FA039Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Pendleton, ORThe pilot's failure to adequately remove ice and snow from the airplane. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to maintain control during climb due to degradation of the airplane's aerodynamic performance.NTSB MIA00WA073Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationCessna 207 · Las Terrenas, Dominican RepublicNTSB FTW00FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-26A · San Antonio, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing factors to the accident were both pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of the accident airplane…NTSB FTW00FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Mexia, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a stall/spin. Factors were the partial failure of the landing gear indication system and the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB NYC00FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Willard, KYThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and snow showers.NTSB NYC00FA067Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-90 · Somerset, KYthe failure of the pilot to follow his approach clearance, and subsequent descent into unprotected airspace which resulted in a collision with the guy wire. Factors were the failure of the air traffic controller to verify the approach he cleared the pilot to…NTSB MIA00FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P-35 · Rogersville, TNthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain and subsequent damage to the aircraft.NTSB FTW00RA064Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationLet 410 UVP-E · Pavas, Costa RicaNTSB IAD00RA018Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationLockheed C-130B · Chimore, BoliviaNTSB FTW00FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Carlisle, ARthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB DEN00FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPilatus PC-7 · Broomfield, COThe pilot's loss of aircraft control while performing low level aerobatics at an altitude insufficient to make a safe recovery.NTSB LAX00GA073Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportArrow OH-58A · Crows Landing, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from terrain during a turn to reverse direction after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a full weather briefing before…NTSB NYC00FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerostar 601P · Coatesville, PAThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure, and his failure to establish a climb after passing the missed approach point.NTSB MIA00FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Mount Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuv ering on a night instrument approach in instrument conditions. This resulted in an inadvertent in-flight loss of control (stall/spin), and subsequent in-flight collision with a swamp. Contributing to…NTSB DCA00RA019Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationSaab-Scania 340 · Zurich, SwitzerlandNTSB MIA00LA065Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSlater P-51 · Hampstead, NCThe pilots failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuve ring on a turn to crosswind resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB LAX00LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportClark Pitts S1X · Upland, CAThe pilot's failure to recover from an intentional aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ATL00FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 23 · Macon, GAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB SEA00FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Marysville, WAFuel exhaustion due to the non-certificated 'pilot's' failure to determine the fuel quantity prior to takeoff. Factors include a dark night, and a non-iluminated electrical transmission wire strung across the highway upon which the pilot was attempting to…NTSB NYC00FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Old Forge, PABoth pilots' failure to adequately manage the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB MIA00FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with water. Contributing to the accident was the dark night with…NTSB CHI00FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-95A Travelair · Dunbar, WIthe pilot failed to maintain a proper glidepath and obstacle clearance during an instrument approach. Additional factors to the accident included the dark night, icing conditions, flight into known adverse weather, and conditions conducive to pilot fatigue.NTSB ATL00FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Cordesville, SCThe pilot's inadequate inflight planning that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB DEN00FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Telluride, COThe non-instrument rated pilot's intentional flight into IMC, and his subsequent spatial disorientation that resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the snow showers weather condition.NTSB ATL00FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca BL-17-30A · Monteagle, TNThe pilot's failure to adequately evaluate weather conditions that resulted in the continuation of visual flight into instrument weather conditions and the subsequent collision with trees.NTSB FTW00FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Mcalester, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the pilot's impairment (drugs), the deployed right speed brake, and the night conditions.NTSB CHI00LA051Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Orleans, NEthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line. The power line was a factor.NTSB SEA00FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Hermiston, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors include a dark night, low ceilings and mist.NTSB FTW00WA056Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 414 · Apodaca, MexicoNTSB NYC00FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Leominster, MAThe student pilot's failure to see and avoid the private pilot's airplane. Factors included the student pilot's non-standard traffic pattern entry, the private pilot's failure to check for other traffic before turning onto final, and the position of the sun…NTSB MIA00FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500 · Georgetown, SCThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions, willful disregard of FAA Automated Flight Service Station weather forecast/weather observations, failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while…NTSB FTW00FA052Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D95A · Boyd, TXThe instructor pilot's inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB DCA00RA017Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 747-200F · Stansted, United KingdomNTSB ATL00FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 551 · Cordele, GAThe pilot's failure to follow the published missed approach procedures, and to maintain proper altitude. Factors contributing to the severity of the accident were the low ceilings and trees.NTSB DCA00WA016Accident · 18 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 · Guatemala City, GuatemalaNTSB NYC00FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · N. Stonington, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.NTSB MIA00FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Beaufort, SCThe pilot-in-commands failure to maintain the appropriate altitude (minimum descent altitude) during an area surveillance radar (ASR) approach, resulting in an in-flight collision with swampy terrain. Contributing to the accident was the co-pilot's failure to…