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 MIA00LA053Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSwertfeger Velocity 173 Elite · Murfreesboro, TNThe failure of an unknown maintenance person to comply with an Airworthiness Directive (replace center body bellows seal assembly and tube bushings) and Service Bulletin (replace fuel diaphragm) resulting in an in-flight power loss due to an over rich…NTSB FTW00FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Edgewood, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a forced landing which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing factors were the failure of the engine driven fuel pump, the engine manufacturer's use of an inadequate fuel pump which was only intended for…NTSB ATL00FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Geneva, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a stall and the subsequent collision with trees.NTSB CHI00FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210D · Saint Charles, MOthe aircraft control not maintained by the pilot and the pilot exceeded the design limits of the aircraft. The clouds and night conditions were contributing factors.NTSB SEA00FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20-M · Missoula, MTEngine failure for undetermined reasons. Factors include the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing, trees and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC00MA048Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124A · Gouldsboro, PAThe improper assembly of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator unit by maintenance personnel.NTSB CHI00LA043Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcCarty Wittman W-8 Tailwind · Jamestown, NDthe wing spar failure due to its inadequate construction by the owner/builder.NTSB SEA00FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Harper, ORThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include meteorological conditions obscuring the pilot's visibility and incapacitation due to illegal substances.NTSB MIA00FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U-3A · Brooksville, MSThe in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons resulting in the collision with terrain.NTSB FTW00RA043Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Cali, ColombiaNTSB CHI00FA039Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Danville, ILAircraft control not being maintained by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Factors to the accident were the flight instructor's VFR flight into IMC weather conditions, the inadequate preflight…NTSB NYC00FA047Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58TC · Hasbrouck Hts., NJthe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB MIA00WA045Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech B95A · Maizal, Dominican RepublicNTSB DEN00FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Elida, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for reasons undetermined. Factors were icing conditions and instrument failure, as reported by the pilot.NTSB CHI00FA040Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · Branson, MOthe pilot descended below the minimum altitude for the segment of the GPS approach. Factors relating to the accident were low ceilings, rain, and pilot fatigue.NTSB MIA00FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Pelham, ALThe student pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.NTSB ANC00FA018Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Bethel, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, fog, and snow-covered terrain.NTSB LAX00LA049Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCorbin/King Osprey 2 · Chula Vista, CAThe pilot exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane resulting in wing overload and separation.NTSB IAD00WA011Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA31-350 · Rand, South AfricaNTSB IAD00WA010Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · Port-Au-Prince, HaitiNTSB MIA00FA041Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Deland, FLThe inadequate visual lookout by the pilot-in-command (PIC)/certified flight instructor (CFI) of both aircraft. Contributing factors in the accident were: 1) the frequency congestion of the CTAF 2) the poor in-flight planning decision by the PIC/CFI of the…NTSB IAD00RA009Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 · Rangali, MaldivesNTSB FTW00RA062Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182S · Tepic, MexicoNTSB FTW00RA039Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206-L1 · Cabinda, AngolaNTSB LAX00WA042Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHiller UH-12E · Kaohslung, TaiwanNTSB DEN00FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-125 · Afton, WYFailure of the pilot to remove frost from the wings prior to takeoff, causing an inadvertent stall/spin on initial climbout. Factors included exceeding the aircraft's certificated gross weight, and fog conditions.NTSB SEA00FA023Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 MK. I · Washougal, WAThe pilot's failure to ensure attainment of adequate airspeed prior to initiating a steep turn at low altitude, resulting in an accelerated stall. A factor contributing to the occurrence of the accident was the aircraft's low altitude. Factors contributing to…NTSB MIA00FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 212 · Philadelphia, MSThe failure of the pilot and company maintenance personnel during preflight and periodic inspections to identify the signs of fretting and looseness in the "red" main rotor blade pitch change horn to main rotor blade grip attachment, resulting in the…NTSB NYC00WA038Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Nairobi, KenyaNTSB NYC00FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Newark, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were failure of the horizontal situation indicator for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's use of inappropriate medication.NTSB MIA00FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Helena, ALThe pilots continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in his becoming spatially disoriented and loosing control of the helicopter, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with the ground.NTSB NYC00WA062Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter EC-135 · Basepohl, GermanyNTSB LAX00LA038Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Avalon, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to physical incapacitation from sudden cardiac death secondary to an acute myocardial infarction.NTSB FTW00FA035Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · New Orleans, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the dusk light condition.NTSB MIA00LA025Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFrederick Rocket II · Coral Springs, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering (VSO) resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power…NTSB CHI00FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 175 · MIundetermined.NTSB CHI00FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Chicago, ILOn ground collision with the lake for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA00LA017Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Astoria, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed after a delayed go-around. Factors include incapacitation due to the use of unapproved drugs.NTSB FTW00RA029Accident · 18 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-9-31 · Uruapan, MexicoNTSB DEN00FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · Lake City, COthe pilot's inadequate flight planning and preparation, and his inadvertent flight into adverse weather during a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were, the cloudy obscuration weather condition, the high density altitude, and…NTSB MIA00WA024Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · Abidjan, MaliNTSB IAD00WA004Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationHughes 369D · Cologne, GermanyNTSB ATL00FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210N · Chamblee, GAThe failure of the flex hydraulic line and the chaffing of an electrical line under the pilot seat that resulted in an inflight fire. The pilot's inflight decision to continue flight with a known airplane deficiencies.NTSB SEA00FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F28C · Pendleton, ORFailure to maintain clearance from the runway surface while maneuvering at low altitude, and inadequate remedial action after the tail rotor struck the surface.NTSB MIA00FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Tamarac, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in the airplane stalling and entering a spin to the left at an inadequate altitude and his failure to apply spin recovery emergency procedures prior to the airplane impacting the swamp.NTSB IAD00FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCoughlin LONG-EZ · Remington, VAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the trees while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CHI00FA020Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cottage Grove, MNUndetermined.NTSB SEA00FA012Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Challis, IDAircraft control was not maintained. The pilot's improper decision to abort the landing and flight into a box canyon were factors.NTSB MIA00FA017Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in impact with rough water. A factor in this accident was a dark night, which resulted in no visual cues.NTSB DCA00MA006Accident · 217 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 767-366-ER · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the EgyptAir flight 990 accident is the airplane's departure from normal cruise flight and subsequent impact with the Atlantic Ocean as a result of the relief first officer's…