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 LAX99LA303Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNye KR-2 · Mariposa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while performing an intentional steep right bank turning maneuver, which resulted in a stall/mush and descent into terrain.NTSB DCA99RA084Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationDassault Falcon 900 · Bucharest, RomaniaNTSB SEA99LA159Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGentry Series 5 Vixen · Naples, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn back toward the departure surface, resulting in a stall.NTSB NYC99LA224Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T6-G · Falmouth, KYThe pilot's misjudgment of altitude/clearance on approach which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.NTSB NYC99FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337C · North Adams, MAthe failure of the pilot of the Cessna 305 to follow the instructions issued, and maintain a low altitude. A factor was the delay in evasive action by the pilot of the Cessna 337 after he was first advised that the Cessna 305 was climbing.NTSB FTW99FA256Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSpagnoletti AIR Command 582 · Conroe, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff/initial climb. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type of aircraft.NTSB ATL99FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Carthage, MSThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude clearance while maneuvering. A factor was the pine trees.NTSB CHI99LA337Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportReichert MJ-77 · Owosso, MIthe pilot's improper preflight which resulted in a takeoff with the oil cap not secured and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB LAX99FA301Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Strathmore, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate terrain and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power transmission wires.NTSB NYC99LA221Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportValenza Volksplane VP-II · Westmore, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the trees. A related factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB NYC99FA220Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Westerly, RIThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during a turn.NTSB MIA99FA245Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B-90 · West Palm Beach, FLa total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's operation of the airplane in an overweight condition, inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning.NTSB IAD99RA065Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 404 · Linwood, United KingdomNTSB ATL99FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Gainesville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed which resulted in a stall and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ANC99FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Bettles, AKThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Factors in the accident were low ceilings and snow.NTSB LAX99FA294Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20D · Bear Valley, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI99FA332Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Neguanee, MIthe pilot failed to maintain clearance from the tower.NTSB LAX99LA292Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Pohnpei (Pacific Ocean)An in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD99RA063Accident · 12 fatalForeign investigationCessna 404 · Arusha, TanzaniaNTSB DEN99FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWroblewski RV-4 · Bayfield, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN99FA157Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Villa Grove, COThe flight instructor's improper inflight decision to enter a narrow blind/box canyon, and his misjudgment of the vertical and lateral clearances. A factor was the downdrafts.NTSB SEA99LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRotordyne 200 · Kent, WAThe owner/builder's failure to properly torque the rotor blade retaining bolts.NTSB NYC99FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Plymouth, MAThe flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, and the pilot-under-instruction's panic and subsequent interference with the flight controls.NTSB DCA99RA076Accident · 80 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-200 · Ba, ArgentinaNTSB SEA99FA152Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Marcola, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while descending in an area of deteriorating weather. Factors include mountainous terrain, clouds, low ceilings, the pilot's inadequate preflight weather analysis, and his improper decision to attempt…NTSB NYC99FA213Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Sussex, NJThe pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by other airplanes performing successful downwind departures.NTSB IAD99WA062Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 35A · Adwa, EthiopiaNTSB IAD99LA061Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19 · Bedminster, NJthe pilot's medical incapacitation after suffering a massive stroke.NTSB ANC99FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Cooper Landing, AKThe pilot's inadvertent stall.NTSB SEA99FA150Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Ryegate, MTThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors include low ceilings and inadequate in-flight planning.NTSB MIA99WA244Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · La Ceiba, HondurasNTSB MIA99WA240Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22B · Cornakelly, IrelandNTSB CHI99FA311Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWalker Breezy · Janesville, WIthe inadvertent stall. A factor relating to this accident was the pilot's excessive climb rate.NTSB SEA99LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Benton City, WAA loss of power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate rotor RPM following the power loss. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of certification and total experience.NTSB IAD99WA060Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206G · Nairobi, KenyaNTSB NYC99FA214Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Dyke, VAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor was the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather.NTSB CHI99LA309Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPinick Horizon 2 · Grain Valley, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in this type of airplane.NTSB NYC99FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Saddle Island, METhe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees.NTSB DCA99RA074Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-90 · Hualien, TaiwanNTSB SEA99FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRepublic RC-3 · Chimacum, WAThe inadequate visual lookout by both the pilot-in-command and second pilot, and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain sufficient flying speed to prevent a stall condition. Contributing factors were the transmission lines, gusty wind conditions, and the…NTSB FTW99FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-35 · Seminole, OKThe loss of engine power caused by oil starvation, which resulted in the failure of the #6 cylinder connecting rod bolts. A factor was the pilot's performance of an evasive maneuver to avoid impacting buildings, trees, people on the ground, and power lines.NTSB MIA99FA232Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Pickens, SCThe pilot's failure to properly preflight plan and prepare for the flight's fuel consumption resulting in engine loss of power due to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent inflight collision with trees.NTSB NYC99LA208Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKlotz Kolb Mark III · Scott, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall, after he experienced a loss of lift due to an improperly installed gap seal.NTSB LAX99FA275Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot's steep turn at low altitude that resulted in an accelerated stall while in the landing configuration, leading to a loss of control and subsequent ground impact.NTSB SEA99FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · White Swan, WAInadequate preflight planning/preparation and low airspeed. A dirt embankment, soft runway, and an excessive takeoff weight were factors.NTSB MIA99FA230Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Tampa, FLThe failure of the pilot to follow procedures and directives established by the operator for his failure to fuel the airplane after landing following the first leg. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.…NTSB ANC99FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Chitina, AKUndetermined.NTSB DEN99FA148Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Newcastle, WYThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and inadequate altitude/clearance from the transmission wires.NTSB FTW99FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Holdenville, OKthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff initial climb. Factors were the loss of right engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft.NTSB CHI99FA293Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHudson Avenger · Lansing, ILthe weight and balance exceeded by the owner/builder. The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the owner/builder.