Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 WPR23FA286Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRisen 915 iS · Glendive, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB GAA23WA230Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Trujillo, PeruNTSB GAA23WA223Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 650 · Veracruz, MexicoNTSB ERA23FA313Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Churchville, MDThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control that the pilot did not recover from.NTSB CEN23LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Clara City, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23FA315Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Houston, TXThe student pilot’s loss of airplane control in dark night conditions.NTSB CEN23FA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Kearney, MOThe pilot’s decision to operate an airplane with known fuel leaks, his failure to conduct an engine run-up before takeoff, his subsequent failure to abort the takeoff, and the mechanic’s inadequate maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of right engine…NTSB ANC23FA056Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Wainwright, AKThe pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude over a large body of water toward featureless terrain, which resulted in a loss of visual clues and controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA23WA211Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · San Luis Gaceno, ColombiaNTSB WPR23FA275Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T310R · Santa Fe, NMA total loss of left engine power as a result of improper installation of the aft-facing crankshaft counterweight retaining rings. Also causal was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following the loss of left engine power, which resulted in the…NTSB GAA23WA215Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Swakopmund, NamibiaNTSB GAA23WA207Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · Bradda Head, United KingdomNTSB GAA23WA213Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna FR182 · Ferrara di Monte Baldo, ItalyNTSB GAA23WA209Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignExtra 300 · Selänpää, FinlandNTSB ERA23LA300Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot’s incapacitation due to a sudden in-flight cardiac event, which resulted in a gear-up landing.NTSB CEN23FA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Osage Beach, MOThe pilot’s failure to properly set the stabilator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.NTSB WPR23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · San Rafael, CAThe total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent.NTSB WPR23FA257Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 550 · Murrieta, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…NTSB CEN23FA284Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Sherman, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of engine power.NTSB CEN23FA283Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Rayville, LAThe pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach to the destination airport and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA256Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182N · St Maries, IDThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 3 exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the loss of engine power.NTSB GAA23WA198Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper 23 · Thirsk, United KingdomNTSB CEN23FA285Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Burlington, COThe pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA23WA194Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLancair 360 · Habsheim, FranceNTSB WPR23FA247Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Murrieta, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps.NTSB GAA23WA193Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 47 · Sainte-Marthe, FranceNTSB GAA23WA205Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28R · GUaratuba, BrazilNTSB GAA23WA188Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206 · Gracias A Dios, HondurasNTSB ERA23FA280Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…NTSB ANC23FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.NTSB GAA23WA184Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Charata, ArgentinaNTSB CEN23FA270Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportIcon A5 · Onamia, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying at a low altitude.NTSB GAA23WA217Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignGippsAero GA-8 · Ghanzi, BotswanaNTSB WPR23FA244Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCurtiss Wright P-40E · Hamilton, MTA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB GAA23WA180Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Buchanan, AustraliaNTSB CEN23FA269Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Beltrami, MNA collision with terrain and subsequent nose over for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177 · Hot Springs, ARThe pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and inflight fuel mismanagement, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in the…NTSB GAA23WA274Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignDB 6R · Ombersley Court, Worcestershire, United KingdomNTSB GAA23WA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobin DR400 · Lienz, AustriaNTSB ERA23FA274Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Claxton, GAThe flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power.NTSB ERA23FA273Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20R · Southport, NCThe pilot’s improper decision to fly a known unairworthy airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB CEN23FA257Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAvid Magnum · Beaver Island, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering in low visibility conditions due to smoke and haze.NTSB GAA23WA183Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT802 · Ngodwana, South AfricaNTSB GAA23WA173Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 412 · Gom, MexicoNTSB CEN23FA248Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7CCM · Duluth, MNThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB GAA23WA177Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSocata Rallye 180 · Arkösund, Norrköping, SwedenNTSB ERA23FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ANC23FA042Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 180 · Shaktoolik, AKThe pilot’s encounter with gusting tailwind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a tree, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN23FA239Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20R · Watertown, WIThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the prohibited substance; however, the extent of impairment could not be determined.NTSB WPR23FA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R182 · McCall, IDMaintenance personnel's failure to properly torque and inspect the magneto hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.