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 LAX99FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Clarita, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors were the night weather conditions and the lack of total and recent instrument flight time.NTSB DCA99WA026Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 206 · St. Johns, CanadaNTSB LAX99FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportParkman VARI-EZE · Tucson, AZThe pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate flying airspeed during the aircraft's maiden flight, which resulted in a stall/mush condition. Also causal was the pilot/builder's decision to modify the engine and the fuel system control microchip,…NTSB DCA99WA025Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95 · Camarines Provi, PhilippinesNTSB DCA99WA024Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationBeech 200 · Libreville, GabonNTSB CHI99FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Sherrill, IAthe pilot continued flying with a known discrepancy and he failed to maintain airspeed and lost control of the airplane while attempting a forced landing. Factors included the tailwind and the undetermined loss of power.NTSB MIA99RA048Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-310 · Las Mesitas, HondurasNTSB FTW99FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Marksville, LAThe pilot's failure to visually identify the hazardous condition of the runway. Factors were the dusk light condition and the pilot's failure to obtain NOTAMs.NTSB NYC99FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Greenville, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during touch-and-go landing, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the tree.NTSB DCA99WA021Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAirbus Industrie 300-200 · Surat Thani, ThailandNTSB MIA99FA043Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Pahokee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach.NTSB FTW99FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Newcastle, OKthe pilot's loss of control due to his inadvertent encounter with severe turbulence and wind shear during an instrument approach. Factors contributing to the accident were the severe turbulence and the wind shear.NTSB DCA99WA017Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech Kingair 300 · Istanbul, TürkiyeNTSB CHI99FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Waterford, MIthe pilot's descent below the decision height for the instrument approach.NTSB NYC99FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-1 · Brooklyn, CTThe student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB DEN99FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta II · Deming, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the transmission wire. Factors were the transmission wire, and the glaring sunlight condition.NTSB FTW99FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 501 · Umpire, ARThe pilot's in flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD99FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportArmbruster MINI-500 · Midland, VAthe improper repair of the engine following a previous engine seizure which resulted in the loss of engine power over unsuitable terrain.NTSB CHI99FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Coleman, WIpilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees and his intentional flight into IMC conditions. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's lack of instrument certification, his becoming lost in the poor weather, his inadequate preparation for…NTSB FTW99FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBlanton RAF 2000 · The Colony, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during cruise flight. A factor was the gusty wind condition.NTSB NYC99LA027Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · London, KYThe pilot's inadequate start procedure in which he fail to secure the aircraft from movement during an attempt to handprop the engine.NTSB FTW99FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bacliff, TXThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his inability to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wire. Contributing to the accident were the fog, low ceilings and his lack of instrument time.NTSB LAX99FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Oakland, CAThe pilot-in-command's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and his ostentatious display.NTSB LAX99FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Scottsdale, AZthe failure of the solo student pilot in the other aircraft to acquire and maintain separation from this aircraft, which was departing the airport traffic pattern and had been issued as traffic by the local controller. Also causal was the failure of the pilot…NTSB IAD99FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBurgess RV-6 · Edgewater, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with the geographic location and dark night conditions.NTSB NYC99FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Mattapoisett, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an undetermined failure of the airplane's attitude indicator. A factor in this accident was fog.NTSB ATL99FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Santee, SCThe pilot continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and lost control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors were foggy weather conditions and self-induced stress.NTSB MIA99FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Olive Branch, MSThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures when he descended below the published minimum descent altitude.NTSB NYC99LA025Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHorner-Ryan Wichawk · Pine Island, NYThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control while maneuvering.NTSB CHI99FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182F · Wichita, KSThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and contaminated fuel supply.NTSB ATL99FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Daytona Beach, FLAn interior cabin fire of undetermined origin. A factor was the power lines impacted during the emergency descent.NTSB LAX99FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Yerington, NVthe failure of the pilot to see and avoid the aircraft ahead, which was already established in the traffic pattern. The failure of both pilots announce their intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency was a factor in this accident.NTSB SEA99FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Marshall, WAThe loss of the bolt that connects the lateral cyclic linkage push rod to the lower end of the upper firewall-mounted lateral cyclic linkage bellcrank, resulting in an uncontrolled descent into the terrain.NTSB FTW99IA024Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-235 · Mineral Wells, TXThe pilot-in-command's incapacitation due to cardiovascular disease.NTSB FTW99FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChallenger II · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in type of vehicle.NTSB FTW99FA021Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Conroe, TXThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the dark night light conditions prevailing for the ensuing forced landing and the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model…NTSB FTW99FA020Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B19 · Hobart, OKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors were the low ceiling, fog, dark night conditions, and the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing prior to the flight.NTSB SEA99TA010Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna TR182 · Desert Aire, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance over a power line crossing the river, resulting in collision with a static wire at the top of the crossing structure. Factors included the static wire, and inadequate marking of the static…NTSB LAX99FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Bishop, CAThe failure of the pilot-in-command, after encountering a downdraft, to maneuver and maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Physical impairment due to hypoxia was a factor in the accident.NTSB CHI99LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Liberty, MOThe excessive rotation by the pilot-in-command. The climb not obtained by the pilot-in-command, the fence and the trees were contributing factors.NTSB CHI99FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Rock, KSthe pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft and made an improper evaluation of the weather. Additional factors were flying a test flight at night with the icing conditions in the clouds.NTSB MIA99LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSaab-Scania 340A · Memphis, TNThe ground crewmembers inadvertent walking into the path of a rotating propeller resulting in her being struck and fatally injured.NTSB LAX99LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Lodi, CAFuel exhaustion due to a leaking engine driven fuel pump nose seal, which increased the engine fuel consumption rate above the published performance chart values.NTSB IAD99GA013Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Baltimore, MDinadequate assembly instructions from the engine manufacturer which resulted in improper engine assembly, and subsequent power loss over unsuitable terrain, with insufficient altitude for a successful autorotation.NTSB ATL99FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Robbinsville, NC"This case was changed from ATL05FA014." The pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in an in-flight encounter with weather and controlled flight into terrain. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning…NTSB CHI99LA020Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBecker Wag Aero Super Sport · Hamilton, NDthe fatigue failure of the lower wing strut attachment bracket.NTSB MIA99FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182Q · Piedmont, ALThe pilot's decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.NTSB FTW99FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrisey Rutan Long EZE · Alvin, TXLoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA99WA023Accident · 11 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC3C · Quetzaltenanang, GuatemalaNTSB MIA99LA022Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFerguson Rans S-10 Sakota · Pisgah, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low altitude maneuver resulting in the aircraft's uncontrollable descent until impact with the terrain.