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 CHI98FA299Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · St. Joseph, MOthe pilot not maintaining a proper final approach glide path to avoid an encounter with wake turbulence. A factor in this accident was the pilot not being able to control the airplane after its encounter with wake turbulence.NTSB SEA98FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Red Lodge, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude over, or clearance with, mountainous terrain during night visual flight rules flight. Factors included night lighting conditions and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC98FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Worthington, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed due to diverted attention.NTSB IAD98FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated-Vultee BT-13A · Stevensville, MDThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control while buzzing a building.NTSB CHI98FA296Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Chicago, ILthe pilot's improper use of the throttle in not using full power for takeoff, the pilot's failure to use proper aborted takeoff procedures, and the inadvertant stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was inadequate preflight/planning by the pilot.NTSB CHI98FA288Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHispano Aviacion A10B-37 · Oshkosh, WIthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude which resulted in in-flight collision with trees and subsequent compressor stall for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI98FA287Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion A · Coloma, WIFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude, and his failure to maintain adequate visual lookout to see and avoid obstructions. The transmission wire was a contributing factor.NTSB ANC98LA105Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Cantwell, AKThe pilot's intentional continued VFR flight into IMC. Factors were the scattered to broken clouds, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA98LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Baker City, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.NTSB FTW98FA340Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-85 · Seminole, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB FTW98FA338Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Leesville, LAThe pilot's failure to establish a climb during a night go-around. Factors were the lack of visual cues available to the pilot and the dark night illumination.NTSB DCA98RA075Accident · 15 fatalForeign investigationBeech 1900D · Lorient, FranceNTSB ANC98LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Nondalton, AKThe pilot's inadequate procedures/directives when he allowed a passenger to exit the cabin area while the propeller was still turning, and the passenger's failure to follow the pilot's instructions to stay away from the propeller. A factor associated with the…NTSB DCA98WA071Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen · Barcelona, SpainNTSB ATL98RA099Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R-T34 · San Jose Del, ColombiaNTSB FTW98FA339Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H35 · La Veta, COThe pilot's poor judgment by intentionally flying into instrument meteorological conditions without proper certification. Factors were his failure to obtain a weather briefing, and the existing weather conditions that included clouds, rain, and obscuration.NTSB CHI98LA368Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Deadwood, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees.NTSB CHI98FA274Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Brooklyn, MIThe proper touchdown point was not attained and the visual lookout not being maintained by the pilot-in-command. Contributing factors to the accident were the unmarked static and transmission wires.NTSB ANC98FA110Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK-54 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot's inadequate remedial action to recover from an inverted spin, while performing aerobatics. Contributing factors were the lower than recommended entry altitude for a spin and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the accident airplane.NTSB FTW98FA333Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Jal, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed. Contributing factors were high density altitude and excessive airplane weight.NTSB NYC98WA196Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 152 · Ice Cap, GreenlandNTSB MIA98FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Port Orange, FLThe pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in in-flight collision with trees. A related factor was the fog.NTSB LAX98LA240Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Tracy, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate clearance with the telephone wires.NTSB SEA98LA145Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBaggarley Glasair II-FT · Vernonia, ORA loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW98FA316Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNord Stampe SV4C · Ovilla, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft while performing aerobatic maneuvers.NTSB LAX98LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDe Malignon Varieze · Globe, AZfuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to properly plan his flight with regard to his estimated flight time, planned descent(s), and the amount of usable fuel available and required in the fuselage tank. The pilot/builder's deviation from the aircraft…NTSB LAX98FA236Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky CH-54A · Yucca Valley, CAAn in-flight main rotor blade spar separation as a result of the pilot-in-command's decision to continue to fly the aircraft after it had failed an AD directed BIM check. Factors were the failure of the operator's chief pilot to maintain proper supervision…NTSB IAD98RA090Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Nueva Colonia, ColombiaNTSB FTW98FA325Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommander 114TC · West Jordan, UTA brittle fracture of the clamp that joins the exhaust pipe to the turbocharger. The pipe separated and hot exhaust gases escaped into the engine compartment. The engine lost power due to the high heat vaporizing fuel in the fuel line. Factors were inadequate…NTSB CHI98MA260Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportNorth American NA-265-80 · Florence, KSthe pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, his improper in-flight decision to attempt aerobatics, and his loss of control of the airplane.NTSB CHI98LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAnderson T Craft Special · Pick City, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance with terrain. A factor was the pilot's attempted low altitude acrobatic maneuver.NTSB MIA98FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Miami, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which led to fuel contamination and subsequent loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain single engine flying speed (VMC).NTSB LAX98FA235Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPZL-Bielsko SZD 50-3 · California City, CAThe failure of the first and/or second pilot to obtain and maintain control of the aircraft after stalling and entering a spin.NTSB SEA98LA138Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell S-2R · Burley, IDA failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft due to inadequate visual lookout.NTSB NYC98FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportNauer Lancair 4P · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)Undetermined.NTSB MIA98FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150E · Panama City Bch, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed (Vs) and the inadvertent stall by the pilot. Contributing to the accident was the intentional operation of the airplane by the pilot in an over gross weight condition resulting in a higher stall speed, and failure…NTSB FTW98FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Command International C-147A · Caddo Mills, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering, which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the tail section of the gyroplane.NTSB CHI98FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStubbe-Kitfox Classic · Traer, IAthe failure of the pilot of the Kitfox to maintain flying speed (Vs).NTSB FTW98FA306Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Jones, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees during a low altitude flight/maneuver.NTSB SEA98LA128Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Raymond, WAThe use of the improper long-line cable by the ground crew, and its subsequent separation from the helicopter.NTSB MIA98WA194Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech BE58 · Belize City, BelizeNTSB ANC98FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-26AT · St. George, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to adequately monitor the instrument approach and the co-pilot's failure to intercept and maintain the proper NDB bearing on the approach. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's obstructed view of the NDB indicator and…NTSB SEA98WA127Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna U-206F · Tofino, CanadaNTSB LAX98LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMorane-Saulnier MS 880B · Trinity Center, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering in a mountainous area at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB LAX98LA222Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Chico, CALoss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW98FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1A · Larkspur, COThe pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane and entering an unrecoverable spin. A factor was clear air turbulence.NTSB ATL98LA092Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Green Sea, SCThe inadvertent activation of the skydivers pilot chute, pulling him into the horizontal stabilizer/elevator, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.NTSB CHI98FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C · Traverse City, MIUndetermined.NTSB FTW98FA291Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Edgewood, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight. Factors were the worn fuel line, which separated, and the failure of the maintenance personnel to locate the worn fuel line during the annual inspection.NTSB CHI98LA235Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Spearfish, SDthe pilots improper preflight planning, which failed to detect the fuel selector positioned on the left fuel tank, which had insufficient fuel, resulting in fuel starvation, and the loss of engine power.