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 ERA23FA266Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWonder Michael S Harmon Rocket · Porter, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while initiating a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s high-risk behavior.NTSB WPR23FA223Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCompagnie Daher TB 30 Epsilon · Apache Junction, AZThe pilot’s controlled flight into the mountainous terrain due to diminished depth perception as a result of the shadowing effect from the sun’s position. Contributing to the accident was the decision by all three pilots to fly low altitude around the…NTSB ERA23FA265Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B35 · Orangeburg, SCA stuck No. 3 cylinder intake valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.NTSB GAA23WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-32R-301 · Stella Maris, BahamasNTSB WPR23FA219Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSteen Skybolt · Rio Vista, CAThe pilots’ exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA260Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Colonial Beach, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA23FA258Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Jamestown, NYThe pilots’ failure to maintain airplane control following an anomalous engine indication during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and parachute deployment at an altitude too low for the system to operate effectively. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA23FA256Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 560 · Montebello, VAPilot incapacitation due to loss of cabin pressure for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and owner/operator’s decision to operate the airplane without supplemental oxygen.NTSB WPR23FA208Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31-325 · Tupelo, MSThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA254Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith 601XL · Albertville, ALA descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV7 · Gibbon, NEThe pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA252Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 180 · Harrisburg, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with terrain and objects.NTSB ERA23FA249Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Plymouth, NYA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA204Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuce Buttercup · Lyndonville, NYAn in-flight breakup due to structural overload of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB GAA23WA158Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Monagas, VenezuelaNTSB ERA23FA247Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Lake Worth, FLMaintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff.NTSB CEN23FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Grand Isle, LAThe pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with the ocean.NTSB ERA23LA240Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R182 · Macon, NCThe pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.NTSB ERA23FA239Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCommander 114TC · Palm City, FLA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA238Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Rougemont, NCA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The source of the oil starvation could not be determined.NTSB WPR23LA192Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportViking Air DHC-6-400 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe failure of the ferry fuel tank system to transfer fuel during a trans-Pacific flight for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent ditching into the water.NTSB GAA23WA153Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAvions Robin DR400 · Les Ponts-de-Martel, SwitzerlandNTSB GAA23WA152Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR20 · Mali Makovnik, CroatiaNTSB ERA23FA234Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control.NTSB CEN23FA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E-90 · Winslow, ARThe pilot’s poor preflight decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without a functional autopilot system, which resulted in spatial disorientation and his failure to maintain aircraft control while flying in IMC during the…NTSB CEN23FA187Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Chambers, NEThe pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR23FA188Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T182T · Albany, WYThe pilot’s decision to conduct flight into an area of icing in an airplane that was prohibited from such conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall/spin, and the pilot’s spatial disorientation…NTSB CEN23FA183Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Brady, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne. Contributing to the crash were the pilot’s various physical…NTSB WPR23FA185Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Lear Jet 36A · San Clemente Island, CAThe pilots’ loss of airplane control following a catastrophic fire that started on the left side of the aft equipment bay (tail cone). The fire likely initiated from a leak from the left fuel motive flow line due to a b-nut that loosened for reasons that…NTSB GAA23WA147Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Shell, EcuadorNTSB ERA23FA219Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Reliance, TNThe pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in…NTSB CEN23FA174Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPool Cessna R172 · Victor, COThe pilot’s failure to follow established mountain flying guidance, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees and mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance at the elevated density altitude…NTSB CEN23FA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310D · Ennis, TXThe partial loss of right engine power due to reduced fuel flow as a result of the contamination of the fuel screen.NTSB GAA23WA146Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignEngineering & Research 415-C · St. Mary, JamaicaNTSB GAA23WA143Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R-44 · Shanxi, ChinaNTSB WPR23FA173Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Big Bear, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed on short final while operating in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA23WA140Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 206 · Chiribiquete National Park, ColombiaNTSB WPR23FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.NTSB GAA23WA148Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 185 · Sao Paulo, BrazilNTSB CEN23FA167Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTitan Tornado · Lewisville, ARThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB GAA23WA139Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206 · Santa Ana del Yucuma, BoliviaNTSB ERA23FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Watkinsville, GAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an in-flight overload separation of the right wing during the uncontrolled descent.NTSB GAA23WA133Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA32 · Isla Mocha, ChileNTSB GAA23WA129Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLancair 360 · Taurages, LithuaniaNTSB ERA23FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · London, OHThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB GAA23WA131Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Bankstown, AustraliaNTSB ERA23FA194Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHolland Travis E Velocity · Andrews, NCThe pilot’s failure to engage the turbocharger for takeoff and his improper decision to continue the takeoff with partial power, rather than reject the takeoff.NTSB GAA23WA125Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignEmbraer EMB203 · Tapurah, BrazilNTSB CEN23FA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJunior Ace · Mammoth Springs, ARThe pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.NTSB WPR23FA153Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMullins David J JR Glastar · Cal-Nev-Ari, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude for undetermined reasons while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with terrain.