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 FTW97FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Las Animas, COin-flight collision with terrain, while maneuvering, for undetermined reason(s).NTSB NYC97LA116Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGoodwin Rans S-4 · Cedar Bluff, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A related factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB NYC97FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Edgewater, MDThe pilot's excessive maneuver at a low altitude, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB FTW97FA221Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Greenbrier, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low altitude maneuver. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of operation and inadequate training by the company management.NTSB NYC97WA115Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 185F · Bagotville, CanadaNTSB FTW97FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Corning, ARThe in-flight separation of the left wing as result of fatigue crack of the lower spar cap due to inadequate materials by the manufacturer. A factor was the operator's failure to comply with a published service bulletin on the airframe.NTSB LAX97FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Topanga, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper VFR altitude over mountainous terrain obscured by clouds, and his intentional descent into instrument meteorological weather conditions.NTSB LAX97GA205Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRockwell OV-10A · Hollister, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate ground clearance altitude while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.NTSB CHI97LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSiefert 5151RG · Shelbyville, INthe cause of the accident is undetermined.NTSB SEA97FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206E · Red Lodge, MTThe pilot-in-command's flight into known adverse weather and the subsequent overload and separation of the right wing-strut fuselage-to-strut attach point. Factors contributing were clouds and obscuration.NTSB NYC97LA121Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobbins Kolb Firestar · Gilbertsville, PAThe noncertificated operator's improper decision to fly low over a congested area, which resulted in an abrupt maneuver to avoid a collision with a tethered blimp, and the subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB LAX97FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Saugus, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while attempting VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB IAD97LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe G · Dalton, NYthe pilot's delay in aborting the landing after allowing the airplane to touchdown long. His failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a related factor.NTSB SEA97FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed P-38L · Tillamook, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), after loss of power in one engine, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain. Related factors were: the pilot's improper fuel management and failure to change the fuel…NTSB CHI97LA159Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Sullivan, MOthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for flight into IMC. Factors were: the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his inadequate evaluation of the weather, and fog.NTSB MIA97FA179Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Asheboro, NCfailure of the pilots in both airplanes to see and/or avoid a collision with each other.NTSB NYC97FA103Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Elliston, VAfailure of the PIC to maintain control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation.NTSB LAX97GA198Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · San Carlos, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB MIA97FA176Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Comerio, PRthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstructions on rising terrain.NTSB MIA97FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Avon Park, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso) during an approach in instrument flight conditions.NTSB NYC97WA104Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU-206G · Carroll Lake, CanadaNTSB IAD97FA079Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Melville, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors to this accident were night instrument meteorological conditions with low ceiling and fog.NTSB FTW97LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGiertz Vmax Probe · Lake Jackson, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an approach to landing. A related factor was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model of aircraft.NTSB FTW97FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Intracoastl Cty, LAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft. Factors were the failure of the pilot of N2773A to use the available traffic advisory service and the failure of the operator of N2773A to make the use of traffic advisory services a company…NTSB FTW97FA207Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCanadair F-86E MK.6 · Broomfield, COInadequate planning and decision making by the pilot in starting the aerobatic maneuver at an insufficient altitude to successfully complete the maneuver.NTSB LAX97LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway 162F · Phoenix, AZthe owner/builder incorrectly installed the tail rotor drive pulley mounting scissors, overtorqued the pivot belts, did not perform the required maintenance lubrication of the pivot belts, and failed to perform adequate visual maintenance checks of these…NTSB FTW97RA213Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Roque, PeruNTSB IAD97LA076Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDresbach RV-4 · Bainbridge, OHfailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during the initial climb after takeoff. The pilot's physiological conditions was a possible factor.NTSB CHI97FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHenry Barracuda · Antonia, MOinadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), spatial disorientation of the pilot, which led to his loss of aircraft control, and the pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane, which led to an in-flight…NTSB MIA97FA173Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · Homestead, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed as he slowed for a parachutist to jump from the aircraft, and his failure to apply spin recovery emergency procedures prior to ground impact. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of…NTSB SEA97FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301T · Bend, OROverload of the airframe structure. Thunderstorms and turbulence were factors.NTSB FTW97FA199Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Shawnee, OKThe pilot's inadvertent entry into a spin. A factor was the pilot's initiated flight into adverse weather.NTSB SEA97LA117Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Miltonfreewater, ORThe main rotor blade separated due to fatigue. Factors were: an Airworthiness Directive was not properly performed, and inadequate inspection of the main rotor blades.NTSB CHI97LA140Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-365-N2 · Indianapolis, INinadequate visual clearance by the passenger resulting in his being struck with the rotor blade. A factor relating to this accident was the gusting winds.NTSB ATL97LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCapstaff Challenger II · Southern Pines, NCThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol which led to his failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.NTSB FTW97RA194Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRockwell 1121B · La Carbonera, MexicoNTSB FTW97FA193Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPezetel M-18A · Wilmot, ARfailure of the pilot to remove the elevator control lock before the first flight of the day, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane, due to the locked elevator control. Related factors were: the prevailing high winds and the lack of a visible…NTSB LAX97LA185Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Hilo, HIthe noninstrument-rated pilot flew into instrument conditions and failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance, while attempting to descend through an overcast. The adverse weather conditions and mountainous terrain were related factors.NTSB CHI97FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Savoy, ILthe pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation and her not maintaining airspeed. Factors were fuel exhaustion and entering an inadvertent stall.NTSB NYC97FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · North Dansville, NYthe pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from rising/wooded terrain. The adverse weather conditions and rising wooded terrain were related factors.NTSB MIA97FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · N. Myrtle Beach, SCthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB LAX97FA177Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Truckee, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance above the terrain, while turning (for an unknown reason) back toward the airport after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the environmental conditions (light conditions at dusk and high…NTSB NYC97LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Pottstown, PAwas the flight instructor's diverted attention while standing on the wing behind a turning propeller, which resulted in his departure from the wing, forward into the turning propeller.NTSB MIA97WA158Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R · Brenon, PanamaNTSB LAX97LA176Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Puako, HIerosion of second stage stator vanes, inadequate maintenance inspection for the erosion, and subsequent fatigue failure of a stator vane, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing on mountainous/hilly terrain. Also causal was: the pilot's…NTSB SEA97LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Mitchell, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which led to a stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of adequate altitude to effect a successful stall recovery.NTSB SEA97FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Tigard, ORThe pilot's failure to properly manage the aircraft fuel supply, which led to fuel exhaustion of the right tank and subsequent fuel starvation/power loss of the engine during the final approach. Factors contributing to the accident were the lack of sufficient…NTSB SEA97FA105Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Clinton, UTInadequate prior arrangements for formation flight by the pilot-in-command of the Cessna 182, N5434B, and his subsequent failure to see-and-avoid the Piper PA-28R, N5270T. Factors were: the Cessna pilot's visibility of the Piper impaired by the sun;…NTSB ATL97FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13 · Stockbridge, GAthe pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which led to loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Factors related to the accident were: carburetor icing (weather) conditions, and trees in the emergency landing area.NTSB FTW97FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Intracoastal, LAthe pilot's decision to fly, when he was not in good physical condition; and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to incapacitation. A related factor was: the pilot's perception of an urgency (pressure) to fly, induced by conditions/events.