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 DCA97WA045Accident · 35 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737-300 · Shenzhen, ChinaNTSB SEA97LA099Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Rosalia, WAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were, hilly terrain conditions and impairment due to recent use of marihuana.NTSB NYC97LA085Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMarsh-Turner BG-12A · Marion, OHDisconnection of the elevator control rod which resulted in the loss of elevator control. A factor was failure to complete the required maintenance inspection.NTSB MIA97WA181Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Bimini, BahamasNTSB SEA97FA097Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Bullfrog, UTThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed, for reason(s) unknown, resulting in a subsequent stall.NTSB FTW97FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Lake George, COThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the terrain-induced turbulence.NTSB MIA97FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · New Smyrna Bch, FLan in flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL97WA068Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · St. Vincent, SpainNTSB NYC97LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPorter Stolp SA-750 · E. Huntingdon, PAwas the pilot's entry into an uncontrolled stall/spin and his inadequate recovery from the maneuver which resulted in collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were the low entry altitude for the maneuver and the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.NTSB DCA97WA044Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · CambodiaNTSB LAX97LA173Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportShoaf Christen Eagle II · Half Moon Bay, CAundetermined.NTSB NYC97FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Waterford, VAfailure of the pilot to follow the published instrument (IFR) approach procedure, by failing to maintain the minimum altitude for that segment of the approach.NTSB SEA97FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Klammath Falls, ORThe pilot's failure to set the throttle of his second failed engine to 'Cracked-1/2-Open' as called for in the Engine Failure/Restart checklist, followed by a high-power engine surge. Factors include the pilot's delay in landing for refueling, the pilot…NTSB FTW97FA171Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Rye, COThe pilot initiating flight into IMC conditions in mountainous terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain, low ceiling, snow, preflight planning, and in-flight planning and decision making.NTSB CHI97FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Holland, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent impact with trees and then a residence. A related factor was turbulence.NTSB FTW97FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB-20 · Pagosa Springs, COinadvertent flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude or clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: low ceiling, rain, snow, icing conditions, and mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI97FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBeech 95-C55 · Grand Haven, MIundetermined.NTSB MIA97FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman N2S-4 · Apex, NCThe pilot-in-command's ostentatious display by performing an aerobatic maneuver with inadequate altitude.NTSB IAD97FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed PV2 · Blandburg, PAPilot in command misjudged his maneuvering altitude. Factors to this accident were the mountainous terrain, windy conditions, turbulence in the area, and smoke.NTSB SEA97LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportIvan Langston Hawk · Howell, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Heavy rain and gusting winds were a factor.NTSB MIA97LA141Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportYoung Merlin GT · Fort Myers, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to use all available runway, and…NTSB ATL97FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Athens, GApilot impairment of judgment and performance, due to alcohol; and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering at low altitude at night. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB LAX97LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDuff MINI-500 · Lihue, Kauai, HIthe student pilot's improper use of the helicopter flight controls, which resulted in rotor contact with the tail boom and loss of control. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total and recent training and experience in airborne control…NTSB NYC97FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter MBB-BK117-B2 · New York, NYFatigue failure of the vertical fin, accelerated by the installation of blind rivets in lieu of solid rivets in the replacement of the yaw SAS mount support, which resulted in the loss of helicopter directional control and collision with the terrain (water).…NTSB LAX97LA158Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDevendorf Glassair GL25 · Congress, AZfailure of the pilot to recover from an inverted stall/spin prior to impact with the ground. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.NTSB MIA97WA135Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech A-36 · Pitts Town, BahamasNTSB CHI97FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Vichy, MOfailure of the pilot to properly follow the missed approach procedure and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during night/IFR flight. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and failure of the pilot to properly…NTSB LAX97FA156Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-300 · Minden, NVloss of aircraft control for undetermined reason(s), inadequate design of the canopy jettison system, and incapacitation of the pilot, when he was struck by the canopy frame during a jettison sequence.NTSB ANC97MA161Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Wainwright, AKThe pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the weather conditions.NTSB ANC97LA054Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Manokotak, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's performance of a low altitude flight maneuver.NTSB DCA97WA039Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 414 · Zurich, SwitzerlandNTSB ANC97FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Tatitlek, AKThe command pilots of both airplanes inadequate visual outlook which led to their failure to see and avoid each other's airplane. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare.NTSB MIA97LA120Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBasinski Kolb MK3 · Winter Haven, FLfailure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after an oil leak occurred, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent collision with a residence and the terrain. The oil leak and the pilot's diverted attention were related factors.NTSB IAD97FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Hillsboro, OHfailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering, which resulted in an advertent stall and collision with trees, vehicles, and the terrain.NTSB LAX97FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · S. Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's collision with mountainous terrain due to his failure to follow published high density altitude departure procedures during climb out, and route selection which exceeded the airplane's maximum climb performance specifications. Also causal was the…NTSB ATL97FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas C54A-DC · Griffin, GAThe flightcrew's inadequate procedures, during a rejected takeoff following a possible engine malfunction at a critical time in the takeoff, and the second pilot's physical impairment.NTSB LAX97FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Grand Canyon, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation and his lack of proficiency in conducting instrument flight. Contributing were the inoperative alternator, cockpit lighting, and vacuum system.NTSB ATL97LA056Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Waynesboro, GAThe failure of the right wing after the pilot exceeded the design stress limit of the airplane, leading to a loss of control in flight.NTSB IAD97FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337D · Hickory, PAServicing of the pilots portable oxygen system with compressed air, which resulted in pilot incapacitation due to Hypoxia.NTSB LAX97FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Corona, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a nighttime flight at low altitude through a mountainous area. Factors in the accident were the conditions of low clouds and dark light conditions.NTSB SEA97LA079Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRose VP-1 · Gardiner, WAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors contributing to the accident were gusty and high winds.NTSB NYC97LA066Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLowe Super Koala · Perry Township, PAimproper construction by the builder which led to the failure of the strut and wing assembly.NTSB DCA97WA035Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell B212 · Nuevo Leon, MexicoNTSB CHI97FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Big Lake, MNThe pilot's maneuvers which exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane and resulted in structural overload of the horizontal tail followed by a structural overload of the wings.NTSB NYC97LA064Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLockheed L-1011 · Jamaica, NYThe failure of the right wing walker, also the push back supervisor, to identify and avoid a hazardous condition, which resulted in his activity near the airplane's nose wheel during tow operations, and where he was subsequently caught under the nose wheel. A…NTSB CHI97FA093Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Greenfield, INa loss of engine power due to restricted movement in the exhaust valve and rotted/weathered ignition harness, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertant stall.NTSB SEA97FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Burlington, WYloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.NTSB FTW97RA151Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell UH-1H · Mariquita, ColombiaNTSB ATL97FA054Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Marco Island, FLinadvertent flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions (severe thunderstorms), which led the design stress limits of the airplane being exceeded, subsequent in-flight break-up of the airplane, and an uncontrolled collision with water.NTSB ANC97FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportShort Brothers SC7 · Nunapitchuk, AKinadequate visual look-out by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other's airplanes.