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 LAX97FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportOpperman Lancair IV-P · Suisun City, CAIn-flight loss of control for an undetermined reason.NTSB NYC97FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Felton, PAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and his failure to refuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent collision with trees during the forced landing.NTSB ATL97FA021Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31ATC · Fitzgerald, GAA loss of engine power due to the blockage of the intake manifold of the induction air system, by the broken alternate air door, and the loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX97FA059Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorane-Saulnier MS760 II · Irvine, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering in a steep banked turn to the landing runway, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft…NTSB IAD97FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 681 · Mansfield, OHthe pilot's early descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), while preparing to land from an instrument approach, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance from obstruction(s).NTSB ANC97FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Marshall, AKfailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.NTSB FTW97FA051Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350B2 · High Island A20This case was modified 6/26/2006. The failure of the tail rotor pitch change link due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and separation of the aft tailboom.NTSB FTW97FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Tucumcari, NMthe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB NYC97FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Duo, WVThe pilot's inadequate inflight decision which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain. The low ceiling was a factor.NTSB ANC97FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Bethel, AKfailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, while maneuvering to reverse direction after takeoff, after encountering an undetermined anomaly. The undetermined anomaly was a related factor.NTSB MIA97LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T28B · Somerville, TNthe pilot misjudged his altitude/clearance above trees on terrain that was higher than the surrounding terrain, while performing an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB DCA97WA011Accident · 125 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 767 · Comorso Islands, EthiopiaNTSB LAX97FA050Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Scottsdale, AZthe pilot misjudged the landing flare and failed to maintain directional control after a hard bounced landing.NTSB LAX97FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-C55 · San Diego, CAthe pilot's lack of situational awareness (becoming lost/disoriented during the approach), his failure to fly the approach as charted, and his failure to maintain aircraft control, while attempting an abrupt turn toward the airport, which led to an…NTSB LAX97FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Lost Hills, CAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control, and the pilot exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits during an attempted recovery. The noninstrument-rated…NTSB LAX97FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Goleta, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during an instrument approach, due to spatial disorientation, and/or his failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's delay (or failure) to initiate a missed…NTSB FTW97FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Fort Worth, TXthe pilots' continued descent of the aircraft below decision height. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the dark night illumination, one of the pilot's impairment due to use of marihuana, and both pilots' fatigue.NTSB DCA97MA009Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 1900C · Quincy, ILthe failure of the pilots in the King Air A90 to effectively monitor the common traffic advisory frequency or to properly scan for traffic, resulting in their commencing a takeoff roll when the Beech 1900C (United Express flight 5925) was landing on an…NTSB LAX97FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Gilroy, CAflight by the pilot into into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB FTW97FA042Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601P · Eagle, COThe pilot initiating flight into known adverse weather conditions without proper certification. Factors were the meteorological conditions that existed --- low ceiling, low visibility, and falling snow --- and his use of contraindicated drugs.NTSB SEA97FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Boring, ORThe pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of thick fog.NTSB IAD97FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · West Milton, OHThe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control after an undetermined failure of the automatic flight control. A contributing factor was failure of the maintenance technician to have the airplane test flown prior to release.NTSB CHI97FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Springfield, MOthe pilot's failure to set the altimeter to the current setting given by the controller resulting in the aircraft altimeter reading 260 feet higher than the actual aircraft altitude. Factors involved were pilot fatigue, weather conditions at approach…NTSB LAX97LA303Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFleming Glassair III · Dunsmuir, CAwas the pilot's intentional flight into marginal meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain during dark nighttime conditions.NTSB LAX97FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a climb following initiation of a missed approach in fog due to spatial disorientation, and his inadequate training by company personnel. Potential rescue was delayed due to the FAA radar controller's failure to follow…NTSB NYC97WA017Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-310 · Nairobi, KenyaNTSB FTW97FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Colorado City, TXthe pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the clouds, low ceilings, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument…NTSB DCA97WA007Accident · 349 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 747-168 · New Delhi, IndiaNTSB IAD97LA019Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Edgerton, OHthe pilot's Inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. Factors to this accident were the night conditions and snow.NTSB CHI97FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F28F · Gutherie, ILthe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and not maintaining control of the helicopter during its rearward flight. A factor was the pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability.NTSB MIA97FA020Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-600 · New Bern, NCthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VMC). Contributing to the accident was his lack of total experience in kind of aircraft.NTSB MIA97FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU206B · Jasper, GAcontinued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from rising/mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB NYC97WA016Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B3 · Dear, South AfricaNTSB NYC97WA015Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421 · Donzeil, FranceNTSB NYC97FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Lehman Township, PAThe failure of the forward fuselage nose assembly for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB SEA97LA025Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick TH-1L · Leavenworth, WAFatigue failure of the vertical stabilizer spar cap and subsequent loss of the rotorcraft's vertical stabilizer. Factors include inadequate inspection or trouble-shooting of the aircraft tail cone and vertical stabilizer at and after the time sheet-metal…NTSB CHI97FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Chancellor, SDthe pilot's attempted flight with known deficiencies in equipment, his initiating VFR flight into IMC conditions, his spatial disorientation and loss of control of the airplane. Factors were fog, dark night, and inoperative directional gyro.NTSB LAX97LA031Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRainey Rans S-12 · Tucson, AZa broken wire in the ignition coil, which resulted in a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin and uncontrolled collision with the terrain.NTSB LAX97FA032Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Halawa, HIthe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance and/or altitude from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and…NTSB FTW97FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-36 · Boulder, COThe pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft by performing an aerobatic maneuver, resulting in total failure of the wing spar.NTSB CHI97LA018Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFrost RAF 2000 GTX SE · Adrian, MIthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was his lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB MIA97WA018Accident · 14 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB-110 · Flores, GuatemalaNTSB FTW97FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · San Leon, TXThe pilot's inadvertent stall and spin of the airplane. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane and the weather conditions.NTSB MIA97WA017Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-300 · St. Vincent, WNNTSB DCA97WA004Accident · 97 fatalForeign investigationFokker 100 · Sao Paulo, BrazilNTSB ATL97FA014Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Avon Park, FLThe pilot's improper use of the elevator trim, which resulted in runway contact by the propeller during the takeoff roll and subsequent loss of aircraft control.NTSB IAD97FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Brandy Station, VAthe certificated flight instructor's failure to ensure that proper altitude/clearance was maintained above the terrain and trees, while on final approach. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB CHI97MA017Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGulfstream G-IV · Wheeling, ILfailure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll in a gusty crosswind, his failure to abort the takeoff, and failure of the copilot to adequately monitor and/or take sufficient remedial action to…NTSB SEA97TA023Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Fillmore, UTinadequate procedure and inadequate monitoring by the pilot, the operator, and/or other personnel, which allowed one of three external cables to the seed bucket to become entangled with the right skid of the helicopter, resulting in an imbalance and loss of…NTSB SEA97LA022Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCollier Q200 · Estacada, ORinadequate maintenance adjustment by the owner/pilot/mechanic, by not using safety wire to secure the throttle arm clamping screw, which resulted in a loose clamping screw and rotation of the throttle arm with respect to the butterfly valve shaft. The lack of…