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 LAX97FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Indio Hills, CAthe pilot's spatial disorientation which led to a loss of aircraft control, and exceeding the aircraft's structural design limits after the aircraft had entered a descending spiral. The pilot's lack of instrument flight currency and the dark night were…NTSB CHI97LA016Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Vestaburg, MIfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the wires.NTSB NYC97FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK-18T · Berlin, NJan inadequate preflight by unknown person(s), sometime before the flight, by failing to avoid a hydraulic lock (from oil seepage) in the #5 cylinder, which resulted in a bent connecting rod, subsequent failure of the #5 piston, and loss of engine power. Also…NTSB MIA97FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13-2 · Smithville, TNloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), shortly after takeoff; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while turning in an attempt to maneuver back to the airport, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into…NTSB ATL97LA010Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLindberg Kitfox IV · Merritt Island, FLA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilots to maintain airspeed.NTSB MIA97FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · St. Croixthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB MIA97RA011Accident · 34 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 707-323 · Manta, EcuadorNTSB IAD97FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · New Hartford, NYA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC97RA006Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-350 · Eel River Cross, CanadaNTSB IAD97LA009Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Lebanon, OHimproper aircraft handling by the tow pilot and/or the glider pilots, which allowed the tow plane and glider to get out of position with one another; and failure of the aircrews (in both aircraft) to ensure a timely release of the glider tow rope.NTSB SEA97FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Halsey, ORThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain main rotor RPM, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter and collision with terrain. Factors included the pilot's lack of experience in helicopters, and interpersonal relationship problems between the pilot and…NTSB MIA97WA015Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 404 · Bolognesi, PeruNTSB LAX97LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCunningham Rotorway Exec · Mather, CAexcessive maneuvering by the pilot, which allowed the main rotor blades to contact and sever the tail rotor system and allowed mast bumping to occur.NTSB IAD97LA006Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Springfield, OHfailure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance, while maneuvering at low altitudes. A related factor was the quartering tail wind.NTSB CHI97LA010Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDellicker Starduster TOO SA300 · Eaton Rapids, MIthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and subsequent inadvertent stall of the airplane. A factor was the ostentatious display.NTSB ANC97FA001Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKcontinued flight by the pilot into adverse weather condition, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were the high/mountainous terrain, and weather conditions that included low…NTSB SEA97LA013Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKeith Vans RV-6A · Hurricane, UTthe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs (diphenhydramine) which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were: dark night lighting conditions; inoperative airport runway lights; the…NTSB SEA97LA011Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody Aero. Works L-29 · Tillamook, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, while maneuvering behind an F4F aircraft. The lack of altitude for a recovery was a related factor.NTSB MIA97WA009Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech 65-A90 · Itaguazurenda, BoliviaNTSB SEA97LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-300 · Prosser, WAfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the terrain, while en route to an apple orchard that he intended to spray. A factor relating to the accident was: the turbulent wind condition over the hills.NTSB SEA97LA009Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Caldwell, IDthe pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach to land. The sunglare was a related factor.NTSB SEA97GA008Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Holden, UTThe first pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering the airplane in close proximity to the ground. This subsequently led to an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent into the ground. Factors contributing to the accident include the…NTSB FTW97FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMbb BO-105 CBS-4 · Cameron, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the dark night and pilot fatigue.NTSB SEA97FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Cle Elum, WAThe pilot's physical impairment of judgment and performance, his decision to fly while impaired, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the aircraft which led to the aircraft's design stress limits being exceeded and inflight separation of the…NTSB SEA97FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Everett, WAThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to the recent excessive use of potent prescription drugs, the pilot's descent below the published decision height, and the pilot's failure to execute a missed approach. Factors contributing to the…NTSB NYC97FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Doylesburg, PAcontinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance from high terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and high (mountainous) terrain along the…NTSB LAX97FA003Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Grand Canyon, AZthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, which resulted in an inability to outclimb rising/wooded terrain after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: failure of the pilot to ensure that the aircraft's gross weight was not exceed…NTSB SEA97FA001Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing Vertol BV-107 II · Canby, ORfailure of maintenance personnel to install a cotter pin in a clevis bolt in the flight control system, which resulted in the aft directional and lateral control output pushrod to become disconnected from a bellcrank in the forward portion of the first stage…NTSB FTW97LA004Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPZL-Bielsko SZD-59 · Sterling, COLoss of control when the pilot exceeded the velocity of stall while in a turn.NTSB IAD97FA001Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Brandywine, MDThe pilots failure to maintain his assigned altitude in IFR conditions. A related factor was the failure of the radar controller to prevent the descent of N2881W to an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude. Additionally, the controller's failure to…NTSB FTW97FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell EAA Biplane P · Manzanola, COfailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the terrain, while performing a low altitude maneuver. A factor relating to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with this make and model of aircraft.NTSB DCA97RA001Accident · 70 fatalForeign investigationBoeing B-757-23A · Lima, PeruNTSB ANC97FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Palmer, AKthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.NTSB MIA96FA233Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Birmingham, ALThe pilot-in-command's improper in-flight planning/decision for electing to continue the flight after observing that the fuel gauges indicated empty. Contributing to the accident was an improperly adjusted economizer jet and an out of adjustment float. Also…NTSB CHI96FA353Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Greenville, MOthe pilot's decision to fly into known adverse weather which resulted in an overload failure and separation of the left wing.NTSB MIA96LA232Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor 402 · Slocomb, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB ANC96FA162Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206G · Anchorage, AKimproper installation of a connecting bolt in the throttle linkage, which resulted in a worn/disconnected throttle arm, partial loss of engine power, and a forced landing after takeoff.NTSB IAD96LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150C · Liberty, KYthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude, while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in in-flight collision with trees.NTSB FTW96FA399Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-T45 · Granger, TXthe pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, and subsequent loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were darkness, the prevailing fog and low ceilings, the inadequate flight instruments…NTSB CHI96FA348Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Saint Clair, MNa loss of power due to the engine's #2 cylinder exhaust valve stuck open, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB LAX96FA340Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Caliente, CAimproper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI) by allowing the airplane to flying into a box canyon area, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with wooded terrain. The CFI's…NTSB LAX96FA339Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207A · Littlefield, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during descent for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the dark night and mountainous terrain.NTSB ATL96LA130Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor 402 · Mayersville, MSthe pilot's misjudgment of his ground speed and distance to trees during the swath run, and his delayed pull-up at the end of the swath run, which resulted in his failure to remain clear of the trees. The tail wind and location of the trees were related…NTSB ANC96FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Minto, AKthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, while maneuvering to land, which resulted in inadequate airspeed for conditions, an inadvertent stall, and collision with terrain (water).NTSB SEA96LA216Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Gillette, WYfailure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the obstruction (power line). The powerline was a related factor.NTSB FTW96FA390Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320C · Waco, TXVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: inadequate preflight by the pilot, his failure to obtain a weather…NTSB CHI96FA334Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportThocker RV-4 · Muncie, INwas the in-flight disconnection of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer forward attachments.NTSB NYC96WA191Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationLake LA-4 · Azores, PortugalNTSB SEA96FA214Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMudry CAP 10B · Fairchild Afb, WAloss of control due to a jammed aileron pushpull tube, due to improper installation/routing of electrical wire bundles through the right aileron bellcrank mechanism by unknown person(s).NTSB ANC96FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · May Creek, AKfailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering and/or flying at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot allowed the weight and balance (aft…