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 LAX96FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Ontario, CAThe pilot's decision to attempt a VFR descent into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation.NTSB LAX96FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Moreno Valley, CAVFR flight by the noninstrument-rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The terrain and adverse weather conditions were related factors.NTSB CHI96FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Prairie City, SDthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor was pilot fatigue.NTSB CHI96FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus VK30 · Duluth, MNthe inadequate handling/performance design capabilities of the airplane which resulted in the inability to recover from an aft center of gravity spin. Factors were the lack of any antispin or deep stall recovery devices, and the aft center of gravity.NTSB FTW96FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-29 · New Orleans, LAThe in-flight loss of a bolt in the elevator control system due to improper installation by unknown person(s), which resulted in a disconnection of the elevator control system that rendered the airplane uncontrollable.NTSB IAD96FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Marion, VAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during the instrument approach (FAF/Outer Marker to Threshold IFR), which resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. A related factor was the foggy weather conditions.NTSB MIA96FA100Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Key West, FLThe pilot's improper decision to continue the flight rather than making an immediate water landing due to the low altitude of the airplane and obstructions ahead, which led to his intentional maneuver to avoid the obstructions and subsequent inadvertent stall…NTSB LAX96LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBumford GR-7 · Temecula, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in inadvertent entry into a spin. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's lack of recent experience in fixed wing aircraft, his lack of…NTSB MIA96FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23A · Sarasota, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering (VSO) resulting in an inadvertent in-flight loss of control (stall/spin) and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB CHI96LA108Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBishop-Christian Eagle II · Cambridge, INthe pilot allowed the airplane to enter a flat spin, while performing an acrobatic maneuver, and was unable to recover before ground impact. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, and his lack of familiarity…NTSB ATL96FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Winder, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain visual flight conditions which resulted in the loss of control and subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane when he exceeded the design stress limits of the airframe.NTSB SEA96LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Point Of Rocks, WYthe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the low ceiling and snow.NTSB MIA96WA098Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Punto Fijo, VenezuelaNTSB NYC96FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Bridgeport, WVThe pilot's inablility to maintain aircraft control due to a full nose down trim condition, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB LAX96FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportVarga 2180A · Peoria, AZfailure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed for turning (maneuvering) after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The lack of altitude for stall/spin recovery was a related factor.NTSB FTW96FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Muleshoe, TXimproper planning/decision by the student pilot, and his failure to take adequate remedial action after becoming lost and encountering a low fuel situation, which subsequently resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing at night.…NTSB MIA96WA150Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationde Havilland DHC-6-200 · Bagua, PeruNTSB MIA96FA096Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Flagler Beach, FLinadequate visual lookout by the pilots in both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid conflicting traffic.NTSB MIA96IA094Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Charlotte, NCfatal incapacitation of the pilot due to a heart attack.NTSB LAX96WA132Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421B · Vigan, PhilippinesNTSB MIA96FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Hawthorne, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during an instrument approach.NTSB DCA96RA034Accident · 123 fatalForeign investigationBoeing -737-222 · Arequipa, PeruNTSB LAX96FA121Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Julian, CAthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's inadequate preflight/preparation, low clouds, fog, and mountain obscuration were factors in the accident.NTSB FTW96FA130Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Proctor, ARfailure of the pilots in both airplanes to see-and-avoid conflicting traffic (inadequate visual lookout).NTSB DCA96RA042Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 337 · Havana, CubaNTSB MIA96LA086Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · West Palm Beach, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the water, while performing a low level maneuver (wing over). The pilot's ostentatious display of aerobatic flight was a related factor.NTSB LAX96FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Elk Grove, CAthe pilot's failure to see and avoid the obstruction.NTSB CHI96FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Portland, INthe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate for terrain clearance. A factor was the weather.NTSB MIA96WA083Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 207 · San Jose, Costa RicaNTSB LAX96FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Julian, CAthe pilot's delay in requesting assistance to avoid high terrain. Factors were: the downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning.NTSB FTW96FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Katy, TXa loss of control due to pilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons. A factor related to the pilot's injuries was the lack of shoulder harness restraint.NTSB ATL96FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-31 · Immokalee, FLthe manufacturer's improper composite curing process, which resulted in wing spar voids and subsequent failure of the wing during aerobatic flight.NTSB MIA96FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Morganton, NCthe pilot's delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing), which resulted in his failure to obtain/maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from trees beyond the end of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to ensure…NTSB LAX96FA119Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Lee Vining, CAFuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to adequate monitor the aircraft's fuel system and select a tank containing fuel in a timely manner. The pilot's failure to monitor the fuel system was due to the effects of hypoxia. Factors in the accident were the…NTSB CHI96FA094Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Odell, ILVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, probably due to spatial disorientation of the pilot. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, reduced visibility due to the weather…NTSB CHI96FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Dweese, NEthe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision, and his lack of total experience in the type of operation. A factor was the crosswind.NTSB LAX96FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · New River, AZfailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the terrain, while performing an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB MIA96LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)pilot incapacitation.NTSB LAX96LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSteeves KR2 · San Diego, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed margin above stall, while at low altitude in the traffic pattern. His decision to explore the slow speed envelope of the aircraft at low altitude was a related factor.NTSB ATL96FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Johns Island, SCthe pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions and the continued flight into icing conditions which resulted in the loss of engine power. A factor was conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing.NTSB SEA96FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Estacada, ORloss of aircraft control for undetermined reason(s).NTSB NYC96WA070Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-46 · ZambiaNTSB CHI96FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Brookston, INthe pilot's disregard for the forecast adverse weather conditions, his inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his disorientation. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's lack of experience in instrument conditions, the snow and fog.NTSB ATL96LA048Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcrae Titan Acft Tornado · Pahokee, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering.NTSB MIA96WA079Accident · 11 fatalForeign investigationAerospace Tech. of Australia N24A · Port-Au-Prince, HaitiNTSB MIA96FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500S · Manati, PRFailure of the flight crew, for undetermined reasons, to recover from a stall and resulting uncontrolled descent. This resulted in the aircraft colliding with the terrain while in a 45-60 degree nose down attitude at a slow speed.NTSB NYC96FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P206A · Forks Township, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude, and insufficient obstruction lighting requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.NTSB FTW96FA136Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMbb BO-105 · Gulf Of MexicoThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ocean for unknown reasons.NTSB FTW96FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Galveston, TXthe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to sufficient altitude. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, foggy weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, his lack of recent…NTSB CHI96FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-III · Pellston, MIflight into known adverse weather conditions (fog) at too low an altitude by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were inadequate preflight planning and an improper inflight decision by the pilot when he chose to continue flight into the fog…