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 FTW95FA308Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Borger, TXThe pilot's loss of control due to an encounter with a dust devil/whirlwind and the turbulence and high wind associated with thunderstorm outflow.NTSB LAX95LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Kneeland, CAthe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to takeoff in known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disoreintation and an in-flight loss of control.NTSB LAX95GA264Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 369D · Hauula, HIthe pilot's poor judgement by intentionally flying into adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain with an external load and no observer which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors were pressure from the conditions/events and a lack of total…NTSB FTW95FA307Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rhome, TXthe flight instructor's delay in recovery from the intentional stall/spin.NTSB CHI95LA229Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDarrell Falconar F9 · Grand Haven, MIFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an unapproved drug while flying, his lack of experience in the make and model…NTSB NYC95FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3 · Independence, NYThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's shutdown of the wrong engine, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with trees.NTSB LAX95LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206 · Danville, CAThe pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather and failure to maintain proper altitude.NTSB FTW95FA306Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Crawford, COpilot incapacitation due to preexisting medical condition.NTSB NYC95FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Danielsville, PAThe flight crew's improper in-flight planning/decision, and failure to maintain adequate clearance (or altitude) from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, low clouds, and the high terrain.NTSB ATL95LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuadcity Challenger I · Anniston, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, following an undetermined engine malfunction.NTSB ATL95LA138Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Allendale, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guy wire.NTSB FTW95LA298Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBradley Dragonfly · Silver City, NMPilot incapacitation due to a heart attack.NTSB CHI95FA226Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Festus, MOan improper annual inspection, the fouled spark plugs, the arcing magneto distributor, and the pilot's attempt to take off with known deficiencies.NTSB ANC95FA104Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Naknek, AKInadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the Piper PA-18. The PA-18 pilot's diverted attention was a related factor.NTSB MIA95FA183Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Hilton Head Isl, SCloss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the emergency landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's extension of the downwind leg which prevented landing on the intended runway following loss of engine…NTSB LAX95FA249Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Hanford, CAUndetermined.NTSB FTW95LA288Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec PZL-M-18 · Carlisle, ARThe pilot delayed pull-up from a swath run and failed to maintain clearance from the obstruction (grain elevator). A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's use of medications that were not approved for use while flying.NTSB NYC95LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Hammonton, NJfailure of the collective yoke bearing, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: the manufacturer's inadequate inspection interval of the yoke bearing.NTSB MIA95WA179Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 500 · Treasure Cay, BahamasNTSB MIA95GA178Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper L-21A · Lorida, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while his attention was diverted.NTSB FTW95RA287Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationAerospatiale AS355F · Mexico City, MexicoNTSB FTW95LA285Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMeyer Pulsar XP · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel tank selector and his failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention to the power loss.NTSB FTW95FA277Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · Hot Springs, ARThe partial loss of engine power as a result of the disengagement of the throttle cable housing due to improper maintenance. Factors were the night condition and the lack of suitable terrain.NTSB SEA95LA145Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWheeler Kitfox V · Silvana, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. The emergency ballistic parachute not being deployed was a factor in the accident.NTSB NYC95LA144Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKoval Quickie II · Akron, OHthe pilot's improper maneuver during the turn to final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and collision with the terrain. Factors in this accident were the pilot's lack of experience in this make and model, and his lack of recent…NTSB LAX95FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Miramar, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude (or clearance) above the terrain, while attempting to perform VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness and the adverse weather conditions.NTSB FTW95FA278Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28B · Ramah, COThe aircrew allowed the airplane's design stress limits to be exceeded.NTSB CHI95FA212Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-65 · Plato Center, ILthe pilot not maintaining an adequate fuel supply, and not maintaining airspeed.NTSB MIA95FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Ft. Lauderdale, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after a momentary loss of engine power during takeoff, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. The reason for power loss could not be determined.NTSB CHI95LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFirst Strike Bobcat · Burlington, IAfatigue failure of a copper fuel line at the carburetor ferrule fitting, which resulted in fuel starvation. The proximity of trees was a related factor.NTSB ANC95FA101Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Haines, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above and clearance from the surrounding terrain. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to conduct the maneuver in such close proximity to the rising terrain.NTSB MIA95FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Cedar Key, FLContinued flight by the pilot into known adverse weather (vip level three thunderstorm). The thunderstorm was a related factor.NTSB ANC95FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Nulato, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and clearance (altitude) above the water, while maneuvering at low altitude. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's improper decision to allow a passenger to accompany the flight without a seat belt.NTSB ATL95LA129Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBensen B-8M · Siler City, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter which resulted in an inflight breakup. A factor was the pilot's lack of a rotorcraft or gyrocopter certification.NTSB ATL95FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Raleigh, NCThe pilot's failure to follow proper IFR procedures by descending below the decision height. Factors relating to the accident were the weather conditions and the dark night.NTSB SEA95FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAlon Aircoupe A-2 · Cody, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to reverse course. A factor was the downdrafts encountered in the mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX95LA237Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar S-77A · Davis, CAthe pilot's misjudgement of the balloon's excessive rate-of-descent in a high wind landing and her inadequate remedial action to correct the condition.NTSB NYC95LA138Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American F-51D · Malone, NYthe pilot's improper use of the flight controls, which resulted in an accelerated stall, an in-flight loss of control, and an uncontrolled descent to the ground. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's decision to fly the airplane in an airshow…NTSB FTW95FA266Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Huntsville, ARan engine surge for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the aft center of gravity.NTSB ANC95FA090Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Kodiak, AKThe pilot's attempt to fly VFR into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors include fog and low ceilings.NTSB FTW95FA261Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · San Angelo, TXThe pilot's decision to attempt flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: conditions of darkness, thunderstorm and lightning, and the pilot's lack…NTSB MIA95RA162Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationConvair CV-440 · La Ramona, Dominican RepublicNTSB BFO95FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Cohocton, NYthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a turn which led to an inadvertent stall/spin. Related factors were the low ceiling, and the non-instrument rated pilot's flight into known adverse weather.NTSB MIA95LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Brooksville, FLA loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB FTW95FA259Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ben Wheeler, TXThe pilot's intentional low level flying and not maintaining a clearance from the trees. A factor was the pilot exceeded the maximum allowable gross weight of the airplane.NTSB SEA95FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Hubbard, ORThe failure of the maintenance personnel who rebuilt the aircraft to properly install the wing lower lift strut attachment bolts. Contributing to the accident was the failure of another maintenance person to adequately inspect the aircraft for properly…NTSB ANC95FA086Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Valdez, AKThe pilot's failure to follow the published IFR (missed approach) procedure and assure adequate altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI95FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCocchi Lancair 320 · Marengo, ILpilot incapacitation due to cardiac arrhythmia (heart attack).NTSB BFO95FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Frederick, MDthe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather during descent, which resulted in in-flight collision with terrain. Related factors were the pilot's disregard of a hazardous weather advisory, and the low ceilings, fog and drizzle.NTSB MIA95FA154Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Orlando, FLThe failure of the pilot-in-command to insure the landing gear was retracted following loss of power in one engine resulting in the aircraft being unable to climb and clear trees in the aircraft's flight path.