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 FTW95LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRocky Mountain Buccaneer 11 B2B · Longmont, COThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, resulting in an inadvertent stall while attempting to make a forced landing. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in airplane make/model, improper maintenance of the airplane, and operation of the…NTSB SEA95FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Brinnon, WAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors in the accident were the mountains and the clouds.NTSB LAX95GA219Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportDouglas C-54G · Ramona, CAInadequate visual lookout by the Beech 58P pilot, and the operator's inadequate procedures concerning 360-degree overhead approaches.NTSB CHI95FA191Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 8KCAB · Frankfort, ILthe pilot-in-command's overconfidence in his personal ability in attempting to teach aerobatics, his lack of experience as a flight instructor, and allowing the airplane to get into a position where its never exceed speed and design stress limits were…NTSB ATL95LA116Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSmith Monnett Moni · Cheraw, SCThe loss of engine power for unknown reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in impact with the ground while the airplane was in a stalled condition.NTSB ANC95FA078Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Nondalton, AKThe failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout.NTSB LAX95FA217Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Vidal Junction, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setting sun.NTSB BFO95LA066Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDrake Moni · Pittsfield, MAthe pilot's failure to maintain/regain control of the aircraft during the simulated engine-out procedure while on approach to landing.NTSB SEA95FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175A · Moab, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude in the visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to follow dispatch procedures, the dark night conditions, and the unavailability of the airport's…NTSB LAX95LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHarmon Dolphin · Paso Robles, CAThe pilot's decision continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, and exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane. The weather condition was a related factor.NTSB LAX95FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Mammoth Lakes, CAthe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions during dark nighttime over mountainous terrain; and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude to ensure terrain clearance. Thw weather and terrain were factors.NTSB BFO95FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P-350 · Cedar Bluff, VAthe pilot's improper planning/decision, and his allowing the airplane to exceed its maximum design/stress limitation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather.NTSB FTW95LA244Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalter W. Bell Lazer Edge · El Reno, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors were the pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers at the low altitude.NTSB CHI95FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-21E · West Chicago, ILThe pilot allowed excessive nose-up rotation of the airplane during lift-off, and failed to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's…NTSB FTW95FA238Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith LONG-EZ · Cloudcroft, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees. Factors were the pilot exceeded the allowable maximum gross weight of the airplane, the rising terrain, and high density altitude.NTSB BFO95LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBerg Steen Skybolt · Bath, NYthe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance to avoid trees while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Related factors are the low altitude at which the maneuver was initiated and the delayed recovery/pull-up.NTSB FTW95LA234Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJoy Genesis · Kerrville, TXFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while manuevering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind, the pilot's overconfidence in his ability, and his…NTSB BFO95FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Highgate, VTthe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. A factor was the Cessna 172H pilot's impairment due to medication.NTSB CHI95LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTom Kilgore KR-2 · Alanson, MIimproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel, and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a stall/spin and collision with the ground.NTSB MIA95FA145Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Gainesville, FLThe pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after continuing the VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the existing weather conditions and dark night that contributed to the pilot's…NTSB FTW95FA232Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Joaquin, TXThe performance of aerobatics at low altitude and the inadvertent stall.NTSB FTW95FA231Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Flagler, COFailure by the pilot to maintain clearance from the static line of a power transmission array during an aerial application flight.NTSB BFO95LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCGS Hawk · Quarryville, PAthe pilot's failure to attain proper altitude/clearance from obstacles during takeoff.NTSB FTW95FA226Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Palestine, TXLoss of aircraft control during a go-around, due to failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to assure that the minimum control speed (VMC) was maintained. Factors relating to the accident were: shutdown of the left engine, which would have prevented normal…NTSB CHI95LA165Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-1 · Osage Beach, MOa low altitude maneuver performed by the pilot and the pilot not maintaining the airplane's airspeed. A factor in this accident was the pilot encountering a stall/mush.NTSB MIA95LA144Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Vieques, PRUndetermined.NTSB SEA95LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick TH-1L · Umpqua, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a tree, resulting in a tail rotor blade strike on the tree which disabled the tail rotor. Contributing to the accident was the 150-foot-high rock bluff.NTSB SEA95FA111Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680 · North Bend, ORThe pilot initiating flight into weather conditions beyond what he was capable of handling. The pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability and the low ceiling were factors in the accident.NTSB NYC95FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Monkton, VTfailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: loss of electrical power for undetermined reason(s), darkness, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA95FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Opa-Locka, FLA loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, the pilot's inadequate preflight, and his intentional operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment which resulted in an inadvertent stall at an altitude inadequate for recovery.…NTSB MIA95FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Corinth, MSThe pilots decision to continue his VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions after being advised that VFR flight should not be attempted, resulting in spatial disorientation and loss of control. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's…NTSB LAX95LA199Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Honolulu, HIfuel exhaustion resulting from pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning for the over water flight.NTSB FTW95FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Byers, COThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the subsequent loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the low ceilings, the dark night conditions, and the pilot's lack of total instrument time.NTSB CHI95LA160Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 201C · Clarks, NEa partial failure of the engine supercharger.NTSB NYC95FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Jefferson Twp, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a collision with terrain during a descent.NTSB FTW95LA224Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCornelius LONG-EZ · Clines Corner, NMThe pilot flying the aircraft into IMC conditions at an altitude which was inadequate to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were low ceiling and fog.NTSB ATL95FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Greenville, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed. A factor was his failure to reposition the elevator trim.NTSB LAX95FA198Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lovelock, NVthe pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and subsequent collision with transmission wires during dusk light conditions.NTSB NYC95LA122Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Weston, WVthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground.NTSB NYC95FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-A55 · Wise, VAThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, after the right engine lost power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground.NTSB ATL95FA099Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchlagenhauf Lancair IV · Gastonia, NCAn in-flight fire of undetermined origin that resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.NTSB NYC95LA124Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBailey Quickie Q-2 · Woodsfield, OHThe loss engine power for undetermined reason and the pilot's failure to maintain control which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain.NTSB NYC95LA125Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and subsequent ditching at sea. Darkness and the high sea condition (rough water) were related factors.NTSB LAX95LA190Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStol UC-1 · Saipan, Sarkan inflight collision with the ocean for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW95FA206Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Beaumont, TXThe pilot's failure to perform a go-around and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were improper runway alignment and an aft center of gravity.NTSB ANC95FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Wasilla, AKThe student pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failure to maintain clearance (or altitude) from the mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA95FA103Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Kent, WAThe pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude during the approach. Factors in the accident were the dusk light condition and the shadows.NTSB NYC95LA115Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPitcher W-8 · Mineral, VAan electrical system problem that resulted in a blown (failed) fuze and an inoperative electric fuel pump, which in turn resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an…NTSB NYC95LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23-24 · Atlantic City, NJThe pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing. Factors in the accident were: the downwind landing and the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed.NTSB FTW95LA207Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Mcgehee, ARThe ground service person's lack of attention and failure to remain clear of the turning propeller.