Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 WPR23FA027Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · San Diego, CAThe student pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during a go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain following a non-stabilized approach to land.NTSB ENG23WA004Accident · 7 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAgusta A109 · Apricena, ItalyNTSB ANC23FA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirborne Windsports Edge XT-912L · Mokuleia, HIStructural failure of the wing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB GAA23WA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBell UH-1 · San Clemente, ChileNTSB GAA23WA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA32 · Jersey, United KingdomNTSB ERA23FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Harlan, KYThe pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions during an approach to land at an airport in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s hazardous…NTSB GAA23WA060Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAirbus AS350 · Trøndelag county, NorwayNTSB ERA23FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHawker Beechcraft G58 · Alpharetta, GAThe pilot’s loss of aircraft control for unknown reasons.NTSB ERA23FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBearhawk Patrol · Hanover Township, PAThe pilot’s decision to unlatch his seatbelt during flight, which allowed him to exit the airplane and impact the tail, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA046Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith CH750 Cruzer · Southington, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude that was too low to recover.NTSB WPR23LA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirborne Windsports Edge X · Alturas, CAThe non-certificated pilot’s loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN23FA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Morgan City, LAThe pilot’s loss of consciousness due to a cardiovascular event.NTSB GAA23WA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 150 · Mercedes, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaNTSB ERA23FA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A24 · Keene, NHImproper maintenance of the fuel injector nozzles and the pilots’ failure to abort the takeoff during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s decision to return the airplane to service with the engine unable to attain its full rated…NTSB CEN23FA016Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-12 · Chandler, TXThe loss of control inflight for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB GAA23WA012Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignThrush S2R-T660 · Sierra Segundera, SpainNTSB GAA23WA017Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna T206G · Guayaquil, EcuadorNTSB GAA23WA009Accident · 7 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 407 · Rudraprayag, IndiaNTSB ERA23FA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Brentwood, TNA total loss of engine power due to the catastrophic failure of the crankshaft resulting from the improper installation of the crankshaft for this application.NTSB ERA23FA024Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E-90 · Marietta, OHStructural icing on the tailplane that resulted in a tailplane stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB ERA23LA022Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Statesboro, GAThe pilot’s failure to include deplaning procedures as part of a passenger safety briefing and failure to have the passengers remain onboard until the engine was shut down, which resulted in a passenger subsequently being struck by the rotating propeller.NTSB ERA23FA023Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPeryera Adventura II · Miramar, FLThe pilot’s failure to remove the ECU select switch per the manufacturer’s service bulletin, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB GAA23WA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCirrus SF50 · Santa Marta, ColombiaNTSB ANC23LA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AKThe pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA23WA015Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 172 · Ulsan, South KoreaNTSB GAA23WA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Maitland, AustraliaNTSB ERA23FA008Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Newport News, VAThe flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall from which she was unable to recover.NTSB ERA23FA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSeamax M-22 · East Hampton, NYAn inflight separation of the right wing as a result of the manufacturer’s application of a bolt and nut in the upper wing strut attachment point that was inconsistent with the nut design intent and usage limitations.NTSB ANC23FA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna A185F · Fairbanks, AKThe improperly maintained floats, which allowed water to fill the front compartments and resulted in the airplane nosing over during taxi. Contributing to the fatal injury of the pilot was the improperly secured cargo, which prevented the pilot from egressing…NTSB ERA23FA006Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Arundel, METhe pilot’s loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an unstabilized approach, descent below published minimum altitudes, and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCornford Craig H Mustang II · Jamul, CAImpact with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons due to the limited evidence that could be collected from the accident sceneNTSB GAA23WA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206 · Vielbrunn, GermanyNTSB WPR23LA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.NTSB GAA23WA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Cunderdin, AustraliaNTSB GAA23WA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Curatone, ItalyNTSB ERA23FA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Hermantown, MNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long…NTSB ENG23WA017Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAirbus Helicopters MBB BK117 · Tabasco, MexicoNTSB GAA22WA294Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Toluca, MexicoNTSB GAA22WA302Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Joyabaj, GuatemalaNTSB WPR22FA361Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Sahuarita, AZThe pilot's loss of control following a separation of the aileron carry-through cable.NTSB CEN22FA436Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Allentown, PAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN22FA433Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirgyro AG915 · Yankton, SDA loss of control while an in-flight fire occurred, which resulted in an impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/builder’s improper engine build procedures.NTSB ANC22LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180A · Skwentna, AKThe failure of the landing gear float due to inadequate maintenance of the floats and corrosion.NTSB GAA22WA291Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignChallenger II · Rideau-Ontario, CanadaNTSB GAA22WA301Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignWagaero Sportsman · Champais, Quebec, CanadaNTSB WPR22FA354Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Sisters, ORThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement due to fatigue.NTSB GAA22WA300Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignEmbraer EMB720 · Santa Cruz, BoliviaNTSB GAA22WA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMeriwether Jon Arion Lightning · Kenora, CanadaNTSB ERA22LA427Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportNorthwing Design Apache Sport · Southern Shores, NCA loss of aircraft control due to movement of the outer portion of the right wing fabric and displacement of wing ribs for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB DCA22WA208Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBAE 3201EP · San Antonio del Estrecho, Peru