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 NYC94WA183Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech C35 · Lake Erie, CanadaNTSB FTW94FA311Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Roscoe, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed resulting in an aerodynamic stall. A factor was the pilot's lack ofNTSB LAX94LA376Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Las Vegas, NVthe pilot's failure to shut down the engine before deplaning a passenger.NTSB LAX94LA375Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCorley Lancair · Ramona, CAthe pilot's premature lift-off and failure to obtain the requisite minimum airspeed for flight, failure to maintain control of his airplane, and inadvertent stalling during initial climb. Factors which contributed to the accident related to the pilot's…NTSB DCA94WA077Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAero Commander 500S · Westman Isles, IcelandNTSB SEA94FA245Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185E · Juneau, AKAttempted VFR flight into IMC. Factors to the accident were: clouds and mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX94LA370Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJames B. Edwards Cozy · Skull Valley, AZThe pilot's poorly planned approach by failing to maintain the proper airspeed and alignment. The pilot's total expereince, and lack of experience in the airplane make and model were factors in this accident.NTSB CHI94LA337Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Greenville, MIIncapacitation of the pilot due to a seizure and/or loss of consciousness. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's failure to properly report his medical information on his FAA medical application.NTSB CHI94FA340Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E95A · Poplar Grove, ILAircraft control not maintained by the pilot when he began his turn from base leg to final approach. Factors associated with this accident were the fatigue failure of a propeller blade, improper maintenance overhaul of the propeller, and a material defect in…NTSB MIA94FAMS2Accident · 5 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · MissingUndetermined.NTSB MIA94LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-12 Airaile · Clearwater, FLThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX94LA368Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · Reno, NVthat the pilot of the other airplane misjudged the distance between the airplanes. The other airplane pilot's diverted attention to the air race is a factor in this accident.NTSB FTW94FA300Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Tennesse Colony, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the resultant inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW94FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ACA · Lakeside, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX94LA386Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX94FA367Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAlon A2 · Orland, CAthe pilot's intentional performance of an aerobatic maneuver which overloaded the outboard portion of the left wing and caused it to fail. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's overconfidence in his ability to perform the maneuver and his…NTSB BFO94FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Barstow, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tower.NTSB NYC94FA178Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Vernon, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted a loss of control and inflight collision with the terrain.NTSB CHI94FA329Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Beaver Island, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. The pilot's buzzing and his impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol were factors in the accident.NTSB ATL94FA171Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Glenville, NCThe fatigue failure of #4 intake valve. A factor was hilly terrain.NTSB LAX94LA361Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Reno, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted forced landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of a propeller blade-feathering oil seal which leaked oil on the windshield, obscuring the pilot's vision.NTSB LAX94FA360Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Winslow, AZthe pilot's inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into the ground from a low altitude while scouting for game.NTSB SEA94FA247Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Roseburg, ORthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.NTSB FTW94FA295Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Oklahoma City, OKImproper maintenance of the engine by unknown person(s), the installation of unapproved parts, and subsequent bearing seizure. The lack of suitable terrain in the forced landing area was a related factor.NTSB SEA94FA237Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Dixon, MTThe pilot in command's allowing the aircraft airspeed to decrease below the stall speed.NTSB DCA94MA076Accident · 132 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing B-737-300 · Aliquippa, PAA loss of control of the airplane resulting from the movement of the rudder surface to its blowdown limit. The rudder surface most likely deflected in a direction opposite to that commanded by the pilots as a result of a jam of the main rudder power control…NTSB ATL94LA170Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-5A · Raeford, NCThe pilot's ostentatious display which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane.NTSB LAX94FA355Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Reno, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed.NTSB LAX94FA354Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Shelter Cove, CAInadequate preflight by the pilot, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power, improper (or delayed) positioning of the fuel selector to the fullest tank, and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering for a forced…NTSB LAX94FA353Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Truckee, CAFailure of the pilot to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed to climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors related to the accident were: high density altitude, improper trim setting for takeoff, the…NTSB ANC94FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Gulkana, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB NYC94FA166Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Blain, PAThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, failure to maintain control of the airplane, and exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane. A factor related to the accident was:…NTSB LAX94LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Jackpot, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation during a moonless night departure over an area without ground reference lights. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument training and experience.NTSB CHI94FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Plymouth, MICarburetor ice, and improper use of (or failure to use) the carburetor heat. Factors related to the accident were: carburetor icing (weather) conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB NYC94FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8-KCAB · Chatsworth, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight that failed to detect water- contaminated fuel which resulted in the loss of engine power and the pilot's decision to conduct flight at an altitude too low to initiate emergency procedures.NTSB CHI94FA307Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Lincoln, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing a go-around.NTSB MIA94FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · MissingUndetermined.NTSB LAX94LA340Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D95A · Oakdale, CAImproper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), and the cfi's inadequate supervision by not assuring that the minimum control speed (VMC) was maintained. A factor related to the accident was: the cfi's lack of experience in multi-engine…NTSB ANC94LA124Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Glenallen, AKAirspeed not maintained. A factor was the gusty wind conditions.NTSB FTW94LA283Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalton Skybolt · Collinsville, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB ATL94FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-34R · Maylene, ALThe pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft, resulting in an overload failure of the wing spar, and separation of the left wing from the aircraft. A factor was the pilot's lack of total flying experience in this model of aircraft.NTSB SEA94FA225Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Laramie, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Downdraft wind on the lee side of the ridgeline was a factor.NTSB SEA94FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7FC · Tacoma, WAPilot incapacitation due to a heart attack.NTSB BFO94LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-14 Airaile · Phoenixville, PAthe pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB ATL94FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Byromville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI94LA294Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWatson KR-2 · Pekin, ILAircraft control not maintained by the pilot and the subsequent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.NTSB NYC94FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112A · Binghamton, NYThe pilot inadequate preflight preparation that resulted in the decision to attempt takeoff on a runway which was beyond the airplane takeoff performance capability to clear obstacles.NTSB BFO94LA141Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLafrance V-Witt W2 · Wilmington, OHLoss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting a maneuver for an emergency landing, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain. A factor related to the accident was: the lack…NTSB BFO94FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Roanoke, VAThe disconnection of the throttle cable from the throttle arm on the fuel injector servo.NTSB FTW94FA273Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Pryor, OKFailure of the pilot to maintain minimum control airspeed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: an oil leak from a fatigue crack in the engine crankcase, and inadequate maintenance.