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 NYC94LA049Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Jones Beach, NYwas the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, resulting in the airplane impacting with the water. Also casual in this accident was the pilot's total lack of experience in this type of aircraft, and operations. A factor in this accident was the…NTSB CHI94FA050Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-300 · Goodland, KSThe pilot-in-command's inadvertent stall of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot-in-command's poor IFR procedures.NTSB NYC94FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Lost Creek, KYThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and inflight collision with the terrain. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB ATL94FA030Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Chapel Hill, NCThe improper engine overhaul by maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was the failure of the engine crankshaft.NTSB CHI94FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Antigo, WIthe failure of the pilot in command to maintain proper altitude.NTSB ATL94FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Covington, GASpatial disorientation experienced by the pilot, resulting in his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the total failure of the engine driven vacuum pump, and the night, cloud conditions prevailing at the time of the accident.NTSB ATL94FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Lagrange, GAWas the pilot's failure to correct a known low battery condition before departing, which resulted in a loss of electrical power during an instrument approach. Factors were the dark night and the low scattered cloud layer.NTSB NYC94LA034Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Nantucket, MAThe pilot's inability to control the airplane due to alcoholic impairment.NTSB FTW94FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportUpton Mustang M-II · Guthrie, OKWas the in flight failure of the left aileron for reasons undetermined.NTSB NYC94FA033Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · New Haven, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a night approach in adverse weather conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were the weather conditions and dark night. In addition, the radar controller's vectoring of the pilot to…NTSB MIA94FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Delray Beach, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering. This resulted in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with the ocean. Contributing to the accident was the dark night with no visible horizon.NTSB LAX94FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Payson, AZImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors related to the accident were: pilot impairment from improper use of prescription drugs (not approved for…NTSB NYC94FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale TB-21 · Lebanon, NHThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with the terrain. A factor was a dark night condition.NTSB NYC94FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Norwich, OHThe pilot's loss of aircraft control for an unknown reason, and subsequent flight that exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight airframe breakup.NTSB DCA94MA022Accident · 18 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportJetstream BA-3100 · Hibbing, MNThe captain's actions that led to a breakdown in crew coordination and the loss of altitude awareness by the flightcrew during an unstabilized approach in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were: the failure of the…NTSB MIA94FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Jacksonville, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was: the lack of altitude for recovery from a stall.NTSB MIA94FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Daytona Beach, FLLoss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX94FA278Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · June Lake, CAThe pilot allowed the airplane to exceed its design limits (airspeed and/or stress limits) after inadvertently entering a descent. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness (night or late dusk), the pilot's failure to assure adequate…NTSB SEA94FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Ashland, ORVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weatheer conditions, and the pilot's lack of…NTSB FTW94FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MX II · Newark, TXPoor judment of the pilot after use of drugs, his improper planning/decision, and his failure to remain clear of an obstruction during takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's overconfidence with the aircraft's ability, a tailwind condition,…NTSB BFO94FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R-301 · Butler, PAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain proper altitude. The weather conditions were a factor.NTSB ATL94FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Mount Airy, NCThe pilot's improper decision to land downwind, failure to control the aircraft on the ground, and his decision to abort the landing after loss of control and damage to the aircraft on the ground. A factor in the accident was the gusty tail wind at the time…NTSB LAX94FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti F-260 · Santa Monica, CAthe dual student pilot's failure to maintain minimum air speed in flight which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the improper weight and balance, inadequate altitude, and inadequate supervision.NTSB FTW94FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T303 · Rogers, ARThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and the ensuing inadvertent stall. Factors were the icing conditions, the fog, the drizzle, the dark night light conditions, and the pilot's disregard for the forecasted weather conditions.NTSB ATL94FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Gadsden, ALThe pilot's inadequate pre-flight preparation and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were fog, low ceiling, and hilly terrain.NTSB MIA94LA027Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThompson Bushby Mustang II · Madison, MSAn engine failure for undetermined reasons.NTSB BFO94FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Ravenna, OHThe pilot attempted to fly the airplane with known deficiencies in the attitude indicator and became spatially disoriented during the takeoff climb. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, night conditions, and an inaccurate attitude indicator.NTSB SEA94FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Mountain Home, IDThe pilot's intentional suicide and impairment from consumption of alcohol.NTSB LAX94FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in this accident were: 1) the dark night and lack of ambient light which resulted in the pilot inadvertently flying from visual meteorological conditions into instrument meteorological conditions; 2)…NTSB CHI94FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172I · Kalamazoo, MIUndetermined.NTSB BFO94FA015Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Northampton, MAFailure of the air traffic control (ATC) facility to identify and provide the required traffic information to the jump aircraft before release of the jumper(s). A factor related to the accident was: inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of the jump aircraft.NTSB BFO94FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Portland, METhe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to assure that adequate fuel was available to complete the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors which contributed to the…NTSB LAX94LA051Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-1B-2 · Las Vegas, NVWere the fuel injection line contamination resulting in fuel starvation; the pilot's inadequate 100-hour inspection; the pilot's improper decision to return to the airport at a low altitude; and his failure to maintain the proper airspeed which resulted in a…NTSB CHI94GA038Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHughes 369HS · Antonia, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor was the dark night.NTSB NYC94FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Kinnelon, NJThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW94FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Guthrie, OKWas the pilot-in-command continued VFR flight into IMC. A factor was fog.NTSB LAX94FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Brea, CAThe pilot's choice of an inadequate cruise altitude over rolling hill terrain which resulted in an in-flight collision with helium balloons and an in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate visual…NTSB SEA94LA246Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlake Talon XP · Estacada, ORFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain condition and flight into an area with adverse weather and unfavorable winds.NTSB CHI94FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Cedar Lake, INthe failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude. A factor related to the accident was flight into known adverse weather by the pilot.NTSB BFO94FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney MO-20J · Seekonk, MAThe pilot's inadequate in flight planning/decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions after the engine's dry air vacuum pump failed and the pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during approach. A factor in the accident was the…NTSB BFO94LA023Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MX · Montville, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB MIA94FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Orlando, FLWas in flight loss of control for failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain VMC shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was partial loss of engine power from the left engine due to partial blockage of several of the fuel injector nozzles. Also…NTSB LAX94FA048Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V-35 · Shaver Lake, CAAn in-flight breakup of the airplane following the pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions during which directional control of the airplane was not maintained, and the design limits of the airplane were exceeded. The pilot's inadequate evaluation of…NTSB BFO94FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Walkersville, MDImproper planning/decision by the instructor pilot (CFI) by teaching stalls and slow flight to a pre-solo student on a dark night, and the instructor's failure to maintain (or regain) control of the airplane, due to spatial disorientation. Factor's related to…NTSB FTW94FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Longview, TXPoor judgment of the pilot due to impairment from consumption of alcohol and use of a drug (marijuana), and his failure to correct a descent, while maneuvering at low altitude. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's psychological condition.NTSB CHI94LA034Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Hot Springs, SDThe failure of the pilots to maintain sufficient altitude to ensure terrain clearance. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the dark night and rising terrain.NTSB FTW94FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Marlow, OKAn inoperative vacuum system, an inoperative turn & bank indicator, and an inoperative directional gyro, which resulted in an inability of the pilot to control the airplane after it encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors related to…NTSB LAX94LA041Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)An undetermined event that resulted in the accident.NTSB SEA94LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBird RAF-2000 · Redmond, UTThe pilot in command's exceeding the proper climb rate. A factor contibuting to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make/model.NTSB MIA94FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Crestview, FLWas incapacitation of the pilot due to cardiovascular disease during an instrument approach resulting in the aircraft descending uncontrolled until tree and ground impact. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly with known cardiovascular…