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 GAA22WA285Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT502 · Chinchilla, AustraliaNTSB ERA22FA426Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7AC · Bridgeton, NJThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA350Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAerovodochody L-29 Delfin · Reno, NVThe pilot’s in-flight incapacitation due to G-induced loss of consciousness, which resulted in a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA22WA287Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Shaunavon, CanadaNTSB GAA22WA289Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignEvektor EV97 · Sesso, Reggio Emilia, ItalyNTSB ERA22FA422Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWren Ronnie D Titan II · Citra, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain airspeed while recovering from an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of…NTSB CEN22FA424Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Longmont, COThe pilots’ inability to see and avoid each other, resulting in a midair collision.NTSB WPR22FA348Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTrom Wayne Vans RV6A · Aztec, AZThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to turn away from a suitable emergency landing surface, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed as the…NTSB ERA22FA418Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Afton, VAA catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at night over mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR22FA347Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSkiles Kenneth C RV-6A · Preston, IDThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN22FA419Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Conway, SCThe mechanic’s failure to install the required gasket on the vacuum pump drive pad in accordance with the maintenance manual, which resulted in oil exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the Director of…NTSB WPR22FA345Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Seligman, AZThe student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, and in-flight breakup.NTSB GAA22WA280Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignAir Tractor AT502 · Camrose, CanadaNTSB CEN22FA416Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPipistrel Italia S R L Sinus 912 LSA · Waller, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control, which led to an aerodynamic stall at an altitude where recovery was not possible.NTSB GAA22WA282Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignEurocopter EC120B · Bidor, MalaysiaNTSB GAA22WA278Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208B · Oriximina, BrazilNTSB ERA22FA405Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Hartwell, GAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control following a perceived undetermined problem with the airplane’s gyroscopic instrumentation.NTSB WPR22FA338Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Santa Monica, CAThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare due to the passenger’s excessive control inputs, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA22FA399Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportConway Philip J Glasair Super II SFT · Bay City, WIThe continuation of a poorly-flown, unstabilized approach and the flight instructor’s failure to direct a discontinuance of that approach, resulting in a collision with terrain during turn to final.NTSB WPR22FA335Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRutan Varieze · Columbia, CAThe pilot’s improper maintenance of the ignition system, which led to an ignition system failure and a loss of engine power.NTSB CEN22FA406Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Cleveland, TNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while operating in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB WPR22FA332Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Galt, CAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin from which he could not recover.NTSB GAA22WA268Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 551 · Baltic Sea, LatviaNTSB GAA22WA265Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · ForeignRobinson R66 · Zapallar, ChileNTSB DCA22MA193Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Freeland, WAThe in-flight unthreading of the clamp nut from the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator barrel due to a missing lock ring, which resulted in the horizontal stabilizer moving to an extreme trailing-edge-down position rendering the airplane’s pitch…NTSB ERA22FA397Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Jetexec · Arthur, KYThe pilot’s decision to attempt the cross-country flight in thunderstorm conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a weather briefing.NTSB WPR22FA331Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportYakovlev YAK-11 · Shafter, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine oil pressure shortly after takeoff.NTSB ERA22LA395Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 · Orlando, FLThe flight crew’s insufficient evaluation of the deteriorating weather conditions in the area, which resulted in an encounter with a microburst.NTSB CEN22FA405Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Tomball, TXThe flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight, which allowed for an unintentional movement of the mixture control to the cutoff position that remained unnoticed until the airplane lost engine power due to fuel starvation and descended below the…NTSB GAA22WA283Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · Impalia, NamibiaNTSB GAA22WA275Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna R182 · Amberly, AustraliaNTSB ERA22FA391Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Jacksboro, TNThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB ANC22FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportStory Charles Brad TT FOX · Wasilla, AKThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA22FA387Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSea & Sky Krucker Cygnet · Emily, MNThe pilot’s operation of the weight-shift control aircraft over its design gross weight and his decision to take off with the engine operating at less than the specified takeoff rpm, which resulted in degraded takeoff and climb performance. Contributing to…NTSB ERA22FA386Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B35 · French Lick, INThe pilot’s failure to make a stabilized approach, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.NTSB GAA22WA263Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPitts S1S · Shobdon, United KingdomNTSB ERA22FA384Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMXR Technologies MX2 · Osteen, FLThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin that continued until the airplane impacted terrain.NTSB ERA22FA383Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · Whiteside, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines.NTSB WPR22FA312Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJackson Dennis RV-8 · Scio, ORThe pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA371Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Pacific Ocean, CAUndetermined because the airplane and pilot were not located.NTSB WPR22FA311Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmyth Sidewinder TD · Wichita Falls, TXThe pilot’s inexperience with the airplane and inadequate takeoff procedures, which led to exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.NTSB ERA22FA376Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Glendora, MSThe collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR22FA309Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 152 · Watsonville, CAThe failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.NTSB ERA22LA375Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's suicide.NTSB WPR22FA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A-1A · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the critical angle of attack, subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane…NTSB GAA22WA255Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Nipigon, CanadaNTSB WPR22FA303Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T207A · Page, AZThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during low altitude cruise flight, which resulted in a water ditching. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s failure to extend the flaps during the ditching, which increased the…NTSB CEN22FA383Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20K · Hanna City, ILA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB ERA22FA368Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Metz, WVThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s intentional visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions based on latent weather information, which resulted in the airplane entering extreme precipitation, a loss of aircraft control, and in-flight break-up.NTSB ANC22FA066Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Arctic Village, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart in turbulent and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.