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 SEA93FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lake Fork, IDPoor judgment of the pilot by flying while under the influence of alcohol and a drug, his continued flight into an area of adverse weather, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance (or altitude) from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident…NTSB MIA93FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlasair SH-2F · Ocala, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vso) during a forced landing, resulting in an in-flight loss of control (stall), and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's improper positioning…NTSB CHI93FA329Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Rockford, ILan arcing electrical relay (solenoid) and subsequent overheating/fire of the starter wiring and adjacent fuel lines.NTSB SEA93FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 182L · Missing, WAUndetermined.NTSB NYC93FA159Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-226-TC · Hartford, CTFailure of the copilot (second-in-command) to follow the checklist, assure the gear was extended for landing and attain or maintain adequate airspeed (VMC); and failure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to properly supervise the flight and take sufficient…NTSB BFO93WA145Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Valensol, FranceNTSB NYC93FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lincoln Park, NJThe failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout while in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an in-flight collision.NTSB CHI93FA322Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J-3C-85 · Salol, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The pilot's lack of recent flight experience is a related factor.NTSB NYC93FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · East Moriches, NYEngine failure due to a fatigue failure of the no.3 piston. The fatigue failure was a result of inadequate manufacturing. In addition, the pilot made an improper decision during the forced landing in attempting to stretch his approach in order to reach the…NTSB LAX93FA318Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Honolulu, HIA divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason(s) which resulted in rotor contact with the airframe.NTSB FTW93FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Big Lake, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.NTSB DEN93FA100Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCameron N-145 · Woody Creek, COFailure by the pilot in command to maintain proper altitude and visual lookout. A factor was high wind.NTSB CHI93DEV01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWalter D. Courtney Courtney TWO · Canton, ILthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach to landing.NTSB BFO93WA144Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20J · Celle-Arloh, GermanyNTSB SEA93LA174Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrauch Glasair · Blanding, UTThe loss of engine power resulting from inadequate maintenance inspection by the pilot, a leak from loose fuel system line fittings, and fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the rough/uneven terrain.NTSB NYC93FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCurtiss-Wright Travel AIR 4000 · Marlboro, NJThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and inflight collision with the terrain.NTSB LAX93FA315Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E35 · Big Bear, CAA loss of engine power due to unporting of the selected main fuel tank at a critical time, which was caused by the pilot's failure to follow the directives in the flight manual regarding prolonged turns or slips with less than 10 gallons in the selected tank.NTSB ATL93LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWM. D. Butterill Mustang M1 · Wadesboro, NCThe pilot's intentional flight into IMC without the proper instrumentation, which resulted in the pilot's loss of aircraft control, and in flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB ATL93FA143Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-90 · Augusta, GAWas the pilot's failure to adequately evaluate inflight weather conditions which resulted in a loss of control when the airplane encountered a thunderstorm.NTSB DEN93FA099Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Delight, ARThe failure of the vacuum pump, and an inoperative turn coordinator. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's loss of control of the airplane as a result of spatial disorientation, the pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the…NTSB FTW93FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Houston, TXCompany management's dispatch of an airplane with known deficiencies, their failure to correct the deficiencies, and the student pilot's inadvertent entry into a stall. Factors which contributed to the accident were: chafed wiring, fouled spark plugs, a…NTSB CHI93DEE04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDarst KR-1 · Oregon, ILthe partial separation of the elevator control cable.NTSB LAX93LA313Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-12D · Tehachapi, CAFuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to correctly position the fuel selector prior to departure, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin above stall while attempting to return to the runway. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's…NTSB ANC93FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Atigun Pass, AKThe pilot-in-command's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his unfamiliarity with the geographical area. Factors were the rain and fog.NTSB NYC93FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Provincetown, MAThe pilot initiating VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. During his attempt to regain control of the aircraft the pilot exceeded the design stress limits resulting in wing…NTSB DEN93FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Clines Corners, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe and proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, dark night condition, and weather conditions that included obscuration, fog, and drizzle.NTSB CHI93DCD03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHoward W. Dutton Glas AIR II RG · Mt. Pleasant, IAthe pilot-in-command's not maintaining aircraft control.NTSB CHI93LA301Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Naubinway, MIThe pilot's improper flare for landing. Factors associated with the accident are the low clouds and fog, the rough water at the landing site, and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather.NTSB MIA93WA167Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Marsh Harbor, BahamasNTSB LAX93FA311Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · El Monte, CAFatigue failure of the cyclic control (stick) assembly, which resulted in loss of cyclic (pitch & roll) control.NTSB ANC93LA143Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArtic S-1B2 · Johnson Glacier, AKThe pilot's attempted flight in an airplane which exceeded the maximum allowable weight. The high mountainous terrain was a factor.NTSB LAX93LA309Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Dayton, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude sufficient to clear terrain due to alcohol and drug impairment.NTSB CHI93FA302Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690-A · Norfolk, NEThe failure of the pilots of the Rockwell 690-A, N707BP, and the Piper PA-28R, N33056, to see and avoid each other. A factor which contributed to the accident was the failure of both pilot's to follow recommended communication procedures contained in the…NTSB ANC93LA130Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Dry Bay, AKUndetermined.NTSB DEN93FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Elk Springs, COThe performance of a stall/spin at an altitude inadequate for recovery and level off.NTSB ATL93LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWard Long EZE · Murfreesboro, TNThe pilot's failure to properly use the carburetor heat control which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB DEN93FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Durango, COThe pilot's entry into a box canyon at an altitude insufficient to clear mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX93FA377Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Baker, CAA loss of control for undetermined reason(s).NTSB LAX93FA300Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Lancaster, CAthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain the minimum control airspeed which progressed to an inadverent stall/spin. Factors relating to this accident were fuel exhaustion and the pilot's lack of experience in the accident…NTSB CHI93MA276Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Byers, KSThe captain's failure to adhere to the agreed upon flight test plan for ending the test maneuver at the onset of prestall stick shaker, and the flightcrew's failure to assure that all required switches were properly positioned for anti-spin chute deployment.…NTSB MIA93FA163Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · St Petersburg, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airport, and his selection of the wrong runway.NTSB CHI93FA274Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150K · Goshen, INFailure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. A factor in the accident was the position of the sun which resulted in sun glare for the pilot of the mong sport.NTSB BFO93FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Clearfield, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the go-around.NTSB NYC93FA138Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Warsaw, KYThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain adequate clearance with ground obstacles, which resulted in an inflight collision with a power line.NTSB CHI93DEP02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStoeckler RV-4 · Lake Delton, WIthe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor was trees.NTSB BFO93FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportKrowell Christen Eagle II · Lebanon, NHInadequate crew/group coordination.NTSB LAX93FA297Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175B · Blythe, CAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the cable due to drug impairment. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's intentional buzzing, his ostentatious display, and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude over the river.NTSB CHI93FA267Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310C · Norton, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to alcohol impairment. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather, fog, and the dark night.NTSB MIA93FA160Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Morriston, FLVFR flight by the pilot(s) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failure to maintain adequate altitude (or clearance) from the tower. The proximity of the tower/guy wires and weather condition were related factors.NTSB CHI93LA269Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Boyceville, WIthe failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to perform a go-around.