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 CHI93FA165Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Genoa, NEThe private pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while attempting aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot's disregard for procedures/directives, and attempted aerobatics, are factors.NTSB FTW93FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Liberty Hill, TXThe inadvertent stall with insufficient altitude to recover before terrain contact.NTSB DEN93FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWitts & Church Worloch · Lucerne, COLoss of control in flight. A factor was: the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.NTSB LAX93LA200Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman 164A · Biggs, CAFailure of the number 2 engine cylinder. A factor related to the accident was the lack of altitude for the pilot to make a successfull forced landing.NTSB CHI93LA162Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A33-35 · Theodosia, MOPoor preflight planning/preparation by the pilot. Factors related to the accident were the tailwind, a heavy weight load, and unsuitable terrain in which to land the airplane.NTSB CHI93FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Paoli, INThe pilot-in-command's inadequate preflight preparations and his failure to maintain airspeed. Factors were the instructor's inadequate training of the pilot-in-command, unqualified maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the aircraft and the…NTSB CHI93FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-18S · Lone Rock, WIwas a pre-mature extension of the landing gear by the pilot which resulted in the inability of the pilot to maintain the minimum descent altitude. Factors related to the accident were the loose cylinder and loss of oil.NTSB LAX93FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Jackson, CAA failure of the pilot to adequately calculate the required fuel for the flight and the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The failure of the non-instrument rated pilot to obtain a weather briefing, and adequately…NTSB LAX93LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCanadair F-86E MK.6 · Santa Ana, CAThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision concerning performance of an aerobatic maneuver, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the runway during recovery from the maneuver. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's lower…NTSB BFO93LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLeveck Vancraft · Hebron, OHFailure of the pilot to maintain rotor RPM, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience flying the gyroplane with a body enclosure.NTSB ANC93FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 204B · Copper Harbor, AKFatigue failure of the tail rotor gearbox, and improper helicopter operations being conducted by the operator resulting in repetitive at and over maximum loads. Factors in the accident were: material defect of the tail rotor gear box (inadequate quality…NTSB LAX93GA195Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMooney M20J · Sedona, AZUndetermined.NTSB DEN93FA053Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Mount Ida, ARThe pilot's failure to establish an adequate climb rate. Factors in the accident were: pilot fatigue from lack of sleep, and the weather conditions.NTSB CHI93FA153Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · De Kalb, ILThe failure of the pilot flying the airplane to maintain an airspeed above stall speed.NTSB DEN93FA052Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Telluride, COFailure of the pilot-in-command to plan and/or assure selection of an altitude/course combination that would provide terrain clearance, and failure of the other (second) pilot to adequately monitor the situation. Darkness, high (mountainous) terrain, and…NTSB CHI93MA143Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech C99 · Shelton, NEThe deliberate disregard for the federal aviation regulations, gp express procedures, and prudent concern for safety by the two pilots in their decision to execute an aerobatic maneuver during a scheduled check ride flight, and the failure of gp express…NTSB CHI93FA149Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Valley Park, MOImproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel, and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during approach to an emergency landing. A related factor was: failure of the pilot to…NTSB ANC93LA055Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Delta Junction, AKA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL93FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Statesboro, GAInadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot of N9317L to illuminate his aircraft navigation lights, and improper radio communications by the pilot of N47WD by selecting the wrong UNICOM…NTSB MIA93LA130Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSmith FW2C80TD · Lucedale, MSThe pilot in command's operation of the aircraft in a manner which exceeded design limitations which resulted in inflight failure and separation of the wings.NTSB LAX93FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Tucson, AZThe pilots improper preflight inspection, his failure to compeltely secure the aft utility door, and his failure to reconfigure the trim tabs to a takeoff setting. The utility door's sudden opening just after rotation and the effect of the nose up trim…NTSB SEA93FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Darrington, WAFuel exhaustion and the pilot in command's inadequate refueling of the aircraft.NTSB MIA93FA109Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU206D · Culebra, PRFatigue failure of the engine crankshaft that originated from a heat check crack in the journal, adjacent to the #2 main journal forward fillet.NTSB LAX93FA185Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Twin Peaks, CAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC, the radar controller's issuance of incorrect terrain information, the controller's failure to issue a low altitude safety alert, and the controller's failure to provide emergency services.NTSB FTW93FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSnobird 532 · Early, TXThe pilot's inadvertent porpoise. A factor was the improperly adjusted trim springNTSB ANC93FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Kashwitna, AKThe pilot in command not maintaining control of the airplane and his inadequate preflight preparation for high mountain terrain big game operations. Factors contributing to the accident were: the high terrain condition and the lack of total experience in the…NTSB FTW93FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B III · Austin, TXAircraft control not maintained by pilot in command. Factors were unfavorable winds and pilot's lack of recent experience.NTSB DCA93GA042Accident · 8 fatalClass 1Final reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Zwingle, IAThe fatigue cracking and fracture of the propeller hub arm. The resultant separation of the hub arm and the propeller blade damaged the engine, nacelle, wing, and fuselage, thereby causing significant degradation to aircraft performance and control that made…NTSB ATL93LA078Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDobbs VAN'S Aircraft RV-6 · Kingston, TNThe pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. A factor was the wind gust of 20-25 knots.NTSB FTW93FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Henryetta, OKThe pilot's decision to fly into known adverse weather conditions and the ensuing spatial disorientation. Factors were the weather, and the pilot's decision to fly into IMC with inadequate flight and navigational equipment installed in the aircraft.NTSB CHI93FAMS3Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportLake LA-4 · Superior, WIundetermined.NTSB CHI93FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Ettrick, WIAn inflight explosion of a toluene-based fluid inside the airplane's cockpit.NTSB DEN93FA043Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Elbert, COThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC. Factors were his lack of instrument training/experience, existing weather, and dark night conditions.NTSB DEN93FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Falcon, COInadequate supervision of the student pilot by the flight instructor. Factors were: IMC weather conditions, dark night, inaccurate weather evaluation by both the flight instructor and student pilot, and inadequate training of the student pilot.NTSB BFO93FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Edgewater, MDThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision after selecting the wrong runway for a precautionary landing , which resulted in an inadvertent descent into transmission lines, while attempting to maneuver back to the runway. Factors related to the accident…NTSB CHI93FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Rensselaer, INThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were fog and drizzle, and the pilot-in-command's continuing VFR flight into IMC conditions.NTSB FTW93FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hobart, OKInadvertent stall. Factors were the instructor pilot's spatial disorientation, his lack of total instrument time, the weather, and the dark night conditions.NTSB NYC93FA080Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Lapeer, NYThe pilot's improper inflight decision to continue flight into known icing conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain updated weather information prior to departure, the icing conditions, and the degraded…NTSB CHI93FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Kinsley, KSThe pilot initiated VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in a loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. The adverse weather conditions were factors which contributed to the accident.NTSB ATL93LA071Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKertesz Woody Pusher · Bradley, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during maneuvering flight, which resulted in a stall/spin and collision with the terrain.NTSB MIA93LA099Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKojima, Jun Lewis Cavalier · Dekalb, MSFailure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the lack of total experience by the pilot-in-command in the type operation.NTSB LAX93FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Novato, CAA loss of control for an undetermined reason(s).NTSB NYC93FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2B · North Benton, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate aircraft control due to alcohol impairment.NTSB CHI93LA134Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Belview, MNThe pilot-in-command's not maintaining proper altitude.NTSB NYC93FA076Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Oxford, MAThe pilot's selection of the wrong runway for takeoff which resulted in not being able to obtain adequate airspeed for climbout. A factor which contributed to the accident was the tailwind.NTSB NYC93LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Doylestown, PAFailure of the pilot passenger to maintain adequate airspeed and the failure of the pilot in command to adequately supervise the flight.NTSB SEA93FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Casper, WYFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude during the night IFR approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).NTSB FTW93FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-45H · Mooringsport, LAA total loss of right engine power, and a partial loss of left engine power, for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA93MA037Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-11 · Shemya, AKThe national transportation safety board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the inadequate design of the flap/slat actuation handle by the Douglas aircraft company that allowed the handle to be easily and inadvertently dislodged from the…NTSB CHI93FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Plattsmouth, NEThe pilot-in-command (CFI)'s failure to maintain airspeed.