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 CHI93FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 182P · Portage, INUndetermined.NTSB ATL93MA055Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed L382E-44K-20 · Marietta, GADisengagement of the rudder fly-by-wire flight control system resulting in a total loss of rudder control capability while conducting ground minimum control speed tests. The disengagement was a result of the inadequate design of the rudder's integrated…NTSB MIA93LA056Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFerran DOMINATOR-BIG ONE · Apopka, FLUndetermined.NTSB LAX93LA104Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Volcano Natl Pk, HIA loss of tail rotor control for an undetermined reason(s). A factor which contributed to the accident was the pilot's choice of a hover altitude/position inadequate to reach a shoreline in the event of an emergency. A factor which contributed to the severity…NTSB CHI93FA075Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Wichita, KSAn improper use of the flight controls by the pilot-in-command.NTSB LAX93LA100Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWohlers Steen Skybolt · Fountain Hills, AZThe pilot's initiation of a low level aerobatic maneuver at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain clearance.NTSB LAX93FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Tulare, CAThe installation of an unapproved wing tip fuel tank system; an inadequate annual inspection which did not note, or correct, the unapproved fuel system addition; a wing tank fuel selector valve installation without adequate placards to show position or…NTSB LAX93FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Sun City, CAThe pilot's decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the adverse weather, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW93FA072Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Dixie Inn, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ANC93FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Teller, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain an adequate terrain avoidance altitude. Factors which contributed to the accident were the dark night and featureless snow covered terrain, both which created a 'featureless terrain illusion' which probably led the…NTSB SEA93LA054Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Fruit Heights, UTVFR flight into IMC conditions was attempted by the pilot. Factors include rain, snow, and fog.NTSB MIA93WA049Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 95-B55B · Walkers Cay, BahamasNTSB SEA93GA052Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Chinook, MTInattentive FBO personnel.NTSB LAX93FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Reno, NVThe failure of the pilot to use pitot static system covers during icing conditions which resulted in a blocked pitot tube and subsequent loss of airspeed indications. This led to pilot disorientation and an invertant stall. Factors to the accident were…NTSB FTW93FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Porter, TXInadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's failure to follow the published checklist and the improper flap settingNTSB BFO93FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Ligonier, PAVisual flight rules (VFR) flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude from the wooded terrain. The terrain and adverse weather conditions were related factors.NTSB LAX93FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Hayward, CAThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were dark night light conditions and rain.NTSB BFO93FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Tonawanda, NYImproper inflight planning/decision by the pilot and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during flight. Factors related to the accident include poor visibility and weather conditions at dusk, and the pilot's excessive airspeed for the…NTSB BFO93FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Stow, MAAn inadequate preflight by the pilot, which allowed water contamination in the fuel and subsequent loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.NTSB MIA93LA047Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 337H · New Smyrna Bch, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering in a turn at a low altitude, resulting in an in-flight collision with the ocean.NTSB CHI93FA063Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Smiths Creek, MIThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the approach. Factors which contributed to the accident were the adverse weather conditions and the dark night.NTSB SEA93FA048Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B3 · Ogden, UTThe pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his decision to continue his landing attempts under the adverse weather conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the low clouds, fog and mountainous terrain.NTSB ATL93FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Ft. Bragg, NCThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the loss of control during the forced landing.NTSB MIA93FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Brilliant, ALThe pilot-in-command's intentional flight into adverse weather which resulted in a loss of control. In addition, the pilot was overconfident in his ability. Factors which contributed to the accident were the weather conditions and the dark night.NTSB MIA93FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Lillian, ALThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed as the aircraft was turned from base leg to final approach, resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent to the ground.NTSB LAX93FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690B · Herlong, CAAn inadvertent encounter with severe turbulence which exceeded the design strength of the airplane's structure.NTSB DEN93FA021Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Aurora, COCollision with terrain when the pilot inadvertently flew into fog while conducting a visual approach. Factors were: inaccurate weather evaluation by the pilot and lack of familiarity with the geographic area.NTSB FTW93FA061Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Tulsa, OKThe pilot's disregard of and descent below the published decision height. Factors were his failure to maintain proper glide path and localizer alignment.NTSB MIA93FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to attain an adequate climb rate during the missed approach in IMC conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's spatial disorientation.NTSB SEA93FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Lester, WAUndetermined.NTSB MIA93FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Tarpon Springs, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain the minumum descent altitude (mda) while on a non-precision instrument approach. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the flight service station (fss) specialist's failure to provide the published notice to airmen…NTSB FTW93FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Deridder, LAThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane in IMC. A factor was his lack of recent instrument flight experience.NTSB DEN93FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690C · Golden, COThe pilot flying the aircraft beyond the design maneuvering speed and exceeding the design stress limits. A factor was: clear air turbulence.NTSB DCA93RA011Accident · 56 fatalForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F · Faro, PortugalNTSB ATL93FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Phenix City, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions. A factor was the pilots lack of total experience in instrument flight conditions.NTSB MIA93FA031Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 · Orlando, FLThe pilot's failure to feather the propeller to maintain altitude following a loss of power of the left engine. The power loss was due to an improperly maintained fuel system. In addition, the right engine lost power for an undetermined reason(s).NTSB CHI93FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Gaylord, MIThe pilot-in-command exceeded the airplane's design stress limits.NTSB ATL93LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDonald Rhodes Moni 110 · Greenville, TNThe pilot's operation of the aircraft beyond its design stress limits.NTSB SEA93GA041Accident · 8 fatalFinal reportCessna 550 · Billings, MTThe pilot-in-command's failure to follow established vortex avoidance procedures, as published in the airman's information manual, to provide his own wake turbulence separation.NTSB LAX93LA069Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLydick LONG-EZ · Tucson, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed or power setting sufficient to maintain engine rotation during the low speed demonstration. A factor in the accident was the insufficient altitude to affect an engine restart once the propeller stopped turning.NTSB LAX93FA068Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Laie, HIThe pilot's inadvertent flight into a mountainous area where he lost visual reference to illuminated ground features which resulted in his becoming disoriented. Factors which contributed to the accident were: 1) the dark sky and low cloud conditions; 2) the…NTSB CHI93FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Bowman, NDThe non instrument rated private pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance after inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC93FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 18T · Cleveland, OHThe improper installation of the elevator by company maintenance personnel and the lack of proper inspections by a company certified mechanic/inspector and the FAA certified mechanic with inspector authorization. A factor in this accident was an…NTSB SEA93FA039Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Aberdeen, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude, and an inadequate visual lookout. Factors include weather below approach minimums, fog, drizzle, and a dark night.NTSB LAX93FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Oceanside, CAThe airplane colliding with the ocean due to unknown reason (s).NTSB SEA93FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wilsonville, ORThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft.NTSB FTW93FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller FH-1100 · Forney, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter as a result of his physical impairment due to alcohol. Factors contributing to the accident were: the dark night and the pilot's likely diversion of his attention from operating the helicopter.NTSB BFO93FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-45G · Elkridge, MDFailure of the pilot to properly secure the cargo, which allowed a shift in the center of gravity during a missed approach maneuver and resulted in subsequent loss of aircraft control and flying speed. A factor related to the accident was failure of the pilot…NTSB SEA93FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-33 · Riverton, UTTerrain clearance was not maintained. Factors to the accident were: snow and flight into known adverse weather.NTSB NYC93LA040Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300LR · Flushing, NYA lack of adequate clearance between the walker and tug which resulted in the walker being struck by the tug when he fell for unknown reason(s). A factor related to the accident was the lack of a policy to stay clear of the tug, towbar, and nosewheel of the…