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 CHI93FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Kansas City, MOThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb during a missed approach. Factors which contributed to the accident were: inoperative gyro instruments due to a broken vacuum pump, the dark night, adverse weather conditions, and rising…NTSB SEA93FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Marysville, WAThe design stress limits of the airframe were exceeded by the student pilot.NTSB NYC93LA038Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H-700 · Shelton, CTThe pilot's failure to check the position of the landing gear before attempting a water landing.NTSB LAX93FAMS2Accident · 4 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Missing Acft, CAUndetermined.NTSB SEA93FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Medford, ORThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from wires while buzzing.NTSB ATL93FA031Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55B · Calera, ALThe pilot's continued flight with the fuel tank selector handles improperly positioned, which resulted in fuel starvation and engine stoppage. Factors were the cloudy weather conditions, the night lighting conditions, and the steep, hilly terrain conditions…NTSB MIA93FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ocala, FLThe pilot-in-command becoming lost and disoriented and his failure to maintain altitude.NTSB LAX93LA057Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369B · Fallbrook, CAThat the pilot misjudged the distance of the high tension wires from the helicopter.NTSB CHI93GA046Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Kansas City, MOThe pilot-in-command's misjudging the distance during the autorotation.NTSB SEA93FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Rexburg, IDThe pilot in command's failure to maintain clearance with objects/terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings, snow, dark night conditions, trees, improper preflight planning and self induced pressure.NTSB ATL93FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Pike Road, ALThe failure of the pilot in command to maintain airspeed during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground. Factors were the inadequate preflight planning and preparation of the pilot in command in that he operated…NTSB LAX93FA055Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Thornton, CAThe failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid each other. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the sacramento controller to advise the stockton controller of the impending unsafe situation, and the failure of the stockton controller…NTSB LAX93LA056Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and improper remedial action by descending into high terrain. Contributing to this accident were the prevailing cloud condition.NTSB CHI93FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Waldron, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB ATL93FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · West Columbia, SCThe pilot's continued operation with known deficient equipment, his improper descent, and his failure to perform a missed approach. A factor was the operator's inadequate surveillance of the pilot's procedures and the maintenance of the airplane.NTSB SEA93FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Cedar City, UTClearance from mountainous terrain was not maintained. Factors to the accident were: dark night condition, snow showers, and intentional flight into known adverse weather.NTSB SEA93FA026Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A60 · Snoqualmie Pass, WAFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, his failure to prevent the aircraft from exceeding the never exceed speed (vne), and subsequent exceeding of the design stress limits of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: weather…NTSB LAX93LA048Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S-10 Sakota · San Jose, CA1) The loss of engine power due to undetermined reason(s), and, 2) the pilot not maintaining airspeed above the power off stall speed while maneuvering to the runway resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor in this accident was the pilot not having…NTSB LAX93LA047Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American F-51D · Wellington, NVThe pilot's improper handling of his airplane during the performance of an aerobatic maneuver with inadequate altitude.NTSB CHI93FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Brookfield, WISpatial disorientation, and failure to maintain proper glidepath.NTSB LAX93FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's decision to cruise at an altitude inadequate to ensure terrain clearance. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, the dark night, and likely instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DEN93FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Kersey, COInadvertent stall and loss of control due to structural icing. Factors were: icing conditions, and flight into known adverse weather.NTSB ATL93FA026Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in the inflight collision with high terrain. Factors were high wind and rain.NTSB ATL93FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Brownsboro, ALThe pilot failed to evaluate the wind conditions and took off with a tailwind which resulted in the collision with a tree on the departure end of the runway. Factors were dark night and tailwind.NTSB SEA93FA023Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207A · Elk City, IDThe pilot's continuation of a VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors include becoming lost, disoriented, falling snow, and mountainous, hilly terrain.NTSB FTW93FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Snook, TXThe pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions as a result of his alcoholic and drug impairment of efficiency and judgement. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain weather information, the dark night…NTSB CHI93LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Elk River, MNFailure of the pilot to refuel the airplane before the flight.NTSB LAX93FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU-206F · Clearlake, CAThe exhaust valve failing due to a complete fracture which resulted in the total lose of engine power. Factors in this accident were: 1) the terrain not being suitable for a forced landing, and 2) low ambient light which hampered the pilot's ability to see…NTSB LAX93LA041Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLitchford Falcon XP · Palm Springs, CAThe pilot's inflight loss of control for reasons related to the improper installation and functioning of the rudder control system, and, the pilot's inadvertent entry into a stall spin.NTSB BFO93FA005Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · War, WVVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, and the pilot allowing the design stress limits of the aircraft to be exceeded. Factors related to the accident…NTSB LAX93LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Ruby, AZFuel exhaustion due to inaccurate preflight planning.NTSB CHI93FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Elwood, ILThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper adequate altitude to avoid obstructions. Factors contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment of efficiency and judgement due to alcohol, and the dark night condition.NTSB ANC93GA020Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Beaver, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall at an altitude inadequate to affect a recovery. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the overweight airplane, and the snow covered mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA93FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210R · Boise, IDProper altitude was not maintained. Factors to the accident were: fog, dark night conditions, and improper IFR procedures.NTSB FTW93FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31ATC · Dublin, TXImproper IFR operation by the pilot by descending under instrument meteorological conditions below the minimum altitude and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering for a landing. Factors which contributed to the accident…NTSB BFO93FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Summersville, WVThe pilot's inadequate altitude (or clearance) from mountainous hilly terrain. Factors related to the accident were darkness, low clouds, and light snow.NTSB ATL93LA023Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBede BD-5B · Guntersville, ALThe pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane, during the base to final turn, at too low an altitude to effect recovery. Factors were the improper lift off, which resulted in the airplane re contacting the runway after lift off, and served to distract the…NTSB ANC93FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Kiana, AKThe pilot in command's attempt to fly VFR into IMC conditions. Factors were snow, whiteout conditions, and mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA93FA018Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M5 · Challis, IDThe pilot continued the VFR flight into IMC weather conditions. Factors relating to the accident were the snow and obscuration weather conditions, inadequate preflt planning/preparation by the pilot in command, and the mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX93LA032Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportR.W. Sherman Turbulent · Adelanto, CAThe pilot's improper emergency decision to attempt to return to the departure area. Contributing to this accident was the undetermined loss of power, inadequate altitude, and failure to maintain the airspeed.NTSB LAX93FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportGrumman AA-1B · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)Undetermined. The aircraft was not located.NTSB ANC93FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Montague Island, AKThe pilot's intentional VFR departure into instrument meteorological conditions, and the company chief pilot's failure to exercise adequate supervision. The weather conditions were factors in the accident.NTSB LAX93LA030Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Pahrump, NVThe pilot misjudged the pull up altitude.NTSB FTW93FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Uvalde, TXClearance not maintained by pilot in command.NTSB CHI93FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Valentine, NEThe pilot-in-command's intentional flight into an area of low ceilings, and his failure to maintain an altitude sufficient for terrain clearance. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's overconfidence, the low ceiling and the dark night…NTSB BFO93FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J5A · Lumberton, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent at an altitude not possible for recovery.NTSB LAX93WA028Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationde Havilland DHC-6-200 · KenyaNTSB LAX93FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Kelso, CAThe pilot's poor preflight planning; his inadequate weather evaluation; and his intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the turbulence, rain and low clouds.NTSB DEN93FA009Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-42 · Grand Junction, COImproper IFR procedure and resultant disorientation which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CHI93FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Ft. Riley, KSThe non-current student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain while operating at night, in instrument meteorological conditions.