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 LAX92FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Boulder City, NVThe instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student pilot to insure the proper flap setting for takeoff which resulted in the proper climb rate not being attained. Contributing to the accident was rising terrain.NTSB FTW92GA157Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Sunland Park, NMThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the wires.NTSB CHI92LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Brainerd, MNAn excessive pull up and failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed by the pilot in command.NTSB CHI92FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 25B · Sheboygan Falls, WIThe copilot's premature liftoff and the captain's inadequate remedial action resulting in loss of aircraft control at low altitude.NTSB LAX92FA242Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Chino Hills, CAThe pilot's poor weather evaluation and inflight decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI92FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Bloomington, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the turn from base leg to final approach.NTSB NYC92FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180G · Reynoldsville, PAThe pilot's failure to refuel resulting in fuel exhaustion and subsequent forced landing in trees.NTSB MIA92GA134Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna U206-F · Live Oak, FLImproper maintenance of the fuel system by the pilot/mechanic resulting in an engine failure on takeoff over terrain unsuitable for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to turn back to the runway, and…NTSB LAX92FA241Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Big Sur, CAPilot incapacition.NTSB ATL92MA118Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech C99 · Anniston, ALThe failure of senior management of gp express to provide adequate training and operational support for the startup of the southern operation, which resulted in the assignment of an inadequately prepared captain with a relatively inexperienced first officer…NTSB NYC92LA099Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMurdock/Gates/Field Kolb MK-III · Boonville, NYThe failure of the pilot to maintain proper airspeed, resulting in a stall and loss of airplane control. A factor related to the accident was the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.NTSB MIA92MA131Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCASA 212 · Mayaguez, PRThe failure of the beta blocking device for undetermined reason(s), and the second-pilot's inadvertent activation of the power lever, or levers, aft of the flight idle position and into the beta range, resulting in a loss of airplane control.NTSB FTW92FA152Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti SF260B · Decatur, TXThe loss of engine power as the result of the failure of the engine oil pump. Factors were non compliance with a service bulletin, the lack of suitable terrain, and inadvertent stall.NTSB DEN92LA055Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTakemoto KR-2 · Aurora, COThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertant stall.NTSB ATL92GA121Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Summerville, SCThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC, which resulted in an in flight collision with trees. Factors were the obscured sky and foggy weather conditions, and the night lighting conditions at the time of the accident.NTSB LAX92FA236Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Sylmar, CAThe pilot's failure to adequately judge and evaluate the weather conditions and his improper in-flight decision to fly close to clouds. These acts led to his entering IMC and becoming lost and disoriented.NTSB FTW92LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLewis-Starduster SA300 · Wills Point, TXThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout.NTSB SEA92FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Moxee City, WAThe pilot in command's inadvertently allowing the aircraft to stall. A factor contributing to the accident was: rising terrain.NTSB ANC92LA085Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft F-19 · Suckling Hills, AKThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed and stalled the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.NTSB CHI92FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Almont, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff while physically impaired by alcohol.NTSB NYC92FA093Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Brookeville, MDImproper inflight planning/decision by the flight instructor (pic/cfi) in the Cessna 172, his misjudgement of distance between the two airplanes, and inadequate visual lookout by both pilots in the Cessna 172.NTSB FTW92FA145Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · El Campo, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed.NTSB ATL92FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lake Waccamaw, NCThe failure of the pilot to follow proper procedures while operating the aircraft in weather conditions favorable to carburetor icing. A factor in the accident was the weather condition, which was favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB MIA92LA128Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A150L · Cocoa Beach, FLDescent into the ocean for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX92LA228Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Strawberry, AZThe pilot committed suicide due to the pilot's emotional state from interpersonal relations.NTSB FTW94LA288Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Lake City, COFlight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's lack of instrument experience.NTSB CHI92DCD05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRutter 532 Commander · Washburn, IAFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the gryocopter during initial climb.NTSB ATL92LA110Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWicks Bobcat · White House, TNThe pilot/owner's improper design change of the wing spar which resulted in the overload failure of the left wing. A factor was the pilot/owner's failure to perform a periodic inspection.NTSB MIA92FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172-H · Clewiston, FLThe failure of the pilot-in-command (student pilot) to maintain an airspeed above stall, and his inadvertent stall and spin.NTSB LAX92FA220Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S-35 · Avalon, CA1) Improper preflight planning, 2) the pilots selection of the wrong runway for departure which put the aircraft immediately in an area of restricted visibility and fog after liftoff, 3) the pilots intentional flight into instrument conditions, and 4) his…NTSB LAX92LA218Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWillis Homebuilt Gyrocopter · Adelanto, CAA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA92FA109Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Colburn, IDThe pilot became lost/disoriented, failed to maintain airspeed when he attempted to reverse course in a box canyon, and the aircraft stalled. Factors relating to the accident were the narrow box canyon, the high density altitude, and the lack of mountain…NTSB ATL92FA108Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Cherokee, NCThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft as a result of spatial disorientation. The lack of total flight time, and rain in the accident area were factors in the accident.NTSB BFO92LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C · Camillus, NYThe pilot's failure to properly judge the ground clearance required to perform an aerobatic manuever.NTSB ATL92FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-210C · Wetumpka, ALThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain proper clearance from the transmission wires.NTSB SEA92FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Eatonville, WAUndetermined.NTSB SEA92FA113Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · St. Ignatius, MTThe pilot in command's inadvertently allowing the aircraft to enter into a stall/spin. Factors contributing to the accident were: terrain condition, rising terrain, and the pilot in command's lack of familiarity with the geographic area.NTSB LAX92FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Cottonwood, AZA failure of the student pilot to conduct an adequate pre-flight inspection to remove contaminated fuel; a failure to maintain adequate airspeed to prevent an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual inspection of the fuel…NTSB CHI92LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Robinson, ILPoor judgement by the pilot in intentionally proceeding to the airport in instrument meteorological conditions. The weather conditions were a factor.NTSB ATL92LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188 · Elba, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects (trees), and his inadequate visual lookout. A factor was the trees located in the practice area.NTSB LAX92FA211Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BL · Chandler, AZAn excessive pull-up during departure and a failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was continued flight operations with known airworthiness deficiencies.NTSB BFO92FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Princeton, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance over an obstacle. Contributing factors were a tailwind, dark night, and premature raising of the flaps.NTSB CHI92DTK01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Iroquois, SDAn improper maneuver and failure to attain level off by the pilot in command while performing aerial application.NTSB SEA92LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Davenport, WAPoor in flight planning/decision. Factors to the accident were: mountainous/hilly terrain and terrain clearance was not maintained.NTSB SEA92FA101Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Glendive, MTAn excessive rate of descent, and the pilot's overconfidence in himself and the aircraft.NTSB SEA92FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA-341G · Yamhill, ORThe pilot misjudged a maneuver performed at inadequate altitude.NTSB LAX92LA210Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · S.Lake Tahoe, CAThat the pilot-in-command used poor judgment by flying at an unwarranted low altitude and misjudged the clearance between the tree tops and the airplane.NTSB BFO92FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 · Madison, VAThe pilot initiated VFR flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was low ceiling, high terrain, and low altitude.NTSB ATL92FA102Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Greenville, NCFailure of the pilot to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's self-induced pressure to make the flight, and his lack of total…NTSB FTW92DRD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAyres S2R · Hebert, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain.