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 CHI92FA145Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Arnold, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were improper adjustment of the carburetor float level by an unknown person, and the pilot's disregarding weight-and-balance.NTSB CHI92FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft F19 · Harvard, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the initial climb out. A related factor is the pilot's lack of recent experience.NTSB BFO92FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Lusby, MDA failure of the carburetor resulting in a loss of engine power.NTSB LAX92LA207Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLawrence H. Macey Quicksilver GT500 · Perris, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of his airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW92FA127Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNanchang YAK-18A · Richmond, TXInadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious display and the low altitude.NTSB ATL92LA099Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Samburg, TNThe pilot's poor judgement in that he attempted aerobatic maneuvers at an altitude that was too low to recover from the maneuver.NTSB LAX92FA206Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22B · Anaheim, CAThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor RPM during the autorotation.NTSB LAX92FA204Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Cucamonga, CAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the adverse weather conditions, his physical impairment due to drugs, and the mountainous…NTSB LAX92FA201Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Camarillo, CAThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument missed approach procedure, and his failure to initiate a timely climb after being given a low altitude alert. Factors contributing to the accident were: the controller's failure to take positive action…NTSB ATL92FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Mt. Pleasant, TNA divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in rotor contact to the cockpit area.NTSB NYC92FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Southbury, CTThe failure of the pilot to monitor his fuel supply which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion and an inadvertent stall/spin as the pilot was maneuvering for a forced landing. Factors related to the accident was improper maintenance on the fuel…NTSB LAX92FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Pinyon Pines, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain which resulted in getting trapped in a box canyon, resulting in a stall due to inadequate airspeed. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's decision…NTSB DEN92IA050Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · Denver, COThe captain suffered a fatal heart attack.NTSB ANC92FAMS2Accident · 5 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 340 · Yakutat, AKMissing aircraft due to undetermined causes.NTSB SEA92LA089Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPilatus B-4 PC 11A · Wenatchee, WAFailure by the pilot to maintain airspeed, resulting in aircraft stall.NTSB MIA92FA121Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Odessa, FLLoss of engine power on initial takeoff climb on all engines for undetermined reasons. This resulted in a forced landing, in flight collision with trees, terrain, and postcrash fire.NTSB BFO92FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSam R. Crowell SH-2R · Somerville, VAThe pilot's inadequate handling of aircraft during aerobatic maneuver which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were lack of experience in operation.NTSB LAX92LA386Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Avalon, CAA loss of control due to pilot incapacitation for an undetermined reason(s).NTSB LAX92FA196Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23-24 · Corona, CA1) The flying pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and significant damage to the aircraft empennage flight controls, 2) the flying pilot's decision to initiate a go around with the obvious serious damage to the aircraft, and 3) the…NTSB ATL92LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchreder RS-15 · Benton, TNThe pilot's misjudged approach to the open field, which resulted in the forced landing on the obstacle lined road.NTSB MIA92WA119Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-300 · San Michele, HaitiNTSB BFO92FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Adamstown, MDFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB MIA92WA116Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Marsh Harbour, BahamasNTSB LAX92FA188Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Reno, NVThe pilot's poorly planned approach to compensate for the existing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed.NTSB ATL92FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Gatlinburg, TNThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to attain a proper altitude over high, mountainous terrain. Factors were the high terrain, and the fog, clouds, and obscuration at the accident site.NTSB ATL92FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Burnsville, NCThe pilot's failure to adequately evaluate the weather information and his continued visual flight into instrument conditions, which resulted in a collision with high terrain. A factor was the dark night.NTSB DEN92FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-34 · Elbert, COThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the glider resulting in separation of the right wing. A contributing factor to the accident was: the pilot's limited experience in the Schweizer sgs 1-34.NTSB LAX92FA185Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Long Beach, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above the airplane's stall speed (vs) and inadvertent entry into a spin. The engine failure resulting from contaminated fuel and inadequate preflights were factors in the accident.NTSB MIA92FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · New Port Richey, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vs) while maneuvering for a forced landing following an in flight left engine fire for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's inadvertent shutdown of the wrong engine.NTSB LAX92MA184Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech E18S · Mount Haleakala, HIThe captain's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions that obscured rising mountainous terrain and his failure to properly use available navigational information to remain clear of the island of maui. Contributing to the…NTSB SEA92FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Shaw Island, WAA delayed go-around, and procedures not being followed. Factors include a lack of total experience in this type of operation, trees near the runway, and an uphill runway slope.NTSB MIA92LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed while buzzing which resulted in the aircraft stalling and entering a spin.NTSB MIA92FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion NAV-A · Monteverde, FLThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC conditions and subsequent loss of control of the airplane in flight.NTSB LAX92MA183Accident · 16 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-200 · Perris, CAThe pilot-in-command's inadvertent feathering of the wrong propeller following an engine power loss, and the failure of the operator to assure that the pilot was provided with adequate training in the airplane. Factors related to the accident were: water…NTSB ATL92LA086Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-600/18M · Newnan, GAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall at too low of an altitude to effect recovery.NTSB ATL92FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather (wind condition), and the inflight decision to hover with gusting tailwinds, which resulted in a complete loss of tail rotor control. A factor was gusting tailwinds.NTSB NYC92DNC02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCraig Morehead Bushby Mustang II · Buxton, METhe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall with insufficent altitude for recovery. Factors related to the accident were the low clouds and fog, and the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing.NTSB MIA92FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · MissingUndetermined.NTSB FTW92DPD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEichblatt X-5 · Fort Worth, TXThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.NTSB NYC92FA079Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hamburg, PAThe pilot's improper in-flight decision, his failure to follow proper IFR procedures, and an improperly planned approach, which resulted in an inflight collision with rising terrain during the execution of the missed approach procedure. Factors related to the…NTSB MIA92FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Bushnell, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vso) while maneuvering during a forced landing. This resulted in an inadvertent stall, in flight loss of control, and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's failure…NTSB SEA92FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Briggsdale, COProper altitude was not maintained. Factors include ostentatious display.NTSB LAX92FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Placerville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane and his improper use of the flight controls which endured airframe loads that exceeded the aircraft's design stress limits. Factors which contributed to the accident related to the pilot's encounter with…NTSB CHI92FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Kellyville, OKAn inadvertent stall and misjudgement of an emergency procedure by the pilot in trying to stretch the forced landing approach to make it to the airstrip.NTSB SEA92FA075Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Englewood, COA loss of airplane control initiated by inadvertent control interference by the passenger pilot while apparently attempting to quell a disturbance of an unknown nature. As a result, the pilot did not, or was unable to, maintain sufficient control of the…NTSB NYC92FA078Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Narrows, VAThe pilot's decision to attempt VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and the subsequent loss of airplane control. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, and his disregard of forcasted adverse weather along the…NTSB LAX92FA174Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Baxter, CA1) A partial loss of the airplane's vacuum system which resulted in the total loss of the directional gyro and the attitude indicator, 2) the pilot not maintaining aircraft control due spatial disorientation, and 3) the pilot not correcting for a spiral by…NTSB ATL92FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Young Harris, GAThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night, rain, and mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA92LA074Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Sonerai 1 · Harrisburg, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude sufficient to avoid colliding with terrain while performing acrobatic maneuvers as a result of his alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgement. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilots disregard of…NTSB FTW92LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · Lawton, OKThe pilots'decision to fly into marginal VFR weather. A factor was the guy wire and fog.