Fatal NTSB investigations
180,658 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,636 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 SEA91FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT-300T · Mayfield, UTPoor in flight planning/decision. Factors to the accident were: flight into known adverse weather, inadvertent VFR flight into IMC and inadequate clearance.NTSB LAX91LA383Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Arroyo Grande, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude, and continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DEN91DTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCresawn Pitts S1-C · Calhan, COThe pilot's failure to attain adequate aircraft control to avoid terrain collision.NTSB CHI91LA282Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Emporia, KSThe pilot's VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his delay in taking remedial action. The weather (fog) was a related factor.NTSB ATL91LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235C · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from objects while practicing aerial application procedures.NTSB LAX91LA377Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKaman HH43 B/F · Coleville, CAThe failure of the pilot to adequately calculate the helicopter performance. Contributing to the accident was a delay in jettisoning the external load; the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities; and exceeding of the helicopter's hover ability during high…NTSB CHI91DCD03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportTullis Tierra II · Ottumwa, IAFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during maneuvering flight.NTSB BFO91FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Sod, WVThe improper level off which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was fuel starvation resulting in partial loss of engine power.NTSB MIA91GA211Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobinson R-22 Beta · Lake City, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout due to his diverted attention to observe and enter the location of an illegal marijuana patch into the on board loran unit.NTSB CHI91DEV03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHocker Dragonfly · Metropolis, ILPilot's failure to maintain airspeed above stall.NTSB SEA91FA223Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale 350 B1 · Walton, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB MIA91FA210Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Miami, FLThe failure of the pilot to adequately drain the fuel system of water. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff with a known deficiency. The pilot's selection of a forced landing area was poor in that a better landing area was…NTSB MIA91FA209Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Dawson, GAThe pilot in command's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering.NTSB FTW91FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 412 · Garden BanksOverheating and subsequent failure of the number one tail rotor hanger bearing for an undeterined reason, and failure of the tail rotor drive shaft.NTSB SEA91FA220Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Arlington, WYThe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors contriubting to the accident were trees and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance above the trees.NTSB NYC91FA218Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Marlboro, NJThe pilot's improper aircraft handling which resulted in an inadvertent stall and loss of control at an altitude insufficient for recovery. Factors related to the accident were an engine failure due to fuel exhaustion and improper preflight preparation.NTSB ANC91FA132Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Eklutna Lake, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the high terrain.NTSB SEA91FA216Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's attempting to operate VFR in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were upsloping terrain in the aircraft's flight path as well as weather conditions resulting in an obscuration of the terrain.NTSB FTW91FA149Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Waller, TXThe instructor pilot's failure to take remedial action during stall/spin training. Factors were the instructor's overconfidence in his personal ability and the student's apprehension of stalls.NTSB LAX91LA365Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Oceano, CAUnknown. The main airplane wreckage and the body of the pilot are presumed lost at sea.NTSB SEA91LA210Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeyerts Rans S-10 · Stanwood, WAAn undetermined loss of engine power and the pilot's allowing the airspeed to decelerate below the stall speed during the subsequent forced landing.NTSB DEN91FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Climax, COImproper in-flight planning/decision by the non-rated pilot and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's lack of qualification.NTSB ANC91FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5 · Ruby, AKA loss of control inflight due to improper aircraft handling and alcohol impairment.NTSB NYC91FA212Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Brookhaven, NYPilot physiological incapacitation which resulted in a loss of control in flight, and an uncontrolled descent into water.NTSB ATL91LA162Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHarold J. Eagen Pitts Special S-1C · Monroe, GAContamination and water existing in the fuel system which resulted in engine stoppage and the pilot's continued flight with a known aircraft deficiency.NTSB ATL91FA161Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Kathleen, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while descending at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog, the pilot's lack of qualification in multi-engine aircraft, his lack of experience in this type of aircraft, his overconfidence in…NTSB SEA91FA207Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Gustavus, AKVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather and terrain conditions.NTSB LAX91LA359Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBenson/Ambrocini/Wentzel B-8MJ · Turlock, CAThe pilot's over rotation of the gyrocopter during the takeoff sequence which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the poor maintenance practices performed on the machine.NTSB CHI91FA264Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Jerseyville, ILFailure of the pilot to follow proper procedures during a go-around maneuver, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper use of the flaps, his improper use…NTSB CHI91DCJ06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A188D · Gothenburg, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's abrupt handling of the airplane.NTSB FTW91FA147Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Dalhart, TXThe pilot's flight into known adverse weather. Factors were the pilot's lack of instrument experience and existing weather conditions.NTSB CHI91FA266Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Boyne City, MIThe pilot in command's failure to maintain proper altitude. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's diverted attention..NTSB CHI91FA259Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Guide Rock, NESpatial disorientation, and exceeding the design limits of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident are inadequate preflight planning, VFR flight into IMC, flight weather avoidance assistance not followed, excessive altitude, physical impairment…NTSB CHI91DCD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCanadian Car & Foundry Harvard Mark IV · Ida Grove, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB SEA91FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChristen Industries Pitts S-2B · Scappoose, ORThe pilot's misjudgment of altitude, while performing an aerobatic maneuver, and his failure to maintain ground clearance.NTSB NYC91FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Muncie Valley, PAThe pilot's attempt to maintain visual flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a collision with trees. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a pre-flight weather briefing and his failure to maintain…NTSB FTW91FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Midland, TXThe pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his physiological incaapacitation. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the usage of pain medications.NTSB NYC91FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Wawayanda, NYThe pilot started a spin maneuver at too low an altitude to allow recovery. A factor in the accident was scattered clouds at 2500 feel MSL.NTSB FTW91FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Heath, TXThe inadvertent stall following an abrupt pull up while maneuvering at low altitude, and the pilot's impairment due to to alcohol and drug consumption.NTSB DEN91FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Hygiene, COSuicide. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's other psychological condition.NTSB CHI91FA254Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Ottumwa, IAImproper IFR procedure by the pilot by not maintaining the proper minimum descent altitude (mda) until established on the ILS localizer and glidepath.NTSB SEA91LA202Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylor Air Command 532 Elite · Libby, MTLoss of control during takeoff due to the pilot's total lack of experience in the type of aircraft.NTSB NYC91FA199Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Pleasantville, NJA power loss due to a failed crankshaft, while operating over unsuitable terrain. Factors related to the accident were, the night conditions, the failure of maintenance personnel to detect the cracks using magnaflux inspections, the lack of adequate…NTSB CHI91LA246Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35A · Hager City, WIThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed above stalling speed while maneuvering.NTSB LAX91FA342Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Reno, NVFailure of the pilot to maintain proper airspeed by employing an excessive angle of attack during the takeoff climb during a go-around resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent inflight loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor…NTSB NYC91FA196Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · New Paltz, NYFailure of the instructor pilot (CFI) to assure that the proper altitude was maintained. A factor related to the accident was: the cfi's lack of experience in the type of operation.NTSB LAX91LA340Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Lake Elsinore, CAThe in-flight failure of the right elevator. Factors relating to this accident was the pilot's decision to perform aerobatics at an improper altitude.NTSB LAX91FA344Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Lovelock, NVFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude for obstruction clearance, and his inadequate visual scan.NTSB BFO91FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210N · Petersburg, VAThe pilot's inadequate pre-takeoff check and his failure to abort the takeoff. Inadequate maintenance of the engine was a factor.NTSB NYC91FA194Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Monongahela, PAThe failure of the pilot to achieve a proper touchdown on the runway due to diverted attention, pressure, and other psychological condition.