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 DEN91FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Gypsum, COThe pilot flying into known adverse icing and thunderstorm weather conditions which resulted in the loss of control of the aircraft.NTSB NYC91FA001Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Gorham, NHImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain proper altitude while flying over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, mountainous terrain, and pilot fatigue.NTSB MIA91FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErik K. Van Der Kaay Marco J-5 · Clearwater, FLThe pilot's inadvertent deployment of the air brakes at a low altitude.NTSB ANC90LA189Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-4-210C · 60 E Of Bethel, AKContinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain altitude and clearance above mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse terrain and weather conditions, the…NTSB LAX90DUQ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportFolland Gnat T-1 · Mojave, CAThe pilots failure to correct a descent during a low level aerobactics.NTSB FTW90LA187Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Greers Ferry, ARThe pilot's decision to penetrate adverse weather and the resultant spatial disorientation. Factors were the weather conditions and the pilot's lack of instrument training/experience.NTSB CHI90DEV10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCarlson Commander Elite · Jerseyville, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyroplane.NTSB CHI90DEE10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJeff Pierson Pierson Pusher · Kankakee, ILA loss of engine power due to activation of carburetor choke and an inadvertent stall during the forced landing.NTSB ATL90FA183Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA5B · Gallatin, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude which resulted in the inadvertent descent into the ground, and his diverted attention to another airplane. Factors in the accident were fog, dark night, fatigue from lack of sleep, and a lack of recent night…NTSB SEA90LA199Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Neilton, WAThe failure of the crew to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain. Factors to the accident were mountainous and box canyon terrain.NTSB NYC90FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Nantucket, MAThe pilot's improper IFR operation in attempting an ILS approach in an airplane not equipped with an ILS glide slope receiver. The weather conditions were factors in the accident.NTSB NYC90DNA05Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Chatham, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed which resulted in an accelerated stall and loss of airplane control.NTSB LAX90FA336Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed PV-2 · Lakeport, CAThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed during a pull-up from a low pass. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's poor judgement in buzzing the seaplanes which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from the stall, and…NTSB CHI90LA277Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNavion L-17A · Fort Wayne, INPoor judgement of the pilot due to impairment from consumption of alcohol and use of a drug, and his failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance above wooded terrain. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB SEA90FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Bend, ORAn engine power loss due to fuel starvation as a result of a broken seal in the fuel injector servo. In addition, the pilot misjudged his approach into an open field.NTSB MIA90FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-T34 · Thornton, MSThe improper drilling of a hole in the spar cap by a mechanic resulting in the initiation of fatigue cracking in the spar cap and subsequent failure of the spar cap and inflight separation of the wing.NTSB LAX90DUG10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportELY Thorp T-18 · Claremont, CAA loss of control for undetermined reason(s).NTSB BFO90FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Jefferson, MDThe failure of the tail rotor drive transmission system due to a worn tail rotor splined drive sleeve, and inadequate maintenance and/or inspection by the operator. Contributing to the loss of control was the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor…NTSB ATL90FA179Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Jefferson, GAFailure of the pilot to perform the correct emergency procedures, when confronted with a loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB LAX90FA332Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot's improper IFR (instrument) procedure, and his failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude (mda) for the approach. The adverse weather was a related factor.NTSB FTW90FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20A · San Ysidro, NMFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a night VFR flight. Darkness and mountainous terrain were related factors.NTSB NYC90FA227Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Eliot, METhe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the over weight condition, upsloping runway, premature rotation, and the pilot's lack of experience in type aircraft and general aviation operations.NTSB BFO90FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChristen Industries A-1 · Middle River, MDThe pilot delayed his recovery from an intentional spin manuever until there was insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB NYC90FA226Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Smithfield, PAThe failure of both pilots to maintain aircraft control while conducting training maneuvers at an altitude that precluded a safe recovery.NTSB NYC90FA225Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Berlin, VTThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain aircraft control after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and…NTSB DEN90FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Marble, COFailure of the private pilot (student pilot) to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed above mountainous terrain, and inadequate supervision by the instructor pilot (CFI) and her delay in taking remedial action. Factors related to the accident were: the…NTSB LAX90FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Flagstaff, AZVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude during the approach to land. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, the adverse weather conditions, and failure of…NTSB MIA90WA184Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicNTSB DCA90MA055Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Marana, AZImproper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, and his failure to use a checklist. Factors related to the accident were: the faa's inadequate surveillance of the operation, the faa's insufficient standards/requirements, the pilot's operation of the…NTSB NYC90FA223Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Livingston, NYThe pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft while maneuvering for an ILS approach. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent instrument flight experience, low cloud ceilings and fog, and failure to follow IFR procedures.NTSB LAX90LA326Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Mount Wilson, CAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC. Contributing factors related to the pilot's failure to request in-flight weather avoidance assistance and his misjudged evaluation of the en route weather.NTSB BFO90FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-601P · Wiley Ford, WVThe pilot's improper IFR procedure by not maintaining sufficient altitude, while circling to land. Factors related to the accident were: the low ceiling and visibility conditions in fog.NTSB LAX90DUM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportParrigin RV-4 · Poway, CAThe pilot's performing low level acrobatic maneuvers and failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB FTW90FA183Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Kingsville, TXThe fatigue failure of the left flange on the tail boom saddle fitting.NTSB SEA90FA183Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172-P · Hood River, ORThe pilot in command's encountering spatial disorientation and his failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB CHI90FA265Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Aberdeen, SDFailure to maintain a safe airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB SEA90FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Prospect, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude during his approach. The dark night condition was a contributing factor.NTSB NYC90FA220Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Plain City, OHPoor judgement of the pilot due to consumption of alcohol, flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness,…NTSB FTW90FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Blue Ridge, TXThe pilot's decision to perform buzzing type maneuvers, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI90FA263Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Paris, ILThe pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog and the dark night.NTSB CHI90DEM09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportComben Bowers Flybaby IA · Cheboygan, MIUndetermined.NTSB SEA90GA180Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 204B · Keller, WAThe total loss of engine power due to turbine blade separation while the pilot was operating in the aircraft at a gross weight that exceeded performance specifications for existing meteorological conditions. Factors include the failure or inability to…NTSB FTW90FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Conway, ARThe pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and his delayed decision to abort the landing. Factors were the weather conditions.NTSB FTW90FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell B206LI · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's decision to fly into the known adverse weather and the weather/light conditions.NTSB DEN90FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorane-Saulnier MS760 · Albuquerque, NMFailure of the pilot to maintain a climb after takeoff, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, pilot fatigue, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in night flying operation.NTSB ATL90DLG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A188B · Aiken, SCThe pilot's delayed pull-up during an aerial application swath which resulted in the collision with a static wire associated with electrical transmission lines.NTSB LAX90FA320Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A152 · Tucson, AZFailure of the pilot to recover from a spin. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's failure to assure there was adequate altitude to recover from an inadvertent or intentional spin, and his lack of recent expereince in the type of operation.NTSB LAX90LA319Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · Long Beach, CAThe pilot's inadequate passenger briefing, and his failure to provide proper assistance to the exiting passenger.NTSB DEN90LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E 33 · Tulsa, OKThe pilot's failure to select the right tank prior to the approach resulting in fuel starvation.NTSB BFO90DID02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 182R · Evington, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft because of spatial disorientation. A contributing cause is failure of the vacuum system.