Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 GAA22WA190Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA25 · Brasilandia De Minas, BrazilNTSB GAA22WA181Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Piracuara, ColombiaNTSB CEN22FA203Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Cleburne, TXThe student pilot’s decision to operate the airplane after consuming alcohol, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and a subsequent loss of control at a low altitude.NTSB GAA22WA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSikorsky S61N · Tongyeong-si, KiribatiNTSB ERA22FA227Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Blairstown, NJThe student pilot’s failure to maintain proper alignment with the landing area during the approach, which resulted in the left wing impacting a tree.NTSB ERA22FA226Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172H · Miami, FLA total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB GAA22WA183Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Boituva, BrazilNTSB ERA22FA223Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Athens, GAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN22FA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Broomfield, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR22FA173Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBlue Side UP Comp AIR 8 SS52 · Grasmere, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR22FA172Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV10 · Sausalito, CAThe pilot’s improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA22LA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Tybee Island, GAA loss of airplane control due to pilot incapacitation, which resulted in an overflight of his destination and subsequent descent into water.NTSB ERA22FA218Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Altha, FLThe pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which…NTSB WPR22FA169Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBearhawk LSA · Kalispell, MTAn excessive pitch control input for undetermined reasons while the airplane was operating above maneuvering speed, which led to a structural failure of the right wing during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the poor construction quality of the…NTSB GAA22WA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignRockwell 690 · Charallave, VenezuelaNTSB GAA22WA171Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Sioux Lookout Ontario, CanadaNTSB CEN22LA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSuperior Culver LFA · Syracuse, KSThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall while returning to the airport following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA22FA207Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Elba, NYThe pilots’ inappropriate flight control inputs while in vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.NTSB WPR22FA164Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Cedar City, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.NTSB GAA22WA162Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMooney M20K · Springbank, AB, CanadaNTSB ERA22FA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 340 · Covington, GAThe private pilot’s loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s decision to obtain flight instruction from the private pilot and the private pilot's insufficient qualifications to…NTSB WPR22FA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 337 · Sylmar, CAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while troubleshooting a landing gear issue, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an altitude too low to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from alcohol consumption.NTSB GAA22WA176Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 207 · Carrefour, HaitiNTSB GAA22WA159Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Coonagarabran, AustraliaNTSB ERA22FA189Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19B · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s improper preflight assembly of the glider’s elevator control, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff, and the pilot’s failure to complete a positive control check before the flight, which would have identified the disconnected elevator…NTSB ANC22FA030Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Gila Bend, AZThe student pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing approach.NTSB GAA22WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 188 · Mineiros, BrazilNTSB WPR22FA151Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208B · Heyburn, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in a descent below the approach path and impact with a vent stack. Also causal was the failure of the processing plant to correctly paint the vent stacks, which had been…NTSB WPR22FA148Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTaylorcraft BL-65 · Counselor, NMA loss of control while maneuvering at a high-density altitude in gusty wind conditions.NTSB ENG22WA019Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSikorsky S92 · Jeju Island, South KoreaNTSB GAA22WA148Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignVans RV10 · Chubut, ArgentinaNTSB GAA22WA147Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignHughes 369 · Port McNeil, CanadaNTSB CEN22FA168Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TU206F · Marlin, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.NTSB GAA22WA144Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Adaminaby, AustraliaNTSB GAA22WA153Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAgusta AW139 · Iwaizumi, JapanNTSB CEN22LA164Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Kerrville, TXThe pilot’s sudden cardiac event, which resulted in incapacitation, uncontrolled taxi after landing, and collision with a stationary parked airplane.NTSB CEN22LA163Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox 7 · Crowell, TXThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during low-level flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB GAA22WA140Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Gruehorn, SwitzerlandNTSB GAA22WA137Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90A · Temixco, MexicoNTSB GAA22WA138Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSachse Stephan Aventura II · Klekot, PolandNTSB GAA22WA132Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSukhoi SU-31 · Ploiesti, RomaniaNTSB CEN22FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA loss of helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom in flight, tail boom separation, and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB GAA22WA128Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172RG · Brantford, CanadaNTSB DCA22WA102Accident · 132 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Wuzhou, ChinaNTSB ANC22LA025Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172P · Kekaha, HIThe pilot’s improper decision to continue the visual-flight-rules flight into low visibility conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA22FA161Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Dahlonega, GAThe pilot’s delay in initiating a go-around and his failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA22FA160Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMD Helicopters 369 · Loxahatchee, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ERA22LA162Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Homestead, FLThe airplane’s collision with water for underdetermined reasons.NTSB CEN22FA145Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OKThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB GAA22WA123Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSikorsky S76 · Baía de Camamu, BA, Brazil