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 BFO90FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Disputanta, VAThe pilot's indequate inflight decision which resulted in flight into adverse weather condition. Contributing to the accident was thunderstorms and the pilot exceeding the design limits of the airplane.NTSB CHI90FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Ashton, ILA loss of aircraft control for an unknown reason, while en route in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) on a dark night, and the pilot exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft while attempting to recover from uncontrolled flight. Factors…NTSB SEA90FA129Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Prineville, ORThe failure of the left intermediate exhaust pipe, in-flight engine fire and smoke in the cockpit, resulting in impairment of the pilot and his subsequent loss of control.NTSB ATL90FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Lanett, ALFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.NTSB FTW90FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMingess-Bennett M30 · New Braunfels, TXFailure of the pilot in the overtaking aircraft (N97RJ) to see-and-avoid the aircraft that had been leading (N911HG). Factors related to the accident were: the lack of ability for the pilot in the lead aircraft (911HG) to be able see other aircraft in the…NTSB FTW90LA133Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · San Antonio, TXThe lineman/flight crewman not following procedures.NTSB CHI90DEP06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 177B · Iola, WIFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's poorly planned approach, and his failure to go around.NTSB ANC90LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Coldfoot, AKThe airplane encountered a downdraft shortly after takeoff from which the airplane could not overcome with power. Contributing to the accident was the heavily loaded airplane and the engine not developing full power due to improper maintenance.NTSB LAX90FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning, decision, and his intentional low flying near mountainous terrain. Contributing factors related to the pilot's not maintaining/following proper VFR procedures, the related distraction of the open cabin door, and the…NTSB SEA90FA122Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Ashford, WAThe pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX90FA235Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Lake Havasu, AZThe pilot's inflight loss of control due to failure to maintain adequate airspeed. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude, overweight airplane, and the pilot's alcohol level.NTSB ANC90FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's failure to follow proper procedures and directives (excessive flaps); failure to operate the airplane within the allowable gross weight limitations; improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain minimum safe flying speed,…NTSB NYC90LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6 · Buffalo, NYLoss of control in flight due to physical impairment. Factors related to the accident were: the pilots use of an over the counter antihistamine.NTSB CHI90DEM05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportOo-Culley Osprey · Iron Mountain, MIJamming of the rudder cable between the pulley and the pulley support bracket and the pilot's continued operation of the airplane with a known deficiency.NTSB ATL90FA139Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Florence, ALFailure of the pilot-in-command of N2409K to maintain safe separation from N2437K during unauthorized formation maneuvering. Overconfidence in personal ability and the execution of unauthorized formation flight on the part of both pilots-in-command were…NTSB SEA90FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350B · Glacier, WAPassenger did not follow the procedures associated with the operations in the vicinity of the helicopter.NTSB NYC90LA143Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75L3 · Groton, CTAn impact with the ground following an improperly executed roll with insufficient altitude for recovery. Factors related to the accident were improper use of the flight controls by the pilot.NTSB DEN90FA149Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC 12-D · Homedale, IDThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during maneuvers (buzzing) which resulted in an inadvertent stall of the aircraft. A factor was the intentional buzzing of family members.NTSB MIA90FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Panama City, FLA loss of power on both engines during takeoff as a result of inadequate maintenance. In addition, the pilot failed to abort the takeoff.NTSB FTW90FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Dallas, TXThe initial partial loss of engine power, followed by the total loss of engine power and the striking of a hidden set of transmission wires.NTSB CHI90MA162Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Lakeville, MIThe pilot's failure to use the airplane's ice protection equipment, which resulted in a performance loss due to induction icing, propeller icing, or both, while flying in convective instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at and above the freezing level.…NTSB ANC90FA101Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Aialak Bay, AKThe pilot-in-command's attempt to fly under visual flight rules while in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors to the accident were the low ceiling and surrounding mountainous terrain.NTSB CHI90FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hagerstown, INThe pilot's failure to use all available runway and failure to abort the takeoff.NTSB FTW90DQG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Abilene, TXFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering after a low pass, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. The high density altitude was a related factor.NTSB DEN90DTG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEugene N. Rausch RV-4 · Erie, NDAn inadvertent stall.NTSB NYC90DGM02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47D1 · Meadville, PAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.NTSB DEN90FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Laurel, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from other objects wwhile maneuvering.NTSB MIA90WA142Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA31T · New Town, BahamasNTSB ATL90DKJ06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBreezy MRU · Pell City, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.NTSB NYC90FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Greenville, MEFailure of the pilot to maintain the proper altitude, while searching for the destination airport at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog obscuring the destination airport lights, mountainous terrain, and the lack of visual perception at…NTSB FTW90FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bossier City, LALoss of engine power for an unknown reason.NTSB FTW90FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSukhoi SU-26MX · Oklahoma City, OKFailure of the pilot to recover from the aerobatic maneuver and subsequent stall/spin, due to inadequate altitude. Fatigue may have been a related factor.NTSB NYC90DNE03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAerodyne Vector 727 Senior · Berlin, MAIn-flight failure of the wings for undetermined reason(s).NTSB MKC90FA130Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Cedar Rapids, IAThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter during maneuvering flight. Darkness and the pilot's manner of flying the aircraft (ostentatious display) were considered to be related factors.NTSB MKC90DCJ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportK. W. Jeffers Varieze · Brainard, NEPilot used poor judgement in attempting aerobatics with inadequate altitude which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors were a low pass performed, over confidence in personal ability and ostentatious display by the PIC.NTSB ATL90FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Newland, NCAttempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC90FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics LA-4-200 · Danbury, CTThe inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's misjudgement of the landing flare.NTSB DEN90FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Challis, IDThe pilot's entry into an excessive maneuver after takeoff with insufficient altitude and airspeed to complete the maneuver, which resulted in a stall/mush into trees. Factors related to the accident were: high density altitude and trees.NTSB BFO90FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Charleston, WVThe pilot's improper IFR procedures, his failure to maintain a proper glide path on the ILS approach, and his failure to initiate a missed approach at the decision height. The adverse weather was a related factor.NTSB NYC90FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337G · Harrison, NYThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC and his subsequent loss of control of the airplane. The weather conditions and the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience were factors in the accident.NTSB CHI90DEM04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVanek 300 · Vriesland, MIThe pilot's misjudgment of the altitude. A factor related to the accident was the low ceiling.NTSB ANC90FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-12D · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate flying speed.NTSB SEA90LA095Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrace Long EZ · La Grande, ORLoss of engine power due to fuel contamination which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft.NTSB SEA90FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Pocatello, IDThe instructor pilots poor judgement in performing low altitude steep turn maneuvers resulting in an inadvertant stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Factors in the accident were the over gross weight and out-of-cg aircraft loading, and strong gusty…NTSB LAX90FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S2A · Thermal, CAThe pilot's inadequate handling of the airplane during an aerobatic maneuver.NTSB ATL90FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Andrews, NCFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance over high terrain. Darkness and high terrain were related factors.NTSB NYC90FHD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMason Hummel Bird · Lumberton, NJFailure of the rudder attach bolt, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and an uncontrolled descent to the ground.NTSB LAX90FA213Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Havasu Landing, CAFailure of the pilot to properly secure an oil supply line b-nut fitting after an oil change, which allowed the oil line to become disconnected and led to oil exhaustion and subsequent engine failure. A factor related to the accident was: unsuitable terrain…NTSB FTW90DPA05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGyroflug SC01B160 · Mineral Wells, TXTotal propeller blade retention failure, the resultant separation of one propeller blade, and the improper installation of the propeller by unknown maintenance personnel.NTSB SEA90FA171Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4 · Onalaska, WAImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather and terrain conditions.