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 MKC90DCQ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Ulysses, KSThe pilot failed to maintain proper rotor RPM, while maneuvering over a high obstruction (power line) at the end of a swath run, which resulted in an inadvertent descent & collision with the terrain. The high obstruction was considered to be a related factor.NTSB CHI90FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · New Richmond, WIFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall/spin. A factor related related to the accident was: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the make and model of aircraft.NTSB FTW90FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Jacksonville, TXA fuel exhaustion induced power loss during the initial climb after takeoff.NTSB DEN90DQA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMichael C. Quigley Velocity · Santa Teresa, NMFailure of the pilot in command to maintain airspeed on final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into the ground.NTSB DCA90RA025Accident · 27 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-6B · Guatemala City, GuatemalaNTSB ATL90FA109Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Stockbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper clearance from objects on the ground.NTSB DEN90FA104Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCanadair CT-133 · Roswell, NMThe pilot-in-command's performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the design stress limits of the aircraft, resulting in catastrophic failure of the wing.NTSB ATL90FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGovernment Aircraft Fact N24A · Wilmington, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude during a circling maneuver for landing. Factors related to the accident were: weather conditions below minimums for a circling approach, and failure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures.NTSB DCA90WA430Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech C99 Airliner · Moosonee, CanadaNTSB MKC90FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J-35 · Pine Bluff, ARAircraft stall, from which recovery was not achieved.NTSB NYC90FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Fredericksburg, PAContinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure (or inability) to maintain control of the aircraft after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors related to the accident were: adverse weather conditions, and…NTSB CHI90DEC01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMoore Acroduster II SA750 · New Haven, MIThe pilot's the improper execution and/or recovery from an aerobatic maneuver (inverted flat spin), which resulted in a collision with the terrain.NTSB ATL90FA105Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Jonesboro, GAPilot-in-command's inadequate preflight and inflight planning, and his delayed climb after execution of a go-around. Contributing factors were his misreading of airfield wind information, his improper utilization of the flaps during climbout, his failure to…NTSB CHI90FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58F · Southfield, MIA loss of control due to physical incapacitation for unknown reason(s).NTSB DEN90FA103Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32C-300 · Leadville, COVFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain and weather conditions, the pilot's…NTSB DEN90FA100Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31-325 · Cedar City, UTThe pilot failed to maintain a minimum safe altitude over mountainous terrain during a night VFR approach for landing.NTSB DEN90FA099Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Scranton, NDPilot factor in that he failed to maintain aircraft control while performing an inflight maneuver.NTSB CHI90FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · West Bend, WIInflight failure of the right wing strut-to-spar attachment fitting due to fatigue initiated by improper welding techniques involving inadequate post-weld cooling control.NTSB MIA90WA116Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRyan, Robert R. Glasair · Orangewalk Town, BelizeNTSB BFO90FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ona, WVThe improperly set stabilator trim and the improperly loaded aircraft.NTSB FTW90FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Dallas, TXThe pilot's improper use of the fuel boost pumps for take, and his failure to maintain airspeed above the minimum single engine control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB CHI90FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-30B · Charlevoix, MIThe probable cause of this accident is undetermined.NTSB ATL90FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Moncks Corner, SCThe in-flight separation of the main rotor because of the failure of a pillow block bolt, and the failure of the operator/repair station to follow the overhaul procedures.NTSB MIA90FA107Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · North Captiva, FLInadequate preflight by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel, and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB LAX90DUG05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Blythe, CAFailure of the pilots of N6708K and N10222 to maintain adequate visual lookout and failure of the pilot of N6708K to follow a prearanged procedure for reversing the direction of flight.NTSB MIA90FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Marco Island, FLFuel exhaustion due to improper planning & decision by the pilot, and an inadvertent stall/spin while maneuvering for a forced landing.NTSB MKC90FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT-300 · Mansfield, ARThe non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC. Contributing to the accident were the low ceilings, rain, and turbulence encountered at low altitude, and the pilot's lack of instrument training/experience.NTSB ATL90LA098Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · N. Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot's improper course reversal procedure which resulted in a stall at a low altitude precluding a recovery before water impact.NTSB ANC90FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Egegik, AKFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall.NTSB SEA90LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTruckee Meadows Tierra II · Moscow, IDThe pilot did not maintain a proper airspeed during the climb to cruise.NTSB DEN90FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Wendover, UTThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factor(s) was: the lack of surface reference while taking off over a sparsely populated area under dark night light conditions.NTSB MKC90FA082Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Bois D'Arc, MOInadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his spatial disorientation, which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, darkness, low…NTSB SEA90FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Carson City, NVThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed during takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.NTSB MKC90DCQ01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportDaniels BD-4 · Wichita, KSThe pilot failed to maintain flying speed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin resulting in collision with terrain.NTSB SEA90FA064Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · North Bend, ORThe pilot did not follow the published IFR procedure.NTSB FTW90FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35-C33A · Le Compte, LAThe pilot's continuation of VFR flight into IMC. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a pre-flight weather brief and his inadequate evalution of existing weather.NTSB FTW90FA093Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20J · Inola, OKThe pilot's decision to conduct the flight into known adverse weather and his inability to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the dark night conditions and thunderstorms.NTSB FTW90FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415CD · Hereford, TXInadvertent stall. Factors were maximum gross weight exceeded by the pilot, the pilot's impairment due to drugs, and the pilot's lack of total experience.NTSB DEN90FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210E · Elbert, COThe pilot's initiation of flight into known adverse weather, the rapid ice accumulation on the airframe, and an inadvertent stall-mush, resulting in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB ATL90FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-120 · Gadsden, ALInadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both aircraft, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid oncoming traffic. A factor related to the accident was: the sun's glare, which restricted the vision of the Cessna 172 pilot.NTSB LAX90FA281Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation and his delayed remedial action in executing a 180 degree turn. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's inadvertent encounter with weather conditions.NTSB MIA90FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFarrington AIR Command 532 · Okeechobee, FLPilot's decision to attempt to fly the gyrocopter without proper training resulting in the inflight loss of control and subsequent crash.NTSB LAX90FA138Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Kneeland, CAThe pilot's improper use of IFR procedures by failing to maintain the minimum descent altitude for the segment of the approach that he was flying. The hilly/mountainous terrain was a related factor.NTSB FTW90FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8-A · Baytown, TXThe pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane while maneuvering after a partial power loss during initial climb and a partially blocked exhaust system which had been inadequately maintained.NTSB FTW90DQA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Command 532 · El Paso, TXFailure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control and rotor RPM. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of instruction and experience in rotorcraft.NTSB NYC90DFJ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobbins Breezy CG-1 · Horseheads, NYThe loss of aircraft control during high speed taxi for an unknown reason.NTSB MIA90FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed L-1049F · Levittown, PRFire of an undetermined origin that resulted in a loss of power in two engines during a three engine ferry flight. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to obtain the required authorization for the three engine ferry flight, and his…NTSB CHI90FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Romeo, MIA loss of control due to physical incapacitation (heart attack).NTSB LAX90FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGardner Pitts S-1 · Eloy, AZThe pilot delayed the recovery from the inverted flat spin maneuver and misjudged his altitude.NTSB LAX90DVG04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Esparto, CAThe pilot misjudged the airplane's clearance with the transmission wires.