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 LAX90FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Galt, CAThe pilot flew into instrument condition, because spatially disorientated and collided with terrain. Factor was foggy weather conditions.NTSB FTW90DRA03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Command 447 · Hearne, TXThe pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in the accident make and model.NTSB ANC90FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Cold Bay, AKContinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude (or clearance) from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB FTW90FA072Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Putnam, TXImproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in excessive accummulation of structural icing (on the aircraft's wings, stabilizers, fuselage, and/or engine inlets), and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control. Factors related…NTSB FTW90FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-90 · Burlington, NCThe double engine power loss due to fuel starvation, the pilot's failure to follow procedures and directives by not engaging the right fuel transfer pump, and the inadvertent stall during the forced landing approach. A factor was the pilot's failure to refuel…NTSB BFO90FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Arden, NCThe pilot failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance from a powerline during the landing approach. A factor was the unmarked powerline.NTSB LAX90FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Oro Valley, AZThe pilot's poor judgement in performing low level aerobatic maneuvers.NTSB NYC90FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L · New York City, NYThe pilot's misjudgement of the wind resulting in a downwind takeoff. Additionally the loss of lift when the helicopter flew off the heliport platform, prior to reaching effective translational lift, resulted in the helicopter settling into the water.NTSB DEN90FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Rapid City, SDFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor related to the accident was: fatigue failure of a coupling shaft in the #1 engine, which resulted in loss of power in that engine.NTSB BFO90FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Norton, VAPilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance over mountainous terrain when continuing to fly into deteriorating weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument experience, low ceilings, fog, and mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA90WA068Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20F · San Andros, BahamasNTSB DEN90FA053Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Wrangell, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: company induced pressure to make the flight, the pilot's…NTSB LAX90FA084Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat before flying at and above the freezing level in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), followed by his improper response to erroneous airspeed indications that resulted from blockage of the pitot tube by…NTSB LAX90FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Phoenix, AZDesign stress limits exceeded.NTSB LAX90FA082Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-55 · Chico, CAThe failure of the pilots of N790T and N721L to see and avoid each other. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot of the C-182P, N790T, was disoriented and improperly entered the traffic pattern due to recent marijuana use; the pilot of the…NTSB ATL90FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Norris, TNThe student pilot's misjudged descent which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. A factor was that the pilot was buzzing when the accident occurred.NTSB SEA90FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Baker, ORPilot displayed poor inflight planning by selecting to fly into known adverse weather conditions. The pilot did not maintain an adequate visual lookout when operating in snow shower conditions and collided into the terrain.NTSB FTW90FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Tomball, TXFailure of the pilot in Cessna 150, N714RS, to comply with the air traffic control clearance, and failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout to see-and-avoid each other. Factors related to the accident were: physical impairment of the pilot in…NTSB MIA90FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Sebastian, FLFailure of the AA-1A pilot to see-and-avoid the Piper PA-28 which had entered traffic first. A factor related to the accident was: failure of the PA-28 pilot to see the American AA-1A, when the AA-1A was on a base leg and the PA-28 was further out on final…NTSB SEA90FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-180 · Castle Rock, WAThe pilot lost control of the airplane which entered a stall/spin that the pilot did not recover from.NTSB MIA90FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Pensacola, FLIn flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL90FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Cherokee, ALCarburetor ice due to the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane after the engine lost power. The weather (carburetor icing) condition was a related factor.NTSB NYC90FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fairfield, CTThe intoxicated pilot's failure to attain/maintain a safe altitude to provide clearance from the tree.NTSB FTW90FA062Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Coalgate, OKFlight into known adverse weather conditions by the non-instrument rated pilot, and his subsequent spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: inoperative instrument panel lights, dark night,…NTSB CHI90FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing 727 · Indianapolis, INThe tug operator's failure to maintain control of the tug, possibly due to having inadvertently placed or caught his built-up, steel-toe boot under the brake pedal.NTSB BFO90MA023Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS.125-35 · Columbia, MOInadequate preflight by the pilot(s), water contamination of the fuel, low level of deice fluid (methanol) in the deice tank, and subsequent ice blockage of the fuel filters. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB NYC90FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Williston, VTThe failure of the pilot to de-ice the airplane prior to departure, and his decision to make the takeoff at a weight that exceeded both the maximum structural takeoff weight and the reduced takeoff weight allowed for icing conditions resulting in an…NTSB NYC90FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Schuyler Falls, NYLoss of control inflight after the airplane stalled during climbout. The stall resulted from a loss of lift due to a contaminated wing surface. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to de-ice the aircraft prior to departure.NTSB FTW90FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7DC · El Paso, TXPower loss due to failure of the carburetor assembly and the pilot's failure to correct known deficiencies. Factors were contaminated fuel, partially blocked fuel screen, fouled spark plugs, the rough terrain, and the lack of shoulder harnesses.NTSB DCA90MA019Accident · 73 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Cove Neck, NYThe failure of the flightcrew to adequately manage the airplane's fuel load, and their failure to communicate an emergency fuel situation to air traffic control before fuel exhaustion occurred. Contributing to the accident was the flightcrew's failure to use…NTSB MIA90LA061Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Missing, FLUndetermined.NTSB CHI90DET03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascender II+2 · Lake Village, INIn-flight structural failure of the right wing spar.NTSB FTW90LA060Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS355F-1 · High Island Ao6Undetermined due to the lack of physical evidence.NTSB CHI90DET02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Command 532 · Munster, INThe pilot's exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft. Factors in the accident were the pilot's ostentatious display and his lack of total experience in type aircraft.NTSB SEA90FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Longmire, WAUndetermined.NTSB MIA90FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Clewiston, FLFailure of the pilot to secure the flight control stick (inadequate preflight) before takeoff.NTSB NYC90FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Great Barrngton, MAFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude and clearance from trees while departing from the airport. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, his allowing the aircraft weight and balance to be…NTSB MKC90MA049Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGrumman G1159 · Little Rock, ARFailure of the pilot-in-command to follow IFR procedures (maintain an ILS glide path or initiate a missed approach) during an IFR arrival to the airport. Factors related to the accident were: unfavorable weather conditions, an erroneous wind indication from…NTSB LAX90FA070Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Burbank, CAPoor judgement of the instructor pilot (CFI) due to his impairment from use of marijuana, inadequate supervision of the flight by the CFI, and his failure to assure that adequate airspeed was maintained, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related…NTSB DCA90MA017Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech A100 · Atlanta, GA(1) Failure of the federal aviation administration to provide air traffic control procedures that adequately take into consideration human performance factors such as those which resulted in the failure of the north local controller to detect the developing…NTSB ATL90MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 23 · Ansonia, OHThe flight crew became incapacitated for undetermined reasons and lost control of the airplane.NTSB DEN90FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208A · Leadville, CODiversion of the pilot's attention, resulting in an in flight collision with terrain during normal cruise flight.NTSB CHI90FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Appleton, WIThe pilot's decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions resulting in a windshear encounter with insufficient altitude for recovery. The existing adverse weather conditions were factors.NTSB NYC90FA054Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Burlington, VTFor an unknown reason, the aircraft entered a descent and crashed in a lake.NTSB LAX90LA271Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors to the accident were the adverse weather conditions, mountainous terrain, and the likely effect of hypoxia on the pilot.NTSB DEN90FA041Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Tom'S Place, CAContinued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the ground. Factors related to the accident were: dark night, adverse weather conditions, self induced pressure, and spatial…NTSB FTW90FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · San Diego, TXThe pilot intentionally flew into instrument meteorological conditions during night VFR flight, and the helicopter subsequently collided with terrain.NTSB SEA90LA035Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportStanger Aircommander 532 · Hansen, IDFailue of the pilot to maintain control of the gyrocopter after entering an abrupt pull-up from a low pass. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to follow procedures/directives, his lack of certification (qualification) for this flight,…NTSB LAX90FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Napa, CAThe failure of the pilot to properly execute the published approach and missed approach which resulted in a collision with mountainious terrain.NTSB ATL90DMG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWaldron Flybaby · Troy, NCPoor judgement of the non-rated pilot, due to impairment from consumption of alcohol, his lack of training/qualification, his improper use of the engine controls which resulted in loss of engine power from probable carburetor ice, and his failure to maintain…