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 DEN90FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Provo, UTThe Cessna pilot misjudge his altitude above the water. Contributing factors were: the pilot allowing his attention to be diverted and his lack of visual/depth perception over the calm (glassy) water.NTSB SEA90FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Snoqualmie, WAIntentional flight into known adverse weather conditions and poor weather evaluation by the pilot.NTSB LAX90FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Safford, AZThe pilot failed to maintain an airspeed above the aircraft's stall speed as he turned away from ascending terrain. The aircraft's inadequate performance resulting from improper grade of fuel and high density altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in…NTSB ATL90DKG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G/Tomcat MK5 · Elberton, GAA loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.NTSB ATL90FA024Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Gadsden, ALFailure of the pilots of both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout to see-and-avoid the other aircraft.NTSB ATL90GA023Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSikorsky SK-70 · Marathon, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain the proper altitude over the ocean water. Factors related to the accident were: continued operation of the helicopter with a known partial deficiency of the radio altimeter/warning system, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual…NTSB MIA90FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Apopka, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance above the water, while proceeding over a lake and approaching the vicinity of the airport.NTSB ATL90FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Darlington, SCThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC and his attempt to land the airplane under the adverse weather conditions.NTSB MIA90FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601P · Fort Myers, FLFailure of the pilot to properly follow the IFR procedure and to identify the decision height. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual perception without the approach lights, and tree(s) in…NTSB DEN90FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Laramie, WYThe loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions after the pilot became spatially disoriented. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum system which rendered the vacuum/gyro instruments inoperative. Also…NTSB LAX90FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 77 · Kalihi, HIVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB CHI90DEG01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMccomb RV-4 · Eaton, OHPoor in-flight planning/decision by the pilot which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inadvertent spiral. Factors related to the accident were: the dark night and instrument lights not installed.NTSB MKC90FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Little Rock, ARA leak in the aircraft's fuel system which resulted in an in-flight fire. The origin of the fuel leak was not determined.NTSB DCA90MA005Accident · 20 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-6-300 · Halawa,Molokai, HIThe airplane's controlled flight into terrain as a result of the decision of the captain to continue flight under visual flight rules at night into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which obscured rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the…NTSB BFO90FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Mchenry, MDThe pilot's failure to obtain adequate takeoff airspeed as a result of an improper flap setting. Contributing factors were a takeoff with a tailwind, an upsloping runway, and high density altitude.NTSB ATL90FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Carrollton, OHThe pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's apparent desire to show off, and the low altitude at which he chose to perform the maneuver.NTSB MKC90FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320 · Nebraska City, NEThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into IFR conditions and the failure to maintain adequate alittude. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's over confidence in his ability and the lack of instrument flight experience.NTSB FTW90FA018Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Crane, TXThe pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's lack of instrument…NTSB LAX90FA017Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Lake Berryessa, CAInadequate visual lookout by the pilot and his failure to maintain proper altitude. The power lines was a related factor.NTSB CHI90FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Clare, MIImproper preflight by the pilot by not assuring that the fuel selector was properly positioned, which resulted in fuel starvation, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB BFO90FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Nokesville, VAImproper installation of the elevator trim actuators, and subsequent jamming of the elevator trim in a nose down trim position.NTSB MIA90FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Columbia, MSSuicide. The pilot's emotional state of distress was a related factor.NTSB DEN90FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Penasco, NMImproper inflight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to obtain (and/or understand) wind aloft information, his lack of…NTSB MKC90FA017Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Elkader, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway marker at the departure end of the runway.NTSB LAX90FA016Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · So Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight after encountering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX90FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Goleta, CAThe pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into adverse weather conditions at an altitude that would not provide terrain clearance. The weather condition was a related factor.NTSB LAX90DUG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMannon-Underwood JEANIE'S Teenie · Hemet, CAInadvertent stall experienced by the pilot and his lack of experience.NTSB DCA90RA003Accident · 131 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 727-224 · Tegucigalpa, HondurasNTSB LAX90DUJ04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRand Engineering KR-II · Eloy, AZThe failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, and his failure to discontinue the approach when it became evident that the gusting cross winds were exceeding the ability of the aircraft.NTSB MIA90FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Athens, TNLoss of control of the airplane in instrument flight conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an inadvertent descending spiral. Lack of total experience in the type of operation (actual instrument conditions) was considered to be a…NTSB ATL90FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Eddyville, KYThe pilot continuing VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factor(s) was: low ceiling and rain.NTSB ATL90FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportVultee BT-13 · Axis, ALThe aircraft inadvertently entered a stall, when the pilot/passenger had a heart attack. A factor related to the accident was: lack of altitude for the pilot-in-command to recover from the stall.NTSB CHI90LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hillsdale, MIPoor judgement of the student pilot by not following his flight instructor's directions on his first supervised solo flight and by not maintaining a safe altitude, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Related factors were: unauthorized low flight…NTSB SEA90FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Bothell, WAThe pilot failed to determine weather conditions before the flight, his attempt to fly VFR in IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance altitude. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, rain and fog weather conditions.NTSB CHI90DEM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150E · Grayling, MIA loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI90DEK01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Findlay, OHPilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following engine failure due to fuel starvation, resulting in a stall/spin. Additional causes were a corroded fuel system & carburetor, improper maintenance/rebuild, operation with known deficiencies in…NTSB NYC90FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Glastonbury, CTThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate altitude control during maneuvering flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane's electrical system and the pilot's operation at night, without emergency lighting (flashlight).NTSB LAX90FA008Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Goodyear, AZThe inflight separation of one propeller blade due to a fatigue fracture of undetermined origin, and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during an attempt to return to the runway. A factor in the accident was the oil covered windsheild,…NTSB NYC90MA009Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A Mkii · Lacey Township, NJIn-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to fatigue failure of the main rotor blade spar, which originated at a manufacturing induced scratch (tool mark) that was the result of inadequate quality control.NTSB MKC90FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Delavan, MNFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude during a low pass, and to see-and-avoid obstructions (inadequate visual lookout). Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's ostentatious display and the obstructions (powerlines).NTSB MIA90FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · Orlando, FLInadequate weather evaluation and inadequate supervision of the ground guide (mechanic) by company/operator/management personnel, failure of the ground guide to follow safety procedures, and the weather condition (lightning).NTSB FTW90FA005Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Uncertain, TXImproper planning/decision by the pilot-in-command, and failure of the aircrew to maintain runway alignment and clearance from the high obstructions (trees) beside the runway. Related factors were: weather conditions, dark night, lack of runway edge lights,…NTSB CHI90FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Ann Arbor, MIFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.NTSB SEA90FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBeech 36TC · MissingUndetermined until the airplane is located.NTSB LAX90FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Palm Springs, CAImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to follow wake turbulence avoidance procedures, which resulted in a vortex turbulence encounter. A factor related to the accident was: the pilot's failure to assure the aircraft was loaded…NTSB NYC90DNA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSmeesters RV-4 · North Andover, MAThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the resultant forced landing.NTSB ATL90DLG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 188B · Hartsville, SCThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate in-flight clearance from obstacles.NTSB FTW90FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 550 · Hurdle Mills, NCImpairment of the pilot-in-command (PIC) due to drugs/medication, chemotherapy and fatigue; failure of the PIC to assure that the IFR (instrument) apch procedure was followed; and his failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude (mda). Inadequate…NTSB DEN90FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Nixon, NVContinued flight by the non-instrument rated pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft, due to spatial disorientation. Inadequate preflight preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, and the…NTSB SEA90FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Cougar, WAContinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance above mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain were related factors.