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 GAA22WA120Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech A36 · Ie, JapanNTSB GAA22WA127Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Ceresole, ItalyNTSB ERA22FA153Incident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Bay Minette, ALThe pilot’s loss of control during taxi, which resulted in a taxiway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the incident were the low visibility conditions that existed at the airport around the time of the incident.NTSB ERA22FA149Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182Q · Panama City, FLThe pilot’s deviation from the final approach course during a night instrument approach with low instrument meterological conditions, which resulted in an impact with heavily wooded terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue…NTSB GAA22WA113Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna U206G · Norseman, AustraliaNTSB ERA22FA141Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportExtra NG · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot’s excessive airspeed during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and contributing to the severity of the accident were the…NTSB GAA22WA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA25 · Eldorado, BrazilNTSB GAA22WA136Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · Tierra Nueva, MexicoNTSB GAA22WA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · South Goulburn Island Aerodrome, AustraliaNTSB ERA22LA142Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-12IS · Big Pine Key, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and his improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility in moderate precipitation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial…NTSB GAA22WA115Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 152 · Telangana, IndiaNTSB GAA22WA112Accident · 14 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208B · Comoros, ComorosNTSB WPR22FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDistar CZ D 13/15 SUN Dancer · Boulder City, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering, which resulted in a wire strike and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from alcohol consumption and his use of diphenhydramine before the…NTSB ERA22FA137Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 35 · Hilltown Township, PAThe pilots’ exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while practicing maneuvers during an instructional flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and and a loss of airplane control.NTSB GAA22WA318Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT301 · Sinaloa, MexicoNTSB CEN22FA131Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Fostoria, OHThe pilot’s loss of airplane control in night instrument meteorological conditions during the procedure turn of an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB GAA22WA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-25-235 · Leongatha, AustraliaNTSB ANC22FA018Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSikorsky S-61N · Kekaha, HIThe improper installation of the fore/aft primary servo by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the attaching hardware backing out and which subsequently rendered the helicopter uncontrollable. Contributing to the accident was the company’s quality…NTSB WPR22FA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CAThe helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…NTSB WPR22FA100Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMoynihan Richard D Vans RV-7A · White Hills, AZThe pilot’s improper aerobatic maneuver leading to an airspeed that exceeded the airplane’s design limits, which resulted in rudder flutter and an in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR22FA098Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell UH-1H · Coalinga, CAThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness for reasons that could not be determined given the available evidence, which led to controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter while ill and…NTSB GAA22WA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna FA150 · Utrera, SpainNTSB ERA22FA126Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Lexington, NCInadequate maintenance, which led to a partial loss of both right and left engine power during takeoff, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering with one engine at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB ERA22LA120Accident · 8 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Beaufort, NCThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, inadequate inflight monitoring of the airplane’s flight parameters, and his failure to regain control of the airplane following entry into an inadvertent aerodynamic stall. The pilot’s likely spatial disorientation…NTSB CEN22FA119Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Olathe, KSThe unknown emergency that warranted a return to the airport and the airspeed decay which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA22WA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT402 · Chapadão do Sul, BrazilNTSB GAA22WA095Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Region de la Araucania, ChileNTSB GAA22WA091Accident · 7 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 207 · Ica, PeruNTSB ERA22FA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310 · Danville, VAThe pilot’s impairment due to exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of undetected engine exhaust penetration into the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's failure to maintain a minimum controllable airspeed after partially securing an engine after takeoff.NTSB CEN22FA113Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Heath, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after takeoff, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN22FA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Hutchinson, MNThe reduction in fuel flow and subsequent partial loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN22FA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChristavia MK1 · Oral, SDThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a flight with no…NTSB WPR22FA087Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech K35 · Salem, ORThe airplane’s excessive nose-up pitch attitude during landing for undetermined reasons.NTSB GAA22WA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Coburg, GermanyNTSB GAA22WA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignVans RV-6A · Ciudad-Chihuahua state, MexicoNTSB GAA22WA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-25-260 · Uchoa, BrazilNTSB CEN22FA100Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Houma, LAThe pilot’s sudden loss of consciousness for undetermined reasons during cruise flight, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Defiance, MOThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while flying in night instrument conditions due to spatial disorientation and the flight crew’s inability to recover from an unusual airplane attitude.NTSB GAA22WA069Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · 63 Puy-de-Dome, FranceNTSB GAA22WA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Chame, PanamaNTSB WPR22FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Marana, AZThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to use of methamphetamine before the flight.NTSB ERA22FA098Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bronson, FLA loss of control due to spatial disorientation as a result of the noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight at night into an area of known reduced visibility due to fog.NTSB CEN22LA087Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJ&J Ultralights Seawing · Golden, MOThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while aggressively maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN22FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · Livingston, TXThe pilot exceeding the yaw control capability of the helicopter for the flight conditions, resulting in a non-mechanical loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB GAA22WA061Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 412 · Quillen-Neuquen district, ArgentinaNTSB ERA22FA096Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TNThe pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR22FA068Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · El Cajon, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the published MDA, cancel their IFR clearance to conduct an unauthorized circle-to-land approach to another runway while the airport was in nighttime IFR conditions, and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…NTSB ERA22FA095Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20J · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s likely distraction due to the opening of the baggage door.NTSB CEN22FA082Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Hardy, ARThe non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to fuel…NTSB GAA22WA056Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAmateur Built D11 · South Mackay, Australia