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 FTW89FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Houma, LAIncapacitation of the 70 year old pilot, which led to the loss of control of the airplane.NTSB ATL89FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Springfield, TNThe pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather which resulted in his ability to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing factor(s) was: the adverse weather conditions.NTSB SEA89FA126Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Elgin, ORFailure of the pilot to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in a stall. Factors related to the accident were: quartering tailwind, high density altitude, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in the aircraft.NTSB MKC89DER01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna T188C · Wannaska, MNThe pilot-in-command did not maintain airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB FTW89FA127Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Sanger, TXFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall at low altitude.NTSB MIA89FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWood-Oldfield Baby Great Lakes · Clermont, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.NTSB DEN89FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E33 · Angel Fire, NMImproper planning/decision by the pilot, his premature rotation for takeoff and subsequent failure to obtain or maintain sufficient speed to climb, and his failure to abort the takeoff (while there was sufficient rwy remaining). Contributing factors were: the…NTSB DEN89DTI02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMusick/Terratorn Tierra II · Lewistown, MTThe unqualified pilot allowed the aircraft to become airborne while taxiing at high speed, he failed to maintain control of the aircraft, and he inadvertently allowed it to enter a stall/spin and crashed. Factors related to the accident were: his failure to…NTSB CHI89FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Sugar Grove, ILFailure to maintain airspeed above stall speed, and a stall/spin encountered with inadequate altitude for recovery. Factors related to the accident were: thunderstorm, pre-flight briefing not obtained and poor weather evaluation by the pilot.NTSB MKC89FA159Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Pettigrew, ARImproper planning/decision by the pilot, his VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors related the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, high terrain, the…NTSB ATL89FA173Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210H · Piney Flats, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft after becoming spatially disoriented, and his exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft while attempting to recover from an uncontrolled descent. Factors related to the accident were: darkness,…NTSB MKC89GA147Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMaule MX-7 · Atlantic, IAFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which led to an inadvertent stall and loss of control. A contributing factor was the lack of altitude to recover from a stall.NTSB LAX89FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Cordes, AZThe pilot misjudged his altitude, while maneuvering at low altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and diversion of the pilot's attention.NTSB FTW89DRD10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164-B · Mer Rouge, LAThe failure of the individual struck by the taxiing airplane's propeller to visually perceive and avoid the airplane.NTSB DEN89FA154Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Crestone, COImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot and his failure to attain sufficient altitude to safely clear the mountains. Contributing factors were: mountainous terrain, box canyon, and high density altitude.NTSB ATL89FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDassault-Breguet Falcon 20 · Cartersville, GAFailure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to assure that the aircraft maintained a climb profile after takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: dark night, the crew's lack of visual perception at night, the pic's lack of rest (fatigue), and the copilot's…NTSB ATL89DKG04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Americus, GAThe pilot's failure to properly survey the area in which he would be conducting aerial application flights and his failure to see and avoid powerlines while performing aerial application.NTSB MKC89LA145Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Eveleth, MNThe pilot's improper flare during the water landing. The pilot's lack of recent experience in seaplane operations and the lack of experience in the accident aircraft contributed to the accident.NTSB MIA89FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Shelby, MSFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering back to the runway which resulted in an inadvertentstall. Contributing factors were: failure of the pilot to insure the cabin door (on the passenger's side) was properlyclosed and secured…NTSB FTW89FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Fort Worth, TXThe inadvertent stall of the airplane by the pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's disregard of the weather advisory, the unfavorable windshift, and the thunderstorm outflow.NTSB BFO89FA048Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Caesars Head, SCFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed while flying over rising terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with wooded terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain conditions and failure of the pilot to maintain…NTSB FTW89DPJ07Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeech T-34 · Haskell, OKFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related to the accident were: a leak in the pitot system, failure of the pilot to obtain adequate maintenance/inspection of the pitot system, and his lack of…NTSB DEN89FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Glenrock, WYProper altitude not maintained by the pilot. The weather/night conditions and pilot fatigue were considered to be contributing factors.NTSB SEA89FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportColonial C-1 · Bremerton, WAMalfunction of both magnetos due to deterioration of the coils, which resulted in the loss of engine power. Factors related to the accident were: an inadequate airworthiness directive (no calendar time limits), and the lack of suitable terrain (rough/uneven)…NTSB LAX89FA225Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale TB-21 · Newhall, CAFuel contamination, due to the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft fuel system, and inadequate maintenance. A related factor was: inadequate transition training.NTSB CHI89FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Delphi, INImproper planning/decision of the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion from an inadequate supply of fuel, and his failure to maintain flying speed during a forced landing, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ATL89FA166Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Lithia Springs, GAInflight engine/wing fire due to a failure of the right engine's left exhaust tailpipe. The exhaust tailpipe failed in fatigue as a result of fluctuating stresses induced by a deteriorated engine mount in conjunction with unevenly distributed clamping loads…NTSB SEA89LA114Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes Bensen B-8M · The Dalles, ORThe pilots poor judgement in attempting low level flight in a narrow valley during high wind conditions.NTSB SEA89FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Stanley, IDPilot continued VFR flight into IMC conditions in mountainous terrain. Factors were snow squalls and obscured mountainous terrain in the area.NTSB DEN89DTI01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Conrad, MTThe pilot's failure to see the guy wire in time to avoid colliding with it.NTSB ATL89FA165Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B-60 · Gaston, SCThe pilot exercised questionable judgement in initiating a flight into an area of known thunderstorms. Further, either deliberately or inadvertantly entered a thunderstorm and overstressed the airframe structure resulting in an inflight separation of the…NTSB LAX89LA222Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1C · Kalaupapa, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent a stall from which there was insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB DEN89FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · South Lake Taho, CAThe pilot's falure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff due to diverted attention toward an open acft door.NTSB CHI89DEM03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeneteau Steen Skybolt · Elk Rapids, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting an aerobatic maneuver. Factors related to the were: inadequate altitude and lack of total experience in type of aircraft.NTSB MIA89FA177Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportUhley-Mason R.A.F. VARI-EZE · Lantana, FLPilots inadvertent turning off of the engine ignition switches resulting in engine failure.NTSB CHI89FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Wisc Rapids, WIThe pilot's failure to assure that the flaps were in the up position during takeoff. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with aircraft.NTSB MKC89FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Earle, ARThe pilot's improper planning/decision and over confidence in his flying ability, which resulted in a loss of control, while maneuvering at low altitude. The pilot's inadequate altitude and airpeed were considered to be contributing factors.NTSB CHI89FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcculloch J-2 · Oxford, OHThe failure of the pilot operator to replace the main rotor thrust bearing. The expired service life of the main rotor thrust bearing is a factor in the accident.NTSB ATL89FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Vernon, ALImproper maintenance of the spark plugs by the pilot/mechanic which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and the pilot's failure to clear trees during an emergency landing in an open field resulting in an inadvertent stall.NTSB ANC89FA094Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Kenai, AKInadequate preflight by the pilot and fuel exhaustion.NTSB MKC89FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Ely, MNLoss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor related to the accident was: the presence of trees in the emergency landing area.NTSB MIA89FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A-75 · Daytona Beach, FLThe biplane pilot failed to see and avoid the collision with the banner being towed by the other airplane.NTSB ANC89FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350B · Puntilla Lake, AKThe pilot continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and failed to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the mountainous terrain. The weather and terrain conditions were contributing factors.NTSB MKC89DCA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Auxvasse, MOThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertant stall.NTSB NYC89FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Hubbardston, MAFailure of both pilots to see-and-avoid (attain visual lookout for) conflicting traffic.NTSB SEA89FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAnderson BD-5 · Everett, WAInadequate maintenance by the pilot/owner/builder, his operation of the aircraft with a known deficiency, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB DCA89MA058Accident · 11 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Waipio Valley, HIThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to maneuver with insufficient altitude over or in a a canyon area. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain conditions and scenic air tour's lack of specific direction to its pilots concerning safety…NTSB ATL89FA158Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8B · Garner, NCImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his delay in initiating a climb as the Balloon converged on the tv tower.NTSB SEA89FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWhittaker Bushby Mustang 1 · Alderwood Manor, WAPilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed. Contributing factors were the pilot's poor judgement in flying a traffic pattern at tree-top level and a tailwind condition during the steep turn to final.NTSB MIA89FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · St. Augustine, FLThe pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the turn to return to the airport, resulting in the loss of control. Contributing to the accident was his continued takeoff with intermittent engine power.