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 FTW89DPJ02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportErcoupe 415C · Oklahoma City, OKDuring flight, the airplane appeared to go into a steep banked spiral from which it did not recover. It struck a two-car detached garage and then the ground. Inspection revealed that the fabric of both wings had been installed improperly, and part of the…NTSB DEN89FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Elephant Butte, NMDuring a return flight from having maintenance performed on the acft the plt executed a low pass by his home which was located on a point of land overlooking Elephant Butte reservoir, NM. During the maneuver while in a steep turn the left wing struck the…NTSB DCA89RA014Accident · 270 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 747-121 · Lockerbie, United KingdomNTSB LAX89FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Buena Park, CAThe pilot used poor judgement in beginning the flight with inadequate fuel; his failure to follow normal v.f.r. procedures; and his poor preflight inspection.NTSB FTW89RA034Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 24B · Cuatro Cienegas, MexicoNTSB DEN89FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Arvada, WYThe pilot entered clouds and shortly thereafter, crashed near the city of Arvada, WY. The flight consisted of two aircraft, flying together in loose formation, at night, under a layer of clouds. The plt of the lead acft estimated that about 2 min elapsed when…NTSB SEA89FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Kasaan, AKThe plt planned to land at a seaplane base that was located in a bowl-shaped cove. Drg the landing, the acft touched down long on water swells & the plt elected to go around. Witnesses rprtd that drg the go-around, the plt initiated a steep turn while still…NTSB LAX89DVM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeard Varieze · Palo Alto, CAThe acft crashed 200 ft short of the rwy in a pond and nosed over. Witnesses heard the sounds of low power. Evidence of low/no power was shown by the prop. Investigation revealed that unapproved engine mods were made by pilot/owner. An untested carb heat…NTSB DCA89LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2J · Missing (Pacific Ocean)During a flt at night from majuro, marshall islands to cairns, australia, the plt requested a dscnt from FL 190 to 12,000 to remove ice from the airframe. Later, he requested a climb to FL 200. After starting the climb, he made a mayday call to sidney flt…NTSB ATL89FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 720 · Alcoa, TNAfter encountering icing conditions in flight and experiencing problems maintaining altitudes and headings, the pilot elected to divert from his planned destination of dayton, oh to knoxville, TN. While on final approach after descending 1300 ft below minimum…NTSB SEA89FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 335 · Arlington, WADrg a ngt arr, the plt was vectored for a LOC rwy 34 apch. After rchg the final apch fix/outer marker (om), he was clrd for the apch. Abt 5 or 6 min later, the ATC ctlr noticed the acft was aprx 7 mi nw of the arpt, climbing abv 3000' MSL. Missed apch…NTSB FTW89FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Tomball, TXThe airplane was being used for touch and go landings by an instructor and a low time student. It was on a base leg to land to the south when the instructor told the tower she had lost the engine and was going down. There were no witnesses to the accident.…NTSB CHI89FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Vermillion, ILNTSB CHI89DEV04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportTesori Regionne 2002 · Urbana, ILThe plt transmitted on an advisory frequency 'clear the area I have engine trouble'. While turning from downwind to the base leg of his emergency approach to the airport, witnesses observed the airplane in a steep right bank when it suddenly banked left and…NTSB ATL89DMG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportFlagg Teenie TWO · Albemarle, NCReportedly, the 150-hour pilot owner was performing a high speed taxi run to get acquainted with the airplane and its controls. The airplane taxiied down runway 22, using 3000 feet of the 4700 foot runway and suddenly became airborne. The flight continued to…NTSB NYC89DNE01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47D1 · Russell, MAA pilot induced low rotor RPM condition, followed by blade flapping as the main rotor blade contacted the tail of the helicopter.NTSB LAX89DVD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHitchcock JH-1 · Petaluma, CAPlt was on initial flt in newly-built gyrocopter. After takeoff, witnesses observed the acft to climb to about 100 feet then to nose over until ground impact. No evidence of mechanical failure was found.NTSB ATL89FA047Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Bakersville, NCDuring the VFR business flight radar data indicated the acft descended from 9,500 to approx. 5,500' MSL where it collided with a mountain. Clouds were present in the area. There were no witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was located by ELT signal. The…NTSB MKC89DCJ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-17 · Omaha, NEWitnesses observed the airplane takeoff and climb steeply to about 100 feet above ground. The airplane then turned sharply to the right and crashed into the ground in a nose low attitude. Investigation revealed no problems with either engine or airframe.NTSB MIA89LA046Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The student pilot contacted ifss at miami, FL and filed an intl flight plan to the Bahamas. He did not request a weather briefing and none was given. The pilot later contacted controllers and stated that he was in instrument meteorological conditions and…NTSB LAX89FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Hanford, CAThe pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and descended below the minimum descent altitude while executing the missed approach. Contributing to this accident was the deteriorating weather conditions and the pilot's wish to return the airplane to its…NTSB DEN89FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Fairplay, CONTSB MIA89FA044Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Molino, FLBefore takeoff, the plt was adzd of an apchg cold front in the Florida panhandle as well as a forecast of hvy thunder- storm activity in the area of pensacola. En route, he was provided VFR flt following from pensacola apch ctl while cruising at 6500 ft.…NTSB FTW89FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Port Lavaca, TXThere were no records to indicate the non-instrument rated pilot received a pre-flight weather briefing from any weather reporting service. Witnesses in the area of the accident stated the night was dark and the ground was covered with fog. The airplane…NTSB ATL89FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Concord, NCPIC & wife flew to local residential area to photograph a house. The acft was flown in the vicinity of the accident for about 30 minutes. Radar data displayed the acft in a level left turn at 2300 feet (1700 AGL) for about 50 seconds when contact was abruptly…NTSB LAX89FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Gorman, CAThe aircraft entered into an uncontrolled descent. The existence of a mountain wave along the aircraft's flight route, the failure of the crew to evaluate reported weather conditions along the flight route, the crews attempt to fly into known adverse weather…NTSB FTW89FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337A · Weatherford, TXThe pilot failed to maintain minimum required airspeed for slow flight (vs), resulting in a stall with insufficient altitude to recover. A contributing factor was the Piper pilot's unannounced fly-by, which diverted the Cessna pilot's attention.NTSB DEN89FA036Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · Cortez, COThe plt obtained a wx briefing from las vegas fss and was told that flt under VFR was not recommended for the proposed flt to durango (dro). The plt filed a VFR flt plan and departed las vegas. Over page, AZ, he filed a PIREP and was again told VFR flt not…NTSB CHI89FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream AA1A · North Vernon, INThe aircraft was observed to make a high speed low level pass adjacent to the runway and a climbing left turn away from the airport, heading north. A witness in a field north of the airport reported seeing the aircraft descending from a low altitude, level…NTSB BFO89FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Meadows Of Dan, VAThe pilot conducted VFR flight into IMC because of inadequate inflight planning/decision. The aircraft experienced inflight brakup when the pilot was unable to maintain flight within the design stress limits of the aircraft.NTSB FTW89FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Oklahoma City, OKThe plt was briefed on flt prctns for IFR conds, tstms & ocnl mod rime icing. Drg the climb, he told ATC he was having trouble with his vacuum & was disoriented. ATC clrd him for altitudes he could use & bgn providing no-gyro vectors. A wxcheck revealed there…NTSB NYC89FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Gans, PAPilot's bad judgement in flying in weather conditions beyond the capabilities of his aircraft. The pilot overstressed the aircraft and sheared the left wing by making an abrupt turn in turbulent air above the design maneuvering speed (VA). The accumulation of…NTSB MKC89FA027Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Locust Grove, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance altitude and exceeding the minimum descent altitude published in the approach procedure.NTSB FTW89FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Fort Worth, TXFailure to the flight instructor and the student pilot to obtain a weather briefing prior to departure, and he flight instructor's failure to observe the deteriorating weather conditions in sufficient time return to the airport prior to instrument…NTSB NYC89FA033Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Shirley, NYLoss of control during takeoff, due to the failure (separation) of the right rudder control cable. Contributing to the accident was improper inspection and maintenance of the cable.NTSB LAX89FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 · Milpitis, CAThe pilot failed to maintain altitude while performing a maneuver.NTSB LAX89FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Fremont, CAThe newly certificated private plt reportedly was emotionally disturbed about his employment & personal life situation. He loved flying & flew to release anxiety. Near midnight the plt departed for a short x-c flight during which he became disoriented. The…NTSB CHI89FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Chicago, ILThe first takeoff was aborted due to a perceived engine problem. Six minutes later on second takeoff, the aircraft climbed to 50 feet, drifted to the right, rolled right and impacted in the infield. This was a single pilot operation in a complex aircraft.…NTSB CHI89DEX01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPitts S-15 · Delphi, INFailure to recover from an aerobatic maneuver due to lack of total experience, and lack of recent experience in the type of flight regime.NTSB NYC89FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Holden, MAInflight loss of control due to spatial disorientation and contact with trees prior to regaining control after the pilot experienced an unknown problem with the autopilot. Contributing was the lack of recent night experience.NTSB DEN89FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Tooele, UTNTSB NYC89FA029Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Franklin, PADue to improper grade of fuel in the airplane and bent and binding exhaust valves, the airplane engine had a partial loss of power during the takeoff ground run. The pilot did not abort the takeoff and the airplane stalled and collided with trees when the…NTSB MIA89FA033Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Jacksonville, FLDrg a ngt arrival, the plt requested a special VFR clnc to the arpt & was adzd that the wx was partially obscured, vis was 1 mi with fog & the wind was calm. As he contd the apch, all flts were adzd the vis had dropped to 1/2 mi. The plt requested clnc for an…NTSB FTW89DQG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Amarillo, TXFailure on the part of the pilot to maintain the proper airspeed for the maneuver being performed, followed by a stall at an altitude insufficient to recover.NTSB ATL89FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Mohawk, TNThe helicopter had landed at a private airstrip and the instructor deplaned. The dual student remained in the helicopter with the engine running. The CFI reboarded and the student made the takeoff. Later, on downwind in traffic pattern, a witness reported a…NTSB CHI89DEV02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Command 503 · Sullivan, ILThe pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft.NTSB ATL89FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Arcadia, FLAircraft departed on a cross country instructional flight. The aircraft landed for fuel at orlando int'l and departed VFR. There were no witnesses. The accident site was located by ELT signal in a treeline that bordered the west end of a large open pasture.…NTSB MIA89FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA5A · Tampa, FLWitnesses stated the acft was flying at low alt in the area of lake thonotosassa just before it struck the top static wire of a group of power lines. Impact occurred while the acft was on a southerly heading. The acft then crashed into an orange grove. An…NTSB BFO89FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Towson, MDAbout 6 min after takeoff, after leveling at 3500 ft, the plt rprtd he was having a probelm that he was unable to figure out. A few minutes later, he repeated the same problem & elected to divert to a nearby arpt. Witnesses rprtd the acft reversed course svrl…NTSB NYC89FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Smithfield, RIFailure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after beginning an ascent from a low pass, which resulted in a stall & loss of aircraft control. Inadequate altitude to recover from a stall was considered to be a contributing factor.