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.
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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 FTW89FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150K · Flint, TXThe airplane was observed flying on an easterly heading at low altitude, with the propeller stopped. One of the witnesses said the airplane was gliding toward him and when close he started running away. He said the airplane abruptly turned left and went…NTSB NYC89FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Monoghan, PAEvidence indicates that the airplane flew straight into the side of a 1320 ft mountain at the 1280 ft level. The recommended minimum flight altitude for this designated mountainous area, at night, is 3500 ft. there was no evidence of any mechanical problems.NTSB ATL89FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Bridgeport, WVThe plt was cleared to execute a visual approach to rwy 21 and was issued the current alt setting of 29.60' hg. The approach was made under dark night and gusty crosswind conditions to a lighted runway in rural mountainous/hilly terrain. During final approach…NTSB FTW89FA013Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-355F-1 · W. Cameron 617The loss of control of the aircraft which occurred when the tail rotor drive shaft experienced a fatigue induced material failure and tail rotor thrust was lost. Evidence indicated that the shaft was under designed for the loads that were encountered during…NTSB FTW89DQG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Lamesa, TXThe pilot was spraying a field of cotton, and was in a turnaround when the airplane descended to the ground. The autopsy indicated the pilot died of acute coronary thrombosis. Although tox results indicate the presence of alcohol in the pilot's blood, the…NTSB LAX89FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G2 · Phoenix, AZLoss of aircraft control by a unqualified person.NTSB LAX89FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Anaheim, CAFive minutes after departure and during normal cruise flight, the certified flight instructor noticed a prop overspeed. He immediately pulled back on the prop control to reduce engine r.p.m. and instructed the student, a private pilot, to divert to the…NTSB SEA89FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 · Elko, NVApprox 10 min after t/o, the pilot stated he was returning to land due to a problem. On final the acft rolled inverted and descended nose down into a residence. Engine exam revealed a failed supercharger intermediate drive shaft gear resulting in loss of…NTSB MIA89MA023Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRockwell 1121A · Oak Grove, PAFailure of the pilot in command to observe the rapid accretion of ice on the airplane due to his attention being diverted.NTSB LAX89FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421A · Cabazon, CAThe pilot's poor decision and misjudgement of distance. The separation of the cylinder, failure of the propeller to feather, and impact with wires and a residence were factors in the accident.NTSB FTW89FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601B · Houston, TXPilot's decision to fly the approach visually with outside reference to the lights and inadvertently descending below the decision height off the proper glide path.NTSB ATL89MA023Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 210D · Nashville, TNDrg west arr at ngt, plt was vctrd for a VFR, straight-in apch to rwy 2R & adzd of Boeing 727 off his rgt front, passingfm rgt to left. He was cautioned abt wake turbc (w/t) & replied, 'okay I see him.' Ctlr then told plt to turn inbnd & maint 'visual' with…NTSB ATL89FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Alexander City, ALOn 10/31/88, the plt obtained wx info & filed an IFR flt plan fm vero beach, FL, to huntsville, AL. At aprx 1513 EST, hectcd ATC & rprtd climbing thru 1500' for 3000'. About 2.4 hrs later, he rprtd a loss of eng pwr. Vectors were provided toward an arpt, but…NTSB LAX89LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Lower Lake, CADuring a local solo instructional flight, the helicopter collided with the terrain in an open field aprx 3 miles from the airport. It was reported to have contacted the ground at considerable downward speed with high rotor RPM. No preimpact mechanical failure…NTSB DEN89DTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJones Christen Eagle II · Parker, COThe plt was performing aerobatics in a homebuilt christen eagle near his girlfriend's house where a birthday party was in progress. Witnesses said the acft executed a roll at low altitude and 'went straight in.' Weather was not a factor and examination of the…NTSB LAX89LA027Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLet L-13 · Marana, CAThe pilot reported that shortly after liftoff from runway 26 the control stick became difficult to move. He decided to continue the air tow and release at 200 feet AGL after release, the pilot turned the glider to return to the runway to land. He was still…NTSB BFO89FA004Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Ocean City, MDThe pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance above the terrain. Contributing factors are inattention to altitude and dark night conditions over illusionary producing featureless water.NTSB LAX89FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31P-350 · Redlands, CAThe pilot's inadvertent selection of an inappropriate altitude for the attempted night special VFR circle to land maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the dark night, restricted visibilities and lack of ground reference lights. Also contributing to the…NTSB LAX89FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Big Pine, CAPilot's failure to maintain proper altitude.NTSB LAX89FA022Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Petaluma, CAPilot used poor judgement when he attempted v.f.r. flight during instrument meteorological conditions and that he encountered spatial disorientation when he entered into the clouds.NTSB FTW89FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Longview, TXThe airplane was in cruise flight when the pilot transmitted that he had smoke in the cockpit. 53 seconds later contact was lost. The nose and left wing were slightly down when the acft struck trees and terrain at high speed. Fire started several minutes…NTSB MKC89FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · Rogers, ARContinued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his failure to maintain aircraft control after becoming disoriented. Contributing factors were: dark night, low ceilings, fog, drizzle, obscuration, and failure of the pilot to…NTSB BFO89FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Frederick, MDNonsubmittedNTSB NYC89FA015Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A24R · Blue Bell, PAImproper VFR procedures, the pilot failed to maintian adequate airspeed for the attitude of flight of the airplane causing it to stall and collide with trees and a powerline during recovery.NTSB DEN89FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Laketown, UTThe plt departed salt lake city on a pleasure flt to bear lake to overfly a home that he owned. Witnesses near the acc site stated they saw the acft circle over the house and then depart the area over a ridge of mtns. The acft turned out over the lake and was…NTSB LAX89FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR-182 · Paso Robles, CAThe pilot failed to maintain the proper altitude while executing the published instrument approach procedure.NTSB LAX89FA018Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Union City, CALoss of control of the aircraft by the pilot when he inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were, dark night light conditions and foggy weather conditions, inadvertent flight into IMC under visual…NTSB DEN89FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Deckers, COWhile on a corporate flt thru a canyon in marginal wx conds, the helicopter collided with the static portion of a power transmission line & crashed. The acdnt occurred where a 2,554 ft span of the power line crossed the south platte river. The power line…NTSB DEN89DTM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMickelson Mark V · Ogden, UTTotal loss of engine power for reasons undetermined which resulted in a forced landing. The pilot inadvertently stalled the aircraft during the forced landing, and that is considered a factor in the accident.NTSB SEA89LA013Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210E · Wenatchee, WAThe acft crashed while the plt was on a x-country flt at dawn. Impact occurred on rising, rocky terrain in a box canyon area at an elev of about 6000 ft. no ground scars were evident, but the acft impacted on a rocky slide area. It came to rest in one area…NTSB DEN89FA017Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Garfield, CONTSB ATL89FA015Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177A · La Follette, TNThe plt departed knoxville in VFR conds. There was an area of IFR wx to the north & northwest of knoxville. The wx was forecast to be marginal along his route of flt. The plt rprtd he wanted to depart knoxville on a heading of 360 deg & would be at 2500'. The…NTSB LAX89FA014Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Sedona, AZTotal failure of the magneto's impulse coupling which resulted in a shearing of the crankshaft's idler gear teeth and the crankshaft dowel pin.NTSB DEN89DTE01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHicks/Mervin RH-3 · Erie, CONTSB CHI89FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Ludington, MIThe pilot in command failed to maintain proper altitude utilizing basic flight instruments while experiencing a loss of gyro instruments.NTSB LAX89DUQ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLewis Moni · Lancaster, CADuring a local flight, shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported engine trouble. The pilot was cleared to land at his discretion. The glider was observed to make a steep left descending turn subsequently colliding with the terrain. This was an experimental…NTSB LAX89DUM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportArlington Sisu 1A · Borrego Springs, CAWhile thermal soaring, the acft entered a steep spinning descent, three turns to the right followed by two turns to the left and ground impact in a near vertical attitude. No evidence was found of aircraft structural failure or control malfunction. The…NTSB MIA89WA009Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Missing, BahamasNTSB ATL89FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Brooklet, GAWitnesses reported the plt began a low altitude, high speed pass over the rwy as he had done on several previous occasions. However, as he initiated the pass, the descent to the rwy was not arrested & the airplane 'pancaked' near the threshold. The airplane…NTSB ATL89DLT01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCameron AIR Command · Hixson, TNWitnesses observed the gyrocopter oscillating in the pitch axis as it passed overhead in cruise flight. A 'white or shiny' object departed the gyrocopter. The aircraft then rolled right, descended and collided with the trees and ground, inverted. One…NTSB MKC89DPG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCulver LFA · Dumas, ARA witness stated that the airplane backfired while in a turn at low altitude. He heard it backfire twice more and noticed engine running at idle just before it crashed. When runup, the engine would attain 1900 RPM, then backfire and the RPM would drop to 600…NTSB ANC89FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Little Heart Lk, AKThe pilot-in-command called a local pilot in the talkeetna area for weather and the conditions of the lake to determine if the lake's surface had frozen. He then departed for the lake at 1800 adt and was not heard from again. The airplane wreckage was located…NTSB SEA89FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Sun Valley, IDThe pilot flew into a box canyon at a low altitude above the ground near 9000 ft MSL. While attempting to climb over a ridgeline, the aircraft stalled, entered a spin, and descended nose down until impact with the ground.NTSB NYC89DHM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVangorden KR-2 · Allaire, NJThe homebuilt aircraft was being flown on its maiden flight when the accident occurred. A witness stated that he observed the aircraft 'swirling down like a bird with a broken wing.' According to him, the aircraft was intact with no evidence of smoke before…NTSB LAX89FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot failed to follow the correct I.f.r. procedures whereas he descended below the final approach fix altitude.NTSB SEA89LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRoman LONG-EZ · Salmon, IDThe purpose of the flight was to spot wild game during feeding time (at dusk). The surviving passenger estimated the flight visibility was about one to two mi with smoke. While flying in close proximity to rugged, mountainous terrain, the acft struck a tree…NTSB FTW89DPJ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAutra Scorpion/133 · Mcalester, OKThe homebuilt helicopter was departing on a local flight, when, on initial climbout, the low time, inexperienced student pilot made an abrupt maneuver which sent the helicopter into an uncontrolled descent. It impacted trees and a post crash fire occurred.NTSB NYC89FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Akron, NYThe Piper PA-18-135 stalled on takeoff and crashed. Witnesses said they observed the aircraft nose high, not climbing, and at a slow airspeed. They reported that the aircraft banked left and struck trees. The aircraft descended through the trees to the ground…NTSB FTW89DRG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDouglas A-20G · San Benito, TXIncapacitation of the pilot while flying an aircraft due to loss of consciousness from a cardiac rhythm disturbance.NTSB CHI89DET01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVolksplane VP-1 · Coldwater, MIA stall with entry into the incipient stage of a spin with insufficient altitude for recovery.