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 WPR22FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Show Low, AZThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an aborted landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB GAA22WA054Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus Design SR22 · Auxerre, FranceNTSB CEN22FA081Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Fulshear, TXThe limitations of the see-and-avoid concept as a method for self-separation of aircraft, which resulted in an inflight collision. Contributing to the accident was the absence of collision avoidance technology on both aircraft.NTSB GAA22WA063Accident · 4 fatalClass 4 · ForeignRockwell 114 · Redcliffe, AustraliaNTSB GAA22WA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper 25-260 · Vereda Aparco, Ibague, ColombiaNTSB CEN22FA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Bloomington, INThe pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the presence of turbulence and low-level wind shear.NTSB ERA22LA090Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Auburndale, FLA bird strike, which resulted in a loss of control while flying at low altitude over a lake.NTSB ERA22LA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s encounter with a wake vortex from a preceding airplane, which resulted in a roll upset at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ATC to issue a wake turbulence cautionary advisory.NTSB GAA22WA050Accident · 9 fatalClass 5 · ForeignGulfstream GIV · Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicNTSB CEN22FA073Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · LaPlace, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly in instrument conditions.NTSB GAA22WA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRans S12 · Szadek, PolandNTSB CEN22FA070Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310J · Inola, OKThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB WPR22LA061Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMoul Willis RV-3 · Bermuda Dunes, CAThe pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB ERA22FA086Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSwearingen SA226 · Bedford, NHThe pilot’s failure to secure and feather the left engine and increase power on the right engine after a perceived loss of engine power in the left engine, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain just short of the runway. Contributing to…NTSB CEN22FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Steamboat Springs, COThe pilot’s failure to adhere to the published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA22WA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R66 · Mrassu, RussiaNTSB ERA22FA085Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Crab Orchard, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN22FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Houston, TXThe student pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA22FA083Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Statesboro, GAThe pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.NTSB CEN22FA064Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-4 · Walsenburg, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while intentionally maneuvering in a canyon at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to enter a canyon environment at a low altitude, and the sudden change in wind conditions…NTSB WPR22FA055Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Medford, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb into clouds due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA054Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Visalia, CAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB GAA22WA038Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMurphy Rebel · Wasbush, CanadaNTSB CEN22FA058Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182L · Bonnerdale, ARThe noninstrument rated pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA22WA037Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna A185 · Laguna Negra, ParaguayNTSB WPR22FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRussell W Dyer Vortex · Lakeport, CAThe pilot’s loss of control for reasons that could not be determined and the delayed remedial action to recover from the power pushover event.NTSB CEN22FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Perry, OKA loss of lateral control during a hover that resulted in an impact with terrain. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of lateral control could not be determined.NTSB GAA22WA060Accident · 3 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA34 · Ubatuba, BrazilNTSB GAA22WA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCubcrafters CC11-160 · Monterrey, MexicoNTSB ERA22FA076Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T210R · Grove City, PAA catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation after the pilot’s failure to secure the oil filler cap before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ decision to continue the flight following the oil loss event and precautionary landing.NTSB WPR22FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CAThe failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.NTSB CEN22FA042Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T310R · Chadron, NEThe incapacitating effects of a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR22FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182Q · Carlsbad, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain separation from an FM tower guy wire while on an aerial survey flight.NTSB GAA22WA058Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Rauch, ArgentinaNTSB CEN22FA035Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Estes Park, COThe airplane’s encounter with severe to extreme turbulence associated with mountain wave rotor cloud activity, which resulted in loss of airplane control.NTSB GAA22WA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Hope, CanadaNTSB CEN22FA032Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E-90 · Boyne City, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact.NTSB GAA22WA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignJust Escapade · York, United KingdomNTSB CEN22FA031Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2A · Beaver Island, MIThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB WPR22FA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Randsburg, CAThe pilot’s improper landing approach, which failed to account for wind conditions, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following an overshoot of the runway extended centerline, resulting in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.…NTSB GAA22WA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna P210N · Dornbirn, AustriaNTSB ERA22FA058Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Branchville, NJThe flight instructor’s failure to recover from a steep spiral turn during an instructional flight.NTSB ERA22FA056Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith CH601 · Oak Hill, FLA loss of airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ERA22FA051Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportIssitt Greg Sonex · Malone, FLAn in-flight collision with a tree for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA22FA050Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20F · Villa Rica, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.NTSB ANC22FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGerald Jones 2+2 · Kodiak, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA22WA024Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90 · Caratinga, BrazilNTSB ERA22FA047Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA30 · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while troubleshooting a landing gear indication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.NTSB CEN22FA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV · Harrison, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.