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 SEA88FA122Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU-206-G · Root Ranch, IDShortly after takeoff, prior to reaching 500 feet AGL, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and struck trees. After striking trees the aircraft then impacted the ground and exploded into flames. Witnesses stated that from the time of rotation to the time…NTSB CHI88FA153Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Hamm Lake, MNLoss of control in flight, either by the student or by the instructor, at an altitude insufficient to allow for a recovery, by the flight instructor, before the resulting out of control descent caused the accident airplane to strike the terrain.NTSB ATL88FA254Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207 · Petros, TNNTSB ANC88LA081Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Naknek, AKThe pilot was hauling fish from remote beach sites in Alaska to a nearby gravel airstrip. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane make two approaches to the field in weather estimated as visibility 1/2 mile in fog, and a ceiling of 100-200 feet. After the two…NTSB MKC88FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Beedeville, ARIntentional buzzing performed, visual outlook not maintained and over confidence in personal ability by the pilot in command.NTSB LAX88LA247Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-1-26A · Montague, CADuring a pleasure flight, the last transmission by the pilot stated he was going to see what the glider could do besides straight and level flight. Witnesses in the area reported that they heard a loud pop and observed the glider, minus the left wing, in a…NTSB ATL88FA207Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Uniontown, ALNTSB LAX88FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHelio HST-550A · Perris, CAFailure of the electrical stabilizer trim control that resulted in an uncommanded full nose down elevator trim command.NTSB LAX88FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Descanso, CAPilot's poor judgment and intentional decision to low fly the aircraft below the minimum safe altitude.NTSB SEA88FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Skykomish, WAThe noninstrument rated pilot was attempting to follow us highway 2 westbound across the cascades mountains. According to several witnesses upon cresting the stevens pass area at an altitude of 4300 feet MSL (approximately 250 feet AGL) he encountered low…NTSB LAX88DXQ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBaron Minicoupe · Truckee, CAIt was reported that the purpose of the flight was to buzz friends of the pilot who were windsurfing on sailboards. The airplane was seen maneuvering erratically at a very low altitude over the boca reservoir. Witnesses said the airplane did several steep…NTSB CHI88FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Ft Wayne, INInadvertent stall/spin due to the failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and failure to avoid the adverse wind conditions associated with a thunderstorm.NTSB MIA88WA207Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 414 · Nassau, BahamasNTSB DEN88FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Capitan, NMNTSB SEA88LA118Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportI.C.A. Brasov IS-29D · Athol, IDPlt was on third flt in make/model. Witness stated approach was too low and slow to make airport. Acft made a turn to the left and then to the right. Wing dropped and acft entered stall/spin to the right and continued rotation to the ground.NTSB FTW88FA125Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Anson, TXInadequate weather evaluation-pic; flight into known adverse weather, inadvertent-pic; design stress limits exceeded by PIC; thunderstormNTSB DEN88FA138Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas A-26C · Cimarron, NMThe plt rcvd a wx briefing before takeoff, but did not file a flt plan. Drg the flt, the acft (Douglas A-26C, N4813E) crashed in mountainous terrain at an elev of about 11,200' near baldy mountain. Scouting personnel, who were camped in the vicinity, rprtd…NTSB MIA88FA206Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Madeira Beach, FLWitnesses stated that the acft was flying about 20 feet above the bay when the left wing dipped into the water. The airplane cartwheeled and sank. Witnesses said the aircraft had been buzzing homes and boats all along the coast, from clearwater south to the…NTSB LAX88FA230Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Big Bear Lake, CAThe recently certificated multiengine pilot and friends flew to big Bear airport for lunch. The density altitude at the airport was about 8,000 feet. The pilot entered a south downwind leg for runway 07 at the airport following a Mooney 231. Ground witnesses…NTSB ATL88FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Myrtlewood, ALNTSB ATL88FA199Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Horse Shoe, NCA witness reported that he was irrigating a newly cultivated corn field with a spray irrigation machine. He heard and then observed the accident airplane fly through or just over a gap in the trees at the northeast end of the field. The airplane proceeded to…NTSB ATL88FA198Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Eastman, GAThe accident occurred after takeoff from a private sod airstrip. A witness saw the aircraft climb to about 500 feet. It then started losing altitude, dropped out of sight, and crashed. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose low attitude and burned.…NTSB LAX88DVA07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAyres S2R · Firebaugh, CADuring an agricultural spraying run, the airplane was required to fly under power lines to complete the job. The airplane was seen flying in the direction of the wires. The airplane initially contacted a levee with the wing and then collided with a power…NTSB NYC88DFA02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportTerry Tierra II · Plattsburgh, NYAccording to witnesses, the plt was on his 2nd flt of the day in a recently purchased ultralight type of acft. They rprtd that after the acft took off from rwy 32, it climbed to about 300' AGL & rolled into a steep right bank. Its nose then dropped & the acft…NTSB MIA88FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Catano, PRAs the acft was taxiing for takeoff, witnesses noted the l rear baggage door was unlocked & hanging down. A warning was relayed to the plt via the twr, but by then the acft was airborne & the plt had rprtd a control prblm. Drg lift-off, theacft pitched up…NTSB NYC88FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Livermore Falls, METhe citabria 7GCBC was observed to make a loop. The left wing bent upward at the strut attach point as the aircraft was at the bottom of the loop and recovering to level flight. The aircraft was then observed to descend in a right spiral and not recover prior…NTSB MIA88FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKennedy Skycycle 2 · Orlando, FLThe gyroplane was on a local demonstration flt. The passenger (pax) stated the plt took off, climbed to aprx 500 ft AGL,descended to aprx 20 ft AGL & maneuvered near observers. He said the plt then added power & initiated a 30 deg climb attitude. The pax…NTSB NYC88FA166Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Springtown, PAWhile in cruise flight, ground witnesses observed the helicopter make two violent roll maneuvers followed by an in-flight breakup. Aircraft wreckage was spread over an area of approximately 10 acres. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the collective…NTSB MIA88FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-P · Miami Lakes, FLThe instructor (CFI), who survived, was flying the acft fm the rgt fnt seat while the owner/plt was in the left seat. The flt had progressed normally until the plts rtrnd to the arpt to lnd. Clnc was received to lnd on rwy 9L. According to the CFI, he lowered…NTSB ANC88LA152Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7AC · Coldfoot, AKUndetermined.NTSB FTW88FA119Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · Elgin, TXThe pilot radioed that he was running out of fuel while being vectored for landing. The ceiling was about 900 feet with 5 miles visibility and the accident occurred in a level grass field. Witnesses heard the engine cutting out and a loss of control occurred…NTSB ANC88FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Chugiak, AKThe pilot-in-command, a certified mechanic, performed his own maintenance on the acft. This maintenance required the removal, reinstallation & rigging of the ailerons. As the plt was taking off on the 1st flt after maintenance, the acft entered a roll after…NTSB ATL88FA191Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Knoxville, TNNTSB LAX88LA217Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Quartzsite, AZNTSB NYC88FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Enon Valley, PAThe aircraft was observed maneuvering at low altitude. The nose was observed to drop and a left rotation started. One witness said the rotation stopped before the aircraft disappeared behind a tree line. The aircraft caught fire within one minute of impact…NTSB FTW88FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Georgetown, TXThe pilot in the right seat had hired the pilot in the left seat to ferry the airplane to germany, then to turkey. A four tank ferry fuel system was installed but a weight and balance check was not made. During the tkof, the acft would not climb. Afterward…NTSB BFO88IA057Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Morgantown, WVThe pilot died from coronary disease while practicing landings.NTSB FTW88DPJ05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Collinsville, OKThe pilot experienced a loss of engine power during the takeoff leg. Post accident investigation revealed that the fuel selector was in the near closed position. This position only allowed a small percentage of the fuel to flow but would allow operation in…NTSB LAX88DVD04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Geyserville, CADuring an aerobatic maneuver in front of family and friends the pilot entered an intentional spin starting at approximately 500 ft AGL. The aircraft collided with the ground in a nose low, wings level attitude. Witnesses stated that the aircraft did not…NTSB DEN88FA121Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Rock Springs, WYShortly after departure on the second leg of a cross country flt the plt informed the fss located on the arpt that he was returning. The fss technician on duty observed the acft turn final at an abnormally low altitude. The acft disappeared from view. The…NTSB DEN88FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Grantsville, UTThe acft was 1 of 3 that were lndd on a gravel road near a truck stop where the occupants had breakfast. Drg departure, the 1st 2 acft took off without incident. Witnesses rprtd that when the 3rd acft (N71646) took off, the plt began a left turn at about 75'…NTSB DEN88FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Maljamar, NMWhile in slow flt at low level on a oil pipeline patrol demonstration flt, the acft entered a left turn and, according to witnesses, the nose suddenly dropped and the acft crashed in a vertical attitude. The acft was destroyed in the accident and both…NTSB ANC88FA065Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Hatcher Pass, AKThe aircraft crashed at the 3100 foot level of a mountain Pass. The aircraft was destroyed by ground impact and fire, and the pilot and the two passengers were fatally injured. Witnesses near the crash site stated the aircraft was maneuvering very low above…NTSB MIA88FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C · N Fort Myers, FLThe plt tkof on rwy 27 with the wind fm 060 deg at 12 gusting 23 KTS. Density alt was 2100'. Witnesses said the acft was in a slow speed, nose hi climb, when eng pwr was interrupted momentarily. Pwr was restored, but soon thereafter, the acft rolled rgt,…NTSB CHI88FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Wautoma, WIPerformance of an aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery.NTSB LAX88FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BL65 · Eloy, AZFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff climb resulting in an inadvertent spiral. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's lack of total experience in the aircraft make and model.NTSB LAX88FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H-35 · Phoenix, AZThe plt had just completed a flight from farmington, n.m., to Phoenix, AZ (phx) where she deplaned her pax. The plt dept phx enroute to mesa, AZ, (ffz). After t.o. the LCL controller instructed the plt to turn right to 300 deg and to turn on the xpndr; the…NTSB NYC88LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 23 · Meriden, CTThe Beech 23 lost power during a go-around. During an off-airport landing, the acft struck a house. The private pilot died the following day of injuries and the flight instructor was seriously injured. There was no evidence of a large fuel spill and only…NTSB NYC88FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA4-250 · Shaftsbury, VTThe Lake amphibian was being flown with two ferry tanks installed in the cabin. The pilot departed with full fuel in the aircraft tanks and 15 gallons in the ferry tanks. The center of gravity at zero fuel weight was 3/4 inch past the aft limit. With addition…NTSB LAX88FA215Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CAInflight encounter with forcasted severe icing and turbulence beyond the capability of either the aircraft or the pilot , which led to an inflgiht loss of control. Factors in the accident were the pilots lack of understanding of high altitude flight aspects…