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 MIA88LA156Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M-20J · Perry, FLJacksonville center reported a loss of radar contact with the acft at approx 2133 EDT after it descended from its last assigned altitude of 6000 feet. The sole occupant and debris from the acft were found shortly thereafter. The results of an autopsy on the…NTSB DEN88FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Rapid City, SDThe plt received a wx briefing prior to departure from miles city, MT. The briefing indicated wx conditions less than VFR with icing conditions. The plt departed and landed approximately 1 hour later to remove ice from his acft. The plt departed a second time…NTSB DCA88WA055Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationMcdonnell Douglas DC-3 · Mozambique-Sa, MozambiqueNTSB DEN88FA099Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23-19 · Gunnison, COOn a cross country flt, the plt attempted to climb through a pass which was above the effective service ceiling of the acft. At approximately the effective service ceiling of the acft the acft collided with terrain. The acft was destroyed by impact and post…NTSB SEA88LA081Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell A-9B · Grace, IDPlt/owner not certificated for aerial application. No record found of prior experience in aerial application. Replaced certificated plt for undet reason. Witnesses observed acft enter stall/spin during first aerial application turnaround maneuver in strong…NTSB FTW88DRA09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCurtis Baby Great Lakes · Angleton, TXShortly after liftoff, the acft was observed to enter a rt bank and then a left bank to a course parallel to the t/o rwy. It was subsequently observed to enter a left turn which steepened and the acft nosed over until ground impact. Original turn was executed…NTSB LAX88FA168Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Essex, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude to ensure terrain clearance while mountain flying.NTSB LAX88FA163Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS355F · Cajon, CAPilot's failure to maintain altitude.NTSB ATL89FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · MissingThe airplane and pilot reportedly departed moncks corner, SC sometime between 1900 and 2000 EDT on 4/17/88. The airplane was subsequently reported Missing, and search efforts were conducted between 4/20/88 and 4/29/88. Aircraft damage and injury index are…NTSB ANC88FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Palmer, AKThe pilot-in-command was a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic who was working on the airplane. The owner stated that the mechanic was not authorized to fly the airplane. The pilot's brother stated he had just disembarked from the airplane after a…NTSB SEA88FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Port Angeles, WADrg arr, the flt was handed off to whidbey island apch ctl at whidbey island (nuw) naval air stn (nas). Nuw was 35 mi NE of the destn (fairchild intl arpt/clm), at Port Angeles, which had no operg ctl twr. The plt was given the nuw wx, which was 400 scat,…NTSB LAX88FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Maricopa, CAAircraft inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX88FA161Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Los Banos, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain control of his aircraft to avert a collision with the ground.NTSB DEN88FA098Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Pintura, UTThe plt and two pax departed overton, NV destined for sundance, WY. Witnesses stated that the acft took off under an overcast and followed interstate 15 northbound. A witness driving on the interstate said that he saw N2738R at aprx 600 ft AGL over the…NTSB LAX88WA165Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Mulege, MexicoNTSB DEN88FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Deer Lodge, MTNTSB DEN88FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Milford, UTThe plt (with a recent instrument rating) rcvd a wx briefing fm cedar city (cdc) fss & filed an IFR flt plan fm provo (pvu) to st george (sgu). Current sgu wx wasn't available, but wx for cdc (abt 45 mi nne) was provided. The plt was adzdof moist unstable…NTSB SEA88LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSteen Skybolt GT-2 · Saint John, WAAfter tkof witnesses said the acft did a maneuver at 50-60 ft AGL that involved a steep (90 degree) banked turn to a snap roll. The biwing acft was capable of aerobatic flt and the plt had discussed aerobatic roll maneuvers on tkof with the acft co-owner. The…NTSB ATL88FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Bowling Green, KYPilot called fss on wrong freq. Another pilot answered & pilot req fss freq. He then called fss, rpted eng quit. Witness heard 'eng starting' momentarily overhead, watched acft pitch over, dive to gnd & impact with no attempt to flare for lnding. Pitch trim…NTSB FTW88DPJ04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2A · Elk City, OKThe aircraft was observed doing aerobatics. A stall/spin was initiated from a climbing vertical attitude. Corrective action was not accomplished by the pilot and the aircraft was observed to spin to ground impact. No aircraft malfunctions were found.NTSB SEA88FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Soda Springs, IDWhile en route on a night IFR cargo flt, the plt reqd & was clrd for a dscnt from an IFR cruise alt of 16,000 ft to proceed vfr-on-top. The last transmission from the acft was at 2106 when the plt acknowledged that he was familiar with the terrain along the…NTSB NYC88LA125Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Fairfield, PAFailure of the pilot-in-command of N34JH to see and avoid N311DP.NTSB FTW88DRA06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportNeff BD-4 · Beaumont, TXDuring the flight, an oil-like odor was detected and oil spots appeared on the windshield. The oil pressure dropped to zero and the engine failed. During the forced landing on a highway, the left wing struck a road sign. The spar/ fuel tank ruptured and the…NTSB DEN88FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Helena, MTThe acft depd glasgow, Montana, where the passenger (secretary of state for Montana) had been campaigning. Initially, a VFR flt plan had been filed; however, drg arrival at Helena, an IFR flt plan was filed when the plt realized the wx had deteriorated. The…NTSB ATL88FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C50 · Fayetteville, NCThe pilot reported a fuel pump problem to Fayetteville tower and requested landing. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 04. The controller noticed that the pilot had not lowered the landing gear. The pilot was questioned concerning the gear. Instead of…NTSB ATL88DMG05Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBellanca 14-19-3A · Boone, NCNTSB BFO88FA034Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Manassas, VAThe pilot had departed waycross, GA, on the morning of the accident for a cross country flight to Manassas, VA. During the approach into Manassas, the aircraft contacted trees off the approach ends of rwys 34L and 34R. Both rwys were in use at the time and it…NTSB MIA88RA139Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421A · Freeport, BahamasNTSB LAX88FA148Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-325 · Orinda, CABefore the acdnt, witnesses observed the acft circling in a valley beneath a low cloud layer & below the surrounding hilltops. They estimated the ceiling was 400' obscured. Two witnesses said the acft entered clouds before it crashed. A 3rd witness, who was a…NTSB CHI88FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Hardwick, MNWitnesses observed the aircraft for aprx 8 minutes in erratic diving, climbing, and steep-turning maneuvers which culminated in a 12 degree descent to the ground. The sound of the eng was heard throughout the sequence and other evidence indicated engine power…NTSB LAX88FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Ukiah, CAThe pilot failed to maintain control of his aircraft. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of recent IFR experience, spatial disorientation and his failure to perform remedial action.NTSB DEN88FA090Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Colorado Spring, COAfter takeoff the acft failed to climb sufficiently to clear a utility pole one-half mile off the end of the runway. The acft collided with the pole and crashed in a residential street. The plt and three pax were fatally injured and the acft was consumed by…NTSB ATL88FA136Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Middlesboro, KYThe plt received preflt wx briefing that stated VFR flt was not recommended due to low pressure system affecting proposed flt path. Wx forecast included tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms to 42,000', moderate rime icing, moderate turbulence, wind gusts to 70 KTS,…NTSB DEN88FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G103A · Boulder, CONTSB CHI88FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Quincy, ILDescent below the dh by the pilot in command during an instrument approach into known adverse weather rather then proceeding to a suitable alternate destination.NTSB MKC88FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Kansas City, MOThe cargo flt dptd cincinnati enrt to wichita, KS with an intermediate stop at Kansas City dtwn arpt. The flt progressed nrmly to a VOR rwy 03 instrument apch, circling to rwy 01. The PIC had been clrd to commence the apch. Twr pers subsequently advised the…NTSB LAX88FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Saticoy, CAA certificated private pilot and his instructor, conducting training in a 172P, were turning left to a southeasterly heading at 3,400 feet MSL, near an uncontrolled airport. A Cessna 172N on a pleasure flight in the vicinity was climbing on a southwesterly…NTSB FTW88FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Henrietta, TXThe plt was given a pre-flt wx briefing by a fss briefer. He rcvd a full & thorough briefing, except the briefer did not have an opnl wx radar set available. The plt was adzd of a line of thunderstorms (tstms) to the southwest, moving east at 20 KTS. He was…NTSB ATL88FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20G · Jasper, GABefore depg blairsville, the plt reqd the current atlanta wx for the dekalb-peachtree arpt & for an afternoon outlook. He told the briefer that he had received a previous wx briefing. He was informed that the forecast was for instrument conds until noon with…NTSB FTW88FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hope, ARThe non-instrument rated pilot initiated the flight into known adverse weather after being advised during a preflight weather briefing that VFR flight was not recommended. About 40 minutes before the crash, he called el dorado (Arkansas) radio and requested…NTSB CHI88FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · Onamia, MNPilot's poor judgement in continuing VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his subsequent disorientation and failure to maintain aircraft control.NTSB LAX88LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Valley Center, CAWitnesses observed the acft rotate to a high pitch attitude during the initial climb after takeoff. They said the acft then entered a left turn & descended to the ground. Impact occurred on rising terrain, beyond a gully, about 200 ft east of the departure…NTSB DCA88WA048Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-38 · Oxford, United KingdomNTSB LAX88FA134Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D95A · Santa Maria, CAFailure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the loss of power in the left engine and to maintain control of the aircraft.NTSB DEN88FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421A · Albuquerque, NMThe plt and one pax were on a business trip in the U.S. From Canada. The plt had the acft fuel tanks 'topped off' prior to departure from Kansas city. The flt plan indicated 3 hours 30 min enroute to Albuquerque with 5 hours 30 min of fuel on board. Strong…NTSB BFO88FA031Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion NA-4 · Fancy Gap, VAThe pilot failed to maintain visual contact and clearance with rising terrain after VFR flight encountered IMC.NTSB CHI88FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Servia, INThe pilot induced overload to the airplane structure causing material failure of the airplane. Attempted flight into adverse weather, and spatial disorientation of the pilot, are contributing factors in this accident.NTSB LAX88LA133Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA5A · Union City, CADuring a pleasure flight, the airplane collided with a power line tower. The airplane was consumed by fire. The weather at the time of the accident was reported to be instrument meteorological conditions with low fog. The pilot did not file an instrument…NTSB ATL88FA123Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Sevierville, TNThe aircraft was not certified for acrobatic flight. According to several witnesses the pilot was practicing acrobatics with three passengers on board. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and did not recover.NTSB BFO88FA026Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210N · Quantico, VAThe acft was abt 25 mi south & inbound to dca when the plt rprtd an enctr with snowshwrs which were part of a cold front. He asked & was clrd to dscnd to 2500 ft so he could maint VMC. Radar data showed, the acft dscndd past 2500 ft to 1300 ft. abt 16 mi…