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 CHI88FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Norwalk, WIThe pilot made several calls to the fss and obtained weather briefings for reported and forecast IFR conditions along his proposed route of flight. After departure from sparta, Wisconsin in weather described by witnesses to be below VMC, the aircraft impacted…NTSB ATL88DKG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDavis RV-3 · Loxley, ALThe pilot was making touch and go landings at a private airstrip. On the third takeoff witnesses said the aircraft climbed steeply and appeared to enter a hammerhead stall. The aircraft impacted the ground near the departure end of the runway. The…NTSB MIA88FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · Venice, FLWitnesses stated that the acft was climbing & just after takeoff, the left wing dropped, the acft then leveled off, climbed aprx 75 more feet. The acft then abruptly turned hard left & went straight in, striking a wall surrounding a swimming pool, burst into…NTSB NYC88FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Waynesburg, PAShortly after departure from runway 26, the aircraft engine failed. The aircraft banked to about 90 degrees, descended and impacted the ground. A flight instructor described the wind as very gusty and varying out of the south at approximately 10-20 knots. The…NTSB LAX88LA093Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Kirkland, AZDuring a cross country flt, the acft struck power lines that were stretched across a canyon. The unmarked wires were aprx 500 ft AGL. There were no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions. No explanation was given for the low flying.NTSB LAX88FA094Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Temple City, CAPilot of N63CA improper visual look-out. Contributing to this accident was the controller's failure to observe the faster moving airplane approaching the single engine Cessna from the rear.NTSB SEA88FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · Hamer, IDThe two non instrument rated pilots (owner/pilot in command and second pilot) as well as a passenger departed medicine hat, alberta, Canada, on a pleasure flight to las vegas, Nevada. Upon arrival at great falls, Montana, both pilots were briefed on the…NTSB MKC88FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream 500B · Pierceville, KSThe acft dptd garden city under extremely poor wx cond's. more than half way to dodge city, the PIC rptd eng pblms to Kansas city (ARTCC). Vectors were provided to the dodge city arpt, but the PIC did not maintain assigned hdgs. The acft headed back towards…NTSB DCA88MA017Accident · 9 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA-227AC · Bayfield, COThe aircraft was operating as Continental express flight 2286. During the approach in IFR conditions, the aircraft went below the minimum descent altitude then struck the terrain at 7180 feet MSL. Exam of the aircraft did not disclose any pre-impact failures…NTSB MKC88FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T-620 · Hazelwood, MOProper glide path not maintained by p.I.c., decision height not identified by the p.I.c., missed approach not performed by the p.I.c. turning on lights in overcast.NTSB MKC88DPG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMeyer VARI-EZE · Little Rock Afb, ARPilot received a wx briefing and was told VFR was not recommended. The pilot did not file a flight plan and flew an aircraft not equipped for IFR into weather with 100-feet obscured ceiling and .3 mile visibility. The aircraft crashed into the ground at a…NTSB FTW88MA048Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley 125-600A · Houston, TXBfr tkof, a plt of xa-kut was briefed that the Houston hobby (hou) wx was IFR with '. . . Indefinite ceiling zero sky obscured visibility's 1/16 of a mile and fog . . .' He was also adzd IFR conds were forecast until 0900 CST, gradually improving to marginal…NTSB CHI88FA046Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Carbondale, ILShortly after reporting the outer marker while executing an ILS runway 18 approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft deviated left of the localizer centerline. At a position approximately 1/2 mile outside the middle marker and about…NTSB ATL88FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Barnardsville, NCNTSB MKC88FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Creve Coeur, MOWitnesses stated that the aircraft suddenly started a vertical climb from a straight and level flight attitude. The airplane lost momentum while in the climb, then it nosed down and dove towards the ground. It exploded upon impact and was destroyed in the…NTSB LAX88FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Newhall, CAPilots decision to continue VFR flight after encountering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DEN88FA054Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Elbert, COThe acft collided with slightly rising terrain with the rt wing slightly down and the nose attitude level. Following the first contact, the acft skipped about 90 ft and the 2nd impact was in a more pronounced rt wing low and nose down attitude. The canopy was…NTSB LAX88FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Lost Hills, CAOn a dark night with light drizzle falling the pvt plt, who was not instrument rated, departed from an uncontrolled arpt for a x-c flt. The plt made a downwind departure, & his altitude on the x-wind leg was estimated by a passing truck driver at 200 ft AGL.…NTSB FTW88FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Conroe, TXThe newly certificated private pilot, who had 55.2 hours total flight experience, was on his initial solo flight in the Cessna 310 model. His flight logbook had been endorsed for solo flight in the aircraft on November 20, 1987. Witnesses observed a rather…NTSB ATL88FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Cedartown, GANTSB LAX88FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2A1 · San Diego, CAPilots complacency in performing the preflight inspection. His failure to disconnect the two tie downs straps attached to the right side of the helicopter resulted the roll.NTSB SEA88LA080Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Hailey, IDThis Cessna 180 was on a VFR flight from gooding, Idaho to Hailey, Idaho when it disappeared. The wreckage was later found in a steep canyon about 15 miles from the destination. No mechanical failures were found. Good VFR weather conditions existed at the…NTSB DEN88FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T303 · Kiowa, COThe plt obtained two wx briefings and filed an IFR flt plan to el paso, TX. He was not instrument rated. The acft departed apa at 1959 and disappeared from radar at 2010. The crash site was 11- 1/2 mi se of the Kiowa VORTAC and 36 mi se of apa. Radar showed a…NTSB CHI88FA041Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild SA226T · Pontiac, MIAcft was scheduled for an instructional flt. During the wx briefing, the CFI told the fss specialist that the flt would include eng-out practice. Witness statements indicate that the acft rolled sharply to the rt and nosed down after attaining about 100 ft of…NTSB LAX88LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G109B · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot and his passenger used the motorglider's powerplant to takeoff and climb to a mountain ridge to soar. Upon reaching the ridge top the pilot shut off the powerplant and entered soaring flight. The passenger stated that the motorglider descended into…NTSB DCA88RA022Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-180 · Snaefellsnes, IcelandNTSB LAX88FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Napa, CAPilot's inflight loss of control of the aircraft while maneuvering in IFR conditions after becoming disoriented while executing an instrument approach procedure. Factors in the accident were the pilots lack of recent instrument flight experience and the…NTSB FTW88MA047Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 36A · Monroe, LAThe crew was executing the ILS approach and had turned back inbound on the procedure turn to the outer marker when the co-pilot stated they were 5.9 DME in a calm voice with no indication of a problem. Impact with the ground occurred at about 5.9 DME,…NTSB CHI88FAMS1Accident · 4 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Warsaw, INAircraft departed during the hours of darkness and was declared missing after failing to arrive at its stated destination. The proposed route of flight crossed a large body water and a local lakeshore resident reported hearing an airplane strike the water. No…NTSB MIA88FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Pembroke Park, FLThe non-instrument rated private pilot obtained a weather briefing that indicated the weather would be deteriorating to IMC, but he attempted a flight anyway. During the flight, he became disoriented and penetrated 2 control zones and then struck an antenna…NTSB CHI88FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Bedford Park, ILDrg an arrival to chicago midway arpt on a cold night, the plt rprtd he was having trouble with a sticky throttle. Subsequently, he made an emergency transmission & said he was 'going in.' Witnesses saw the acft in a descent before it crashed. One witness…NTSB CHI88DEX01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Salem, INN6478P crashed during a forced landing near the Salem, IN, airport. The aircraft had experienced an engine failure due to failure of the number 5 connecting rod cap bolt. The aircraft struck a tree during the approach and crashed 100 yards north of the runway.NTSB FTW88FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Midland, TXThe aircraft collided with power lines and the ground shortly after takeoff during instrument conditions. The only evidence of a malfunction or failure which was found was the gyro for the pilot's attitude indicator which had no indication of rotation at…NTSB MIA88FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Parkland, FLAcft was seen descending in a near vertical dive at a high rate of speed with no rotation along the roll axis. The acft crashed nose first into a newly planted corn field. Post crash examination of the acft structure, flight controls, and engine revealed no…NTSB ATL88FA072Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28C · Woodstock, GAA plt/witness rptd that the airplane first flew over the arpt to the North at about 500 ft AGL, and subsequently performed a wingover at the North end of the arpt. The airplane then made a high-speed pass over the rwy to the south, at about 50 ft AGL. Upon…NTSB ATL88FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ravenna, OHNTSB MKC88DCQ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportFlagg Star Lite · Ft. Scott, KSThe failure of the main spars at the attachment points inside the fuselage.NTSB NYC88FA062Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Burlington, VTDrg flt fm wilmington, de to rutland, VT, the plt diverted to binghamton after recg the albany wx & learning rutland wx was not available. After lndg, he told fss psnl he phoned rutland & was told the wx was good. He got 2 wx briefings bfr contg the flt & was…NTSB SEA88FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Molalla, ORThe recently certificated, non-instrument rated, pvt plt flew into the an area of low ceilings, low vis, rain & snw w/o filing a flt plan. No record of a wx briefing was fnd. A surviving pax rprtd that drg flt, the plt flew into clds that were initially…NTSB SEA88LA033Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Las Vegas, NVThe aircraft bounced on landing touchdown, swerved off the side of the runway and impacted a concrete culvert in a drainage ditch. Witnesses observed the acft bounce and stated that no application of power for recovery was heard nor any apparent attempt to…NTSB DCA88RA019Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402 · St. Barthelemy, WNNTSB BFO88FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Keymar, MDWitnesses heard and observed the aircraft takeoff, bank to the left, and nose down into the adjoining dirt field with no change in engine sound. Exam of the wreckage revealed that an elevator cable had separated at a point where grounding strap was found to…NTSB ATL88FA068Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Rutherfordton, NCThe pilot was cleared for the adf approach. The aircraft was last observed on radar about one mile inside the rbn. The aircraft was located on December 27 about 4 NM NE of the airport. The aircraft impacted the trees at about the 2270-foot level of carson Mt.…NTSB MIA88FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Destin, FLWitnesses stated that they observed the acft flying in the fog in a southeasterly direction and turn hard right just before it struck the 19th floor of a condominium. The fog according to residents of the bldg was so thick that the ground could not be seen…NTSB LAX88FA075Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Maunaloa, HIThe flight was to be flown across a 22 mile channel between islands on an overcast night with no moon and no ground reference lights. The aircraft disappeared from radar and, after extensive searches, could not be found. A three dimensional flight track was…NTSB LAX88DUM02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD-5 · Chula Vista, CANTSB ATL88FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · Crossville, TNN6571R crashed into trees near the VOR on top on hinch mtn at about 3000 feet MSL. Trees at the crash site indicated wings level with a descent angle of about 10 degrees. Weather in the area was IMC, characterized by low ceilings (lower than the mtn top…NTSB MKC88FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Chadron, NEThe acft was on a flt to Chadron via Chadron VOR. Abt 30 mi sse of the VOR, the plt reqd & was clrd to fly drct to ackmeiaf for an NDB rwy 2 apch. The acft contd twd the VOR which was in the same general drctn, but 11.9 mi south of ackme. The NDB was at the…NTSB DCA88MA011Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kenai, AKThe pilot had just departed the runway when he reported to the flight service station that he had engine problems. The aircraft was observed by witnesses to be about 300 ft on a descending downwind. The pilot stated that he was circling for runway one.…NTSB NYC88LA059Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Sandwich, MAThe Cessna 170A was on an aerial photography flt. Witnesses rprtd the acft was flying slow at about 200 ft AGL when it began to settle. The witnesses then heard an increase in eng power & saw the acft pitch up. Subsequently, it 'fell off on a wing,' crashed…