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 NYC88FA041Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · St. Marys, PAWhile getting fuel, the pilot of the Mooney M20C and his 3 pals were attempting to remove frost with paper towels and plastic credit cards after being told by the fuel truck driver that the arpt had no ice removal solution. A witness stated that as the…NTSB LAX88FA042Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Grand Canyon, AZWhile cruising en route all engine power was suddenly lost and the plt attempted an emergency ldg at the Grand Canyon arpt. During the glide, the acft crashed into an outcrop of rocks on a steep cliff, 0.5 mi from the end of the rwy. Exam of the engine…NTSB DCA88MA004Accident · 28 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14 · Denver, COThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-88/09. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm…NTSB SEA88FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180G · Cambridge, IDDuring a fuel stop at elko, NV the pilot requested a weather briefing for VFR flight to lander, WY or to couer d'alene, ID. The FAA fss briefed him on adverse weather to both destinations, with flight advisories for mountain obscurations, occasional severe…NTSB NYC88FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Danby, VTThe pilot was on a VFR cross country flight when the aircraft descended rapidly and collided with trees. Several witnesses reported hearing extensive engine surges. Witnesses reported seeing the acft maneuvering in a highly erratic manner, then begin a nose…NTSB NYC88DGM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Spartansburg, PAThe pilot landed at the franklin, PA airport after encountering fog. After making several phone calls and remaining on the ground for about 37 minutes he departed. About 30 minutes later the aircraft was seen circling at a low altitude, flying in and out of…NTSB LAX88DVG01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportStoopin Scorpion · Browns Valley, CADuring the local flight, the acft was observed at 300 ft when a power loss apparently occurred. The aircraft descended steeply into a wooded area. The witness stated that the pilot/manufacturer had performed maintenance on the aircraft,s engine immediately…NTSB FTW88FA028Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Lancaster, TXThe pilot received a weather report indicating that IFR conditions prevailed. After takeoff the airplane traveled approximately 1/2 mile before it crashed. Pilot was not instrument rated and had very little total time. He did have three hours of night time…NTSB DEN88DTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · Keenesburg, COThe commercial ag plt was starting a spray run on a new field. During the first pass, the aircraft struck power line wires. The aircraft rolled left and impacted the terrain in a wings level, nose low attitude. An immediate post crash fire destroyed the…NTSB DEN88FA023Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Pintura, UTBfr takeoff, the plt was briefed abt lgt to mod rime icing in clds & precip abv the frzg lvl. The frzg lvl was forecast to be at 7000' to 9000' in the area of prescott, sloping downward to the north. The plt did not file a flt plan, but did rcv VFR flt flwg…NTSB SEA88MA015Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Bellingham, WAThe acft was chartered to take university (wwu) psnl to an alumni dinner. While rtrng at ngt, the plt made a localizer only, ILS rwy 16 apch in marginal VFR conds. Drg the apch, radar svc was terminated & the plt was told to ctc bellinghamradio, but he did…NTSB NYC88DNE01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLamb Commander Elite · Meriden, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the homebuilt gyrocopter while preforming low level 'fast taxi' maneuvers.NTSB FTW88FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Fulton, TXAcft departed in conditions of low ceiling and visibility with a student plt and pax on board. Witnesses at the arpt estimated the ceiling as 150 to 300 ft ovc with 1/8 to 1/4 mile vis in fog. After lift off the acft entered the fog in a rt climbing turn and…NTSB DEN88FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Durango, COThe two pax had chartered N8266U for a sightseeing flight of the local area. The charter plt, a CFI found that one of the pax was a plt and permitted him to fly the acft. The pax expressed an interest in spotting elk and flew the acft into a canyon, below the…NTSB LAX88FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22A · Moraga, CAA divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in rotor contact with the cockpit area.NTSB NYC88FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Forked River, NJThe pilot and passenger departed white plains, new york on a VFR flight to kill devil hills, north carolina. Search efforts were initiated when the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination. A witness in a hunting camp near the crashsite saw the aircraft…NTSB NYC88DHA01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCouden Skybolt · Mansfield, NJWitnesses observed acft performing multiple aerobatic maneuvers. They said airplane was performing vertical maneuver or nearing top of loop when it entered an inverted flat spin. Rotation was stopped, but recovery incomplete when airplane crashed in a hay…NTSB ATL88FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-18C-55 · Camden, OHThe pilot took off downwind and did not use all of the available runway. With insufficient airspeed, the aircraft stalled shortly after takeoff. The pilot was unable to recover within the altitude remaining and collided with an oncoming train.NTSB MIA88FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-55 · Brookhaven, MSThe pilot of the twin engine aircraft landed with vis 1/2 mile in fog and realized he had landed long. He executed a go-around and on the second landing forgot to lower the landing gear. The propellers stuck the runway and severely damaged one propeller. He…NTSB LAX88FA065Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN2A-26 · Desert Center, CAThe plt was hired to ferry an islander from el paso, TX to santa paula, CA. He represented himself to the ferry company as being an experienced islander plt. No previous islander flt time was found in the pilot's logbook. It was the plt's 40th birthday & he…NTSB CHI88FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Lawrenceville, ILWhile performing aerobatic maneuvers the aircraft entered a spin to the left and did not recover before impacting the ground. The acft entered the spin after the plt announced that this spin would be the last maneuver before landing. The spin was started at…NTSB MIA88FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150E · Aguadilla, PRWitnesses observed the acft maneuvering a low alt over ocean water near a shoreline. They saw it pull up sharply to clear a commercial boat dock, then nose over & impact the water in a nose low, rgt wing low attitude. The acft sank & came to rest in 30' of…NTSB LAX88FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Buttonwillow, CAA Piper PA-24-250 collided with terrain while on an IFR flight. The pilot received a wx briefing from fss. While en route, radio and radar contact was lost, then regained. The pilot stated to ATC that the acft had been struck by lightning. He elected to…NTSB DEN88FA016Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Mitchell, SDThe acft had been cleared for the VOR approach at Mitchell municipal arpt at approx 1915 CST. The acft collided with the ground in a slight nose down attitude about 12 miles northwest of the arpt at the point where the procedure turn intersected the inbound…NTSB LAX88FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Red Bluff, CAThe pilot was asked to move his aircraft from a private airstrip on which he had landed without prior approval. As the aircraft climbed after takeoff the pilot made a left wingover, reversed course and buzzed the runway at an elevation of about 30 - 40 feet.…NTSB LAX88DUQ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStits Elkins 85 · Camarillo, CADuring the starting procedures for a local flight, the pilot had chocked the wheels and was hand-propping the engine. After several tries, the engine started. The airplane jumped the chocks and the pilot moved to the right wing, attempting to stop the…NTSB ATL88FA020Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B24R · Louisville, KYDrg tkof fm rwy 19, the plt transmitted 'we have a door open.' Twr psnl clrd him to lnd on any rwy, but he stated againthat a door was open. Again, twr psnl clrd him to lnd on any rwy. No otr radio calls were recd fm the acft. Svrl personssaw the acft at low…NTSB SEA88FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Colville, WAAlthough the recently certificated private pilot was not checked out by the fixed base operator for night flight and had been warned to return before sunset, he departed the airport during dark night conditions. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft climb…NTSB LAX88FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208A · Fairfield, CAPilot's encounter with severe turbulence which precipitated a loss of aircraft control.NTSB FTW88FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Midway, TXThe plt (a co-owner) was on the 1st flt of the acft after its 150 HP Lycoming O-320 eng had been replaced with a 180 HP Lycoming O-360 eng. He took off at about 1115 CDT. The flt progressed w/o rprtd incident until 1437 CDT, when the plt stated the acft was…NTSB FTW88FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Llano, TXThe pilot departed lubbock, Texas in VFR conditions. As the flight progressed the ceiling and visibility deteriorated and the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions. No evidence was found to indicate that the pilot obtained a weather briefing…NTSB CHI88FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Oshtemo Townshp, MIThe aircraft was at cruise altitude (9,000 feet) for approximately 20 minutes when the pilot reported the loss of right engine power. Chicago ARTCC reported the closest airport was kalamazoo, 28 miles west. The aircraft began to descend and at 0330:53 chicago…NTSB SEA88FA011Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Walton, ORWitnesses observed the aircraft flying westbound toward a pass at a low altitude above the ground near the base of low stratus clouds. The aircraft struck a tree at the top of a ridgeline in mount/hilly terrain on a northeasterly heading, traveled 1/2 mile…NTSB DEN88FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Bailey, COThe aircraft crashed on the side of a mountain during visual meteorological conditions. The pilot had been in voice and radar contact with air traffic control until the aircraft disappeared from radar. The pilot reported severe turbulence and a rough running…NTSB CHI88FA008Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Brownton, MNAcft crashed in open farm field during night dark conditions witness heard loud roar of engs then a hard dull thud and then silence. Angle of impact was near vertical. Engs were buried 8FT and dist of wreckage was confined to within the dimensions of acft.…NTSB ANC88FA011Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Homer, AKThe weather between Homer and anchorage included marginal conditions along segments of the route. The airline transport rated pilot was encouraged to take advantage of an offer to travel by automobile and still arrive in time for a commitment in anchorage. He…NTSB MIA88FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau 230 · Arcadia, FLThe accident occurred while the aircraft was performing exhibition aerobatics at an airshow. The acft had just completed a portion of the planned low alt aerobatic sequence which included a tail slide & 3 rolls with the nose of the acft pointed toward the…NTSB LAX88FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Buena Park, CAWhile depg on an IFR flt to VFR conds, the plt failed to provide the correct transponder code per ATC clnc. The local controller (ctlr) reminded him to set the correct code & the plt subsequently replied 'I'm having a problem right now . . . I've got to get…NTSB FTW88FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Houston, TXThe acft developed a fire in the eng area during the initial climb after takeoff. When the eng lost power the plt attempted a lndg in a small park. The acft touched down just short of a drainage ditch and collided with the sloping embankment on the opposite…NTSB FTW88FA006Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Refugio, TXThe plt continued VFR flt into wx that was IMC. The acft impacted the terrain in an extremely nose low attitude. There was no record of the pilot receiving any pre-flt or in flight weather briefings or forecasts for this flight. A witness reported normal…NTSB BFO88FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Indian Head, MDThe non-certificated plt took the acft without proper authority. A note was found in his automobile that showed he intended to commit suicide. A revolver was found at the crash scene with a spent cartridge under the hammer. Postmortem studies showed the pilot…NTSB LAX88FA015Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDassault-Breguet DA 10 · Rancho Murieta, CAIn flight loss of control by the pilot flying while performing an intentional low level aerobatic maneuver.NTSB NYC88LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Island Falls, METhe Piper J-3 cub experienced a power loss while cruising at an altitude described by witnesses as just above the trees. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. Examination of the engine disclosed that that fuel drain valve on the fuel…NTSB MKC88FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion Aeronca 7GC · Columbia, MOWitnesses reported the pilot had planned to practice 'taildragger' takeoffs and landings. They reported the aircraft operated routinely from engine start through the final approach segment of a VFR traffic pattern. While stabilized at about 400 ft AGL on…NTSB MKC88FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Lincoln, NEDuring climbout, smoke began filling the cabin and shortly thereafter the eng stopped. Ground witnesses observed smoke coming from the eng compartment just before the acft impacted a large woodpile behind a house located 1/2 mile east of the arpt. Examination…NTSB NYC88FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Gardner, MAWhile executing tough-and-go landings, the pilot neglected to partially raise the wing flaps, as recommended in the owners manual, before lifting off. Thereafter, the pilot failed to maintain a safe airspeed for the landing configuration and inadvertently…NTSB MIA88FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · St. ThomasAfter departure, aprx 3 miles west of the arpt at St. Thomas, the plt reported to the tower that the flt was returning to land due to a loss of power from the left eng. He secured it, returned to land, & on short final, positioned the landing gear selector…NTSB MIA88FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 700 · Pompano Beach, FLWitnesses stated that just after takeoff, the left engine started to leave a trail of white smoke, the acft then turned left back towards the arpt & crashed into the street. Post crash examination revealed one of the left engine crankshaft counterweights…NTSB ATL88FA010Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Greenville, SCThe plts trip home had been delayed one day due to wx enrt. He had called the fss early for a briefing and had been advised that there should be no trouble for a noon depart time. He deptd clemson about 1000 and activated his VFR flt plan. He then contacted…NTSB NYC88LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F-33A · Concord, NHThe plt obtained a telephone wx briefing then filed an IFR flt plan for a 1030 EDT departure fm Concord municipal airport. The plt rptd off Concord at 800 ft and climbing at 1047. Manchester departure control acknowledged, assigned a transponder code, and…