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 ANC87LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Mcgrath, AKA local hunting guide crashed his airplane in a remote mountain pass in central Alaska. Another guide who overflew the crash site shortly after the accident saw the airplane burning, but was unable to land due to strong winds, severe turbulence and strong…NTSB ANC87FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Coal Lake, AKThe pilot of the airplane stated that he had step-taxied to the east end of the Lake in preparation for a takeoff to the west. During the take off run, the airplane struck the wake he had just created and became prematurely airborne. He reduced power in an…NTSB ANC87FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28F · Anchorage, AKThe pilot of the helicopter was seen flying at approximately 50 feet AGL down the length of a private gravel airstrip near Anchorage, Alaska. A nearby jogger said that the pilot appeared to wave at him as he flew past and then he heard the helicopter crash…NTSB DEN87FA230Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Cedar City, UTWhile on a x-country flt the plt flew into a canyon where turbulence was encountered. The plt stated that he was unable to maintain alt and during the descent the acft collided with the terrain in a small side canyon.NTSB ATL87FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Lima, OHDuring a night flt from toledo to cincinnati, OH, the acft crashed along the route at Lima, OH, after svrl local residents heard an acft circling. Initial impact was with the top of a dike after the acft crossed over a reservoir. Wreckage was scattered over a…NTSB ATL87DKG06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPitts S-1 · Brooks, GAThe acft was observed in aerobatic maneuvers near the departure airfield. The last of the series was a lomcevak maneuver, which was started at an estimated alt of 2500 to 2700 ft. a witness rprtd the acft went into an inverted flat spin, which was corrected…NTSB SEA87FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G II · Yakutat, AKAcft was observed to depart from controlled flight while in a steep left turn at slow speed and low altitude, impacting on a river sand bar. Fire ensued, demolishing acft. Following heavy rains, river rose and acft not recovered.NTSB MIA87FA239Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Coral Springs, FLThe acft had been abandoned in the Bahamas for aprx 7 months. A plt, with no known flt time in a Cessna 421, flew it to ft lauderdale. Except to avoid clds, he made the flt at a low alt & airspeed. When asked why, he said he was trying to save the engs. The…NTSB ATL87FA257Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V-35B · Hilton Head, SCPIC said he had wx brief. Noted tstms ovr atlantic & fog at arpt. Stated he would hold ovr ocean until arpt clr. Acft track on radar was into area of tstms ovr ocean followed by mode c altitude deviations and loss of radar contact. Acft recovered from ocean.…NTSB MIA87FA236Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Opa Locka, FLA student plt & instructor (CFI) in Cessna 152, N48864, took off & entered rgt traffic to practice lndgs on rwy 9R. Soonthereafter, a helicopter plt (h/p) in a bell 47G-2, N6728D, took off & entered rgt traffic to practice lndgs in a desig-nated helicopter…NTSB LAX87FAMS4Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172P · Missing Acft, CAThe pilot told family and friends that he was going to fly along the coast and return at night. He did not return. The civil air patrol searched for the aircraft and pilot for several days without success. The flight originated at van nuys airport, van nuys,…NTSB CHI87FA198Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Martinsville, INShortly after takeoff an engine failure occurred. The aircraft stalled and spun to the ground when the pilot tried to return to the airport. The fuel selector was positioned on the almost empty auxiliary tank (meant for use in level flight only).NTSB CHI87FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Kenosha, WIThe aircraft was on final approach for landing during a dual instructional flight. The aircraft was observed to pitch up, then enter a nose down, right wing low attitude which it maintained until it impacted the ground. Witnesses, including another CFI who…NTSB ATL87FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Murray, KYPIC stated to friends he intended to execute a hammerhead stall after take off from a private grass strip. Airstrip owner observed acft make a low pass, pitch up vertically, and execute a hammerhead stall at about 450-500 feet AGL. There was insufficient…NTSB SEA87FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Chelan, WAThe pilot was observed making a engine out landing at his private grass/dirt strip. The dirt strip is located on a plateau with the runway starting at the edge of the plateau. The aircraft impacted in a steep nose down attitude below the runway level on a…NTSB NYC87FA241Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Selinsgrove, PAThe pilot was conducting a demonstration flight in an overweight aircraft in conditions of low ceilings and fog. After a touch and go landing the aircraft stalled during the takeoff then collided with the ground. Exam of the wreckage did not disclose any…NTSB NYC87FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Kings Point, NYN3025W departed on a ferry flight with an unsecured, temporarily installed fuselage fuel tank. A computed c.g. at takeoff showed the aircraft about .9 inches aft of the aft limit. The aircraft had climbed to 7000 feet when the controller saw the aircraft…NTSB ATL87FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 112 · Middlefield, OHOn the previous flt, the plt made two unsuccessful IFR approaches before landing on the third attempt. The pax- configured acft was loaded with cargo. The plt filed an IFR flight plan and departed the arpt. Radio contact was established with ATC and the plt…NTSB MKC87FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Kanorado, KSThe fss stated they had personally briefed the student pilot on the wx en route for this night flight and told him VFR was not recommended. At the first stop, he called the co-owner of the airplane and told her he had been flying around storms. At the next…NTSB DEN87FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Cubero, NMThe plt rcvd a wx briefing prior to departure. VFR flt was not recommended by the briefer. N5247V departed at 2005 hrs and at 2200 hrs the plt radioed abq ARTCC that he was descending from 9000 ft to 7500 ft to avoid wx. ARTCC radar track was lost shortly…NTSB SEA87LA174Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLutz Flying Dutchman · Twin Falls, IDThe purpose of the flt was to check the acft after replacing a wooden prop with an all metal prop & to prepare for entry in the reno air races. Bfr entering the air races. The plt needed to demonstrate his ability to make a 'barrel roll' & to make 3 lndgs.…NTSB NYC87FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Nantucket, MAThe Piper PA-28-161 with a pilot and passenger onboard disappeared from the radar scope while being vectored to an ILS approach to rwy 24 at Nantucket, MA. The controller observed the aircraft in a southeasterly heading and asked the tower controller to…NTSB LAX87FA309Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-55 · Salton City, CAInstructor pilot's inability to recover control of the aircraft after it entered a spin.NTSB LAX87DUM05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSawyer DF-9 · Ramona, CADuring the third test flt, the plt was to fly the acft to 6000 ft for slow flt and flutter testing at increasing speeds to 200 mph. The plt was then to complete a shallow descent to touch-down with an on final, over-the-fence speed not to exceed 75 mph.…NTSB FTW87FA206Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Lissie, TXThe Piper aircraft, N1038U, departed from runway 32 at the municipal airport, wharton, Texas, on a northbound flight, about two minutes after the Cessna aircraft, N4745U. About 10 minutes later the two aircraft experienced a mid-air collision about 16…NTSB CHI87FA195Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Baileyville, ILWhile performing a low level (300-400' above the ground) flight search for a remote controlled aircraft that had been lost during flight, the pilot lost control of the acft. A witness reported that the aircraft entered a 'tight left turn', and then the nose…NTSB NYC87DHJ02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportReder KR-2 · Mattituck, NYWitnesses observed the experimental homebuilt acft in a steep nose down attitude descent with its prop rotating. No witnesses were located who saw the acft prior to the descent, however, pilots in the area reported that winds were turbulent and gusty. The…NTSB MKC87FA165Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Batesville, ARThe airplane was at maximum gross weight at takeoff. The field elevation was 613 feet and the density altitude was 3300 feet. There were two runways available. Runway 25 was 6002 feet long and had a slight headwind from the southwest. Runway 35 was 3320 feet…NTSB LAX87DUG07Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportQuickie Q-200 · Redlands, CADuring a demo flt the acft was observed on final approach when it collided with the terrain and was consumed by fire. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions reported. The plt made a radio call as he turned to the base leg. There was no report of…NTSB DEN87DTK01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBushby Mustang II · Aberdeen, SDWitnesses reported that they observed the acft perform two snap rolls. During the second snap roll something came off the aircraft and fell to the ground. The acft then became inverted and descended until impact with the ground. The acft impacted in a near…NTSB BFO87FA057Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Washington, DCThe helicopter was on a LCL photography (sight-seeing) flt. While hovering at aprx 200' abv the potomac river, the eng lost pwr. The plt initiated an autorotation & deployed the emerg floats. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted in the river & rolled ovr,…NTSB ATL87FA235Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Camilia, GAThis flt had been delayed several days due to poor weather in the area. On the day of the flt the plt waited until the local area fog had dissipated before departing the private air strip. The acft was heard above the clouds about five miles from the crash…NTSB ATL87FA234Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Aurora, NCThe pilot ditched the aircraft after running out of fuel while en route to bayboro,NC. The flight had departed earlier in the day and had flown to melfa,VA. The pilot did not fuel the aircraft before starting the flight and over flew several possible…NTSB NYC87FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Martha Vineyard, MAThe plt was involved in commerical fishing operations as a spotter and to direct the closing of nets around schools of tuna. While directing the closing of a net, the fish being netted reversed course and started to escape from the open net. The plt dove at a…NTSB FTW87DRD11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Bastrop, LAThree flagmen were working with one spray plane and three fields. On this pass, two of the flagmen moved to the proper positions but the other one had moved too FAR laterally. The pilot stated to the sheriff that he had observed the flagman stepping off the…NTSB SEA87FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Kettle Falls, WAWhile on a local personal flight, plt entered a canyon into rising terrain, colliding first with a tree and then ground near crest. Investigation revealed that acft probably had performance to clear crest had tree not been struck. Circumstances indicate plt…NTSB DEN87FA219Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Milner, COThe plt was on a flt fm green bay, WI to steamboat spgs (sbs), CO, with stops at sioux city & cheyenne (cys). At 2245, he contacted denver fss, stated he was on final apch to sbs & said the rwy lgts had gone out. He then asked for the freqfor 'putting them…NTSB DCA87MA046Accident · 156 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Romulus, MIThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-88/05. 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 BFO87FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 190 · Hedgesville, WVThere were no eyewitnesses to the acdnt, but 3 persons heard the eng rev up to a high power setting before the plane crashed. Subsequently, it crashed in a wooded area north of the plt's 2600' pvt strip. There was a wooded hill north of the strip. The plt's…NTSB SEA87FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFleet 16B · Bellevue, WAThe pilot executed an emergency landing on a golf course after a power loss which he attributed to carburetor ice. Subsequent to the landing the aircraft was fueled with 10 gallons of automotive gasoline. The fuel was checked for water at the strainer drain…NTSB DEN87FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Switz City, INAfter departing the bloomfield arpt, the plt flew with his family over a coal mine area where he had done reclamation work. Witnesses at the mine stated that they observed the acft fly low over the mine pits & that the plt waved at them. The acft departed,…NTSB MKC87FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Solon Springs, WIThe surviving pax rprtd that drg initial climb after takeoff, the eng suddenly stopped & did not respond to atmts of a restart. The plt turned back toward the arpt, but was unable to reach the rwy. The acft impacted large trees in a wooded area, then crashed…NTSB ATL87FA230Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Offerman, GADuring a local flt the acft was observed flying at a level attitude approx 10 ft above a corn field at high speed. The right wing of the acft struck tree branches approx 60 ft AGL during a pull up. A 6 ft section of the right wing separated. The acft climbed,…NTSB LAX87DVA11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRockwell S-2R · Mendota, CAThe ground flagman reported the pilot had just completed spraying the bean field. The pilot was in the process of doing a touch-up application when he flew under the power lines. The airplane right wing contacted the lowest of the 4 powerlines, rolled…NTSB DEN87FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A · Bozeman, MT74-Year-OLD plt was performing aerobatics at small arpt for local tv news station to promote weekend airshow. Plt made right & left pass, each pass consisting of shallow descent, pullup from aprx 150 to 200 ft AGL, & slow roll. Plt began third pass from…NTSB SEA87FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Ketchikan, AKN58318 (Hughes 369, under contract with us geological survey) was inbnd fm se to lnd at Ketchikan-temsco heliport (6Z4) as N73WS (Cessna 185 amphibian) was depg se fm Ketchikan intl arpt (ktn). Ktn & 6Z4 were located in tongass narrows withmtns NE & sw. Rprtd…NTSB BFO87FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-200B · Washington, DCA flight attendant fell from the acft during opening of the L5 door. The f/a was helping a company ground person, who was outside on the boarding step. The boarding step was not against the acft but about 1 ft away from it. When the door was opened, the f/a…NTSB NYC87FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Atlantic City, NJDuring the takeoff roll witnesses observed the aircraft swerve from left to right with the engine(s) 'missing' or intermittent. The aircraft lifted off and climbed to approximately 50 feet AGL and continued across a waterway in a leftturn with the landing…NTSB LAX87FA300Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Springville, CAThe pilot was flying over sharply rising terrain in a canyon in a mountainous area. There was insufficient room in the canyon to manuever the aircraft. The pilot reported that he had maintained an airspeed just above a stall while attempting to fly through…NTSB MKC87FA159Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Maquoketa, IAAfter departing the Maquoketa muni arpt, the acft was observed to fly at low altitude over some buildings that included a house & trailer home. As the acft flew over the property in a left banking turn, the left wing struck the top of a tree & then the acft…