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 LAX87FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Newport Beach, CAOn a dark night beneath a scattered to broken marine layer of stratus clouds the plt made a low altitude pleasure flight 1/4 mi off shore. The acft entered a gradual descent, collided with the ocean and the plt drowned.NTSB DEN87FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-140 · Last Chance, COWhile on a cross country flt the plt encountered IFR conditions and was neither trained nor qualified to fly IFR. Attempts by ATC to assist the plt and route the flt to an arpt were unsuccessful. The plt lost control of the acft and crashed in a field, the…NTSB ATL87DEK02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAllen Pitts Special S-1 · Lancaster, OHN52LA was being flown in a 2-acft acrobatic demonstration (demo). After takeoff, the plts bgn the demo by passing each other in a low alt knife edge maneuver over the rwy. After passing, they rolled inverted, until near the ends of the rwy, then rolled…NTSB ANC87FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Crooked Creek, AKThe acft overflew the destination due to fog. The station manager stated that after transmitting to the plt that the wx was 'zero zero', the plt stated that he would continue on to red devil and she heard it fly overhead. The first pieces of acft debris were…NTSB SEA87FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Las Vegas, NVThe student plt planned a x-country flt for 3.6 hrs. After 3.9 hrs of flt, fuel exhaustion occurred as the acft was apchg the destn arpt. The plt declared an emergency, but was unable to glide to the arpt. Witnesses observed the acft on an apch to a vacant…NTSB ANC87FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot had unsuccessfully attempted to fly through atigun pass earlier in the day. Even though the pass was closed due to fog and cloud cover, the pilot attempted to fly through the pass a second time. The aircraft wreckage was locatedin atigun pass. The…NTSB ANC87LA114Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Central, AKDuring an interview in the hospital with the passenger who was the pilot's son, he stated to the FAA inspector that his dad was low level flying when the aircraft struck a tree. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed. At the time of the accident…NTSB SEA87FA152Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Pahrump, NVThe pilot entered a box canyon and attempted to either outclimb the terrain or reverse course. The aircraft's airspeed was allowed to decrease below vs and the aircraft stalled. A density altitude of approximately 9500 feet existed at the time. Insufficient…NTSB NYC87FA215Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Sparta, NJThe acft was observed to fly near power lines, then roll inverted, crash & burn in a wooded area. The 4 occupants rcvd multiple impact injuries which were fatal. The acft was destroyed by the impact & post crash fire. Svrl witnesses rprtd the eng power was…NTSB MIA87FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBuccaneer XA-430 · Lk Buena Vista, FLThe accident occurred while the acft was flying at an EST 800 to 1000 ft. persons on the grnd heard a bang, then looked up and saw the acft in a spin to the rt with the rt wing folded back over the fuselage. The acft hit the grnd in a near vertical attitude.…NTSB LAX87FA286Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Oakdale, CAThe plt & his plt-rated wife (flying in their Luscombe) & another couple (in a rented Mooney) had dinner & drank wine. By about 0015 the couples had taken off in their respective acft for a return flt home and they had each other in sight. The couple in the…NTSB FTW87FA184Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Imperial, TXAfter takeoff, the plt elected to fly low over a reservoir. He stated that as he began a pass, not FAR from the water's edge, the acft enctrd a sink. He said he ' . . . Checked power, all ok, plane just seemed to lose all lift . . .' Subsequently, the acft…NTSB FTW87FA183Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Kokomo, INThe plts preflt wx briefing revealed marginal VFR & IFR wx along his proposed route, with a precaution for thunderstorms. An IFR flt plan was filed and the acft departed. Later during flt the plt was radioed info about a convective SIGMET that contained a…NTSB DEN87FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Kalispell, MTA Cessna ag wagon, N731SH, hit an electrical pwr line during a climbing turn while crop spraying. The acft was observed plummeting to the ground. The acft was substantially damaged and the plt received fatal injuries. The plt was climbing into the sun which…NTSB CHI87FA177Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Morris, MNThe plt was ferrying the acft from Ohio to Alaska. While en route, he stopped & refueled at Morris, MN. After he took off, the plane crashed in an open field about 1/2 mi from the arpt. No known witnesses saw the acdnt, but a passerby found the acft on its…NTSB NYC87DNE04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Groton, CTShortly after the aircraft departed the airport, air traffic control personnel received a distress call from the non-pilot rated passenger. She stated that the pilot (her husband) was incapacitated by an apparent heart attack and she was not qualified to fly…NTSB MKC87FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWatts 532 Elite · Davenport, IAWitnesses located 1/4 mi north of the accident site, observed the gyrocopter departing the Davenport, IA airport and turning to the southwest. While in cruise flight the witnesses observed the aircraft moving in an up and down motion prior to what appeared to…NTSB FTW87FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Kirbyville, TXThe pilot approached the Kirbyville airport in preparation for landing, witnesses stated that smoke was observed coming from the engine area. The aircraft impacted 30 foot pine trees, & control was lost. The aircraft struck a large tree approximately 5 feet…NTSB NYC87FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Poestenkill, NYThe non-instrument rated plt was on a flt to psn the acft for sky diving activities. As he was transiting the albany arpt radar svc area at 5500', radio and radar ctc were lost. Subsequently, the acft crashed in a steep dive and was demolished by impact. Psnl…NTSB LAX87LA334Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Williams, AZThe aircraft was reported stolen on July 26, 1987. It is believed that the aircraft departed the grand canyon airport in grand canyon, Arizona on July 26, 1987, at 0300 MST. A search of records or airports in the area revealed that the aircraft was refueled…NTSB ATL87FA223Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Circleville, OHAprx 35 min after the acft tkof, witnesses observed it in what they described as erratic flt. One witness rprtd the acftflew over a vacant field where it entered a steep climb, then stalled & impacted the gnd in a steep nose down attitude. No preimpact part…NTSB ANC87LA113Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Happy Valley, AKThe aircraft struck the mountain at the 4000 foot level. At the time of the accident several witnesses stated that the weather was IFR, low ceiling, ground fog, and the prevailing visibility was less than one mile.NTSB LAX87FA281Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Monterey, CALoss of control of the aircraft, by the pilot, while excuting a missed approach.NTSB FTW87FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Crystal City, TXThe pilot landed downwind on his private strip. The exact amount of the tailwind could not be determined. A thunderstorm was located just to the east of the runway and could have readily given N448 a strong tailwind. The aircraft touched down 390 feet beyond…NTSB CHI87DER11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHendrickson Polliwagon · Ely, MNWhile on downwind to the airport the aircraft departed level flight and impacted in a wooded area in an approximate 80 degree nose down attitude. The aircraft was destroyed and the plt who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. This was an…NTSB SEA87FA149Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 560-A · Ashland, ORThe non-instrument rated pilot took off in overcast weather conditions and flew toward a mountain pass that was obscured in clouds. When the flight failed to arrive at the destination, a search was initiated and the wreckage located in a box canyon on the…NTSB SEA87FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Avery, IDWhile in cruise at 15000 ft MSL, plt requested ATC deviation around tstm shown on acft stormscope. After passing, ATC gave vector to rejoin airway. Plt requested further deviation around another cell. Radio and radar contact were then lost. Investigation…NTSB MKC87DCQ03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-36 · Nickerson, KSAfter a swath run to the east, the acft was observed to pull up & begin turning back to the west. The witness then saw a big cloud of smoke. She did not see spray coming from the acft drg the last swath run, although her vision was limitedby foliage & bldgs.…NTSB CHI87FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Chicago, ILFailure of maintenance personnel to perform proper installation of the left throttle linkage.NTSB ANC87FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Hinchinbrook Is, AKAccording to witnesses the aircraft was low flying just above the tree level when the aircraft stalled and spun down into the trees.NTSB SEA87FA141Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B200 · Crystal Bay, NVWhile on an instrument flight plan in IMC, the flight was cleared for an instrument approach to the south lake tahoe airport, the intended destination. The aircraft departed the initial approach fix on the published transition to the final approach course.…NTSB DEN87FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Coaldale, COThe ATP rated pilot was an airline captain on a Boeing 727 aircraft. However, the pilot had accumulated a total of only 140 hours in single engine aircraft with 20 hours in the Cessna 210. Moderate to severe turbulence had been forecast and reported in the…NTSB CHI87DER10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hollandale, MNAfter making a swath run the aircraft pulled up to clear power lines. Witnesses state that the engine cut out and aircraft pitched nose down and began to rotate. They state that the engine regained power just prior to impact. Subsequent investigation failed…NTSB NYC87DNC08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna R172K · Cantebury, NHA local CFI heard the plt transmit over the UNICOM freq that he was 'north of the airport at 1100 ft & out of gas, so I guess I'm going to crash.' Attempts to contact the plt were unsuccessful. The CFI flew north of the airport & located the plane where it…NTSB DEN87FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Vail, COThe pilot proceeded up a box canyon while on a cross-country flight. When unable to out climb terrain, the pilot attempted to reverse direction. During the turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed into trees. The pilot had not received instruction in mountain…NTSB LAX87FA267Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Marina Del Rey, CAWeather at dept airport was clouds at about 900 ft with tops at 2,400 ft. based on ATC transcripts and the recorded radar flight path, the flt entered the clouds about 1 mile from the end of the runway. Shortly thereafter the flt entered the los angeles tca.…NTSB NYC87FA204Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Lincolnville, METhe plt was making an approach to knox county arpt, rockland me and after receiving a wx report from UNICOM that the local wx was below approach minimums he indicated that he would make a missed approach. There was no further communications from the acft. A…NTSB ANC87FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Kasilof, AKThe student pilot and his non-pilot passenger/father were flying along a salt water beach looking for signs of a recent oil spill, when the pilot saw a fishing net in the water that he wanted a closer look at. He made two 180 degree turns at an altitude of…NTSB MIA87FA205Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Palatka, FLWitnesses stated that they heard the acft's eng sounding rough just before it crashed into the trees. Another witness stated that he noticed that there were flames & smoke coming from the left side of the plane. A tail pipe assembly was found on the ramp at…NTSB LAX87FA264Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan ST3KR · Firebaugh, CAAt about 1650 PDT, the plts of 2 Ryan ST3KR acft depd coalinga on a flt to los banos, CA. At about 1709 PDT, the plt of N48777 made a hand signal to the other plt, pointed toward the ground & entered 'a normal glide.' Subsequently, the plt of N48777…NTSB ATL87FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Yanceyville, NCThe plt was engaged in low alt commercial photography. Witnesses had observed the acft operating at a very low altitude in the area for the past two or three days. The witness closest to the crash site related that the acft would make a straight pass near a…NTSB SEA87FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-4-210C · Sitka, AKPlt was on local VFR flight plan. Witnesses observed acft flying at low level along beaches. Later, witness saw smoke rising from wooded terrain about two miles inland from nearest beach. Investigation revealed no evidence of inflight failure of malfunction…NTSB CHI87FA162Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · New Brighton, MNWitnesses observed the floatplane start a climbing left turn shortly after becoming airborne from a water takeoff. The aircraft's right wing dropped and the aircraft dove into the water where it struck the surface right wing first, flipped inverted and sank.…NTSB DEN87FA178Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Hayden, COThe plt and two pax were participating in the denver, CO to jackpot, NV air classic. The acft departed, destined for rock springs, WY. The plt was believed by a friend to have been navigating with the use of a recently installed RNAV system. The plt radioed a…NTSB ATL87DLT03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBurkhart Grob G102-111B · Memphis, TNGlider tow rope released at about 200FT following t/o. glider made rt turn followed by stall/spiral which continued until ground impact. Tow pilot saw glider pilot's hat falling to ground just after tow rope was released by glider pilot. Glider canopy was…NTSB CHI87DER09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGreat Lakes Adams 2T-1 · Bethel/Msp, MNThe amateur built aircraft impacted in an open farm field. Although witnesses did not agree on the altitude the aircraft was flying at, they all stated that the Great lakes 2T-1 was spinning before it collided with the ground. One witness indicated that the…NTSB MKC87FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Holdrege, NEWitnesses stated that the aircraft was performing a loop when the left wing failed upward and rearward causing the aircraft to plummet to the ground, out of control. The aircraft appeared to have been in trouble during the loop entry and throughout the…NTSB LAX87FA257Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A60 · Santa Rosa, CAPilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach which resulted inthe aircraft stalling.NTSB BFO87FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Abingdon, VAFss advised the plt that VFR flight was not recommended due to obscured mountains along the flight route. There also were thundershowers west of the flight route. The plt said he had to leave to stay ahead of the thundershowers. He said that he would fly the…NTSB NYC87DNC07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMcculloch Monerai "S" · Springfield, VTThe monerai 's' (N54MS, a pwrd glider) experienced an inflt failure of the left wing spar & crashed. An investigation revealed the acft was being operated in excess of its max gross wt limit of 450 lbs. The plt of an unpowered monerai said he & 3 others…