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 DEN87MA168Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Lakeside, MTThe plt borrowed the acft to fly a musical group to kalispell for a pvt engagement at Lakeside, MT, which was aprx 15 mi south of the arpt. That evening, the group boarded the acft for the return flt. After takeoff, the acft was seen flying at low alt in the…NTSB DEN87LA170Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChristian Eagle II · Snowmass, COThe ATP plt and his passenger departed aspen, CO on a local acrobatic flight. Witnesses stated the plt had been performing acrobatic manuevers and was attempting a 'loop' when the acft was observed to 'stall' at the top of the manuever, approximately 2000…NTSB SEA87FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Vashon, WAAircraft departed on a routine instructional flight. Radar track indicated aircraft engaging in maneuvers typical of instructional high work (stalls/turn/slow flight) followed by left orbit about grass airstrip used only for practice emergency landing…NTSB FTW87FA156Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-355-F1 · Venice, LAOne of the mechanics who performed maintenance on the aircraft main rotor head stated that he was not sure that he installed the retaining bolts which secured the vibration absorber assembly to the aircraft. Metallurgical analysis of the assembly indicated…NTSB DEN87FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Mitchell, SDThis non-licensed plt made an unauthorized flt at night. The acft crashed one half mile north of the arpt. The occupant of the acft was fatally injured. No records of the plt's flt experience was found.NTSB CHI87DEC04Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeech S35 · Pontiac, MIAcft was making a low pass about 200 ft AGL over rwy 27L to allow ATCT personnel to inspect landing gear position after reporting landing gear difficulties. After twr personnel informed the plt that the gear appeared to be down, the plt requested to land on…NTSB NYC87DNC06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Mason, NHThe loss of aircraft control after the tail rotor struck the trees and departed the aircraft. The pilot's poor judgement in flying in weather conditions beyond his capabilities was a factor.NTSB LAX87DUJ06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDavis Midget Mustang · Kirkland, AZDuring a low level aerobatic flight, the aircraft collided with the terrain after completing a roll. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions reported. The plt performed the last roll in view of two friends driving in a car near the acc scene.…NTSB FTW87DRD06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAir Command 532 · St.Francisville, LAWitnesses observed the gyroplane flying at 10-15 feet AGL when it started a turn to the right. It continued the right turn and descended into the ground. Dr. Moore of the FAA sw regional flight surgeon's office stated that the plt had coronary disease and…NTSB DEN87FA162Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Cody, WYThe plt & 3 paxs were returning to dallas, TX from a retreat in Montana. The plt filed an IFR flt plan from white sulphur springs, MT, to casper, WY, but did not activate it after departure. The acft was rprtd overdue by family & a search was initiated. The…NTSB SEA87FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 77 · Spokane, WAOn takeoff the aircraft climbed to 50-75 ft AGL, descended in a landing attitude, touched down on the runway near the departure end and took off again. When approaching high obstructions off the end of the runway, the aircraft entered a steep climb, rolled…NTSB FTW87FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Monahans, TXWitnesses stated that upon departure the pilot pulled the aircraft up abruptly and rolled into a very steep right climbing turn. After about 20 minutes the pilot returned to the airport due to weather conditions along his porposed route of flight. Over the…NTSB FTW87DPA03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportRollins Starlite · Arlington, TXThis was the first flight for the 156 hour private pilot in this make and model airplane, however, he had previously made several high speed taxi runs in it. According to witnesses, the pilot used only about half throttle for the attempted takeoff. The…NTSB NYC87FA192Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Ellenville, NYThe acft collided with rising terrain in a mountainous area of minnewaska state park while climbing to cruise on a VFR flight. The crash site was about 1,430 feet higher in elevation than the departure airport. The weather at the departure airport was 1000…NTSB NYC87FA188Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Tannersville, NYWhile on a VFR air taxi cargo flight, the aircraft collided with trees on the east side of high peak mountain, elevation 3,655 feet. The accident site elevation was 3080 feet. A witness said it was heavy overcast, not raining and the clouds were not below the…NTSB NYC87FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Boston, MAThe en route portion of the flt was uneventful, except that the plt used the call sign 'N251DE' instead of 'N33670' which was the registration number of his acft. Drg arrival at Boston, he was provided radar vectors, cleared for an ILS rwy 4R apch &…NTSB CHI87DEM09Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Ludington, MIN3278D was #1 (leader) in a flt of 2 North American P-51 acft. The plt of the 2nd P-51 rprtd that they were on a southerly heading over water about 1/2 mi from the shore when the leader raised his nose & began rolling to the right. Witnesses on the beach…NTSB ATL87FA189Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Jesup, GAWitnesses rprtd the acft 'buzzed' (flew low) over a factory, where the plt used to work, then it went over the altamaha river, flew under a bridge & continued up the river at low alt. About 2 to 3 mi upstream, the acft was maneuvering when it struck trees &…NTSB ATL87FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Augusta, GAThe plt ctcd apch ctl for radar svc & wx info. The destn arpt had hvy rain & thunderstorm activity, but the plt rprtd he had the arpt in sight. Radar svc was terminated & the plt began a visual apch. Witnesses rprtd the visibility dropped to 1/2 mi in hvy…NTSB ATL87DEI06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportSteen Skybolt · Wadsworth, OHThe accident occurred when the pilot was practicing aerobatics. The investigation disclosed that linkage control rods between the pilot's stick and the pitch elevator was broken. The evidence indicated that the failure was caused by a combination of…NTSB MIA87FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690A · Hilliard, FLRadar data indicated the acft climbed normally to 9,200 feet at which time some manuever was performed with the acft. The acft then entered a near vertical dive and the last radar hit was at 6,900 feet. Examination of the acft revealed it experienced an…NTSB DEN87FA159Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20A · Reserve, NMThe plt was ferrying his acft from Reserve airport, NM, to jewitt mesa airport, apache creek, NM. There was a mature thunderstorm over the northern mountain ridge producing what one witness described as winds 'really blowing hard.' She said she saw the acft…NTSB CHI87FA153Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Milwaukee, WIDrg arr at the Milwaukee/lawrence j timmerman arpt, the plt made 2 atmts to use the localizer 15L apch. After the 2nd missed apch, he elected to divert to Milwaukee/general mitchell fld (mke). At that time, he was adzd the mke wx was 300' ovc, 1/4 mi vis with…NTSB LAX87FA239Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690 · Bridgeport, CAThe flt conditions for the air ambulance trip consisted of a clear, moonless, dark night and the dest arpt was in a mtn valley with the only ground reference lights the town adjacent to the arpt. Witnesses saw the acft overfly the town and arpt at pattern alt…NTSB CHI87DET07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMcentee Stitsplaymate SA-11A · Rolling Prairie, INAircraft crashed in open rising field killing pilot and destroying aircraft. Homebuilt aircraft was not ifr-equipped or certified. Pilot had less than ten hours on aircraft. No flight plan filed. No record of weather briefing, or in-flight weather advisory.…NTSB MIA87FA189Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 23 · Miramar, FLAfter the plt lndd, the acft was serviced with 58.9 gal of fuel. Its fuel capacity was 60 gal. Subsequently, when the plt took off, the acft remained on the rwy for about 2500' of the available 3000'. After lift-off, the acft entered a rgt turn & reached a…NTSB MIA87FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Ellisville, MSBfr the flt, the arpt owner adzd the plt not to fly, since he (the plt) appeared to be intoxicated. The plt 'said ok & left,' but returned aprx 1 hr later. A witness rprtd the plt atmtd to takeoff with full flaps. Drg the takeoff roll, theacft drifted off the…NTSB CHI87FA151Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Marine City, MIA witness rprtd that drg takeoff, the acft rotated to a steep (nose up) attitude, & immediately after lift-off, the plt made a steep left turn & entered a downwind for lndg on the same rwy. He described the downwind as being a little tighter than normal & a…NTSB CHI87FA149Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Tomah, WIThe pilot had flown a closed pattern and was making touch and go landing. A witness saw the acft bounce and then initiate a go around. The surviving pax said the stall warning horn was sounding 'a long time.' At midpoint of downwind leg the acft stalled out.…NTSB BFO87DIG06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStriplin SKY Ranger · Easton, MDAfter taking off on a test flt, the plt remained in the traffic pattern & was on downwind when the eng surged or sputtered, then lost power. Soon thereafter, the acft entered a steep dscnt & crashed. The experimental, home built acft had only 11 hrs of flt…NTSB ATL87FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Asheville, NCDuring a personal night x-country VFR flight over mountainous terrain the plt was informed by ATC that vip level 3 and 4 thunderstorms were positioned across the intended flt path. The 128 hour non-instrument rated private plt acknowledged and continued the…NTSB MIA87FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Merritt Island, FLAccording to witnesses, the plt performed a hasty preflt & an abbreviated run-up bfr taking off. After lift-off, the acft bgn a rgt turn, then rolled rapidly to the left & crossed over the extended rwy centerline twd a left downwind. Subsequently, it rolled…NTSB MIA87FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Panama City, FLThe purpose of the flt was to check out a new plt in banner towing operations. The first flt had been completed, the banner dropped & the second banner was engaged. Witnesses saw the acft make the steep climb after pick-up normally associated with banner…NTSB ATL87FA173Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B · Coral Springs, FLThe pilot reported to ground personnel at fort lauderdale that he was experiencing an avionics problem and the passengerentry door was sprung the day before when it was slammed; however, the pilot elected to depart. The aircraft wreckage was located on June…NTSB ATL87FA168Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205C · Bowling Green, KYShortly after takeoff from Bowling Green, the pilot reported a problem. He did not report the details of the problem, but witnesses heard the aircraft backfiring as it descended. The aircraft had taken on fuel at Bowling Green. The investigation failed to…NTSB LAX87FA234Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Huntington Bch, CADuring a pleasure flight, the pilot informed an air traffic controller that he was running out of fuel and turning to an airport. During the descent the airplane collided with a tree and terrain. There were no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with…NTSB DEN87FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Broomfield, CODrg takeoff, the baggage door (bd) came open. Twr psnl advised the plt, but recd no discernible reply. At aprx 100' AGL,the acft pitched up & rolled left, then entered a steep dscnt & crashed aprx 500' left of the rwy. Except for the bd, nopreimpact mech…NTSB NYC87FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Nantucket, MAThe weather at the Nantucket airport was below the prescribed minima for the ILS approach to runway 24. A blanket broadcast had been made on the air traffic frequencies that the Nantucket weather was below the minima for most users and, thereafter, the…NTSB FTW87FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · El Paso, TXAcft experienced a complete pwr loss shortly after takeoff and subsequently struck a house during the ensuing forced landing. No evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction was found during the investigation. Evidence did indicate that one tank was either…NTSB LAX87LA353Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Independence, CAThe acft was rprtd missing after it departed san jose, CA, at about 1852 PDT on 6/9/87. A search was initiated, but the plane was not found until the wreckage was discovered by a hiker on 6/30/90. The acdnt occurred near kearsarge pass at an elev of 12,000…NTSB ATL87FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe Globe GC-1A · Pleasant View, TNUpon returning from a short local area flight the aircraft was observed as it buzzed the owners private airstrip, where the passenger waved to his family. The plt pulled up sharply and made another low pass. This pullup was straight ahead. The climb peaked…NTSB FTW87MA135Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105CBS · Bay City, MIAcft was involved in EMS static demonstration at beaver township fire dept, near Bay City. Following demonstration, shortly after takeoff, the pilot attempted a steep downwind turn at low altitude. Reported winds at the time of the accident were 250 degrees…NTSB CHI87FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Middleton, WIThe pilot had communicated with other pilots concerning the difficulties he was having with the winds. He had already attempted approaches to two other runways but had failed to complete a landing. He asked the pilot of a recent arrival for the wind…NTSB DEN87FA147Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Choteau, MTThe EMS helicopter was returning to great falls, MT, on 6/5/87 when it crashed. Its occupants had earlier participated in a rescue seminar at many glacier, MT. The wreckage was not found until 6/9/87. A video tape recovered from the wreckage disclosed the…NTSB BFO87LA041Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiccard AX-6 · Gaithersburg, MDAfter two aborted landings the pilot saw a field in the distance and attempted to land. Although two other balloons had landed nearby, the field he was blown towards had numerous powerlines surrounding it, some of them at treetop height. During the approach…NTSB ATL87LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Kannapolis, NCThe Balloon pilot was executing a landing approach to a clear area. He failed to see and avoid electrical power lines on the near side of the field as he made his approach. The Balloon collided with the power lines and the basket landed hard. The Balloon…NTSB NYC87FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Montgomery, NYN5527K crashed about 2 miles south of the orange cnty airport shortly after a night tkof fm runway 21. Departure instructions for the IFR flt included a right turn of 130 degrees, to 340 degrees magnetic to intercept V-58 and climb to 5000 ft. the plt…NTSB LAX87FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas A-4A · California City, CAThe airplane, a civilian Douglas A4A, was engaged in filming a commercial which required the plt to fly over a ferrari vehicle. The pilot had completed a low filming pass over the vehicle and was circling the area while the film crew was preparing for another…NTSB CHI87DEP06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportZank Challenger II · Redgranite, WIThe student pilot had purchased this amateur built aircraft earlier in the day and had made one successful flight and was on the downwind leg of the second flight. The aircraft was at an estimated altitude of 150' to 200' AGL, when witnesses stated that the…NTSB NYC87FA160Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Mariner · So. Windsor, CTA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.