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 BFO87FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Salisbury, MDOn a flt from hilton head, SC to woodstown, NJ, the plt enctrd headwinds & diverted to Salisbury, MD, a less distant arpt. Drg arrival at 1944, he was provided wx info concerning a low ceiling & visibility. At 1955, he was instructed to hold upon reaching a…NTSB MKC87FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Marion, IAThe CFI and stu were practicing approaches to the Marion, Iowa arpt. Several witnesses stated that the t & g lndgs were unusual which gained their attn. On the last appch the acft was observed to be slow during the unusually steep appch. Abt 15 to 20 ft AGL…NTSB NYC87FA127Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · York, PAThe Piper PA-28-180 was making an NDB instrument approach under instrument meteorological conditions at night. The pilot manuevered the aircraft over the airport several times in an apparent attempt to acquire visual contact with the runway, lost control of…NTSB DEN87FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Ellicott, COThe acft was equipped with hand operated rudder controls. The plt had an artificial rt leg. On a previous flt that day the plt had attempted to spin the acft but was unsuccessful due to lack of rudder travel with the hand-operated controls. The plt was not…NTSB CHI87DEE08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD5 A-B · Kankakee, ILThe pilot took off on the first test flight in his homebuilt aircraft and after climbing to approximately 1000 ft. AGL, stalled the aircraft. The aircraft then subsequently entered a spin and collided with the ground. There were reports of the aircraft's…NTSB NYC87FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Pleasantville, NYThe plt rept his auto-pilot was malfunctioning on the apch and he was having aileron problems. He rept a loss of pwr, got the eng started, and then rept a double pwr loss. Prior to disappearing from radar he rept that he was starting one engine. The acft…NTSB MIA87FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Florida City, FLThe student plt had been authorized by his CFI to conduct a solo x-country training flt under daytime VFR conditions. He departed key west at 0330 EDT on the return portion of the flt. Neither his CFI nor his employer could offer an explanation for the 15 hr…NTSB CHI87FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · West Point, INDrg an IFR arrival, the plt was clrd for an ILS rwy 10 apch. No radar facilities were available, but at 1026 EST, he rprtd he was established on the localizer. Aprx 4 min later, he declared a missed apch & was cleared back to the outer marker (om), then was…NTSB NYC87FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · New Milford, CTAfter taking off on runway 16 at the candlelight farms airport, the flight remained low over the runway while gaining airspeed. As the aircraft approached the upwind end of the runway, witnesses observed it enter a steep climb that continued to an estimated…NTSB LAX87LA178Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Laupahoehoe, HIThe pilot of the Bell 206B and his three passengers arrived over a beached barge that they were to land on. The pilot hovered over the barge in a left quartering tailwind of about 10 knots and over a moderate sea with waves breaking against the barge. The two…NTSB FTW87FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Ben Wheeler, TXAll six lower studs on drive hub assembly failed due to fatique. This disconnected all cyclic and collective controls. Tail boom then separated due to severe vibrations. Helicopter then collided with ground and was destroyed by post crash fire. The plts flt…NTSB DCA87MA026Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-351C · Kansas City, MODrg arr, buffalo airways flt 721 was vectored for an ILS rwy 1 apch. Except for deviations to avoid tstms, dscnt to the terminal area was routine. At 2151:01, the flt was adzd it was 5 mi fm the outer marker (om), was given a final vector to intercept the ILS…NTSB MKC87FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Nixa, MOThe normal procedure for operating at this airstrip was to always take off to the east and land to the west when winds were not excessive. Winds elsewhere in area were from southeast at 13 knots while at this strip, they were from the east at 30 knots. After…NTSB MKC87FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150-H · Council Bluffs, IAAcquaintances stated that the student pilot was very motivated in the pursuit of his private pilot certificate and that, on the day of the accident, he was looking forward to this first solo flight. According to his instructor-pilot, who also witnessed the…NTSB ATL87FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Sharpsburg, GAPlt dep a pvt grass airstrip for a LCL VFR flt. Acft was observed to lift off the grass rwy at about 1000 ft. it climbed to about 30 ft AGL and leveled off. At about the end of the 1800 ft rwy the acft nosed up into a 'fairly steep' climb attitude. The ground…NTSB NYC87FA120Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Berwick, METhe acft was observed doing stalls. A witness said that prior to the crash he saw the nose lower and the right wing drop. The aircraft then entered into a spiral. It was observed descending into trees in a spiral. The plt was found in the right front seat.…NTSB NYC87FA119Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Ferguson Twnshp, PAThe pilot, who had not completed his checkout in a Cessna 172, was observed to make a long landing and lift off with approximately 750 ft of runway remaining. The aircraft was observed to enter a nose high pitch attitude and drift into a right turn. The…NTSB FTW87DRG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDavis Pitts S-1S · Coleman, TXThe pilot had completed several aerobatic maneuvers for an air show and was in the process of doing a series of five snap rolls at an altitude of 200-300 feet AGL when the accident occurred. Witnesses observed the nose of the acft to drop during the third…NTSB NYC87DNE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSprague Christian Eagle II · North Adams, MAThe christian eagle was coming in for a touch and go when it sank into trees, turned around and became involved in a postcrash fire. The acft was destroyed and the plt fatally injured. A pilot who preceded the accident aircraft said the winds were gusty and…NTSB LAX87FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Malibu, CAThe plt & his 3 passengers met at a bar then decided to go on a local night scenic flt. Subsequently, the acft crashed into the ocean as the plt was demonstrating low flt over the water. The plt & 1 passenger were hospitalized & treated for injuries &…NTSB DCA87MA024Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed L-382G · Travis Afb, CACrashed in steep left turn drg go-around after balked landing. Instructor took controls and initiated go-around after student lndd in improper attitude. Engines number 1 & 2 failed to respond when throttles advanced. Both engines decelerated. Airspeed…NTSB DEN87FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Lamar, COThe aircraft had completed a formation aerial application operation and were in the process of single airplane spraying around the perimeters of a field. They collided at 10 feet above the ground on perpendicular flight paths, descended out of control and…NTSB DEN87FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Berthold, NDThe plt took off to the east from a farm driveway to return home. Witnesses saw the airplane make an immediate right turn, followed by a left turn at aprx 35-50 ft AGL. The acft approached the farm at aprx 50-100 ft AGL. The acft suddenly pulled up, banked…NTSB LAX87LA169Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Needles, CAA Cessna 182Q collided with an unmarked 50 ft high cable over the Colorado river. The acft was observed flying below the level of the cable rocking its wings to boaters and sunbathers. One witness stated that the acft 'buzzed us, so low, I actually ducked,…NTSB ATL87FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Rhine, GAThe non-instrumented rated plt continued into an area of known wx conditions. The left wing separated in flight. Failure of it was typical of overload fractures. The wreckage was scattered over an area about 3500 feet long and 200 feet wide.NTSB LAX87FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Upland, CAThe pilot took off from his home airport for a sight-seeing, local flight over nearby mountains. Although the rear seat passenger weighed 270 lbs and the aircraft's fuel tanks were assumed to be full, there is no evidence that the pilot calculated the…NTSB ANC87MA057Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · Anchorage, AKThe acft was on the last leg of a scheduled commuter flight, when it crashed in a heavily wooded area while making a VFR approach to merrill field, Anchorage, AK. The capt and his sole passenger were killed in the crash when the airplane struck the ground…NTSB DCA87MA023Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 172N · Oakland, CAAt 0954:54, plt of Piper PA-32RT, N39614, rprtd 9 mi north for lndg. Twr controller (north ctlr) told him to pln for a rgt entry to rwy 27R. At 0955:32, a student plt & instructor (CFI) in Cessna 172N, N75584, were clrd for tkof on rwy 33 with a 'right turn…NTSB FTW87FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Marlin, TXThe acft had been involved in pipeline patrol throughout its history of 7490 flt hrs. Just before the acdnt, the acft was observed in straight & lvl flt along a pipeline right-of-way. According to witnesses, the acft was at low alt when a wing separated & the…NTSB LAX87LA161Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Kona, HIThe pilot picked up two of the passengers at a resort hotel and then flew to kailua-Kona airport (koa). After hot refueling the helicopter with the two passengers on board, two more passengers boarded the helicopter and then the flight departed koa. When the…NTSB CHI87IA110Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Plainfield, ILThe pilot decided the weather was not good enough to fly, but he would run the engine and turn the tires. He was discovered in the plane by other pilots and later pronounced dead, from carbon monoxide asphyxiation. The muffler had a 12 inch crack which a…NTSB LAX87DUJ04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBenson B-8M · Fountain Hills, AZWitnesses stated that the homebuilt gyrocopter entered a steep climb and appeared to roll completely over. Halfway through the engine backfired and then quit. The aircraft went into a steep dive. The aircraft impacted the terrain near vertically.NTSB FTW87NA086Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLearjet 24A · Eagle, CONTSB CHI87FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35-TC · Mount Vernon, ILThe acft was on a test flt after a top-overhaul had just been completed. Mechanics rprtd that before the flt, the eng had been properly rigged & operated normally drg run-up. Drg initial climb after takeoff, witnesses said the eng lost power. The plt…NTSB ATL87FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Georgetown, DEThe plt was cleared for approach with instructions to close flt plan upon landing. Aprx thirty min later approach control called the fss and asked if the plt had been in contact. The reply was negative. No further action was taken by approach control.…NTSB CHI87FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Frankfort, ILAircraft control was lost as the pilot attempted to descend to his assigned altitude of 5000 feet from excessive climb. He was in IFR conditions at the time. The airframe broke apart, empennage first, during the uncontrolled descent to the ground due to high…NTSB LAX87FA156Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Half Moon Bay, CAWhile flying northwest over water along the pacific coast on an IFR clnc, the plt rprtd to the sector controller (ctlr) 'we've got a problem.' The ctlr inquired about the nature of the problem. The plt then stated, 'going down fast, out of control.' The ctlr…NTSB MIA87FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Mirage TC-2 · Williston, FLWitnesses stated that the acft made a 'fly by' at 300 ft to check and see if the gear was down. The ground personnel informed the plt that the gear appeared to be down. They stated that the acft then made a sharp left turn paralleling runway 14, they lost…NTSB LAX87FA153Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Camp Pendleton, CAAs the acft was nearing its destn at ngt, the plt contacted TRACON & reqd radar advisories & clnc into the terminal area. Radar contact was established when the acft was 6 mi nw of oceanside VOR at 1500' MSL. This placed the acft in a restricted area…NTSB LAX87DVD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCulver Cadet LFA · Antioch, CADuring a local pleasure flt, witnesses observed the acft take-off into a headwind. At aprx 1000 ft AGL, the nose of the acft came up then down. The acft entered a spin and collided with the terrain. They also stated that the propeller appeared to be slowing…NTSB DEN87FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaven S-77A · Park City, UTWhile on a commercial pax sightseeing flt, the plt allowed a non-rated student plt to fly the balloon until it nearly collided with buildings. The plt took over the controls and applied maximum burner heating to avoid impact with the buildings, which resulted…NTSB MIA87FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Miami, FLThe recently rated private pilot took three passengers for an airplane ride in his airplane that was over gross weight upon departure. During the flight he was performing low level dives at trees with rapid pull ups. During the last pull up the aircraft went…NTSB ATL87FA088Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Semora, NCWhile conducting a local aircraft checkout, the aircraft was observed flying low prior to pulling up to avoid colliding with a utility line crossing the intended flt path. The aircraft crashed into an open field in a nose low vertical attitude. The post…NTSB NYC87FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Wassaic, NYThe Bell 47G helicopter was on a aerial survey of buried telephone cable when the red main rotor blade separated from the blade grips in flight. The main rotor hub with the main rotor blade separated from the transmission and the helicopter crashed. No…NTSB CHI87FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Attica, INAfter completing a cable patrol flt, the plt landed at sullivan, IN, to refuel before starting a night flt to reposition the acft at lafayette, IN. The plt departed in clear wx. However, as he was arriving at lafayette, he advised the tower controller that…NTSB LAX87FA149Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Jamestown, CADuring the night cross country flt, the accident acft, in company with 2 others, was trying to land at the dest airport in hilly terrain. As the 3 acft approached the airport they encountered bkn to ovrcst conditions of about 400 ft AGL and vis of 2 mi in…NTSB ANC87FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-3 · Valdez, AKThe helicopter collided with transmission lines while on pipeline patrol, fatally injuring the pilot and seriously injuring the observer. The observer stated that he and the pilot had been flying towards a burning object on the snow near two snow machines…NTSB LAX87FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22-A · Scottsdale, AZA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX87FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Avenal, CAThe plt, with suspended commerical privileges & no current medical cert, borrowed his parents acft. While flying along an interstate highway at night, the acft collided with electrical transmission lines & crashed. Initial impact occurred at about 115' AGL.…NTSB FTW87FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Kerrville, TXThe non-instrument pilot continued VFR flight into IMC conditions. The acft struck top of ridgeline while traveling at a high rate of speed and was demolished. No evidence of a pre-impact failure or malfunction of the acft was found.