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 CHI87FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210N · Bedford Park, ILJust bfr tkof fm rwy 22L on a ngt IFR flt, the plt was clrd to clb & maint 2000' & to contact chicago dep ctl (TRACON). About 1 min later, he called TRACON & rprtd he was clbg thru 900' for 2000'. This call was in a normal tone of voice & was the last…NTSB SEA87FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Vancouver, WAAircraft was returning from stage 3 instructional flight during which instructor normally allowed student to fly. Evidence indicates aircraft passed in vicinity of heavy bird activity and student executed nose down bird avoidance maneuver. Instructor, for…NTSB DEN87FA061Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Nucla, COThe acft was on an IFR flt to an arpt without an instrument approach procedure. ATC cleared the flt to descend to 12,000 ft, the IFR mea for the area, at 30 NM NE of the arpt. At approx 3 min prior to the mishap, the plt was issued a cruise clearance at…NTSB LAX87FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Dunsmuir, CADuring a pleasure flight, the airplane was seen flying low and disappeared into instrument meteorological conditions, consisting of low clouds, gusty winds and snow which lasted throughout the day. The airplane was found on the side of a hill in a descending…NTSB SEA87LA048Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMichael D. Mansfield KR-2 · Fallon, NVThe owner and an acquaintance, both commerically rated pilots, departed Fallon, Nevada, on a personal flight to a nearby town. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft engaged in maneuvers described as steep turns and sharp dives a short distance from the…NTSB ATL87FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310P · Memphis, TNThe plt reported an engine problem inside the outer marker to runway 31. The acft impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. The wreckage examination failed to disclose any system malfunction or failure. The acft was destroyed by impact forces, and a post…NTSB NYC87FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Highgate, VTAccording to the surviving pax, a snowshower was enctrd, so the plt reversed course & diverted to another arpt. Drg a ngt apch to lnd, the pax noted a white light on the left side of the rwy. (A VASI light sys was installed for that rwy.) The plt aborted the…NTSB DCA87MA020Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Independence, MOThe two acft, a Beech U-21A and a Piper PA-31-350, collided nearly head on at 7000 ft MSL over Independence, MO. In daylight VMC conditions with a visibility of 20 miles. The U-21 was in level cruise and the PA-31 was climbing eastbound to an undisclosed alt…NTSB LAX87FA093Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · S Lake Tahoe, CAAfter departing at night from south lake Tahoe, CA, the plt contacted ARTCC & requested radar flt following. A short time later, he declared an emergency & said he was reversing course with a loss of eng power. Radar & radio contact with the acft were lost as…NTSB DEN87FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Aerolights Falcon C · Albuquerque, NMAfter takeoff the plt initiated a steep nose up left climbing turn to approximately 300 ft AGL where the acft stalled. It entered a spin and descended in a nose down attitude until impact with the ground. The acft was destroyed and the student plt was fatally…NTSB NYC87DHD04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMarrone VM-1 · Jobstown, NJThe plt was observed to make a low pass over the arpt, then cont beyond the departure end where the acft flew into a row of trees. Witnesses rprtd the sun was low & that the plt was flying toward the sun. Impact with the trees occurred about 1200 ft from the…NTSB LAX87FA088Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Oceano, CAShortly after takeoff, the surviving pax (s/p) noticed the acft began losing alt. She heard the plt comment about a 'clicking noise in the left wing' which she also heard & said sounded like metal clicking together. Ground witnesses noticed a change in eng…NTSB MIA87FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Naranjito, PRThe pilot and passenger were reported to be on a personal flight during their lunch hour. They departed from isla grande airport and proceeded to a dirt airstrip at Naranjito, PR. At Naranjito, witnesses saw the airplane go into a low pass over the dirt…NTSB LAX87FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrisey 2150A · Mt. Baldy, CADuring a local flt, the airplane was seen circling over a ridge four times. On the fifth pass, the airplane disappeared northbound into the clouds. A witness reported that at the time the mt tops were covered with fog and that blizzard conditions existed.…NTSB LAX87FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Cima, CAWhile on a day/vfr flt from ontario, CA to las vegas, NV, the acft collided with mountainous terrain near the top of a 6500' peak. Radar data showed that aprx 20 min before the acdnt, the acft began a gradual dscnt from about 10,000'. No preimpact part…NTSB DCA87MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSwearingen SA-226TC · Kearns, UTThe two acft, a Swearingen SA-226TC and a Mooney M-20, collided in flt at aprx 7000 ft MSL in the salt lake city arpt (slc) radar service area over Kearns, UT. The SA-226 was approaching slc for lndg and the M-20 was conducting a local trng flt when the…NTSB LAX87FA085Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Sacramento, CAThe winds at the airport had been reported as strong and gusting. After his passengers arrived, the pilot requested and received taxi instructions to the active runway which was aprx 3700 ft from his parking space. About 2-1/2 mins after receiving his taxi…NTSB ANC87FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Kenai, AKWx conds on the day of the acdnt were rprtd to be extremely variable. Initially, when the plt obtained a wx briefing, VFR flt was not rcmdd. Later, the wx improved & the plt elected to proceed on the flt. While en route, he enctrd snow showers & dscndd to…NTSB LAX87FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Pacoima, CADuring initial climb after takeoff the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport and collided with a large warehouse. The airframe was totally consumed in the post crash fire. Examination of the engine…NTSB LAX87FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Monrovia, CAAfter receiving his preflight wx briefing at 0715 hrs, the plt tookoff at 1436 hrs on a x-country flight. There is no evidence that the pilot requested or received a current wx briefing prior to the accident. After the acft was provided flight following…NTSB ATL87MA057Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pollockville, NCThe emerg med svc (ems/med-evac) helicopter (hel) was on a ngt flt with a 3 month old patient aboard. After rprtg lvl AT3000', the plt transmitted he was going to make an emerg lndg. This was flwd by svrl unreadable transmissions which apchctl psnl thought…NTSB SEA87FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Ellensburg, WAThe two commercially certificated instrument rated flight instructors departed Ellensburg at approximately 1120 PST on a local flight. Both pilots had appointments at 1300 hours PST. VFR conditions prevailed in lower terrain near Ellensburg, however, a…NTSB MIA87FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · Tallahassee, FLPlt/owner was informed by mechanics that the acft fuel tanks had water contamination on two occurrences prior to test flights. The plt reported he ahd had water contamination and believed the fuel caps were leaking. New caps were ordered to be installed at…NTSB LAX87FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Essex, CAUpon reaching his destination the pilot descended to make a message drop. He selected a flight path that was perpendicular to a 55 foot tall, unmarked, electrical power line. During the low pass for the drop the aircraft collided with the electrical wires.…NTSB MKC87FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Sherwood, ARThe PIC dptd morristown with 600# of cargo as part of a rnd trip to mcalester, okla. Headwinds at alt were avg 45 KTS. The PIC had asked for 60 gal before the departure but rcvd 59.1. Aft several hrs in cruise flt, the PIC notified memphis cntr ctrlr that a…NTSB MIA87FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V-35 · Palm City, FLThe acft was attempting to land on the southbound lane of a closed portion of interstate 95 & struck a large tree with the right wing, hit the ground, flipped over, came to rest inverted & was consumed by post crash fire. The police officers at the accident…NTSB MKC87FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Berryman, MOThe acft flew into trees and terrain in normal cruise flt. There were no problems found with the acft during post acc invest. The autopsy and toxicology revealed no evidence that could be considered as casual. Wx was not considered to be a problem. The flt…NTSB LAX87LA076Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVarga 2150A · Hayward, CAAfter rtrng fm a flt, the plt took off again (using rwy 28L) & turned to the se. A witness (se of the arpt), said he sawthe acft at low alt (estd 100 to 200 ft) flying in his drctn. He noted no otr indcn of a problem until after the acft made a 'very sharp…NTSB DEN87FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Albuqerque, NMThe plt elected to takeoff from abq international arpt during the passage of a severe wx system. Although his departure was successful his flt path was heading toward the mountains east of abq. He was observed turning north up a canyon. Shortly after turning,…NTSB FTW87FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Gladewater, TXThe pilot departed into low overcast clouds (about 200 foot ceiling) with one to two miles visibility in light rain and fog. He did not file a flight plan although he was instrument rated. His currency for flight in instrument conditions are unknown.…NTSB MIA87MA064Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Jasper, FLDrg flt in an area of IFR conditions & rain showers, the plt reqd & recd clnc to dscnd from 9000' to 7000'. Later, he recd clnc for further dscnt to 5000'. After a freq chg at 2237 EST, the plt inquired about radar indcns of adverse wxahead. The ctlr adzd…NTSB LAX87FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28C · Van Nuys, CAThe plts were practicing lndgs, and were on the 3rd flt after the eng had been overhauled. After takeoff from a tough-&-go, the instructor noticed that the oil temp was high. Soon thereafter, the eng began to run rough, then it seized. Unable to get back to…NTSB ATL87FA052Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Newville, ALThe aircraft was observed flying at low levels during an orientation/pleasure flight for a friend's out-of-town relative visiting over the holidays. The professional military pilot had been checked out in the civilian Cessna 150 six weeks prior to the…NTSB NYC87FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 310 · Hamburg, NYThe Cessna 310R departed the airport on a svfr departure. The pilot cancelled his clearance a few minutes later and reported in VFR conditions. The aircraft failed to arrive at its destination. Radar tracking showed the aircraft heading toward lake erie. The…NTSB FTW87FA041Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Robertson, TXWitnesses stated that the aircraft was circling the top of a 94 ft tall oil well makeover rig when it descended below their line of sight. Another witness a mile away stated that the aircraft began spinning before ground impact. No evidence of any malfunction…NTSB CHI87FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lakeview, MIWitnesses observed the aircraft buzzing a farm where a friend of the pilot resided. Following a low pass, the aircraft pulled up into a steep, left climbing turn. At the top of the climb, the nose dropped and the aircraft spiraled into the ground.NTSB CHI87FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Merrillville, INThe acft was enroute to the chicago midway arpt. While letting down to 16000 ft the pilot reported he was shutting down the right eng. ARTCC cleared the acft to 5000 ft. ten minutes later ARTCC lost radio transponder and mode c contact. 15 minutes later the…NTSB DEN87FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Rawlins, WYThe plt took off on a 7000 ft long runway with a heavy coat of frost on the acft. The acft became airborne and flew in ground effect until it impacted a 30 ft high pile of sand 200 yards beyond the end of the runway.NTSB ATL87FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-33 · Blountville, TNDrg vectors for a ILS rwy 23 apch, the plt allowed the acft to get 400' below the assigned alt of 3700'. The controller (ctlr) queried the plt about his alt & the plt replied he had gotten a little low, but was returning to the assigned alt. After…NTSB MIA87FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34 · Ft. Lauderdale, FLThe pvt plt had been cleared for 27R ILS apch and was on the localizer at 1,600 ft when the controller noticed the acft north of the localizer course and in a right turn headed east. The controller querried the plt as to his heading and the plt replied,…NTSB LAX87FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Gorman, CAThe aircraft descended into mountainous terrain during a night cross-country flight. The surviving pilot stated that he was attending to paperwork and when he looked up he turned on the landing light in time to see trees just prior to impact. He further…NTSB LAX87FA069Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-55 · East Palo Alto, CAThe pilot and 5 passengers departed for a planned vacation in Mexico in dark night conditions. The aircraft was observedto depart from runway 30, turn from the crosswind to the downwind leg and the aircraft 'lost altitude rapidly' and impacted in the san…NTSB DEN87FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12-150 · Gilcrest, COThe plt made a low pass at aprx 200 ft AGL & waved at TW0 friends who were duck hunting. He then made a 2nd pass at aprx 150 ft & left the area. About 10 min later, the acft returned & was seen flying down a river at tree top level. The acft struck 3 of 4…NTSB FTW87FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Altus, OKThe pilot was circling about 40-50 feet above the ground at a slow rate of airspeed while searching for a lost dog. He was using 10 degrees of flaps and most probably operating at a reduced power setting. Carburetor icing conditions were present and…NTSB DEN87FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Lewistown, MTOn the morning of the day of the accident the private plt/owner and his friend took off on an all day coyote hunting flt. When the acft failed to return that evening an air and ground search was begun. The burned wreckage of the acft was found 3 days later…NTSB MIA87FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Middleburg, FLThe flt was receiving flt following services from jacksonville apch control. Radar and radio contact was lost shortly after the plt reported to apch control he was descending out of 4,500 ft in preparation for his landing at st. augustine, FL. A witness…NTSB CHI87FA054Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-19-3A · West Chicago, ILAt 0850 CST, the plt got a wx briefing for a flt to the dupage arpt. At that time, the current dupage wx was in part: partial obscn, 2 mi vis with fog; also, the plt was given svrl pireps for lgt to mod icing in southern Wisconsin. At 1231, he got a wx…NTSB NYC87FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Kingston, NYCessna 172M, N64342, was on his initial climb after taking off on runway 33 at the uncontrolled Kingston-ulster airport when the pilot failed to see Cessna 177, N2981X, or hear, on the UNICOM frequency, the transmissions by N2981X who was on his final…NTSB MKC87FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Cambridge, NEThe low time PIC had been flying his acft over the farm land in search of coyotes. Several of the grd crew had flown as psngrs with him during the time period of this search. Witnesses stated that they saw the acft turn left and right as it was spotting the…NTSB DEN87FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Crossroads, NMThe student plt with no simulated or actual instrument and a total of 9 hours night flt time called the amarillo FAA fss, who briefed him on wx for a flt from borger, Texas, to big spring, Texas, located 210 NM south. He was briefed on marginal VFR wx en…