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 LAX87FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot encountered clouds and temperatures below freezing during a cross country flight at 17,500 feet above mean sea level. The engine failed shortly after the encounter with the weather. The pilot was unable to restart the engine during the forced…NTSB FTW87DQA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeggs Pitts S-1 · El Paso, TXCommercial pilot practicing aerobatics in pitts S1 experimental homebuilt aircraft entered spin. Pilot failed to recover control of aircraft during descent. Aircraft impacted terrain approximately 1/2 mile south of west Texas airport near El Paso, TX.NTSB ATL87FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Asheville, NCDuring initial climb from a private grass airstrip, witnesses described the aircraft perform a 'wing-over' aerobatic maneuver at low altitude and impact the ground at a near vertical attitude. A ground fire consumed the wreckage. The pilot held a student…NTSB LAX87FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112TC · Gardena, CAThe pilot elected to return and land at his home airport when the aircraft's landing gear failed to retract after a night takeoff. After reentering the traffic pattern the pilot changed his fuel selector to the left tank for landing. As the aircraft turned…NTSB FTW87FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Tomball, TXThe pilot took off in fog and light rain and climbed into clouds at about 300-400 feet above the ground while both landing lights were extended and illuminated. Also the airport's rotating beacon (located aobut a mile from the accident site) was flashing on…NTSB FTW87FA031Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · El Reno, OKPrivate pilot of Cessna 172K attempted VFR flight in IFR flight conditions. Contacted okc approach control and requested special VFR approach during hours of darkness. Approach denied special VFR due to lack of instrument qualification of pilot. Pilot was…NTSB CHI87FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Durand, ILStudent pilot collided with terrain while attempting to remain in visual contact with the ground during very low light and in very heavy ground fog during a cross country flight. The pilot rushed his departure in an attempt to get home before dark and there…NTSB NYC87LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Newport, RIAircraft descended and collided with water when the pilot attempted to regain visual ground reference when weather deteriorated. No plt acc report was received. Plt time was not reported or available.NTSB CHI87FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · N. Manitou Isl., MIThe plt had recvd an unfavorable wx brief that included a SIGMET on flt icing. Enroute during flt over a large body of water he experienced power loss and was at too low a altitude to glide to shore. The plt attempted to ld on a island but crashed in a lake.NTSB MIA87FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-55 · Ivel, KYThe plt who was originally scheduled to make the charter flt to pick up the pax was reluctant to do so due to low ceilings in the mountainous area at the destination. The owner of the company took the flt & the flt was observed by witnesses near the…NTSB CHI87MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Cross Plaines, INThe plt & observer were on a power line patrol flt. While proceeding southbound, they apchd an area were the lines were about 23 ft AGL & were crossed by another set of power lines, oriented in an east-west direction. The other power lines were about 45 ft…NTSB ATL87MA041Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 100 · Windsor, MADrg arr for a LOC rwy 26 apch, the plt was adzd the abyss fan marker was notamed out-of-svc. With abyss inop, min dscnt alt (mda) was 2200'. After N65TD was clrd for the apch, radar svc was terminated & the flt was clrd to adzy freq. The crew contacted UNICOM…NTSB MIA87FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Zephyrhills, FLA witness stated that she heard the eng on the helicopter quit. She looked out her window and watched the helicopter hit the ground, bounce, hit again, flip over and the tail broke off. The helicopter then burst into flames and exploded. Exam of the eng…NTSB ATL87FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Madison, GAAlthough there were no witnesses to the crash, one witness did observe the acft taxiing at a very slow speed toward the dept end of the rwy. Abt 30 mins later the wreckage was fd in a fld east of the airstrip. Exam indicated it collided w the gd in a near…NTSB SEA87MA035Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Jean, NVWhile en route at night on an IFR flt plan, the acft ran out of fuel. Subsequently, the plt was provided vectors toward a hiway for a forced lndg. However, before reaching the area of the hiway, the acft crashed on rising terrain at an elev of about 4000 ft.…NTSB MIA87FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Rockwell 112 · Jacksonville, FLThe acft, being flown by a non-instrument rated plt, appeared over the arpt without making contact with the tower while the arpt was under instrument flt conditions and the control zone was in operation. After making several erratic passes the plt contacted…NTSB FTW87FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Petersburg, TXAcft impacted in a 95 deg nose down attitude following a loss of control in IMC conditions while the non-instrument rated pvt plt was being vectored to the final app crs. Plt had filed IFR and had experienced difficulties thru out the flt. As he was given…NTSB ATL87FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185D · Hammonton, NJThe mid-air collision occurred while the Cessna 185 was attempting a steep climbout during takeoff from rwy 21 and the Mooney was making a landing to the same runway. Another aircraft attemped to warn both aircraft over the UNICOM freq. Neither aircraft…NTSB NYC87FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Carlisle, PAThe student pilot flying a Cessna 152 scheduled his flight period so it coincided with another student pilot flying a Cessna 172. The pilot of the Cessna 172 reported seeing the Cessna 152 enter a two turn spin and recover. He then said he lost sight of the…NTSB SEA87MA034Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pendleton, ORThe helicopter departed Pendleton on an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) flt to transport a patient to portland. After delivering the patient, the plt took off on the rtn flt with 2 med psnl aboard. Drg arrival at 1658 PST, he requested a special VFR (svfr)…NTSB FTW87FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Baytown, TXThe plt took off from a decommissioned, unlighted arpt at night after telling friends in a bar that he was going to new orleans. Later, witnesses observed the acft as the plt made several low passes over an interstate highway near the departure arpt. While…NTSB ATL87MA035Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TNThe helicopter was being used in an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) opn. At 0230, the plt obtained a partial wx briefing. He was advised of flt prctns for IFR wx thru-out the area with low ceilings, fog, precip & mtns obscd. The flt departed nashville at 0245 &…NTSB CHI87FA040Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Hanna City, ILThe aircraft struck power lines and crashed two miles from the end of the runway on final approach ground track after being cleared for an ILS approach. The accident occurred at the end of a three leg cross-country flight from the Bahamas which began aprx 8…NTSB MKC87FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Colby, KSThe non-instrument rated pilot filed an IFR flight plan after being briefed. There was freezing drizzle to the west that was moving toward the departure area. The airplane took off into a low ceiling with near freezing temperature. Pilot attempted to climb to…NTSB LAX87LA058Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Oceano, CAWitnesses stated that while the acft was climbing after takeoff, it appeared to be lower than normal. One witness rprtd that the eng sounded as if it was running rough. Another witness stated that the acft had begun making a left turn when he saw flames…NTSB DEN87FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Stugis, SDThe plt agreed to ferry the acft for another plt who was not IFR rated & who had been forced to land at kadoka on the previous evening due to low fuel & apchg darkness. IMC prevailed thru-out the area. The commercial/ifr rated plt did not obtain a wx briefing…NTSB DEN87FA023Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Steamboat Sprgs, COPlt and four paxs were returning home from a ski vacation. A witness at the arpt observed a normal takeoff and saw the acft turn towards an area of high terrain located approximately 1.5 miles from the Steamboat arpt. The witness observed N36TS continue on a…NTSB LAX87FA055Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Eloy, AZIn cavu weather conditions, the acft crashed into open, level desert terrain at a 30 deg, nose low and near wings level attitude. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were found with the aircraft. There were no witnesses to the accident.NTSB FTW87LA023Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion A · Springtown, TXThe pilot told rescue personnel that he had taken off with empty tanks selected. The engine quit, and the aircraft impacted the ground before he could restart. Initial reports of serious injury only, but both occupants expired two weeks later.NTSB LAX87MA052Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Bakersfield, CAOn an instructional flt, the student plt & instructor (CFI) made an ILS low apch to rwy 30R. Drg a go-arnd (missed apch)a twr ctlr obsvd a 'light trace of smoke' emanating fm the eng exhaust. Shortly thereafter, the acft 'banked hard to the left and appeared…NTSB LAX87DVM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMoore-Van RV-3 · Carmel, CAThe experimental homebuilt acft was performing aerobatics consisting of loops, rolls and high speed climbs from pull-outs. The acft limitations allowed for the performance of aerobatics, which included the maneuvers the plt was performing at the time of the…NTSB CHI87DEX03Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Raymond, OHThe accident aircraft impacted in an open field shortly after a predawn departure from an unattended airport. IMC prevailed an no flight plan was in effect. In a conversaton held the day before with a local pilot the pilot of the accident aircraft stated his…NTSB NYC87FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Glen Mawr, PADrg arrival, the acft was vectored to intercept the ILS rwy 27 localizer (LOC) bfr reaching the munci initial apch fix (iaf), which was 21.5 mi fm the rwy. The ATC controller (ctlr) told the plt to maint 4000' until on the LOC, then clrd him for the apch.…NTSB ATL87FA030Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601P · Clinton, NCWhile en route on an IFR flt plan at FL180, the plt acknowledged instructions to dscnd to 16,000'. Later, the radar controller (cltr) noticed the acft had deviate fm course & was not replying with mode 'c' alt info. The ctlr reqd alt info & the plt responded,…NTSB ATL87FA029Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Winston-Salem, NCThe flt departed rochester, NY, and received and IFR clearance. The flt and ATC handling were normal. The plt was cleared for the ILS rwy 33 apch to Winston-Salem, NC. The flt was established on the final apch but collided with trees about 2 miles southeast…NTSB SEA87FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Republic, WAA witness observed the acft taxi out ot the rwy in light snow showers and taxi to the north end of the rwy. During the takeoff the area was covered with a heavy snow shower, with winds from the north gusting T0 20-25 mph. The acft was observed to depart to…NTSB MIA87LA036Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Isabela, PRThe acft was reported missing while on a personal flight from san juan PR to aguadilla PR. The plts last radio contact was with aguadilla tower requesting an alternate arpt to land because they were in heavy rain. The coast guard initiated a search and found…NTSB ATL87MA028Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cincinnati, OHThe owner/operator (oper) of a flying service provided acft for broadcasting stations in the area. A radio station had contracted with the oper to provide a helicopter (helo, N59610) & a plt to take a news rprtr on a local traffic watch. The oper rprtd that…NTSB SEA87LA030Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Juneau, AKThe passenger deplaned while the plt shut down the aircrafts engine. Although the plt noticed that the passenger was near the wing strut and attempted to yell at him, the passenger inadvertently walked into the wind milling propeller which struck him in the…NTSB MKC87FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Summersville, MOThe PIC had flown his acft fm springfield, MO to olathe, Kansas to have some repair work accomplished and was to return that same day. The PIC never returned to springfield. The PIC had flown to salem, ill where witnesses stated they observed that he was…NTSB LAX87LA352Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Lakeport, CAThe plt & his daughter were believed to have depd his pvt airstrip on 11/22/86 or 11/23/86. They were rprtd missing on 11/24/86 & a search was begun, but the acft was not fnd until 8/19/88, when the wreckage was discovered by hunters. The crash site was…NTSB MIA87FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · West Palm Bch, FLThe eng was reported to be sputtering during the takeoff roll. The plt continued the takeoff and after liftoff declared an emergency. As the acft turned to a downwind position at a low alt with the eng still sputtering it struck a tree and a building at which…NTSB FTW87FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Arcola, TXThe plt departed Arcola, TX, VFR, on rwy 10, made a 180 degree left climbing turn and entered clouds at about the boundary line on the west side of the arpt. The radar operator stated the acft continued westbound one to two miles beyond the arpt then entered…NTSB SEA87FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Moose Creek, IDAfter departure and during the initial cruise climb the plt and pax heard a metallic clicking described as sounding like a 'valve tap' in an automobile and coming from the eng area. The plt executed an immediate course reversal back to the airstrip while…NTSB MKC87FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Bluff City, KSThe plt stated that he was cruising at 2,500 ft MSL en route southbound to enid, Oklahoma, when he encountered fog but flew for 15 to 20 minutes before executing a 180DEG northerly turn back to hutchinson, KS. According to the plt, he was in the clouds trying…NTSB LAX87FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lake Isabella, CAThe aircraft departed the kern valley airport, kernville, California, on a direct cross-country route to its home base at general william j. fox airfield, lancaster, California. The flight route was over mountainous terrain that was obscured by clouds. A…NTSB BFO87FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Danville, VAThe aircraft was observed flying around the airport as the weather deteriorated. The pilot had elected to depart at about 2345 EST after obtaining a weather briefing 6 & 1/2 hours before. The plt had a total of about 83 hours flying time and did not have any…NTSB ATL87FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Buford, GAAccording to the operator, cylinders had recently been replaced on the eng & plts had been instructed to operate the eng at 75% power with the mixture richer than normal during a break-in period. On this flt, the plt took off with a full load of fuel. As he…NTSB LAX87FA039Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D55 · Livermore, CAWitnesses stated that the aircraft started the takeoff roll, became airborne at about 1000 feet down the runway, climbed to an altitude of about 50 feet, rolled to the left and crashed inverted onto a parallel taxiway at about mid field. There was no fire.…NTSB MIA87FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Columbus, MSThe acft departed Columbus, MS, en route to meridian, MS, to pick up cargo for a return flt to Columbus. The acft did not arrive at its destination and was later found in an open field about 2 miles southwest of the golden triangle regional airport in…