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 MKC87FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Texarkana, ARThe airplane was on a positioning flight so it would be in place for an early Monday morning freight run. Pilot called for missed approach and after receiving clearance, declared he was in VFR conditions and thought he would land on rwy 31. During a turn, the…NTSB BFO87MA007Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A80 · Baltimore, MDDrg clb after tkof, l eng seized. Plt said he atmtd 1 eng restart; prop would not rotate or feather. No emerg declared. Plt stated eng shut-dwn proc was used, scientific bus sws were shut off, r gen was recycled & appeared to oper normally. Plts got imt…NTSB ATL87FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Montgomery, ALThe acft was flown for slightly less than 3 hrs on an instructional flt. The acft was reportedly nearly full of fuel before takeoff. Capacity is 89 gals. At max consumption of 22 gph the acft should have still had fuel available when the eng quit. During the…NTSB SEA87FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE35K · Marysville, WAA witness observed the acft impact in an open field during a heavy rain. Rain, fog, and turbulence in the clouds were reported in the area at the time. The acft impacted in a right turn. The new instrument rated plt was getting complex acft time in…NTSB CHI87FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Goreville, ILThe acft crashed and burned following a collision with a guy-wire supporting a micro-wave tower. The plt had initiated the flt in MVFR weather and continued the VFR flt into IMC conditions. The crash site was located adjacent to interstate hwy 57 and…NTSB SEA87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Henderson, NVApproximately 5 1/2 minutes after departure and while the aircraft was climbing enroute, an unknown ignition source triggered an explosion of fuel/air vapor which existed within the interior of the left wing. Wing skin from the upper/lower wing surface was…NTSB MKC87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Liberal, KSThe acft impacted the terrain just off the departure end of rwy 17 at Liberal, KS, while on a return flt to Texas. Dark night conditons prevailed and no horizon visual cue were available shortly after takeoff. Reliance on flt attitude instruments would have…NTSB MIA87FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Woodville, FLThe non-instrument rated private plt had received his certificate two days prior to the accident. The flight was receiving stage three radar service when it advised that it was in the clouds and was turning around. Radar contact was lost moments later and the…NTSB DEN87FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Butte, MTPlt was attempting the vor-b instrument apch to Butte, MT arpt. Plt reported over the coppertown VORTAC inbound on the arpt. The procedure turn inbound course to the VORTAC is 124 degrees. The inbound course to the arpt is 094 degrees. The acft wreckage was…NTSB DCA87MA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Tampa, FLAt aprx 0612 EST, an eastern airline capt (owner of Piper PA-23, N2185P) departed a rwy near his home in VFR conds to commute to work at Tampa, FL. Shortly after takeoff, he contacted a fss & updated the wx info he had obtained on the previous evening. At…NTSB MIA87FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Orlando, FLWhile the plt was making a banner pick-up, witnesses saw the acft engage the banner & enter a climb. The plt released the banner, then the acft mushed into a partially built hangar, crashed & burned. The plt, who was on fire, exited the rgt canopy hatch.…NTSB DEN87FA014Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Bozeman, MTThe plt and his 2 pax's went flying to spot elk in a canyon area. A witness observed the acft low over trees when it suddenly shuddered, banked sharply to the left, then entered a steep descent. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area on the side of the canyon.…NTSB CHI87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58ET · Becker, MNThe helicopter (hel) was being used on an external load opn to psn a 2500 lb ventilator to the roof of a bldg. On the next to last load, the plt radioed that he noted a momentary illumination of the fuel bypass advisory light. He elected to cont the opn &…NTSB ATL87LA148Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Memphis, TNPrior to its discovery on may 20, 1987, this acft had last been seen on x-wind leg on climb out after a touch and go at dewitt spain arpt. Parts of the acft were recovered from the Mississippi river northwest of the arpt. The plt's remains had not been…NTSB MKC87FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Siloam Springs, ARThe plt had logged 3 hrs of simulated instrument training prior to this accident. He received a wx briefing which reported wx conditions nearby were IFR due to low ceilings and fog. Immediately after takeoff, the acft started a left turn and impacted terrain…NTSB LAX87FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Flagstaff, AZThe plt & his wife desired to return to their Flagstaff, AZ, home following a weekend at stockton, CA., & they departed sck in VFR weather conditions. The weather at the destination arpt had been below VFR minimums all morning & it was forecast to remain poor…NTSB ATL87FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKoons-Donald Sonerai II · Macon, GADuring climbout, the pilot allowed the aircraft to stall while turning to a left crosswind. The acft impacted the ground in a nose low attitude after colliding with two trees. The pilot was unable to exit the aircraft and local residents were unable to assist…NTSB MIA87FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBushby MM-1 · New Smyrna Bch, FLWitnesses, including the victim's son riding as a pax in another acft flying at 800 ft, observed the midget mustang coming up from the right, behind and below them. While still below their alt, the mustang was observed to roll to the right, away from them,…NTSB NYC87FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Brattleboro, VTThe helicopter crashed into a wooded ridge aprx 2 NM from it's liftoff location. Persons who reside under the flt path were awakened by the acft as it was descending into IMC at what sounded like full power. The plt's heliport was at an elevation of 950 ft…NTSB MIA87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-3 · San Juan, PRWitnesses stated that the acft used most of the rwy to takeoff, reached an aprx altitude of 60 feet, then pulled up to clear an embankment. However, the acft struck a tall palm tree & crashed between 2 roads, near an intersection, where the roads merged. The…NTSB DEN87FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Leyba, NMThe plt departed albuquerque on October 29, 1986, in his acft for an unknown destination. When he failed to return to his home, relatives notified local authorities. A search was begun and on January 23, 1987, the wreckage was found. The pilot was deceased…NTSB MIA87FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-73 · St. CroixThe plts lost aileron control shortly after takeoff while in a left turn. The left turning tendencies of the acft could not be corrected and the acft crash landed in the carribean sea. Post crash inspection of the acft revealed the left aileron control cable…NTSB SEA87FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38 · Port Townsend, WAThe plt had flown this acft over the same route many times. While en route, the acft collided with tall trees on rising terrain about 3 miles south of a direct course to the destination. The wx in the vicinity was characterized by low clouds, fog & haze. Aprx…NTSB BFO87FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Mount Pleasant, MDThe acft was on the second apch attempt for ILS rwy 23 when the accident occurred- on the first attempt the pilot flew outbound instead of inbound on the localizer course. For the second attempt the pilot was cleared for a full apch for ILS rwy 23; which…NTSB CHI87FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Int'L Falls, MNThe acft was observed maneuvering over the passengers house just prior to the accident. The plt circled the residence with the acft wings almost perpendicular to the ground at an alt between 150 and 200 ft AGL. According to witnesses, as the wings reached the…NTSB DEN87FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20B · Buffalo, WYAt aprx 1720 MDT, tower psnl at the dep arpt received a phone call from the plt. He said he wished to depart with an inop 2-WAY radio. He was advised that IMC prevailed & that a radio would be required to depart with an IFR or special VFR clnc. At 1907 (after…NTSB CHI87FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · West Chicago, ILThe plt (a part time employee of the owner) was ferrying the acft for maintenance. Witnesses, who saw the plt bfr take- off, noted that his speech was slurred & that he seemed angry because a tug would not start. One witness characterized him as being 'very…NTSB NYC87MA024Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28F · Manhattan, NYThe aircraft was contracted by nbc to make daily highway traffic observations in the new york city area. The pilot and passenger, an nbc radio traffic reporter, were flying in a northerly direction along Manhattan's west side at an altitude of about 75 feet.…NTSB DEN87FA007Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Crosby, NDCrosby municipal arpt was notam'd closed due to rwy construction and resurfacing. The plt and paxs were employees of the engineering company participating in the arpt construction. The plt of N8271P had landed on the closed rwy earlier in the day. The rwy was…NTSB ATL87FA010Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 II · Pembroke, KYThe acft was observed shortly after departing the owner/operator's private landing strip. Witnesses rprtd hearing a sudden decrease in eng power, then a short time later, they heard the eng 'fire' or restart momentarily, but decrease in power again. The acft…NTSB MKC87DCA01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna C-152 · Fredericktown, MOThe aircraft was being used to give relatives local area flights. The witnesses reported that the airplane had been doing low altitude maneuvers, stalls, and engine power cuts for over an hour. The witnesses observed the acft in a low altitude pass when it…NTSB ATL87FKG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJere L. Rosser Rand KR-2 · Kennesaw, GADuring initial climb the aircraft was observed at a high angle of attack at low altitude before descending in a stall/spin collision with the ground. Witnesses at the aprt reported that the engine sounded rough during the taxi and takeoff roll. The plt had…NTSB ANC87LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportInterstate S-1B1 · Eureka Creek, AKThe pilot lost control of the aircraft on landing & it collided with a large metal sluice box that was located beside the runway. At the time of the accident, the wind was from the northeast & was gusty. The dirt ruway was frozen, rough &rutted.NTSB NYC87FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Rockwood, TNThe aircraft was observed departing at approx 2010 hours, reversing course and flying over the airport at 300-400 ft AGL. The aircraft crashed 3/4 miles south of the airport in unpopulated, mountainous/hilly terrain at an elevation of 1560 feet, which is 104…NTSB ATL87FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Nashville, TNThe flight was cleared for the localizer approach to rwy 31. The pilot reported the airport in sight. The flight descended into the cloud layer and crashed about 1000 feet short of the middle marker. The pilot did not report any aircraft problem. The approach…NTSB MKC87DCQ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJames Olivier Quickie · Harper, KSA witness stated that he observed the aircraft in slow level flight at a low altitude. The a/c then pulled up in a steep right turn, then it descended to the ground. Examination of the wreckage found no pre-impact problems with engine or controls.NTSB CHI87DEM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBrown Acro Sport II · Grand Haven, MIAccording to the pilot after takeoff he leveled off to gain airspeed and then entered a 60 degree pitch up attitude. The pilot stated at about 400 feet AGL he noticed the airspeed was lower than 'normal'. Shortly thereafter the aircraft stalled and entered a…NTSB NYC87FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American 112 · Beekman, NYThe acft departed dutchess county airport, poughkeepsie, NY, and had an engine failure due to inadequate lubrication. The oil filter was found disconnected from the engine. At duthess county airport parking area, fresh oil was found on the grass parking area…NTSB NYC87FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Jamestown, NYThe non-inst rated plt had received a telephone wx briefing prior to the planned flt. Marginal VFR wx was forecast for the route with vis 1/8 mile and fog. The acft was located aprx 24 hrs later in a heavily wooded area about 200 yds east of and parallel to…NTSB LAX87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Altadena, CAWhile rtrng to santa monica (smo) fm a x-country, the plts diverted to van nuys when the rwy at smo was closed due to a disabled acft. After the rwy was reopened, they filed an IFR flt pln to cont at 5000' & tkof at ngt. Drg dep, the AR-3 ctlr provided radar…NTSB NYC87FA020Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Fishers Island, NYA Cessna 182 taking off on rwy 25 collided with a Piper PA-28-181 which was landing on rwy 12. The collision occured in the intersection of the two runways. The two occupants of the Cessna were seriously injured and the two occupants of the Piper were fatally…NTSB LAX87FA017Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-3 · Lompoc, CAThe helipad deck at the stern of the barge was covered with a loosely secured rope net and witnesses reported that as the helicopter lifted up to a hover the net came up 'caught on the rear of the left skid.' The acft was seen to hover for a moment with the…NTSB NYC87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Greenville, METh plt stated that the acft encountered crosswinds of 20 KTS gusting to 30 KTS as the acft was coming off the step during liftoff in the open lake. The acft's right wing was forced down, the right float struck the water which resulted in the right wing…NTSB CHI87FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Charleston, ILN8267W was on practice NDB approach to rwy 29 under ATC clrnc with hooded stu at controls in left seat, ip in right seat, proceeding level at mda for low pass. Evidence indicates N30019 had entered downwind for rwy 24 and was in left turn VFR approach for rwy…NTSB NYC87FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Croton On Hud., NYStudent pilot advised by millville fss that VFR flight not recommended due to current and forecast IFR conditions throughout route of flight. Acft observed flying near base of low clouds and in and out of clouds prior to crashing in a residential area.NTSB ATL87FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Pell City, ALThe aircraft departed albany Georgia for fenton Missouri without a flight plan. VFR not recommended had been given to the commercial, CFI, instrument rated pilot twice during the day. The wreckage was found two months later on the side of a mountain in…NTSB LAX87FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Happy Jack, AZThe non-instrument rated private plt was informed that MVFR weather conditions existed along his planned route of flight. The plt took off & headed into the deteriorating wx. While cruising beneath clouds the acft collided with rapidly rising terrain. The plt…NTSB MKC87FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fort Scott, KSThe purpose of the flt was to observe and photograph the effects of a flood which had inundated a part of the city of Fort Scott. The acft was observed flying low and slow over the city. Witnesses said the acft was flying from west to east and made a turn…NTSB MIA87FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGriffin STAR-LITE · Raymond, MSThe plt had just completed building the acft and was on the initial flt. Family members watched as the acft tookoff and climbed over the arpt. They then observed pieces falling from the acft. The acft rolled inverted and crashed. An exam of the elevator bell…NTSB ATL87FA001Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3-65C · Goldsboro, NCThe J-3 cub had been practicing touch and go landings at the uncontrolled airport when the Cessna 182 was returning from a cross-country flight. The pilot of the Cessna had received UNICOM airport advisories that indicated rwy 22 was the active runway. The…