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 FTW86FA156Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Houston, TXThe ends of the outer string and the inner reinforcing wire of the engine air intake duct were not properly positioned under the duct clamp during installation. As a result, they unwound during engine operation and moved out of their normal position on and in…NTSB FTW86FA154Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Big Sandy, MTStudent pilot on unauthorized cross country flight departed unimproved field on VFR flight for the purpose of spotting game. Weather conditions in the area were conducive for light to moderate turbulence. Witnesses reported the acft wings rocked violently…NTSB ATL86FA235Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Wilton, MEWitnesses saw the acft go into a nose down attitude prior to crashing into a wooded area near the arpt. Rprtdly, the prop was turning, but no sound was heard from the eng. Subsequently, the acft impacted the gnd in a nose low, inverted attitude. No preimpact…NTSB ATL86FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Mansfield, OHAcft took off from pvt sod strip. Father of plt said eng sounds were normal during run up. Acft appeared to be climbing with a normal attitude when the eng quit. Subsequently, acft was stalled followed by a near vertical nose down impact and post impact fire.…NTSB DEN86MA241Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Lander, WYOn 5/1/86, the plt had an acoustic tumor removed fm his rgt ear which included the removal of the 8th nerve (balance nerve). His attending physician suggested aprx a 1 yr period of recuperation due to equilibrium problems associated with this type of surgery.…NTSB CHI86MA212Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-T1 · Montgomery, NYAfter canceling his IFR flight plan, the PA-31 pilot entered the traffic pattern for rwy 26 on a crosswind leg. He did not see any traffic on downwind as he entered the pattern. He visually cleared the area below and to his right while on downwind and as he…NTSB MKC86FA179Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed 18-56 (Howard 250) · Texarkana, ARWhile apchg for a lndg, the acft pitched up, rolled inverted & impacted the terrain to the left of the rwy. No preimpactpart failure/malfunction was fnd; however, an inv revealed the acft had been loaded with the center-of-gravity (CG) wellbehind the aft…NTSB NYC86FHD03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPassonno Skybolt · Moorestown, NJThe Passonno skybolt was observed to recover from a loop and then the tail surfaces started to shake. The acft then descended to the ground and was destroyed by impact. Examination of various horizontal stabilizer and elevator components showed that the…NTSB NYC86FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Atlantic City, NJUpon lnding the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. He then aborted the lnding and attempted a go around. During this maneuver the acft struck a marsh area aprpox .5 miles from the arpt. The plt and one passenger received fatal injuries, one pax…NTSB SEA86FA225Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Mesquite, NVWhile en route, the plt was cleared to deviate 20 deg left of course to avoid thunderstorm (tstm) activity that ARTCC radar showed was rgt of course. The plt rprtd turbc, but demurred descending to a lower alt despite a PIREP of clear wx below. He then rprtd…NTSB MKC86LA178Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Emporia, KSThe acft was found stopped in an open field having penetrated the southern boundary of the Emporia airport property. The acft eng was still running when rescuers approached the location. Forced entry was made into the acft to shut the eng down and rescue the…NTSB NYC86FHM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Ventus A · Middletown, NYThe sailplane was being towed into the air. It was observed to come off the ground in a tail low attitude and then start porposing. The aircraft was released from the tow plane and impacted. The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft destroyed. No…NTSB MIA86FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRussell Post Moni Motorglider · Fellsmere, FLWitnesses reported seeing the aircraft performing aerobatic maneuvers at approximately 1500 feet. The aircraft was later found with the tail surfaces separated. The tail surfaces were found 300 and 400 feet from the main wreckage. A metallurgical examination…NTSB LAX86FA328Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Grand Canyon, AZThe acft crashed in a wooded area shortly after departing rwy 21 at Grand Canyon national park arpt (gcn). The plt had made a precautionary landing at gcn during the x-country flt to page, AZ, so he call a fss having been unable to establish contact in-flt.…NTSB SEA86FA216Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlasair SH2 · Roche Harbor, WAThe acft was one of a group of glasairs that were departing the airport after a fly in breakfast at the resort. Witnesses reported the acft departed on runway 06 (uphill) in a 3 point attitude. As the acft continued down the runway, in a steep nose up climb,…NTSB LAX86FUM02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStar-Lite UNK · Ramona, CADuring a local test flight of an experimental homebuilt acft, the plt was circling aprx 700 ft AGL when the right wing separated from the fuselage. The acft entered an uncontrollable steep angle dive and collided with the terrain. Inspection as to the…NTSB NYC86FA214Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Ft. Dix, NJThe acft was headed sw on victor sixteen inbound to coyle VOR when the plt reported the loss of gyro instruments. The acft was at 6000 ft and in 'solid IFR weather.' The plt elected not to declare emergency and land when asked if he wanted to do so by ATC.…NTSB SEA86FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7GCB · Stanley, IDWitnesses reported the aircraft came from the direction of Stanley (8 miles to the north). Circled over the guest lodge, made one or more low (100 to 300 foot) passes. On the last pass the acft was heading away from the lodge towards highway 75. The acft…NTSB SEA86FA215Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T207A · Frenchglen, ORAlthough low altitude flight within the gorge was not in accordance with the mission profile the pilot entered the canyon and proceeded upslope towards rising terrain. 87% of the pilot's extensive flight experience was in helicopter aircraft and he had…NTSB ATL86FA223Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · West Green, GAThe plt took off at 1259 EDT, & at 1318, he reported level at 10,000'. There was no further comm with the acft. At about 1342, radar contact was lost. Subsequently, the acft wreckage was fnd scattered over a 425 yd area, along a sw azmith, aprx 1/2 mi from…NTSB SEA86FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Pelican, AKAt about 1500 adt on 8/19/86, the plt departed on a flt to hoonak, AK. When he did not return, a search was initiated. The acft was located at 1400 adt on the following day where it had crashed on rising mountainous terrain at an elev of about 1740 ft. an…NTSB ANC86FA130Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Hinchinbrook Is, AKAt 1323 adt, the plt rprtd near Hinchinbrook island & requested clearance for an ndb-a apch to the cordova mile 13 arpt. About 3 min later, cordova fss provided clearance for the apch 'from over Hinchinbrook.' Radar data showed that the acft flew to the…NTSB SEA86FA207Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 23 · Stanwood, WAAccording to witnesses, the plt made an apch to rwy 34 which sloped downhill twd the north end. Rprtdly, the acft landedabout 1000 ft down the 1750 ft rwy. One witness heard the tires squeal as the plt applied brakes in an attempt to stop. The plt then…NTSB BFO86FA042Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Bowleys Qrtrs, MDDrg arr, TRACON gave the plt the arpt wx & provided vectors for an ILS rwy 32 apch. The plt inquired about a cell that he understood was over the arpt & was advised to standby while the controller (ctlr) checked on it. The ctlr contacted twr psnl who adzd the…NTSB NYC86FNC08Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportChampion 7HC · Epsom, NHA student pilot and passenger on a local flight collided with a tree, crashed and burned. No malfunction was found with the aircraft and engine. The plts flt time was not reported or available.NTSB NYC86FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · West Mifflin, PAAt 2232 EDT, the acft was climbing to 15000 feet when the pilot reported a low oil pressure light. ATC advised jimmy stewart field is about eleven thirty and 15 miles. After the pilot asked, 'is that a tower field?', ATC advised he did not know, westmoreland…NTSB LAX86LA322Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8F · Marble Canyon, AZWitnesses rprtd that prior to the acdnt, the plt made a low pass over a raft on the Colorado river to 'wave his wings' at the rafting group. Rprtdly, he was attempting to reverse his direction when the acft suddenly crashed in the river. A search was…NTSB DEN86FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Redcliff, COA husband & wife rprtd that the acft flew near their house at a very low alt, then climbed in the direction of the sun to clear over a bridge. Moments later, the acft collided with power lines that were suspended between 2 towers. The towers were located atop…NTSB ATL86FEI10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportSenior Aero Sport D-260 · Valley City, OHAccording to witnesses, the acft was in lvl flt at low alt when it entered a steep climbing maneuver. Subsequently, it entered a steep dscnt & crashed in aprx a 75 deg nose down attitude. There was evidence the acft was in a right bank & was spinning or…NTSB CHI86FA198Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Perrinton, MIThe pvt PIC and his pax, also a pvt plt, departed the pic's pvt airstrip for a local pleasure flt. An acft, similar in size and color to the plt's was seen doing low level flt at tree top level with abrupt pull-ups near where the plt normally flew. The plt…NTSB SEA86FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Grangeville, IDA passenger in the acft reported the plt made more than one pass over 'a salt lick', each time coming closer and closer to the trees. On the last pass the acft 'just fell out of the sky', hit the trees, and landed upside down. Fire broke out almost…NTSB SEA86FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Cleveland, WAThe low time pilot departed with two relatives aboard for a local flight. The aircraft was observed flying low over omak lake and then commencing a climbing left turn toward higher terrain. During the climbout, the pilot perceived a loss of engine performance…NTSB DEN86FA223Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Ten Sleep, WYThe plt became lost/disoriented and inadvertently entered the narrow canyon in a mountain pass. He attempted to land on a public highway at 7,500 feet MSL when it became apparent the acft would not climb fast enough to clear rapidly rising terrain and that it…NTSB ATL86FMG09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGray Drifter XP · Orangeburg, SCThe homebuilt acft crashed shortly after takeoff. Witnesses reported hearing a loss of power during initial climb. The acft then entered an abrupt right turn and descended to ground impact. Post accident bench test of the engine failed to disclose any…NTSB NYC86FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Duxsbury, VTThe plt was on a VFR flight from montpelier, VT to burlington, VT; a distance of about 80 mis. A mountain range is between the two location. Shortly after takeoff the plt radioed burlington approach control and requested an IFR clearance to land at…NTSB LAX86FA315Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Phoenix, AZThe recently certificated private pilot initiated flt with an over loaded acft into high density alt conditions. The acft stalled as it made a climbing left turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. The stall resulted in an uncontrolled collision with…NTSB SEA86FA194Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310C · Vancouver, WAPlt not IFR rated. Attempted departure from own airstrip in fog during early dawn. Positive rate of climb not established. Acft contacted terrain 3/4 mile from runway end. Psgrs reported no sensation of power probs, but complete loss of ground ref at liftoff.…NTSB LAX86FA314Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Callahan, CAAfter dropping company executives off at medford, the pilot was to return to santa rosa empty. Witnesses along the 25 NM valley which ends at the accident site reported that the aircraft buzzed their locations at AGL altitudes variously described as '10 feet'…NTSB CHI86FA200Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Shelby, INThe non-instrument rated pilot initiated the VFR flight from wheeling, IL, to madison, IN, IN marginal weather conditions. The wreckage was found on the afternoon of the following day about 26 miles south of gary, IN. The aircraft sustained an in-flight…NTSB DEN86FA216Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lander, WYThe flt departed Lander, Wyoming, arpt in high density altitude conditions and in an over gross weight condition. The acft was observed flying low over rising terrain until it impacted the ground. The acft was destroyed in a post accident fire and two pax was…NTSB ATL86FLQ06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBernard Sonerai II · Trenton, KYWitnesses reported seeing the acft spin to ground impact with a section of the right wing hanging. Post accident exam revealed the outboard half (aprx 4 ft) of the right wing was bent aprx 120 degrees to the inside half of the right wing. Monnett experimental…NTSB NYC86FHM04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWard Skybolt · Cranford, NJWitnesses heard the aircraft engine pop, sputter and then go silent. The aircraft was observed to continually lose altitude, then visual contact was lost due to the tree line. Post-accident wreckage examination disclosed no evidence of fuel on board the…NTSB NYC86FA199Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114 · Bedford, PAThe acft nearing the close of a x-country flight had requested a decent to start an approach to land at its final destination. ATC had granted the request, but stated to the pilot that he most remain VFR, the pilot acknowledged the clearance. Acft was located…NTSB NYC86FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman TBM-3E · Brooklyn, CTThe acft was being flown to the owner's residence when the accident occurred. Shortly after takeoff black and white smoke was observed emitting from the eng cowling and the eng was heard sputtering. According to witnesses, the acft leveled off at an alt of…NTSB MKC86FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAttebery-Stainbrook Varieze · Osawatomie, KSWitnesses stated that the aircraft appeared to be operating normally and flying at cruise altitude when, suddenly the left (port) wing separated from the fuselage. Sounds of engine power ceased immediately following the in-flight breakup and the aircraft…NTSB LAX86MA311Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Alamo, CAWitnesses reported seeing the helicopter circle twice over a residence at an alt of aprx 50' AGL. Upon initiating the third turn the helicopter entered an abrupt 90 deg bank and nosed down to impact with the terrain. Exam of the helicopter failed to reveal…NTSB FTW86FRG29Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCollins Charles A KR-2 · Georgetown, TXAcft was observed to takeoff, circle the arpt and make a low pass down the departure rwy. Following the low pass the acft entered a steep right bank, stalled and nosed over into the ground. During the investigation, no evidence of mech failure or malfunction…NTSB CHI86FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley DH-125-1A · Bedford, INThe plt canceled IFR 8 miles from the arpt to continue on a visual apch and landing. Witnesses stated a strong thunderstorm had just passed over the arpt. Wind info issued to the plt by UNICOM were west at 20 KTS. Witnesses observed the acft apch rwy 31 and…NTSB DEN86FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportThorp T-18 · Rawlins, WYThe accident acft, a Thorp T-18, was one of four acft (quickie ii, varieze, longeze) in a loose formation that was en route to the annual eaa convention at oshkosh, WI. The acft departed redding, CA, at 0500 PDT, refueled at wendover, UT, and departed there…NTSB NYC86FGM06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportKenneth Patsch FLY Baby II · Franklin Center, PAThe plt reported that the acft banked excessively during the left turn from base to final. Opposite control input was applied, however, the plt reported the 'stick seemed to have no right movement.' Full power was applied but the bank steepened so power was…