Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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.
Cases, newest first
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 ERA21FA362Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Monticello, GAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions during a dark night and over unlit terrain, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB GAA21WA230Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Hope Bay, Canada, CanadaNTSB GAA21WA229Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBeech B200GT · Piracicaba, BrazilNTSB GAA21WA240Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Samos Island, GreeceNTSB WPR21FA340Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Lake Havasu City, AZA partial loss of engine power during the airplane's initial climb due to wear of internal engine components, which prevented the engine from developing full-rated power and resulted in a loss of altitude.NTSB GAA21WA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper J3C · Mauricie, CanadaNTSB ERA21FA355Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Rhine, GAA collision with trees during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver for unknown reasons.NTSB ENG21WA041Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLet L410 · Kazachinskoye, RussiaNTSB GAA21WA237Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Itaituba, BrazilNTSB CEN21FA410Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Mentone, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN21LA396Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMonnett Moni · Tulsa, OKAn aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN21LA395Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKlapp Peter A Klapp KR-2S · Wadsworth, OHA loss of airplane control for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.NTSB ERA21FA346Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 560 · Farmington, CTThe pilot-in-command’s failure to release the parking brake before attempting to initiate the takeoff, which produced an unexpected retarding force and airplane-nose-down pitching moment that prevented the airplane from becoming airborne within the takeoff…NTSB GAA21WA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMooney M20C · Slave Lake-Alberta, CanadaNTSB WPR21FA330Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TU206F · Bernard, IDThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight into a canyon that exceeded the performance capabilities of the airplane, which resulted in an impact with trees an terrain.NTSB GAA21WA211Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA24 · Maldonado, UruguayNTSB CEN21FA380Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Adrian, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21FA377Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Fort Worth, TXThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s…NTSB ERA21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American SNJ-2 · Wilkes-Barre, PAA partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…NTSB ERA21FA333Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA24 · Wadesboro, NCA partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing was the pilot’s loss of airplane control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN21FA376Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Urbana, OHThe pilot’s failure to arrest the airplane’s left roll and rapid descent for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB GAA21WA209Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAcroduster II · Marcoola, AustraliaNTSB GAA21WA208Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRockwell 690 · Thunder Bay, CanadaNTSB WPR21FA321Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182H · Bountiful, UTThe decision of both pilots to fly into a steep canyon, which resulted in the airplane being unable to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was their delayed initial action in responding to the hazard, and their…NTSB CEN21FA368Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRockwell International S2R · Strasburg, NDThe pilot’s intentional flight under power lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA21FA318Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPitts 12 · Ocklawaha, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in an inverted flat spin from which he was unable to recover.NTSB CEN21FA364Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 210H · Melbourne, ARThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane with full flaps during the takeoff.NTSB ERA21FA317Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Exec 162F · Argyle, NYThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade.NTSB CEN21FA360Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20M · Victoria, MNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during final approach, which led to a spiral dive that overstressed the airplane and resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB GAA21WA206Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignComco Ikarus Ikarus C42 · Gelnhausen, GermanyNTSB ANC21FA069Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportDehavilland DHC-2 MK.I · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the FAA’s reliance on voluntary compliance with the Ketchikan…NTSB GAA21WA195Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignTecnam P2002 · Khabarovsk, RussiaNTSB CEN21FA355Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Starkville, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR21FA300Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Colusa, CAThe pilot’s abrupt flight control input that led to mast bumping and a subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN21FA345Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Hartford, WIThe flight crew’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a simulated engine failure during initial climb after takeoff, which led to an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control. Contributing to the severity of the occupants’ injuries…NTSB WPR21FA298Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Banning, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB GAA21WA189Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · ForeignAerospool WT10 · Sheparivtsi Village, UkraineNTSB ENG21WA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignFK-Aircraft FK14 Polaris · Val Vibrata, ItalyNTSB WPR21FA288Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBorom Long-EZ · Tucson, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and to retract the speed brake during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct a flight review in an…NTSB WPR21FA286Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B16 · Truckee, CAThe first officer’s (FO’s) improper decision to attempt to salvage an unstabilized approach by executing a steep left turn to realign the airplane with the runway centerline, and the captain’s failure to intervene after recognizing the FO’s erroneous action,…NTSB GAA21WA186Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Norderney, GermanyNTSB ANC21FA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172P · Eagle River, AKAn inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate as designed, and the mechanic’s failure to ensure the correct ELT was installed…NTSB CEN21FA334Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802 · Benoit, MSThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance capabilities and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to his use of ethanol and prohibited medications.NTSB WPR21FA283Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSiai-Marchetti SM-1019B · Lewiston, IDThe pilot’s failure to remove the flight control lock before departure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was his failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection and flight control check…NTSB GAA21WA180Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Contrada Coccaro Fasano, ItalyNTSB ERA21LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…NTSB CEN21FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elgin, MNThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.NTSB GAA21WA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMooney M20 · Gothard, SwitzerlandNTSB GAA21WA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech C90 · Durango, MexicoNTSB CEN21FA327Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8F · Comstock, TXImpact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.