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 CHI86FA183Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Plainfield, ILWitnesses who spoke with plt of N6135L prior to accident stated that he was acting out of character. He had a loss of appetite and his complexion was ashen grey. The plt stated that he did not feel well before the flt. Witnesses observed the acft takeoff,…NTSB ATL86FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Bridgeport, WVThe aircraft collided with a tree while on final approach to runway 21. The flight had been cleared for the approach after the pilot reported having the airport in sight. There was no current weather observation available at that time, but a local air taxi…NTSB ANC86FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Willow, AKAbout 5 to 10 min prior to the acdnt, svrl witnesses in the vicinity of the Willow arpt saw the acft headed southbound. They rprtd the eng was running rough, but they saw no smoke or fire. Aprx 3 mi further south, other witnesses saw the acft make a 180 deg…NTSB LAX86FA307Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCherry HP16 · Llano, CAThe glider pilot departed on a local flight and the wreckage of his glider was spotted a little over an hour later. There were no known witnesses to the accident which occurred in VFR daylight conditions.NTSB LAX86FA304Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPlaymate SA-11A · Yucca Valley, CAThe PIC planned a local flight in his homebuilt 'Playmate' experimental acft. A witness reported observing the acft 1/8 mi n of the uncontrolled arpt in a spin. The plt recovered fm the spin at 200 ft AGL, & then entered a near vertical descent until…NTSB LAX86FA303Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Yosemite Nation, CAAfter flying low over Yosemite national park the Piper PA-32-260, operating as an on-demand passenger flight, climbed eastward into rising terrain. The flight path selected by the pilot was approximately one mile north and 1000 feet higher than tioga pass…NTSB BFO86FID10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportQuickie Q200 · Newport News, VAThe acft went out of control and crashed from aprx 100 AGL after takeoff. The acft was on a test flt and after the crash the plt said that the acft was pulling to the rt during takeoff so he reduced power. The acft continued to pull rt before nosing down to…NTSB ANC86FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportInterstate S-1B2 · Wasilla, AKWitnesses rprtd that immediately after taking off from the Wasilla lake seaplane base, the acft entered a steep climbing turn. Shortly thereafter, it entered a steep dscnt & crash into the water. There was evidence that the acft entered a stall/spin prior to…NTSB DEN86FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Boulder, COThe purpose of the flt for both acft was an aerial photo mission. N5113S was used as the camera platform. The plts of N5113S and N4346L discussed prior to takeoff the procedures of the flt. Both acft departed and flew a course to position the airplanes on a…NTSB CHI86FEV03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWoodrow Starduster SA-100 · New Baden, ILThe owner of the single seat, home built, acft offered to allow a navy F-14 plt to fly the plane. The owner made a shortflt, then proceeded to give the F-14 plt a cockpit check. The check-out explaination included such things as the flt characteristics,…NTSB CHI86FA179Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Shiocton, WIWitnesses rprtd that prior to the acdnt, the acft was flying at a very low level, near treetop level, over residences, a ball park & a lake park. Subsequently, the acft collided with a utility pole & trees, then crashed into a private residence & burst into…NTSB SEA86LA179Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R · Nampa, IDGround personnel reported the acft entered procedure turnaround in an excessive attitude, appeared to stall, rolled inverted and struck the ground. No evidence found of pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction.NTSB SEA86LA178Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S-2R · Kuna, IDAcft was observed in orbit pattern near object field for night aerial application. Plt overflew object field secured acft lights and shortly thereafter collided with powerline tower. Plt had made application at this field four previous times this year. Ground…NTSB ATL86FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-600 · Raleigh, NCThe plt was issued rwy 5, 7,500', for IFR departure with favoring 4 kt quartering headwind. Plt requested rwy 14, 4,498', for takeoff with a 4 kt quartering tailwind. Ground witness and control tower observed acft use nearly all of the rwy on takeoff roll.…NTSB SEA86LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Burbank, WAThe helicopter had landed for reloading and was stationary with rotors idling. A ground loader person approached the helicopter over a small sandy knoll and was struck by the main rotor, sustaining fatal injury.NTSB MIA86FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Steinhatchee, FLOn 7/23/86, ARTCC lost radar & radio contact with the acft while the plt was in lvl flt at 6000 ft in an area of lvl 3 & 4 thunderstorms (tstms). Two days later, the left wing panel & the tips of the horizontal stabilators were fnd in the vicinity of where…NTSB LAX86LA302Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150D · San Diego, CAA Cessna 150D collided with the pacific ocean while spotting fish approximately 5 mi from the coast. The acft owner and operator indicated that the plt was FAA licensed and current. FAA records revealed the plt was issued a student plt certificated along with…NTSB MIA86MA217Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3 · Isla Verde, PRShortly after takeoff, the acft's climb performance bgn to deteriorate & the r eng started to overheat. Subsequently, the r eng was feathered & the crew attempted to return to the arpt. The radio transmitter bcm unintelligible, so the tower psnl cleared the…NTSB LAX86FVA12Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAyres S2R · Tranquility, CADuring an aerial application operation the aircraft was observed to have made a pass over the field, began turning to make another pass when a loud pop was heard. Just after the noise, witnesses observed the aircraft spin as the turn lights mounted on the…NTSB LAX86FA297Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Corona, CAThe pilot stated to fire personnel that as he approached touchdown, the sun got in his eyes and a cross wind pushed him off the right side of his private airstrip. The aircraft landed hard on the right wheel, veered off the right side of the runway,…NTSB SEA86FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWeiss-Haynes Stits SA6B · Big Creek, IDN3HW, a stits SA6B, was being flown from an airstrip with a density altitude of about 7,800 feet. The plt lost control of the acft during initial climb and the acft descended into the trees, struck the ground, and caught fire. The plt stated that during…NTSB MIA86FA216Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Tampa, FLThe private pilot transmitted to the contrl tower shortly after lift off that he had a door ajar, and he was turning back to the runway. Witnesses saw the aircraft execute a teardrop type of turn back to the runway with a nose high attitude, gear down and in…NTSB CHI86FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Random Lake, WIThe acft lost pwr on final apprch and crashed into a swamp. Post accident investigation revealed that the eng camshaft was worn reducing the pwr output of the powerplant.NTSB MKC86FA151Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportWhittman WD (Bigx) · Sheldahl, IAWitnesses state that they saw two airplanes, one silver and one red, climbing northbound to cruise altitude in loose formation when the red aircraft's engine backfired and the antique fabric-covered aircraft started burning. Flames five to eight feet in…NTSB FTW86FA133Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Addison, TXWitnesses reported a normal takeoff and climb was made to an alt of aprx 400 ft AGL at which time eng pwr ceased/ decreased. The rt wing then dropped, the nose and lt wing rose and the acft entered a near vertical descent to ground impact. Post accident exam…NTSB LAX86FA293Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob A103 Twin II · Sun City, AZThe newly certificate sailplaned pilot had taken a friend for a sightseeing flight. On the return the pilot made a normal approach and landing, then veered off the left side of the runway and struck a large saguaro cactus. The cactus toppled and fell across…NTSB CHI86FA172Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Norton Shores, MIN6857E was transporting executives from holland, MI, to muskegon. The pilot was executing an asr approach to runway 06. The mda is 537 ft AGL. Co-pilot called out 1200 feet then below 1000 feet, pilot continued approach. Aircraft struck trees two miles from…NTSB CHI86FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Crivitz, WIFollowing one approach to land under conditions of low visibility (less than 1/4 mile) the pilot attempted to land again. On base leg, according to witnesses, the aircraft fell to the ground. In the wreckage the stall warning light bulb filament was grossly…NTSB LAX86FA289Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Santa Paula, CAAfter working for over 13.5 hours the pilot attempted to fly 160 miles to his home. The 1.3 hour flt was initiated between 0100 and 0200. It was a dark night and according to persons in the accident area a 200-400 ft broken/overcast cloud layer was present.…NTSB LAX86FA288Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Bullhead City, AZThe private pilot, who had accumulated approximately 450 hours of flight experience and his 5 passengers, arrived at the destination airport during darkness. This was the pilot's first landing at the uncontrolled airport and he was not familiar with the…NTSB FTW86FA127Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Santa Fe, TXA pvt plt & instructor (CFI) were on a LCL flt with a 3rd occupant aboard. The purpose of the flt was to provide dual instruction to the pvt plt so he could obtain a multi-eng rating. At 1818, 1 of the plts contacted houston TRACON & reqdradar adzy & said…NTSB ANC86LA105Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Stoney River, AKAccording to a witness, a certificated pilot, a crowd had gathered to wave, watch the takeoff and take photographs. The airplane began its takeoff roll about mid point on the airstrip and rolled 120 feet before lifting off. The airplane climbed steeply and…NTSB SEA86FA165Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportThorp T-18 · Richland, WAAt time of mishap, acft presumed to be in rt-hand approach to land in 20-KT, 40 degree rt crosswind. Witnesses first observed acft descending vertically, out of control, in an area consistent with the 90 degree approach position. Evidence indicates acft…NTSB NYC86FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Durhamville, NYAircraft departed rwy 35 at kamp airport, climbed to about 200 feet, turned right, stalled and crashed vertically into the ground. A witness said that the aircraft climbed, the engine sputtered, and then stopped. No preimpact malfunction/failure was…NTSB DEN86FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Pierce, COThe acft reportedly departed the fort collins, Colorado, downtown arpt at 2151 MDT, July 10, 1986, on a local student night training flt. The wreckage was discovered at O800 MDT, July 11, 1986, in open, flat, cultivated terrain. The acft impacted in a steep…NTSB MIA86FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Sidon, MSThe right wings of the ag operator's bi-plane collided with the ground support cables of a 322 ft high microwave tower while on a base leg for landing. The right wings separated & the acft crashed & burned killing the plt. The 25000 hr plt knew of the tower…NTSB LAX86FJA02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)The plt was attempting to take off from the deck of a tuna boat when it contacted the side of the boat and sank in the Ocean. Post accident inspection revealed one of two nose tiedown straps had not been removed from the helicopter prior to the takeoff. The…NTSB LAX86FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Phoenix, AZThe plt performed 1 normal touch & go operation, & touched down normally on the second planed touch & go which was to terminate with a right dep out of the pattern. After touchdown, witnesses observed the acft roll straight along the rwy centerline for about…NTSB CHI86FER13Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Elrosa, MNThe helicopter was seen flying at a low altitude by witnesses and appeared to be flying straight and level and sounded normal. The helicopter impacted the ground in a northeasterly direction, 180 degrees from it's observed flight path. There were no witnesses…NTSB NYC86FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Seven Valleys, PAAircraft departed york airport and crashed 5 min later. The engine sump oil quick drain had disconnected and was not found. Engine oil was exhausted and the engine seized. A tree and utility pole were found damaged. The ramp and runway at york airport did not…NTSB LAX86FA279Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Havasu Lake, CAAt about 2100 PDT on 7/5/86, the flt departed lake Havasu city, AZ for an unkn destn. On the next morning at aprx 0330, witnesses, who were fishing on lake Havasu, heard the acft circle twice, then crash about 2 mi west of the arpt on the California side of…NTSB SEA86FA155Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Mulino, ORThe pvt plt had been giving rides around the local area for about an hour. He had just dropped off one passenger and picked up another. The acft taxied from the ramp to the rwy 30 and made a normal takeoff. During crosswind turn the engine started to miss and…NTSB MIA86FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Vega Baja, PRThe plt of the Grumman ag cat allowed 2 parachutists to board the resticted catagory acft for a parachute jumping flt. Each parachutist was positioned on a wing with his arm crooked around the respective wing center strut. After takeoff, the parachutist on…NTSB LAX86FA278Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C24R · Meyers, CAWith a density altitude of about 8400 ft, and an aircraft near its max certificated gross weight, the plt & 3 pax departed on rwy 18. During takeoff either the pilot's door was not closed or it came open. The open door degraded the acft's climb performance.…NTSB NYC86FHD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiasecki Acft. Helistat 97-34J · Lakehurst, NJThe helistat, a hybrid a/c with 4 H-34 main fuselages attached to a frame along with a ZPG-2 helium filled envelope had just completed it first hover test flt successfully and landed. A pwr loss was noted on the no. 3 helicopter and the test was terminated…NTSB BFO86FA038Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B 55 · Lynchburg, VAThe non-instrument rated pilot filed an IFR flight plan into known and forecast IFR weather. During his second ILS approach to the airport, after the control tower had closed, he failed to utilize the aircraft radio to illuminate the approach lighting system.…NTSB SEA86LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2RT34 · Jordan Valley, ORWitnesses observed at acft make a 2-5 foot pass over water going north, a 180 degree turn and a 2 foot AGL run to south. The acfts left main landing gear touched water bouncing the right wing on water. Acft pitched up, rolled inverted and crashed on south…NTSB DEN86FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Townsend, MTOn 6/26/86, the plt & his wife had flown from helena, MT. To powell, WY, to visit family & relatives. On the day of the acdnt, he had consumed alcoholic beverages. Despite pleas fm his wife not to return to helena that evening, he elected to fly back. While…NTSB MKC86FA139Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Hartford, ARWhen the acft did not arrive at its destn, a search was initiated. The wreckage was located 4 days later where the acft crashed in mountainous terrain. An investigation revealed there was severe thunderstorm activity in the area at the time of the accident.…NTSB SEA86LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Boise, IDThe purpose of the flight was to spray thirty gallons of rinse water to clear the spray tanks of chemical. While maneuvering the acft struck power lines and then struck the ground. The acft slid for about 20 feet and then nosed over inverted.