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 DEN86FA175Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMartin 404 · Buffalo, WYN40443 was contracted by the Wyoming dept of ag to spray grasshoppers. Investigation revealed the plt held a pvt certificate with asmel ratings. His medical certificate was denied because he failed to provide information concerning high blood pressure and…NTSB ATL86FEI07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G2 · Lisbon, OHThe aerial application helicopter was being serviced by a chemical truck that was parked adjacent to the acft. The acft engine was at high idle with the main rotor turning at 250 RPM. The ground crewman jumped off the side of the chemical truck into the main…NTSB NYC86FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Bradford, PAThe private, instrument rated pilot flying a Beechcraft V35 collided with the ground, in an inverted attitude 1.5 miles from the approach end of the runway while on an ILS approach during IFR conditions. Heavy rainshowers fog and lightning were observed in…NTSB FTW86FPA23Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A188B · Malone, TXThe acft crashed before beginning a spraying operation after making a low pass over the field to alert a workman. According to one witness, a young bicyclist, the acft was turning around and began 'flopping' before it disappeared behind a hill. The field…NTSB CHI86FET02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Syracuse, INThe acft crashed into a lake while making a farewell low pass at friends on the lakeshore. He came over the lake toward his friends at such a low alt that he had to pull up to get over the trees. He commenced a steep rt turn which progressed into a descent…NTSB NYC86FNC04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-4A · Rochester, VTThe pilot was participating in a x-country soaring race. Aprox 15 miles from destination and for unknown reasons, the pilot experienced in flight collision with terrain. There was no evidence of pre-impact malfunction or failure. The pilot was certificated…NTSB LAX86FA260Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Marysville, CAAt 0203 PDT, there was an electrical power outage when a Cessna 152, N4873H, collided with a power line that crossed the feather river near Marysville, CA. The acdnt occurred as a student plt was flying over the river at low alt with a passenger aboard at…NTSB DEN86FA170Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150K · Silver City, NMThe student plt took a private plt for a sight seeing ride. The acft was over gross weight and the density alt was calculated to be 9,292 feet. On an approach to landing the student plt elected to go around. The surviving plt said that in a steep bank the…NTSB ATL86FMG08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportH. Preiss HP-19C · Boone, NCThe glider made a steep nose high turn, stalled and crashed after a premature tow release at aprx 150 ft AGL. Witnesses said that the glider appeared to be badly controlled from the beginning of the takeoff roll. After the stall during the turn the acft…NTSB ATL86FA178Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Marlton, NJAbout 10 min after takeoff, the acft collided with trees & crashed while the plts were performing aerobatic maneuvers. According to witnesses, aerobatics were being performed at an about 500 ft AGL. They rprtd that the plts had made an overhead maneuver…NTSB CHI86FEM09Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 172I · Nunica, MIThe acft was seen flying over the water at an alt of aprx 150-200 ft AGL prior to hitting wires. The acft was flying into the sun at the time of the wire strike.NTSB MKC86FCJ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A188B · Bridgeport, NEDuring an agricultural spray run, the aircraft collided with a utility pole, leaving part of the spary boom wrapped around the pole, and pieces of flap, wing, and fuel bladder nearby. The aircraft then impacted the ground about 1000 ft from the pole & was…NTSB MIA86FA185Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-1820 · Dundee, MSThe ag acft was flying low over a water covered muddy rice field when the eng stopped running. The plt then jettisoned the load of fertilizer & entered a steep right turn. Subsequently, the aircraft struck the ground on the right wing & nose, then…NTSB DEN86FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Mosquero, NMThe acft was observed flying at low altitude when it pitched up at a steep angle, climbed about 400 ft, rolled off on left wing, descended into the ground, exploded and burned. Post accident exam revealed the landing gear was retracted but the flaps were…NTSB DCA86AA028Accident · 25 fatalFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-300 · Grand Canyon, AZAt about 0933 MST, Dehavilland DHC-6, N76GC, (owned & operated by Canyon airlines) & bell 206B, N6TC, (operated by heliteck) collided while on sightseeing flts over the Grand Canyon national park. After colliding in flt, both acft crashed & burned in the…NTSB MIA86FA184Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7CCM · Boynton Beach, FLAccording to witnesses, the acft entered a turn shortly after taking off from a touch-&-go landing, then stalled & began to spin to the right. The acft impacted the ground at the edge of a canal, aprx 1000 ft from the dept end of the rwy. One witness stated…NTSB DEN86FTK03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Badger, SDThe acft nosed over during a forced landing after takeoff. The acft was landed straight ahead and rolled out into a standing pool of water 8-10 inches deep where it flipped over crushing the canopy and trapping the plts body. During post acc invest sediment…NTSB BFO86FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Edgewater, MDWitnesses indicated that the engine sounded normal during takeoff run but started to lose power shortly after liftoff. The aircraft departed on runway 30 at lee airport, annapolis, MD. The runway is 2400 feet long and beards creek is located about 200 feet…NTSB ATL86FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-36 · Waynesville, OHThe plt was attempting to achieve a club duration/altitude gain goal and released from the tow plane at 1,000 ft as opposed to the requested 3,000 ft tow. The plt communicated with another glider plt in the area and stated he was getting low and had to land.…NTSB ANC86FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Lakecreek River, AKAccording to a witness on the ground, the pilot-in-command landed from west to east and after unloading the supplies decided to takeoff in the same direction. The pilot taxied down to the end of the runway and upon turning around the witness stated the tail…NTSB ANC86FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Saint Marys, AKThe pilot stalled the airplane while making a steep turn to avoid high voltage power lines. The airplane caught fire on impact and the air taxi pilot subsequently died of extensive thermal injuries. The plt was flying in formation with another acft at low…NTSB MIA86MA182Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHughes 369HE · Jacksonville, FLA LCL tv stn had hired the oper to provide a helicopter for use in broadcasting an airborne traffic show. The plt took off with a rprtr & a camera man aboard. Drg a live traffic rprt, the acft was hdg eastbound at slow speed ovr a downtownarea at aprx 400 ft…NTSB LAX86FUG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBensen-Jansen B-8M · Adelanto, CAThe acft collided with power lines crossing the airstrip at midfield and crashed on the rwy. A witness stated that the plt had been briefed on the pwr lines prior to the flt.NTSB FTW86FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P206C · Grand Chenier, LAThe aircraft impacted the marshy terrain while in a very shallow descent and wings level attitude and at a relatively high speed (I.e.,cruise). It then cartwheeled and slid to a stop. There was evidence of substantial engine power being developed at impact.…NTSB DEN86FA163Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90A · Jackson, WYThe plt departed olathe, KS, en route to Jackson, WY. The plt radioed the denver efas and reported his position as 56 miles northwest of casper, WY. There was no further radio communication with N114CM. The plt's wife stated after the accident that the plt…NTSB MKC86FCA03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportRobbins ACRO-DUSTER II SA750 · Fenton, MOThe aircraft was observed to go into a steep climb after departure from the runway. At 300 to 500 feet AGL, it nosed over and started a steep vertical dive into the ground. Examination of wreckage found no malfunction or failure of the aircraft. The pilot had…NTSB MIA86FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 HP · Lk Buena Vista, FLMotorists obsd the helicopter flying low ovr & along an interstate hiway. In the vicinity of a hiway rest area, the helicopter maneuvered to the side of the hiway, then flew back ovr the median. Two witnesses said it came to a hover, then started to continue…NTSB FTW86FPA24Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRepliea 78 Ral Fokker DV III · Slidell, TXThe shutoff mechanism and handle separated from the fuel shutoff valve body and fell to the floor. This stopped the fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power in the uncetificated home built aircraft. It was not determined why the…NTSB FTW86FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB 105 · Houma, LAA fatigue failure in a main rotor blade pitch change link resulted in the loss of control of one blade, leading to an in flight separation of the tail boom. The helicopter was uncontrollable and pitched forward, impacting the ground inverted.NTSB FTW86FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Huffman, TXThe pilot was being vectored around thunderstorms in the area just prior to the accident. During the last radio contact the pilot was issued a vector to the destination airport. During this turn, for unknown reasons, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and…NTSB ANC86FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Volkmar Lake, AKAfter touchdown the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft causing the right wingtip to strike the water. The aircraft then rolled over and sank. The PIC was operating the aircraft and carrying passengers with only student pilot certificate.NTSB SEA86FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSanders Starduster TWO · Mead, WAA witness reported seeing the aircraft perform a series of loop maneuvers. At the top of the last loop, the acft rolled upright then rolled into a near vertical right spin which continued to ground impact. The pilot had no history ofspin recovery practice in…NTSB SEA86FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Round Mountain, NVThe pilot and passenger departed on a local flight to spot potential fishing locations in mountainous terrain. High density altitude conditions existed at the time/place of the accident. Kinematics information from the accident site indicates that as the…NTSB FTW86FRG26Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBenson B-8M · New Braunfels, TXThe acft crashed out of control after the eng stopped during a landing approach, the acft had almost completed the 1st pattern around the field when the eng stopped. Investigation revealed a 1/4 inch nylon rope wrapped and tied around the rotor blade about 30…NTSB LAX86FA249Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCarnes Osprey 2 · Julian, CAWitness statements & examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft struck the ground as a result of a stall-spin type accident near the end of the closed portion of a box canyon about 200 feet below the top of the ridge. The investigation revealed…NTSB LAX86FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Del Rey Oaks, CAApproaching the destination arpt the plt informed ATC that he did not feel well and desired to land 'as quickly as possible.' The plt was cleared to land. While on a right base leg the acft pitched 45 degrees nose down, and collided with terrain and a…NTSB NYC86MA148Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76B · Sutton, MAAbout 16 min after takeoff, while cruising at 6000' MSL in IMC, the plt transmitted 'Sikorsky 507' (call sign of acft hefrequently flew). The ATC ctlr was talking to another flt & did not respond. About 1 min later, rdo & radar contact werelost & the…NTSB LAX86LA242Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Thermal, CAThe helicopter collided with terrain during a maneuvering turn while applying a pesticide to a cultivated field. The acft was seen on the pass just prior to the accident and the acft appeared to be lower than usual. The acft was destroyed by post-impact fire.NTSB CHI86FER10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAeronca 65-TAC · White Bear Lake, MNThe acft stalled & crashed following the initial takeoff. Witnesses stated that the plt aborted the 1st takeoff attempt. During the 2nd takeoff witnesses said that the acft nose was never lowered from a nose high position. After the acc the elevator trim was…NTSB NYC86FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Chaumont, NYThe pilot departed his private strip and crashed about 5 minutes later in a steep nose down attitude. Over 50 per cent of the fluid in the carburetor was a contaminant.NTSB FTW86FRG25Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAero Commander S2R · La Feria, TXThe acft contacted guy wires which supported a 1000 ft high television tower. Impact with the wires occurred at an alt of aprx 300 ft.NTSB LAX86FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Fullerton, CAThe plt took off on a flt to provide traffic reports to a local broadcasting station. Witnesses rprtd that shortly aftertakeoff, the eng began to misfire. The acft entered a steep left bank angle, then plummeted toward the gnd. While still in a steep nose…NTSB DEN86FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Marietta, OKThe plt obtained a wx briefing and was advised of scattered thunderstorm activity along his route of flt. The plt then filed an IFR flt plan from wiley post airport, Oklahoma city, OK, to houston intercontinental airport, TX. The plt and his wife took off at…NTSB FTW86MA097Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Bartlett, TXAbout 6 min after takeoff, at 2138:31 CDT, the plt rprtd level at 9000 ft MSL. At 2140:17, he transmitted that he had trouble & said he could not control or disconnect the autopilot (a/p) which was causing the acft to descend. At 2141:14,he stated he was…NTSB FTW86FA098Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Sperry, OKThe airplane departed jones (riverside) airport and climbed, on course, to its assigned altitude. It was in IMC conditions and a IFR flight plan had been filed. The pilot told ATC (after being asked) that his ride was 'smooth so far'. Shortly thereafter the…NTSB ATL86FA156Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105C · Peterson, ALThe EMS helicopter was heard and observed as it flew at low altitude down the river. A witness saw it dip down then attempt to climb just prior to the collision with power lines across the river. The helicopter broke the wires but was stopped and came apart…NTSB ATL86FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Elizabethtown, KYAcft observed in level flt in IMC just below EST 500 foot ovc. EST viz about 3/4 mi. Lt wing struck 15/16 inch dia steel guy cable 534 feet AGL shearing outer 118 in. Acft impacted earth fill dam 1169 ft from 650 feet tall tv antenna. Tower. Top of tower…NTSB MKC86FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Des Arc, ARNumerous witnesses on a sandbar in the white river observed this collision of two airplanes as they were flying close together, low, over the river. Of the nine witness statements received, five had the Piper PA-28-140 hitting the Cessna 140, three had the…NTSB SEA86FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1L · Wenatchee, WAN4964N, a Bell UH-1L, was being operated in logging ops by an experienced, military trained plt who possessed 6000 hrs of flt experience in model. While lifting a sling load gnd crew rptd smoke from the tail rotor area. Plt released sling load & acknowledged…NTSB FTW86FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMeyers 200B · Krum, TXThe retired airline captain was returning to a retirement party for another airline captain. He began a barrel roll from a relatively low pass over the party, but collided with the ground on pull out. Alcohol was not a factor.