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 DEN86FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20-160 · Buena Vista, COWhen the plt took off, the wind was light & variable. However, when he returned to the arpt about 20 to 30 min later, dark threatening clouds had moved into the area. He attempted to land on rwy 14. During the landing, the acft bounced & went off the right…NTSB DEN86FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBauer'S Mitchell Wing U-2 · Cheyenne, WYThis was an experimental amateur-built acft. Witnesses reported seeing the acft in a steep right bank when the eng lost power. The acft was then seen to stall and enter a right spin. Witnesses said the plt recovered but entered a second stall and dove…NTSB ATL86FEI06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBernard Darmstadt Daphne/Sdia · Akron, OHThe acft was observed spiraling to the left from 500 ft AGL after takeoff. The spiral continued until the acft collided with a commercial bldg. Based on the autopsy report the plt died of natural causes declared to be cardiovascular collapse. The acft…NTSB CHI86FA146Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · E. Grand Forks, MNWitnesses rprtd the acft had just left the restricted lndg area (rla) when it entered a climbing maneuver, then dscndd &impacted the gnd & burned. Two witnesses said it went straight up, then straight down, before it crashed. Another 2 wit-nesses noted a pwr…NTSB MKC86FCD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Lenox, IAThe acft collided with a fence during a takeoff with a full load of chemical pesticide. Collision with the ground resulted in a fire. The plt, who was seriously burned and later died, stated on his way to the hospital that he attempted to dump the acft load…NTSB ATL86FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Dickson, TNThe acft contacted electrical wires and trees shortly after takeoff. The acft then descended to impact with the terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed the elevator trim actuator rod was extended 2.5 inches which correlates with a full nose down…NTSB FTW86FPA18Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEagle Eagle DW-1 · Howe, TXThe acft appeared to stall during a sharp pull-up and turn during a test flt after a low pass over the airstrip. The plt was testing the spray equipment and made the low pass so the ground observer could see the spray pattern. No malfunctions in equipment…NTSB LAX86FA233Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-236 · Chino, CAThe private non-instrument rated pilot, overflew his home airport by 23 nautical miles upon returning from a night cross country flight and descended into a hill. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported in the area due to reduced visibility. The…NTSB NYC86FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Cairo, NYWitnesses saw black smoke trailing the acft shortly after it became airborne about 50 ft above the rwy. Shortly afterward, a loss of power loss occurred. The acft descended and collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The rwy is 2,700 ft long and…NTSB BFO86FA027Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Riverdale, MDAircraft's engine sputtered and quit while the aircraft was climbing through 400 feet after departure. In an attempt to turn back to the runway the pilot stalled the aircraft and it descended out of control crashing into trees and the ground. Post crash…NTSB NYC86FNC03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper J-3 · Milan, NHThe pilot was flying a 'drunken farmer' routine at a airshow. He was observed in the air to begin a descent from which he did not recover. The pilot was fatally injured in the crash and the aircraft destroyed. No mechanical or physical reason for the crash…NTSB FTW86FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Calumet, OKAcft on a night xc flt in marginal VFR to IMC conditions impacted in an 80 deg nose down attitude in a left spiral. Immediately prior to the accident the non-instrument rated pvt plt had indicated that he was IMC and was going to attempt to climb out of it.…NTSB FTW86FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S2A · Santa Fe, TXA short occurred in the aircraft's electrical system distracting the owner/pilot occupying the back seat of the aircraft. This seat was not equipped with a second lap restraint. The aircraft was observed, by witnesses, to enter a spin which went inverted. The…NTSB ATL86FKG09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPitts S-1 · Atmore, ALThe acft crashed almost vertically from aprx 250/300 ft AGL after rolling inverted at the completion of a double snap roll to the rt. The acft slowed during the rolls and appeared to be too slow to control the stopping of the rolls. The acft continued to roll…NTSB ANC86LA062Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Lake Clark, AKThe aircraft crashed in Lake Clark, Alaska, and sank into 170 feet of water. There were no witnesses to the accident; the aircraft was not recovered.NTSB NYC86FA216Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Noman'S Land, MAThe Bell 206 helicopter was en route to nantocket island when the pilot received an inflight weather briefing with VFR flight not recommended. The pilot acknowledged this report and it appears he elected to continue the flight. The acft did not reach it's…NTSB NYC86FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · West Milford, NJWhile on an IFR flight the aircraft entered an area of thunderstorms, lost control of the aircraft and crashed. In an attempt to circumnavigate the storms the plt inadvertently entered a storm and collided with the ground in an uncontrolled descent. The plts…NTSB CHI86FER09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Lino Lakes, MNThis aircraft was overloaded on takeoff with extra fuel, camping equipment, a passenger, an outboard motor, tools and the like. In addition the center of gravity was probably out of safe limits. An additional factor affecting takeoff and turn performance was…NTSB ANC86LA060Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Iliamna, AKThe pilot stated that at the time of the accident the wind was 30 knots gusting to 35 knots. After touchdown on the water, the pilot lost control of the aircraft causing the aircraft to nose over on its back and sink.NTSB FTW86FRG19Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSoward Rutan Longeze · Georgetown, TXThe acft crashed after hitting trees on short final following an inflight fire and an eng failure. The acft was on it's first flt following an eng overhaul and had been airborne about 2 minutes when ground and air observers noticed smoke trailing from the eng…NTSB DEN86FA142Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Elgin, NDPlt received wx briefing prior to departure. VFR flt not recommended by fss. Plt radioed that he was in thunderstorm activity, IFR conditions and was attempting to turn around. Witnesses stated that they observed acft descending at a high rate of speed of a…NTSB SEA86FA121Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Mead, WABoth acft were operating in VFR conditions modified by slight haze, high overcast and low sun angle near airport. N6161M was performing lazy eight maneuvers in a normal practice area two miles east of airport; N8267Q was in clockwise orbital descent for…NTSB NYC86FA131Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Atlantic City, NJDuring tkf gnd run, at a speed of 95 KTS, the plt pulled the control wheel back to lift off. The control wheel, according to the plt, would not go back more than about 2 inches; which is less than half the normal full aft travel. The acft reached a speed of…NTSB LAX86FJA06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Maui, HIThe acft collided with powerlines while carrying pass'g on a sightseeing flt through a canyon. The wires across the canyon were EST to be 1700 long with height AGL unknown. The wires were unmarked and were 1/2 in dia aluminum. One of the passengers was…NTSB LAX86FA222Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320D · Van Nuys, CAThe acft was returning from a x-country flt when the accident occurred. Witnesses observed the acft on a low downwind leg and made two sudden steep turns, one to the east followed by a sudden steep turn to the north prior to a nose down impact into the…NTSB CHI86FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Angola, INThe pilot diverted into Angola, an airfield he had never landed at before, due to an unidentified electrical problem at night. He was given vectors to the airport and reported the field in sight. He then said he was going to circle to lose altitude prior to…NTSB SEA86FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-250 · Blue River, ORSeveral witnesses reported seeing the acft flying near the eugene arpt at an alt of 400 to 500 ft AGL. The acft was heading toward the Blue River. The acft was then seen flying over the Blue River forest ranger station aprx 7 minutes prior to the accident. At…NTSB LAX86FA223Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGeneral Balloon AX-6 · Temecula, CAThe balloon was going to participate in a 'hare and hound' event and had departed a festival staging area on a positioning flight. Prior to departing the area the balloon had flown for about 45 minutes. While enroute to the positioning area the balloon had…NTSB LAX86FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale TB20 · Van Nuys, CAWhile in the traffic pattern for rwy 16L the light acft plt was cautioned about possible wake turbulence from an arriving C-130 hercules acft landing on rwy 16R. The light acft plt acknowledged observing the C-130, which was above him. The C-130 landed on rwy…NTSB LAX86FA220Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Chino, CAAt the end of a 5.3 hr flt, the plt entered the traffic pattern & was hi on base & final apch. He elected to go around, but the eng lost power due to fuel exhaustion at about 200' AGL, just past the dep end of the rwy. The plt attempted to return to the rwy.…NTSB ATL86FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Douglasville, GAThe acft was observed flying at low alt & circling several houses. The plt landed on a grass strip, then after a short time, he & his passenger took off again. The acft was again observed circling several houses at low alt in an area near the strip. A witness…NTSB ATL86FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Athens, GADuring the return from a local sightseeing flight, the pilot reported over the UNICOM that they were making an emergency approach and were out of fuel. An interview with one of the non-pilot passengers revealed that prior to the flight they discussed…NTSB ATL86FA129Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Bay Minette, ALThe acft collided with trees during a descent. The plt was attempting to fly below the overcast to determine his location. The plt radioed just prior to his descent to announce his intentions to his destination UNICOM. There were no further communications…NTSB FTW86FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Blackwell, OKThe pilot of N5878R, a Cessna 172G, had no previous experience in formation flying. The pilot of N2603E, an Aeronca 7AC, stated he had many hours of formation flying in the military during world war ii and has made an occasional formation flight since that…NTSB FTW86FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pine Spring, TXThe helicopter was on a flt to a site nr guadalupe pass, an area known for erratic & gusty wnds. As the plt was on an apch to a hi meadow (elev aprx 5460'), the helicopter entered a dscnt & crashed well short of the intended lndg area. A witness rprtd the…NTSB ANC86FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F28C · Turnagain, AKThe helicopter was observed flying along the highway at a low altitude and it then struck some high power transmission lines, fell to the ground and burned upon impact. The transmission lines were 283 feet above the road surface and spanned a distance of 1127…NTSB NYC86FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22A · East Fishkill, NYA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB DEN86FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28B-140 · Salt Lake City, UTPlt and pax departed slc at 0930 for sightseeing cross country trip to heber city and return. Plt said plan was to fly through lambs canyon and parley's canyon. Acft hit tree and crashed at 8040 ft MSL level in lambs canyon at approximately 0955. Terrain…NTSB BFO86FID08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMilliken Gyrocopter B-80 · Suffolk, VAAccording to a plt witness the accident plt was attempting to compensate for an increase in wind velocity when the accident occurred. The witness stated the plt entered a steep dive to compensate for the increase lift followed by the gyrocopter ballooning due…NTSB ATL86FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Ludlow, PAAn acft fitting the description of the acdt acft was observed entering the lake arm about 7 1/2 mi n of the acdt site. The acft was observed to pull up to clear pwr lines across the lake arm about 2 1/2 mi n of the acdt site. The acft was observed to fly into…NTSB MKC86FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Grand Island, NEThe twin eng acft crashed and burned 4 miles north of the arpt while on an instrument apch. The plt had transmitted that he had an engine problem. The #5 cylinder was found detached from the left engine but the left propeller was not feathered. An engine…NTSB FTW86FA079Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411A · Bossier City, LAThe pilot reportedly did an unusual amount of engine run-up before pulling onto the runway. He then performed another run-up before departing. This is evidence that he was aware of a problem with his aircraft. The engine(s) were popping and puffing black…NTSB DEN86FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA226AT · Billings, MTWhile on an IFR flt plan in IMC, the plt executed a missed approach after flying a localizer back course 27 approach. During a subsequent ILS rwy 09L approach, radio and radar contact with the acft was lost lost. The acft wreckage was located on the inbound…NTSB DEN86MA129Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGulfstream 690D · Price, UTAt 1042 MDT, the flt rprtd mod turbc at FL 240, but elected to remain at that alt. At 1055, they were clrd to dscnd at plt's descretion to maint 12,000'. Aprx 8 min later, shortly after bgng a dscnt, the flt was instructed to chg freq; BUT21 secs later, they…NTSB LAX86LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5A · AganaThe helicopter crashed into the ocean when the plt attempted to lift off from a tuna boat. Reportedly, only three of the four tiedown ropes, which had secured the helicopter to the boat, had been released. The plt's medical certificate was dated 1/18/84.NTSB ATL86FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31ATC · Winchester, TNThe plt made a VFR pattern at an uncontrolled arpt and noted a truck alongside the north end of the rwy. The plt did notsee any persons on the rwy. During the landing flare the plt noticed a man on the rwy near the right wingtip. A jolt was felt as the acft…NTSB MIA86FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Pembroke Pines, FLA witness stated that he was standing in his front yard when he heard an acft eng sputter & then completely quit. He looked up & saw the lights of the acft disappear behind trees, & moments later, he heard the acft crash. A post crash exam of the acft…NTSB LAX86DVA07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWright BD5B · Merced, CAGround witnesses and the pilot reported the canopy opened shortly after departing runway 30 at Merced airport, Merced, CA. The pilot executed a steep left banking turn. When the airplane turned abt 140 deg it pitched up, rolled inverted and nosed down into…NTSB FTW86FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-5 · Anadarko, OKThe pilot radioed that he had smoke in the cockpit. He immediately made an emergency landng, down wind, in a farmer's field. Witnesses saw the aircraft's right wing drop before the plane touched down. The resulting impact tore the wings and engine off,…NTSB CHI86FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Warren, MIThe acft developed a small oil leak during a x-country flt. The plt reduced power to idle to conserve oil even though the oil pressure was still in the normal range. During the descent the acfts airspeed was not maintained and the acft contacted the ground in…