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 FTW86LA045Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206F · Goliad, TXThe pilot apparently failed to properly recover from a bounced landing and broke a landing gear wheel. The aircraft hit and fatally injured a person on the ground. Local authorities believe the persons body was then transported about four miles and thrown…NTSB MIA86FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcfarland Quickie 2 · Mulberry, FLWitnesses reported that the acft was flying at a lower than normal altitude and at full throttle when something broke off the acft. The acft then rolled to the right, went almost straight up and spiraled down striking the ground inverted. Post crash…NTSB LAX86FA140Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Woodfords, CAThe wx deteriorated while the acft was cruising in IMC at 17,000 ft. moderate turbulence & icing conditions in the layered clouds were reported by other nearby flying acft. The plt informed ARTCC that he 'lost the autopilot,' & the acft's course began…NTSB NYC86FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Williamstown, NJThe plt executed VOR rwy 09 apch to the arpt at night and during low visibility conditions that ranged from 100 to 400 feet due to fog. The acft first collided with a house, followed by two parked cars and then main impact with a second house. The accident…NTSB MIA86FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Florida City, FLThe acft touched down on the top of a flood control dike approx 12 ft wide. The acft continued for about 1336 ft before the left wheel slid off the dike where the dike makes a slight curve to the right. The left gear was torn from the acft as it left the…NTSB DCA86AA021Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportEmbraer EMB-110P1 · Alpena, MIDrg arrival at 2125 EST, simmons airline flt 1746 was adzd by wurtsmith afb apch ctl that the 2052 EST wx at phelps collins arpt was: sky partially obscd, ceiling 100' overcast, vis 1/2 mi with lgt drizzle & fog, & to expect an ILS apch. However, at 2119, a…NTSB CHI86FA102Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Frankfort, MIThe plt was taking off from his local arpt and local residents described conditions of 100 ft vis in heavy ground fog. After lift-off he began a left turn toward a 300 ft high ridge topped by 100 ft trees. The acft struck the tree tops, the plt lost control…NTSB ATL86FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Toledo, OHN3124P crashed while attempting an ILS approach to rwy 07 at express airport in Toledo, OH. The pilot had attempted an approach at metcalf airport but missed the approach because of the weather. The aircraft crashed about 1 mile short of the airport in a…NTSB DEN86FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Truth&Consequen, NMThe plt took off on a night IFR flt after being briefed on adverse wx which included severe turbulence and moderate mixed icing conditions. The acft was not equipped for flt in icing conditions. Radio and radar contact with the flt was lost in the vicinity of…NTSB CHI86FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Lafox, ILAn instructor plt (cfi/cfii) & his student (pvt single eng rated plt) were on an instructional flt in a Cessna 172, N72MA. The student had rrecently been taking instrument flt training & had a hood for use on this flt. Prior to the acdnt. The Cessna 172 was…NTSB SEA86FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SE 318C · Siletz, ORThe plt unsuccessfully attempted to lift a 1597 lb load of cedar blocks which would have placed the helicopter aprx 880 lbs over its max gross weight with an external load. The plt was setting the load down for ground personnel to unload some of the blocks…NTSB ATL86MA087Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Andalusia, ALThe accident flt was to be the last in a series of flt tests. This flt was for the purpose of determining the landing characteristics of the acft with a combination speed/stol kit installed. When the FAA flt test plt failed to return from the mission a search…NTSB DEN86FA092Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Anaconda, MTThe sole surviving pax said the eng lost power during cruise flight over mountainous terrain. The plt attempted a forced landing but hit a tree and the acft crashed. Aprx 5 gals of automotive fuel were drained from wing tank. Fuel sample taken from plt's…NTSB CHI86FA098Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Eola, ILEvidence shows co-pilot called, 'mayday, uncontrolled spin' after acft radar track showed decel from 180 to 120 KTS over 2 min period while maintaining constant 4000 ft crz alt. Constant alt consistent with autopilot/autotrim use, particularly in view of…NTSB SEA86FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Tenino, WAThe non-instrument rated pilot departed for his destination without filing a flight plan nor obtaining a weather briefing. The flight was conducted in dark night and instrument meteorological conditions. Low ceilings prevailed in the vicinity of the accident.…NTSB MIA86FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwanningson Quickie · Deland, FLThe acft was observed to takeoff & climb to about 300 ft, then roll to the left & descend to ground impact in an aprx 60 deg bank angle. The plt had stated that he was not feeling well just prior to departure, a witness stated that the plt had made several…NTSB LAX86FA131Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Newport Beach, CAThe acft was rprted to be on a dual, night recurrent, training flt. The student plt's wife rprtd that the flt instructor(CFI) & her husband had been drinking beer before they & the passenger (another student plt) departed on the flt. Ground witnesses observed…NTSB LAX86FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Ontario, CABfr deptg tucson, AZ on a return flt to long beach, CA, 2 student helicopter plts (the owners) were advised VFR flt was not rcmdd due to low ceiling/vis at the destn. Neither plt was endorsed for x-country flt. En route, they lndd/refueled at gila bend &…NTSB CHI86FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Drayton Plaines, MIAfter a home built dragon fly gnd looped, other acft in the VFR traffic pattern were sent around, including a Cessna 152(C-152), N93604, flown by a student plt. Shortly after the dragon fly was clrd fm the rwy, Cessna 172 (C-172), N48003, entered the pattern,…NTSB LAX86FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35-B · Irvine, CAThe pilot had executed the ILS rwy 19R approach and then requested a missed approach, stating that he 'had a localizer problem'. On the second attempt he was cleared to land and then was twice issued a low altitude alert. The pilot was further issued…NTSB ATL86FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Russellville, ALOutboard half of one propeller blade separated during cruise flight. During the subsequent forced landing attempt the acft struck trees, severing the right wing, and crashed inverted. Front occupant seats separated from seat tracks. Examination of propeller…NTSB SEA86FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34-200T · Antelope, ORPlt was operating VFR on top at 11000 feet, commenced descent to destination 34 miles out. Plt rpted field in sight 16 miles out, passing 6500 ft, cancelled flight plan. Acft impacted ridge at 4100 feet MSL 7 miles from destination. Dark night conds existed,…NTSB MIA86FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · St. Cloud, FLThe acft was on a VFR flt, the wx was clear with an almost full moon when the acft crashed in a fld. There was no evidence of an airframe, flt control system, eng or propeller malfunction or failure. The autopsy & toxicological studies revealed no pre impact…NTSB ANC86FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot was using the aircraft to commute on a weekly basis between his residence in Anchorage and to the king salmon area. The pilot received several preflight and inflight weather briefings. During the briefings the flight service station stated that VFR…NTSB ATL86FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Greenville, TNThe flt was last seen to depart rwy 23 at the Greenville arpt & enter a low cloud layer at ngt. A witness estimated the helicopter entered the clouds at about 300 to 400 ft AGL. No flt plan was filed. The wreckage was found the next day, located about 1/4 mi…NTSB ATL86MA080Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Copperhill, TNThe plt was alerted at 0100 for 0200 flt fm kenosha to milwaukee, WI to pick up cargo for a flt to atlanta, GA. At 0310,the acft deptd milwaukee in VFR. En route, the plt obtained wx & an IFR clnc. Some of his rdo xmsns were not standard. At 0433, he complied…NTSB ATL86FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Wilkesboro, NCShortly after midnight the acft was observed flying erratically over the town. IMC existed in the area at the time. The student plt did not have any instrument flight time logged and his pax was not a plt. The acft was in a descending turn when it flew into…NTSB NYC86FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Andover, NJThe student plt had difficulty landing the acft and instructor had devoted training session to landing technique. The difficulty was reported to be a tendency to over-flare prior to touchdown. Satisfied the student had corrected his problem area, the third…NTSB LAX86LUG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWhigham GW4A · Hemet, CADuring a tow operation, the plt of the tow plane stated that just after takeoff the glider assumed a very low tow position, then swung very high to the right then to the left. At aprx 250 ft AGL the glider plt released from the tow plane and executed a 180…NTSB ATL86FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Elyria, OHThe plt was cleared for and executed a rwy 17 ILS apch at night. Prior to beginning the apch he was informed that vis was 1/8 mile. Minimum for the apch was 1/2 mile. At the middle marker the plt rated pax in the right seat told the PIC that the rwy was not…NTSB LAX86FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Carlsbad, CAAfter failing to see the runway on his first ILS approach in weather reported at IFR minimums for landing, the pilot was radar vectored for a second approach. According to controllers the approach appeared to be normal until the aircraft's radar target…NTSB MIA86FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Moore Haven, FLOn February 17, 1986 the wreckage of N7EA along with the skeletal remains of two persons were found. The acft crashed into trees causing the separation of the outboard six feet of left wing and then continued crashing through more trees before colliding with…NTSB DEN86FA077Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Dulce, NMThe plt with his 4 passengers, departed durango airport on an IFR flt plan en route to wichita, Kansas. The acft had a complete loss of pwr while climbing to attitude. The subsequent forced landing on unsuitable terrain resulted in substantial damage to the…NTSB MIA86FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Dania, FLShortly after takeoff on a check-out flight the aircraft was observed on crosswind leg to descend until impact. There was an extensive post impact fire. Witnesses heard the aircraft make a 'poof' type of noise just as the pilot radioed the control tower and…NTSB ATL86FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 303 · Shippenville, PAN4877V arrived over clarion county airport at about 2100 hours, and commenced a visual approach for landing. Marginal visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was observed by another pilot waiting on the ground for the…NTSB SEA86FA056Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369D · Cougar, WAThe helicopter departed the landing area after a night photography session across the valley floor from the Mt. St. Helens volcano. Prior to departure the plt reported the weather was closing in and getting 'nasty'. Wx conditions as reported prior to…NTSB ANC86MA027Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Nome, AKThe acft departed during a break in the wx after having waited for a special VFR departure. His departure radio call was the last communication from the flt. The wx remained marginal with icing in the clouds and freezing drizzle. The acft was on a flt to…NTSB ANC86LA026Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Mcgrath, AKThe pilot had been drinking for an unknown period before undertaking the night flight. After takeoff, the acft was observed flying in the local area in an erratic manner. Subsequently, the acft crashed about .6 mi short of rwy 16. Impact occurred at the base…NTSB LAX86FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNaval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Middletown, CAThe acft departed the privately owned dirt strip on a sales demonstration flt. The PIC occupied the rear seat and the prospective buyer occupied the front seat. Shortly after departing the eng began to run rough. The acft entered into a course reversal turn.…NTSB BFO86FA015Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lynchburg, VAThe aircraft had departed elberton, Georgia at about 2043 hours on an IFR flight plan to Lynchburg, Virginia. After failing to descend out of 4000 feet during the first approach, N9477C was vectored around for a second ILS approach to runway 3. Since the…NTSB LAX86FA107Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fort Bragg, CAAfter arriving at the mendocino county arpt, at about 1630 PST, the plt & pax obtained a car & went to mendocino for dinner. Drg the evening, they consumed svrl drinks & had a bottle of wine with their dinner, then went back to the arpt. Altho it was a dark…NTSB DEN86FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Bismarck, NDThe acft was observed descending out of a low ceiling when it suddenly made an abrupt left turn. Engine noise seemed to increase momentarily and then the nose of the acft dropped to a near vertical position. The twin engine acft crashed into a vacant house…NTSB SEA86FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172XP · Napa, CABefore taking off, the plt appeared to have difficulty following taxi instructions. He then took off without clearance against crossing traffic. When he returned to land, he was cleared for rgt traffic to rwy 18. The acft entered a left downwind for rwy 24…NTSB LAX86FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Young, AZThe plt & his daughter planned to fly to their ranch for the purpose of hiring a manager. Upon arriving at their destination ground fog prevailed. The plt, familiar with the area, attempted to find an area where he could descend below the fog. The fog was at…NTSB DEN86FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Kalispell, MTThe plt received a wx briefing and filed an IFR flt plan to Boeing field, seattle, WA. He departed Kalispell, MT, at 1135 MST. When the plt arrived in the spokane area, he obtained wx reports for seattle and decided to turn around and return to Kalispell. Wx…NTSB DEN86FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Berthoud, COStudent plt rented acft from flying club, acft was observed by witnesses to approach the lake from the south end at a low alt. Acft struck water with right main lnd gear and rt wing tip, and nosed over. The water was described as being 'glassy' and the sun…NTSB ATL86FKG06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBushby Mustang II · Brownsboro, ALThe acft collided with the ground in an inverted attitude during a forced landing after a power loss at 400 ft AGL during takeoff. The acft was observed to turn after the power loss and then the wings leveled. Power was heard to resume at about 100 ft AGL.…NTSB SEA86FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195 · Black Diamond, WARadar track shows C195 plt was descending into congested airspace at about 192 mph, above max structural cruise speed of 178 mph, less than 1 min from traffic pattern entry. Radar data and witness confirm a second acft in proximity, engaged in aerobatics.…NTSB FTW86FPJ05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStephenson Teenie TWO · Owasso, OKThe acft descended to ground impact in a steep turn while practicing lazy eight maneuvers. The last turn was very steep at low alt and the acft disappeared behind trees. The plt was reportedly checking the acft's stability for the owner. The ground impact…NTSB NYC86FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E55 · Sunderland, MAWitnesses reported seeing the acft descend vertically in a flat spin until impact in open, flat terrain. The accident occurred aprx 45 min after the plt had taken off on a local proficiency flt. After impact, most of the airframe was demolished by fire. The…