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 LAX86FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Bridgeport, CADrg flt over mountainous terrain, the plt encountered instrument meteorological conditions along his route of flt. A witness observed the acft flying at about 200 ft AGL under a cloud layer, then it disappeared in a snow shower. A search was initiated & the…NTSB ATL86FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lexington, NCThe plt/mechanic had completed a top overhaul on the acft eng and was believed to have been conducting a night maintenance flight when the accident occurred. The acft impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude in a wooded areaaprx one mile from the…NTSB DCA86AA017Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna P210N · Keflavik, IcelandAt 1146 gmt, N4906K deptd on a 5 hr flt to narssarssuaq, greenland with an estd 7 hrs of fuel. When the plt rprtd 60 mi sw of greenland, the destn vis was below IFR min & the ceiling at the altn arpt was below the mda. The plt elected to cont to reykjavik,…NTSB CHI86FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Birmingham, MIAt rotation the right eng failed. The acft entered a skidding turn to the rt and continued to climb to about 100 ft AGL. During the turn 110 deg from t.o. heading acft rolled inverted and descended into a car port. Extensive post impact fire destroyed acft,…NTSB SEA86FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182RG · Reno, NVThe pilot was flying his Cessna TR182RG back to Reno cannon airport, a facility with a frequent mixture of light general aviation aircraft and heavy turbine air carrier operations. The pilot had acquired the majority of his terminal experience in and around…NTSB SEA86FA046Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · S. Lake Tahoe, CAAcft took off in clear wx but below-freezing temps with heavy frost on acft surfaces. No preflight, run-up or warm-up performed. On initial climb, left eng power loss occurred for undet reason, but probably associated with temp/cold eng operation. Plt turned…NTSB CHI86FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Loogootee, INPlt experienced loss of pwr during cruise flt at 6,000 feet. ATC vectored acft toward daviess county arpt, approximately 10 miles away. Plt reported acft on fire. Witnesses saw N9307V in a left bank turn then 'nose dive into ground.' Post crash exam of engine…NTSB ATL86FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Milwaukee, NCThe acft was observed to descend and level off at low alt. Witnesses indicated that it leveled off just above the trees, then rolled to the right and dove into wooded terrain. The eng was reported to be running loud and steady until impact. No preimpact part…NTSB LAX86FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Strathmore, CAUpon returning to his home airport, the non-instrument rated pilot was unable to see the runway due to heavy fog covering the area. He entered a right descending turn in an attempt to descend under the fog. The aircraft collided with orange trees…NTSB LAX86FVD04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVangrunsven RV-3A · Fortuna, CAThe acft stalled in a turn during a forced landing after the engine lost power. Post acc investigation revealed an inoperative fuel selector valve. Witnesses said that the acft did not sound like it was developing full pwr during take off roll. Shortly after…NTSB ATL86FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Anniston, ALThe acft was observed flying through the base of the low level cloud layer prior to its impact on the side of a mountain. The plt was not instrument rated, had not filed a flt plan nor obtained a wx briefing. The impact point was several hundred ft below the…NTSB CHI86MA071Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Ellendale, MNThe purpose of the flt was to take a news crew to a location to cover a story. The news crew had attempted to hire another helicopter, but that operator refused due to forcast low visibility. This plt, however, agreed to fly. Altho he was certified for…NTSB SEA86LA043Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Sloan, NVAcft was observed performing low-level aerobatics, failed to complete pull-out from second consecutive overhead maneuver, striking ground in 20-30 degree nose-low attitude. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction found in acft structure,…NTSB MKC86FA053Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210H · Fremont, NEThe plt of N5961F received a wx brf about 40 min before the acdt for a VFR flt from Fremont to cheyenne. The 3 reporting stations nearest to Fremont were IFR and local authorities who helped search for the acdt site reported low clouds and haze. There were no…NTSB CHI86FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Valley View, ILThe plt was conducting a low pass, 40 ft AGL, on a river and struck a power line crossing his flt path. The strike caused loss of control and the acft impacted on the frozen surface of the river.NTSB SEA86FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Juneau, AKPilot requested clearance to return to airport after takeoff due to eng power loss. Clearance was given by ATC. Pilot made rt turn from about 100 ft alt. Acft crashed about 1500 foot south of rwy. No shoulder harnesses installed. Pax survived. Ice found on…NTSB ATL86FA058Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310G · Ragland, ALThe acft with sputtering engs was heard circling overhead in low overcast skies. The horizontal tail surfaces separated in-flt and came to rest aprx 450 ft from the main wreckage in mountainous terrain. The student plt had no instrument experience. The acft…NTSB LAX86FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Indio, CAThe plt was on a 21 mi flt fm his home arpt to thermal, CA, to practice takeoffs & lndgs. Bfr departing, he successfullyread back a VFR clnc to fly out of the palm springs trsa. Shortly after takeoff, while en route twd the se (twd the sun,which was 22 deg…NTSB FTW86FA035Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M-35 · Valley View, TXThe non-instrument rated pvt plt received a wx briefing that called for marginal VFR to IFR conditions throughout his route of flt. Destination wx was briefed as 700' ovc, vis 2 miles in haze and fog and the en route wx was considerably worse. Several…NTSB DEN86FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Leadville, COThe plt departed pueblo, Colorado on a VFR flt toward an approaching frontal wx system. Radar data showed the acft climbed to an altitude of 18,200 ft MSL, with erratic maneuvering in the vicinity of accident site. The wreckage was located at 13,200 ft MSL in…NTSB ATL86FA062Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337G · Blairsville, GAAcft was flown VFR from ravenna, Ohio en route to atlanta, GA. It departed ravenna about 0930 01/17 & failed to arrive at its destination. Family reported acft missing. Air force rescue center notified at 2020 01/19. Cap commenced air search 01/20, hampered…NTSB SEA86FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller-Soloy UH-12E · Horton, ORThe fork connecting the rotorcraft's blue blade to the main rotor hub separated after a long term fatigue crack had spread through more than 60% of the fork circumference. The operator failed to carry out the appropriate inspection of the fork unit as…NTSB MIA86FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Summerfield, FLThe private pilot departed the sod airfield and was observed to perform a steep rotation and intital climb. The winds were off the aircrafts left tail and were observed to be gusty. The aircraft was then observed to lose control and enter a spin to the left.…NTSB FTW86FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Deville, LAThe student plt had previously flown this acft in flt training. However, the insurance for the acft had lapsed & the owner had secured the acft to a tie-down with a chain & pad lock to prevent it from being flown. After the chain was cut with a hack saw, the…NTSB DEN86MA061Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Granby, CODrg arrival, the plt advised ARTCC that the destination arpt appeared to be covered with fog. She then canceled her IFR flt plan. According to ground witnesses, the acft made several passes over the arpt. Witnesses also rprtd that the horizontal visibility…NTSB MKC86FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Clinton, IAThe pilot normally made several touch and go landings before departing the local area. He was known to not fly near clouds or at night. For this flight, the ceiling was at least 1000 feet at takeoff and was at least 700 feet in the accident area. Airplane was…NTSB MIA86MA057Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Jacksonville, FLWhile being vectored for an ILS rwy 7 apch, the plt was told to maint 3000' & advised he was flwg a Boeing 727. The min apch alt bfr intercepting the ILS glide slope (g/s) at the final apch fix/outer marker (om) was 1900'. As the acft was apchg the om, the…NTSB LAX86FA089Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Grand Canyon, AZThe acft deptd runway 03 at Grand Canyon airport, Grand Canyon, AZ on a moonless night. Shortly after departure the aircraft entered into a left turn. The aircraft collided into some trees in about a 45 deg nose down and about a 15 deg left wing down attitude…NTSB LAX86FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-50 · Santa Rosa, CAThe plt, who was the mechanic for the acft & who possesses FAA inspection authorization, was familiar with this acft and had flown it the day before the accident. The plt failed to refuel the acft after making two additional flts. The main fuel tank gages…NTSB LAX86FA084Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Livermore, CAThe aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff about a mile from the departure airport. IFR conditions prevailed at the accident site; however, the non-instrument rated pilot had told his wife that the weather was clear when he telephoned her from the airport…NTSB SEA86FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-151 · Kelso, WAEnroute to dest. Plt diverted to nearby airfield due deteriorating weather. One hr later, telephone weather brief for continued flt to dest was VFR not recommended. Less than 2 hrs. Later, with no further brief, acft departed. A following acft revsd course…NTSB FTW86LA032Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A · Grand Isle Bl73The acft rolled over in a high x-wind after landing while deplaning passengers. The acft had landed on a moving barge. A landing into the wind was blocked by a crane so the plt sideslipped from a flt path that paralleled the ships movement. The wind was…NTSB FTW86FA031Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P-350 · Norco, LAThe plt initiated an ILS apch in below minimum weather conditions shortly after night fall. He was given a low alt alert, but continued the apch. He announced a missed apch, and indicated problems climbing to alt. He then declared an unspecified emergency,…NTSB ATL86FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Hazard, KYThe plt called the arpt on UNICOM and asked how to find the arpt, stated that he needed fuel and asked if fuel was available. He was given directions and asked if he had landed there before. He replied no, and inquired about the traffic pattern. It was…NTSB MIA86FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Lake City, FLPrior to departure on a VFR flight from Florida to Michigan the non-instrument rated plt did not obtain a weather briefing. 53 minutes after departure the pilot contacted jacksonville ARTCC and reported he had flown VFR into the clouds and was having trouble…NTSB ATL86FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337B · Talladega, ALThe acft collided with trees during the final approach to landing. The light conditions were dark, skies were clear and winds were calm. Prior to the accident, the plt had landed and visited the FBO from where the acft was recently purchased to correct some…NTSB NYC86FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · So.Glastonbury, CTThe acft was on a VOR instrument apch when it collided with 250 ft high terrain approx 6 miles south of the arpt and approx 2 miles north of the vor/faf. Shortly before the accident the pilot notified ATC that he was in turbulence; then reported he was clear…NTSB LAX86FA079Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CADrg arrival at an arpt near his home, the plt contacted apch control (ctl) & asked the ctlr for assistance in landing & said that the wx looked a little foggy. The ctlr informed the plt of the acft's position in relation to the arpt. As the acft was dscndg…NTSB MIA86FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · St. Marys, GADrg a ngt x-country flt, the non-instrument rated plt contacted apch control & rprtd he was 'sort of lost in the fog.' He obtained wx info & elected to divert to waycross, GA. Shortly thereafter, the acft collided with trees on uneven terrain & crashed.…NTSB LAX86LA078Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Kamuela, HIThe acft collided with terrain while maneuvering to aviod clouds during a local scenic flt. The plt stated that turbulence caused loss of control and the acft was blown into trees. The winds were from 050 degs at 37 KTS with gusts to 45 KTS. SIGMET oscar five…NTSB DCA86AA012Accident · 7 fatalFinal reportDouglas DC-3 · Dekalb, TXAt 1708:48, while cruising at 6000', a pilot of N711Y advised ATC, 'I think I'd like to turn around, head for texarkana here, I've got a little problem.' He was provided a vector & advised of closest airports. Shortly after, he stated he would be unable to…NTSB SEA86FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Hoquiam, WAThe acft contacted terrain 680 ft north of rwy 06 at bowerman airfield. The acft departed elma arpt, ocean shores, WA, sometime around 2330 PST, on 12-29-85. Prior to the departure the passenger stated to persons they were waiting for the fog to clear for…NTSB SEA86FA033Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Des Moines, WAThe weather briefer informed the pilot that VFR was not recommended due to current/forecast condtions. The non instrument rated pilot then filed a VFR flight plan responding that he was IFR rated and would file inflight if necessary. Witnesses reported…NTSB FTW86FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B33 · Arlington, TXInspite of an adverse weather forecast, the non-instrument rated pilot took off into pre-dawn fog and low ceilings. The acft impacted the ground in a steep descending turn after being observed maneuvering at a low altitude. No eng, airframe, or instrument…NTSB DEN86FA232Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Salina, UTThe non-instrument rated plt did not obtain a wx briefing nor file a flight plan. He and his wife took off from bullfrog basin airport, glen canyon, UT, en route to heber city, UT, on 12-30-85. Acft did not arrive. Civil air patrol search was conducted from…NTSB LAX86FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Hyder, AZWitnesses observed the acft depart the ranch airstrip, level off at about 200 ft AGL & make a turn back over the ranch house. The acft occupants were seen to wave to the people on the ground as the acft began an abrupt climbing turn. The witnesses then saw…NTSB DEN86FA056Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · West Valley, UTDuring apch to rwy 34L, the rt horizontal stab, elevators and wings separated in-flt. Investigation revealed the plt was not instr current. Ntap data revealed N2082S at an alt of 7,400 ft and 203 KTS grnd speed at outer marker. The mca at the marker is 6,100…NTSB FTW86FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Caddo Mills, TXMid-air occurred at uncontrolled arpt with the S-2B executing rt traffic, as published, and the C-172 executing a long final or an arcing lft turn to final. Both acft were attempting to land on rwy 17R. Acdt occurred during late afternoon and there was…NTSB DEN86FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Monument Valley, UTThe helicopter contacted power lines and the terrain during an attempted takeoff from a hospital after a cancelled med-evac flt. The hospital is located in a box canyon surrounded by high terrain and power lines. The plt was aware of the power line that…NTSB LAX86MA074Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 95-A55 · Concord, CADrg arr, the acft was vectored for an lda rwy 19R apch. After being clrd for the apch, the plt was advised that radar svc was terminated & told to contact the twr. At 2033 PST, he rprtd inbnd at the final apch fix & was clrd for the apch. Aprx 2 min later, he…