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.
Cases, newest first
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 BFO86FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MXL II · Parkton, MDWitnesses in the area observed the vehicle flying in the local area at other times however this was the first time they had seen two people in it. They also observed the vehicle flying erratically after liftoff and noted that the winds were gusty. Upon…NTSB ANC86FA009Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Quinhagak, AKThe aircraft crashed on the frozen level tundra at night while on a part 135 air taxi flight from bethel to quinhagaki Alaska. The investigation revealled the commericial rated air taxi pilot did not have a 135 air taxi check ride or competency check. The…NTSB LAX86FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Cottonwood, AZWitnesses saw the plt depart with frost covering the acft & without either a runup or warmup. The witnesses reported that the plt 'scraped the frost from a small square directly in front of him on the windshield' just prior to takeoff. Temp & dew point were…NTSB ATL86FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Edenton, NCThe aircraft crashed into the abermarle sound and sank in 18 ft of water. The pilot was reportedly on an NDB approach and descended below mda. Witnesses stated that the aircraft circled over head about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses also stated…NTSB NYC86FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Wellsville, NYAfter departure the plt made 3 practice isl apchs at bradford regional arpt located 35 mls away. The acft returned to Wellsville and was cleared for rwy localizer apch. The plt radioed Wellsville UNICOM for advisories and was informed that a fog bank was over…NTSB MKC86FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337B · Fayetteville, ARThe plt and his wife were flying to Alaska with the first en route stop to be canton, TX. The non-plt wife stated that as the acft passed over the departure end of the rwy on takeoff, her husband released the controls and threw his head back. She kept the…NTSB MKC86FA027Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Baxter Springs, KSAfter lndg at neosho, MO, the plt called the joplin fss at 1132 CST & reqd wx info for a flt to hays, KS. The specialistadvised that his wx computer was out of svc & suggested the plt contact another facility or call back in about 20 min. The plt indicated he…NTSB MKC86FA026Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Wichita, KSThe acdt occurred during an IFR, non-precision approach to the uncontrolled jabara airport. When the flt was one mile from the faf, ATC told the flt that in the event of a missedapproach N3864P should enter controlled airspace heading 360 deg. The controller…NTSB FTW86FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Pampa, TXDrg arrival, N6843Q was cleared for an NDB rwy 17 apch. The plt's last radio call was at 1949 CST, when he acknowleged radar svc was terminated & freq chg was approved. When the acft did not arrive, a search was initiated. At 2335, after fog had lifted, the…NTSB DEN86FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235B · Holly, COAccording to the plt's brother, he was on a flt to calibrate the acft's spraying equipment & to make a few practice crop spraying runs. While flying at aprx 30 ft AGL, the acft struck power lines, then crashed to the ground & burned. No preimpact part failure…NTSB LAX86FVD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJohn Patrick Coleman Bensen B-8M · Eureka, CAOn November 12, 1985, at approximately 1345 PST an amateur built bensen B-8M aircraft owned and operated by John Patrick Coleman crashed while on a pleasure flight. VFR conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the…NTSB CHI86FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Detroit, MIA 100-FT ceiling with 3000 ft RVR existed at Detroit. The plt attempted an ILS apch with a 200 ft dh when he struck trees one mile from the rwy. He flew the acft to the airfield but crashed near the threshold. The only apch plates found onboard were for…NTSB BFO86FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Coatesville, PAThere was no wx rprtg stn at Coatesville, but aprx 25 mi ese at philadelphia, the forecast was for ocnl ceilings of 600'OVERCAST, vis 3 mi with lgt rain showers & fog. There were flt prctns for turbc blo 5000' due to wnd shear, ceilings & vis freq blo 1000' &…NTSB LAX86FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Avenal, CAThe plt received a weather briefing (twice) and was advised each time that VFR flt along his route was not recommended. A witness observed the acft flying at a low alt below a cloud layer, when it made an abrupt left descending turn and crashed in a field.…NTSB CHI86MA025Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Derry, PADrg arrival, the plt was advised the destn wx was: estd 500' overcast, vis 1 mi with fog, arpt blo mins. The plt electedto make an NDB rwy 23 apch, but said he would divert if a missed apch was made. He was provided radar vectors & was clrdfor the apch. At…NTSB LAX86FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Gold Run, CAThe accident location and the departure airport is located in a mountainous area. The acft departed truckee-tahoe arpt (trk) to the northeast in marginal VFR conditions at sunset. The acft continued on a northeasterly heading for 18 miles and then turned to a…NTSB DCA86AA004Accident · 6 fatalFinal reportDassault Falcon 50 · Fairview, NJDassalt falcon 50 (D50), N784B, was on vor/dme-a apch at dusk to circle/lnd at teterboro (teb), as Piper PA-28, N1977H, was transiting arpt traffic area (ata) fm west to east at 1500' in VFR (no flt pln). PA-28 plt was clrd thru ata by teb twr (staying blo…NTSB MIA86FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sorrento, FLThe flt was on a VFR x-country at 9500 ft with ATC flt following. The non-instrument rated plt advised ATC that he was unable to maintain VFR & climbed to 11,000 ft. he again avised he was unable to maintain VFR & was going to descend. The acft was observed…NTSB MIA86FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportParsons B/P Gyrocopter · Dunnellon, FLThe instructor plt who was not rated in helicopters or gyroplanes and had an expired instructors certificate was imparting instruction to a student plt in a 2 place homebuilt gyrocopter. When on downwind turn to base leg the student tipped the rotor disc…NTSB DEN86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-230-250 · Englewood, COThe plt had new avionics and autopilot system installed in the acft prior to the accident. Ntap data indicated that the acft did not attain the assigned alt of 8200 ft prior to reaching the outer marker. The acft did not get established on the localizer…NTSB ATL86FLT04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLonnie W. Ratliff Midget Mustang MM-1 · Raymond, MSThe acft was forn locally after the plt had 'worked on' the carburetor some time later the acft was seen maneuvering in a 'nose-up-nose dwn' attitude near the accident site until it went into a spin. The acft disappeared behind trees before witnesses heard…NTSB LAX86LA033Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · San Diego, CAThe flt departed in VFR conditions after a wx briefing which indicated that clear skies and unrestricted visibilty existed and were forecasted at the destination airport. On arrival the plt requested and received clearance for an instrument apch. When the flt…NTSB FTW86FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Oklahoma City, OKAtr plt departing arpt under VMC experienced failure of the right eng shortly after lift-off. The acft yawed right followed by a steep right roll, contacting power lines with the right wing and subsequently impacted the ground. A post-crash fire destoyed the…NTSB LAX86FVD01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportLewis-Pexton RV-4 · Sonoma, CAThe acft crashed into the ground from about 250 ft after a stall following a dive & level off. Two witnesses saw the acc and one believed the plt was looking for him or trying to get his attention because the plt knew the witness' truck and where he would be.…NTSB FTW86FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Arcadia, LAThe instrument flight instructor and student experienced a directional gyro failure. They covered the instrument and requested a return to their departure point. The aircraft was not equipped to fly the published approach. They requested a descent to an…NTSB DEN86FTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech 58 · Elbert, COThe acft crashed in a open field & was not found for 4 days. The home built acft, maintained largely by the plt, had the engine destroyed so completely that no determination could be made as to power being developed at impact. The plt reportedly had been…NTSB MKC86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Mansfield, MOAfter departing west plains hospital for springfield, transferring a critically injured patient, the plt of the EMS helicopter began to encounter deteriorating weather. The plt was concerned about the close spread of temperature and dew point, but had…NTSB ANC86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Bethel, AKA total loss of pwr was experienced on takeoff due to the fuel selectors being in the off position. The plt attempted to restart the eng during which time the acft entered a stall and collided with the terrain. According to passengers the plt did not use a…NTSB MIA86LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Gulf Of MexicoAircraft disappeared from radar while operating in an area of level 3, 4, and 5 thunderstorms associated with tropical storm juan. A search by the u. s. coast guard resulted in no aircraft wreckage being found. The aircraft is missing and the pilot is…NTSB SEA86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · N.Battle Moun., NVThe aircraft impacted the ground after attempting an aerobattic maneuver at about 300 feet AGL. Several witnesses observed the aircraft enter a loop or climbing roll and diveinto the ground. No evidence of failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found…NTSB NYC86FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Rochester, NHDuring landing approach to runway 32, the aircraft started to porpoise over the runway. The aircraft continued in this manner until it neared the end of the runway. The aircraft then started a slow climbing right turn just clearing nearby trees. The…NTSB LAX86FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Seal Beach, CABased upon prearranged plans, the plt & pax flew over the water for the purpose of photographing friends of theirs in sail boats. The plt rolled his acft into a medium bank & circled over the specified boat while his pax commenced taking photos. The plt,…NTSB CHI86FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5 · Plainfield, WIThe acft crashed into trees and nosed into the wooded terrain after a loss of powr. The helicopter had been refueled the day before the acc. Normal fuel load was 20 gals. The plt had sprayed 20 acres & flown 9 miles to another field to spray but aborted due…NTSB ATL86MA011Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Forsyth, GAThe flt was normal until the plt was tracking inbnd on the atlanta (atl) 128 deg radial twd the husky intxn & was told to make a 360 deg turn for spacing. After aprx 270 deg of turn, the plt was clrd to turn back inbnd, join the atl 128 deg radial & cont to…NTSB MKC86FCA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD-5B · Cape Girardeau, MOThe owner/builder had hired the plt to test fly the acft on its initial flt. Shortly after takeoff, the plt transmitted that he had an eng problem. He was cleared for an immediate landing & entered a downwind for rwy 28. As he continued & was turning from a…NTSB NYC86FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-1-35C · North Conway, NHDuring an off airport landing attempt in a cleared corn field, the glider was approaching a treeline at an altitude of 10 to 20 ft AGL. Witnesses observed the glider pull up and bank to the left before falling nose first into the ground. The pilot's log book…NTSB DEN86LA014Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Albuquerque, NMThe wife of the plt radioed her husband had become incapacitated. Two flt instructors departed in another acft to assist the non-rated wife, after being contacted by Albuquerque apch control. The flt instructors were able to assist the non-rated wife through…NTSB FTW86MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 222UT · East CameronThree pax rprtd that just prior to reaching the helipad, the helicopter's forward movement stopped and the helicopter wobbled or yawed from side to side. The pax's rprted that the pilot appeared to be trying to gain altitude and go forward when they heard a…NTSB FTW86FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5B · Ozona, TXThe acft was observed apchg the destination while flying under a cloud cover of aprx 1000 ft AGL. When it reached the vicinity of the arpt, the plt made a turn & subsequently entered the clouds. A witness heard what he described as variations in eng power.…NTSB SEA86MA018Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 24D · Juneau, AKDrg arrival to pick up a med-evac patient, the flt was clrd for an LDA-1 rwy 8 apch via the asort transition. Thus, the plt should have contd se on J-541 twd the ssr VORTAC & intercepted the localizer (LOC) at asort; then track inbnd on theloc (062 deg),…NTSB NYC86FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Landisburg, PAThe non-instrument rated pilot took off on a VFR crosscounty flight with no weather briefing. He flew into an area of adverse weather including low clouds, fog, drizzle & haze. The aircraft impacted near the top of a 2100 ft high hill in forested terrain.NTSB ATL86FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Hamilton, ALAt 1450 CDT, while the plt was cruising at 11,000', ARTCC broadcast info concerning SIGMET 17C, warning plts of thunder-storms with tops to FL 450. At 1613, radar data showed the acft at 11,300'. When asked about his alt, the plt replied he was in a cell &…NTSB ATL86FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Clayton, GAThe pilot and his passenger showed up for the second day in a row and checked the weather for the return trip to Florida. They found the weather VFR at the airport. An employee of the FBO took the pilot outside and pointed out that the mountains to the south…NTSB NYC86FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Tobyhanna, PAAt about the time N4298K was departing pocono mountains mun icipal airport, recorded radar information from new york ARTCC displayed an aircraft in that area. The aircraft flew eastward and then northward. The aircraft disappeared from the radar screen about…NTSB CHI86FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Murphysboro, ILThe plt took off in marginal VMC in an acft placarded for 'day VFR only'. Aprx 32 minutes after takeoff the acft collided with trees and descended to ground impact. A hunter in the local area at the time of the accident reported hearing the acft eng sound…NTSB ATL86FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Charleston, SCThe aircraft was observed on radar as it approached the joint civil - military airport. It passed over near the center of the airport at about 200 feet AGL. There was no reported communication with the aircraft. Several sighting placed the aircraft under at…NTSB FTW86FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-2D · El Paso, TXThe plt canceled his IFR flt plan and attempted to fly VFR at a relatively low alt over mountainous terrain with low scattered clouds on a dark night. He reported a large lighted area as being downtown El Paso when in reality it was most likely coronado…NTSB MIA86FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Pensacola, FLAfter takeoff acft headed to destination arpt located 4 miles south. When aprx two miles out, the plt turned back to the departure arpt. Witnesses reported the acft was in a shallow descent, low and fast when it collided with trees and exploded about 1400 ft…NTSB MKC86FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Sullivan, MOThe acft was observed going from level flt to straight up before stalling, turning over and spiraling straight down, at full throttle, toward the ground. Impact marks indicated a near vertical descent with initial impact on the nose of acft. Impact was in a…NTSB LAX86FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportOfria Glanair · Van Nuys, CAWintesses stated that the acft had just departed and, during the initial steep climb, it appeared to attempt to return to the arpt, stalled, and spun to gound contact 1/4 mile north of the arpt. Post accident examination failed to discloseany preimpact…