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 FTW86FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Cisco, TXNon-instrument rated pvt pilot proceeded into instrument weather conditions. Control was lost and the aircraft impacted steep nose down in city limits. No record of a wx briefing being received by the pilot was found. No evidence of pre- impact failure or…NTSB LAX86FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · Schellville, CAThe acft crashed while attempting a slow roll immediately after departing from rwy 34 at the sonoma valley arpt. The plt stated to witnesses that he liked to roll his acft after takeoff. Witnesses indicated the acft became airborne after a 300 to 400 ft…NTSB LAX86FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKen Brock Mfg. KB-2 · Tracy, CAThe inexperienced student pilot applied excessive main rotorcontrol inputs while flying on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the pushing propeller and empennage. The gyroplane pitched forward and…NTSB NYC86FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6 · Homer City, PAThe acft was observed flying at low altitude along about a 5 mile distance. Some witnesses described the acft altitude as just above treetops. Witness heard engine sounds and saw lights on the acft. The acft flight was on a southeast direction before it…NTSB MKC86FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Salina, KSAfter departing the airport under very poor IFR weather conditions, the plt rpt autopilot problems of an unspecified nature. This was followed by reports of instrument troubles. Radar controllers gave the plt a no-gyro turn to the left. After the instructions…NTSB DEN86FA009Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Eagle, COThe plt departed Eagle arpt with 3 pax to fly them to the white owl lake area for the reported purpose of looking for a possible camping site for hunting activities. The plt encountered IMC and lost control of the acft. He was not instrument rated. All…NTSB DEN86FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175A · Jal, NMA witness watched the acft takeoff and disappear in the darkness. The plt had intended to make 3 takeoffs and landings to regain currency for night flying. The acft never returned. The wreckage was found 2 miles north of the arpt the following morning. Wx was…NTSB NYC86FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182N · Winterport, METhe acft departed bangor under special VFR dur to low ceilings. A witness saw the acft fly under powerlines that crossed a river and disappear behind trees. There was no indication of an accident. 22 day later, the acft was located 150 ft south from the…NTSB FTW86FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Pecos, TXThe non-instrument rated pvt plt departed on a night flt with wx reported as 300 and 2 in fog and drizzle. Acft impacted terrain shortly thereafter in a 60 degree nose down attitude. The plt had told a friend that after depature he would acquire and then…NTSB CHI86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream 690A · Cadillac, MIThe acft was cleared for an NDB approach to Cadillac. The wkwas 300 ft ovcst, 1 mile vis. Shortly after cancelling IFR the acft crashed on the opposite side of the arpt from the approach end of the rwy. The pilot activated rwy lights were never turned on…NTSB SEA86FA007Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Callville Bay, NVNew pvt plt with two pax on board was observed making several low level passes over road in a canyon in dark. On last pass acft wing tip hit power pole below cross-bar, rolled inverted, crashed and burned.NTSB ATL86FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-172M · Luxora, ARAfter a day of work,the plt and two friends made a LCL flt around he area. Near the end of the flt,a fire was spotted on the west bank of a miss. River channel. The plt decided to go down and take a look at the fire. After passing over the fire, flt down the…NTSB LAX86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Payson, AZThe passenger had a 10:00 medical appointment at the destination arot on the day of the accident. The non-instrument rated, recently certificated pvt plt, requested and received a weather briefing for a proposed VFR flt at 7500 ft MSL from mesa to holbrook,…NTSB CHI86FEX02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHodson Midget Mustang · Evansville, INWitnesses reported seeing the plt performing aerobatics and flying low in an area near his parent's home. The acft was then seen to enter a steep right bank during which, witnesses stated, the eng sputtered and quit. The acft then pitched down and impacted…NTSB SEA86FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Oakley, IDLow time private pilot had borrowed aircraft for personal trip to nearby airport. On arrival, pilot made fly by of friend's ranch to signal for pick up at airport. Friend got into auto and headed for airport,stated he was driving 60 mph and saw aircraft in…NTSB LAX86FA004Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Lebec, CAThe acft contacted trees and the terrain in an uncontrolled descent and was destroyed by impact and an ensuing fire. The acft's left elevator was not located during the post accident inspection. Witnesses reported seeing the acft flying low (50 ft AGL) and…NTSB LAX86FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream AA-5B · Orinda, CAThe acft collided with rising terrain on a southerly heading. A VFR flt plan was filed. A witness near the accident site reported low ceilings and a forward ground visibility of 50 ft. aprx 15 minutes prior to the accident the acft was seen flying southeast…NTSB LAX86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Paradise, CAAfter takeoff, for an aflight orentation, the high time (over 2 4000 flt hours) pilot descended to an altitude of approx. 300 over a lake. The pilot was then flying up a twisting arm of the lake, in mountainous terrain into unmarked electrical transmission…NTSB NYC86FA002Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-377A · Breakabeen, NYThe plt was advised by several sources that bad wx was located along the intended route of flt. The plt stated that he intended to fly over the bad wx since wx at the destination was good. A mayday call from 24J was broadcasted over the emer. Freq. Witnesses…NTSB MKC86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112A · Gravois Mills, MOThe acft was observed on final with the gear down, flying along a ridge that was beside a lake. Witnesses stated that it was below the elevation of the arpt that was on top of the hill. Two witnesses also stated that the eng was running but not at full pwr.…NTSB LAX86LA008Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Santa Barbara, CAOn oct. 3, 1985, pipter PA-23-250 crashed into the pacific ocean while on an air sampling flt near Santa Barbara, CA. The ac was destroyed and the two plts were fatally injured. The flt was to be flown along a predermined route utilizing loran navaids. The ac…NTSB BFO86FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Gaithersburg, MDThe plt was clrd for a VOR rwy 14 apch. On apch, he rprtd at the sleet intxn (a fix on the NDB apch). The acft was then seen flying ovr the arpt on an easterly hdg. UNICOM operator said he then heard the plt call "turning final." However, bfr lndg, the acft…NTSB NYC86FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Robbinsville, NJDuring IFR departure from an uncontrolled arpt, the acft was instructed to squawk the discrete freq that had been issued in pre-flt clearance. The plt acknowledged the freq. The acft disappeared from radar. Ground witnesses saw the acft descend out of the low…NTSB FTW86MA010Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Bridger, MTDrg a preflt wx briefing, the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended due to forecast frontal activity moving southbound along his route. Severe turbulence & icing had been reported just to the north of his course. He filed a VFR flt plan & took off…NTSB DEN86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Chamberlain, SDThe plt and his passenger friend were looking for stray cattle when aprx at 142 ft above the ground their acft struck an antennae mounted on a microwave tower. The acft descended and was destroyed on ground impact.NTSB ATL86FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Hurricane, WVN9629U crashed in a wooded area near Hurricane, west Virginia while conducting a visual flight from millwood, WV to grundy, Virginia. The pilot and aircraft were certificated in accordance with current FARS. The pilot received a weather briefing for the…NTSB FTW86MA001Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Dallas, TXA student plt in a Cessna 152, N5522L, had deptd redbird arpt at Dallas. He was practicing solo maneuvers in a privatelydesignated practice area that overlapped the extended inbnd course to rwys 31L & r at love field. At the same time, a Cessna 441, N400BG,…NTSB ATL86FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Chapel Hill, NCN2765U crashed shortly after making a low pass over a private air strip near Chapel Hill. The aircraft was seen in a nose high attitude prior to impacting a tree about 40 above the ground. The aircraft also collided with a power transmission line. The…NTSB SEA85LA231Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMitchell U2 · Prineville, ORPlt was on second flt in newly completed, registered ultralight. Craft had not been issued a certificate of airworthiness. After takeoff, acft was observed to circle airport, then descend out of sight behind trees. Investigation showed steeep, nosedown…NTSB SEA85FA228Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTeratorn Tierra II · Post Falls, IDThe acft contacted the terrain in an uncontrolled descent following an inflt separation of the left wing. A witness stated the left wing separated as the acft was being maneuvered in a race track pattern using bank angles of 45 degs. The wife of the acft…NTSB ATL85MA286Accident · 17 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Jenkinsburg, GAAs the plt & 16 jumpers deptd on a skydiving flt, the eng lost pwr at aprx 300' AGL. The acft then banked steeply left, spiraled in a steep nose dwn attitude & crashed. An exam revealed fuel in the tanks was contaminated with wtr & foreign material with the…NTSB ATL85FA285Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lafayette, GAThe acft crashed in a trailer parking lot after a steep left turn & uncontrolled descent. The acft impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. The rt wing had struck a parked trailer prior to the nose striking the ground. The acc occurred about 1/4 mile from…NTSB LAX85FA402Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350D · Kula, HIThe helicopter collided with terrain while on a sightseeing tour. The plt stated that the helicopter lost alt as he attempted to cross power lines. Directional control was lost during the ensuing down wind emergency landing. The helicopter contacted the…NTSB ANC85FA184Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Merrill Pass, AKThe acft collided with terrain in a mountain Pass at an elevation of 3600 ft MSL. The plt obtained a wx briefing at 1329 gmt on 9/26/86 at which time Merrill Pass was forecast to be closed by 1100 adt due to deteriorating wx. The last radio communication with…NTSB ATL85FA283Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Huntington, WVThe acft contacted the terrain with the left wing tip, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted during an ILS rwy 12 apch at Huntington (hts). Minimum apch visibility for the ILS is 3/4 of a mile. While en route the plt was informed the hts visibility was 1/8 of…NTSB DCA85AA037Accident · 14 fatalFinal reportBeech B99 · Grottoes, VAAcft arr fm the NE, crossed ovr the arpt in IMC conds & contd twd the sw to the initial apch fix (iaf) for an ILS rwy 4 apch. The iaf was ovr the outer marker (om), 4.2 mi sw of the arpt. As the acft deptd the iaf, it contd outbnd twd the sw on an imprecise…NTSB ATL85FAMS2Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Gulfport, MSPlt contacted apch control for advisories. Asked about wx onroute of ELT. Was told that lines of showers existed across path. Plt advised he thought he had found a gap and that he thought he could get over wx. Later radioed that ride was bouncy and he was in…NTSB SEA85FA225Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177BII · Lolo Pass, IDThe plt failed to visually check the fuel tanks during preflt and departed with 3.4 hours flown on the pre-existing fuel supply. Fuel exhaustion occurred 1.2 hours into the flt. The plt overflew a suitable forced landing site and attempted a last minute turn…NTSB NYC85FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Chalkhill, PAThe helicopter was being used on an external load operation with a 100 ft cable attached. When a 618 lb load was ready to be moved, the plt started the eng, lifted off & moved the helicopter to a hover over the load. The loaders hooked the load to the cable &…NTSB DEN85FA246Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Santa Rosa, NMThe student plt was on his first x-country. His last solo flt was approx two months prior to accident. Witnesses saw acft on a rt downwind for rwy 26. The plt was told a left traffic patter was in use. The acft was observed to be flying slow at a low alt, on…NTSB CHI85FA383Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Hillsboro, OHThe acft was being flown by a plt who's company takes low alt photos of farms for later resale. This is accomplished with hand-held 35MM cameras from the right seat. According to the single witness to the accident, the acft was first sighted flying 'low and…NTSB ATL85MA282Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · Auburn, ALDrg arrival, the aircrew of a Gates lear jet 35A, N873LP, canceled their IFR clearance & contacted the Auburn UNICOM, then entered the traffic pattern to land on rwy 18. The UNICOM operator rprtd that the lear jet crew had rprtd their position on each portion…NTSB SEA85LA224Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172PII · Brinnon, WAAcft collided with vertical rock face in mountainous terrain 32 mins after takeoff on night VFR instrument instruction flt, 31 mi west of point of departure. Radar trk shows acft proceeded nw for 14 mins, reversed course for 4 mins, then headed due west into…NTSB NYC85FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Warwick, RIWhile en route at 5000' MSL, the plt transmitted that he had an eng problem & requested clearance to land at the providence/theodore francis green state arpt, which was aprx 12 mi away. The plt then asked the controller if that was the closest arpt; however,…NTSB ATL85FA280Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Halls, TNThe private pilot had just leveled off at 2500 feet and pointed out the old naval base to his right front seat passenger when he slumped over the yoke. The passenger in the rear seat held the pilot off the controls while her non-pilot husband attempted to…NTSB SEA85FA217Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Orchards, WAThe pvt plt was observed executing a wings level pull-up from a dive during which, the witness reported, the wing tips began fluttering. Immediately thereafter, both wings separated in positive overload. Visual meteorological conditions existed in the area of…NTSB LAX85LA405Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 C-65 · Grand Canyon, AZAfter departing pierce ferry, AZ the plt and his passenger flew east, up the Colorado river, at a low level towards kanab point. The plt's notes and charts show that the flt was to turn north for aprx 40 NM, with a refueling stop at kanab, UT. The bright…NTSB LAX85LA393Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S-2A · Carlsbad, CAAfter completing an upright spin over the pacific ocean during the filming of a movie viewed from the spinning acft, the plt climbed his acft back to the entry alt and entered a flat inverted spin. The acft was observed to spin through its recovery alt at…NTSB FTW85LAMS2Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSwearingen SA-226T · MissingA distress message was received from the pilot stating he was 100 miles south of grand isle, LA, and had lost an eng andwas unable to maintain altitude. A second message was received shortly afterwards stating that the aircraft was at 1500 feet and the pilot…NTSB CHI85FA379Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream 500-S · Cloquet, MNThe pilot expected the weather to be below minimums but flew the approach anyway. He did not have a second pilot on board per company rules. The aircraft collided with trees about 3 miles from the approach end of runway 17.