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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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 NYC85FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Block Island, RIThe acft departed long Island on a VFR flt plan for Block Island. The plt did not close the flt plan after arrival at Block Island and departed Block Island without refiling a flt plan. The flt departed Block Island at night to the east over the ocean and has…NTSB NYC85FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Hamburg, NJThe acft contacted trees during an uncontrolled descent aprx 17 minutes after takeoff. One witness reported hearing the eng running at a high RPM. The acft wreckage was not discovered until 9-18-85. The airspeed indicator found at the accident site indicated…NTSB FTW85FA346Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPitts SPL. S-1 · Mclean, TXThe plt had landed the Pitts special on the highway due to low fuel. After the fuel service the acft took off and the plt performed low altitude acrobatics then departed making slow rolls below a low overcast. A witness observed the acft flying low over the…NTSB DEN85FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA315B · Craig, COThe helicopter was long-lining a 1280-pound air compressor to an 8500-foot MSL mountain drilling site. Witnesses heard a squealing sound and bang. They observed gray-white smoke and orange-blue flame emitting from the exhaust. The plt released the load and…NTSB CHI85FET03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVanbenthuysen John Bede BD-5B · Elkhart, INThe acft rolled inverted & collided with the ground after an overtemperature reading, an RPM loss and loss of airspeed were recognized by the plt during the recording of the takeoff. The plt had a portable recorder on board and was using it during the…NTSB ATL85FA276Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLaux Pitts S-1S · Paducah, KYThe aircraft was observed in the local area for several minutes. It was perfoming aerobatic maneuvers. One witness reported that it was lower than it usually was when it was perfoming these maneuvers. It was observed to do an inside loop, roll inverted and…NTSB FTW85LA348Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Catahoula, LAThe plt took off from a bayou with inadequate distance to climb above the trees growing along each side before the bayou made an aprx 120-DEG right turn. In order to avoid collision with the trees the plt entered a steep banked right turn to follow the bayou.…NTSB ATL85MA275Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Eva, ALDrg an IFR arrival/dscnt, the plt stated he 'had to feather 1 eng, I have an oil leak & I'm just trying to dscnd . . .' He then said he was dscndg thru 5300'. As he contd the apch, he informed the controller he would be unable to go around since the hydr sys…NTSB DEN85FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Fort Collins, COThe plt was operating his acft under the rules of 14 CFR 135, I.e., a scheduled domestic cargo flt. He made a normal departure and climb en route to salt lake city, Utah. Normal communications and radar flt following was established with denver ARTCC.…NTSB MKC85FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hoskins, NEThis accident occurred on a telephone cable patrl flt. The acft would normally fly along the route of the buried cable at 200 to 300 ft AGL. When construction activity was sighted the plt would first record the sighting on a portable tape recorder and then…NTSB MIA85FA251Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJodel D-9 · Okeechobee, FLThe plt had flown only 4 has in the last 6 months in a Cessna 150 type acft & had never flown a Jodel 09 before. The plt boarded the acft, declined a cockpit check by the owner & made an immediate take off. The plt took off from the grass strip without…NTSB ATL85LA273Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 404 · Hayesville, NCFisherman heard an aircraft overhead but did not see any sign of it in the night sky. Shortly thereafter they saw a flash and fire on the side of a mountain, then they heard the explosion. The sheriff was called and an investigation revealed a crashed…NTSB FTW85LA344Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Kraemer, LAAcft was descending from cruise alt when it entered a radar lvl 3 thunderstorm and control was lost during a night VFR flt. The acft impacted a swamp in a vertical attitude with the rt wing leading slightly. The lft wing was found about 10' south of the main…NTSB SEA85FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Emmett, IDNewly-licensed plt departed into mountainous terrain in thunderstrom conditions despite warnings from friends. The acft wreckagewas located two days later in rising terrain below power 11 miles from pt of departure. Investigation revealed high speed vertical…NTSB MIA85LA249Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Key West, FLThe acft failed to arrive at its intended destination on a flt plan from ft. lauderdale FL. To Key West FL. Navy Key West apch was providing VFR flt following, radar & radiocontact was lost with the acft 20 NE of Key West. The whereabouts of the occupants are…NTSB LAX85FA385Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJonas Humming Bird · Tucson, AZThe experimental homebuilt acft was designed by the plt and incorporated a lifting body symetrical airfoil shaped fuselage. Pitch control was to be accomplished with a narrow chord canard. Witnesses saw the acft lift off briefly to about 10 ft AGL during the…NTSB CHI85FEV03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172 · Sweetwater, ILThe acft was observed flying at low alt parallel to a hiway before colliding with a tree before impacting the ground. The plts wife said that the plt had been under extreme stress for a few months and had not been to bed for 2 days preceding the accident. She…NTSB SEA85FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Wenatchee, WAAfter two application runs, plt apparently attempted to shorten the race-track pattern by initiating the inbound turn into a canyon. Acft was observed to climb clear of the canyon wall near completion of turn, but load was jettisoned at this point and the…NTSB CHI85FA370Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Romeoville, ILThe pilot was reportly departing on a xcountry flt. During climbout, in the traffic pattern, upon reaching base leg area the acft was observed to turn back towards the arpt descend and strike the ground. Witnesses reported no sound of engine was heard. The…NTSB DCA85AA036Accident · 31 fatalFinal reportDouglas DC-9-14 · Milwaukee, WIThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-87/01. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm Drg…NTSB CHI85FA368Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28R-200 · Ravenna, OHThe non-instrument rated pilot continued VMC into IMC. The pilot contracted youngstown ATCT for assistance. Within a few minutes radar contact was lost. Prior to ground impact portions of the aircraft separated. There was no record of a wx briefing being…NTSB DEN85FA236Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Saint Mary, MTPlt received wx update enroute to kalispell, MT. He attempted to navigate through the glacier national park, following the 'going-to-the-sun' highway. The wx along the plt's route of flt included low cloud ceiling, limited visibility and mountain obscurement.…NTSB ANC85LA171Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · English Bay, AKA witness stated that he saw the acft crash in the cook inlet while it was in a steep descent. Neither the acft nor the plt were recovered; however, some small objects from the acft were retrieved. The plt was presumed to have been fatally injured.NTSB DEN85FA233Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Ogden, UTThe plt and his party were en route from minden, NV to casper, WY and had stopped at Ogden, UT to refuel. The plt obtained an updated wx briefing fr fss and field an IFR flt plan. After takeoff the plt was told to climb in the holding pattern to 13000 ft.…NTSB NYC85FA227Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Danby, VTThe pilot of N66190 received a weather briefing from lebanon flight service station and was advised of low ceilings and also advised that visual flight rules flight was not recommended. At about the time N66190 was departing rutland, Vermont, a helicopter…NTSB ATL85FA266Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235-B · Rion, SCThe acft had been cruising at 10,500 ft for several min and then informed ATC that they were climbing to 12,500 ft due to VFR. Shortly there after the acft disappeared from the radar scope. Witnesses heard the engine making an unusual sound and looked up and…NTSB MKC85FA199Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Bridgeton, MOA witness observed the acft flying in an easterly direction at an alt of 200 to 300 ft AGL. The acft then made a 180 deg turn to a westerly heading. After flying a distance of aprx 2000 ft, the acft entered a left turn and dove into a squash fld. Post…NTSB DEN85FA229Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Peyton, COThe two experienced pilots took off from high alt airstrip under high density alt conditions. Witnesses said acft entered a 60-degree left banking turn. When acft had completed 120-degrees of turn, the nose dropped. Witnesses said the acft side-slipped to the…NTSB FTW85LA340Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna L-19E · Palo Pinto, TXThe acft was reported by witnesses to have been flying very low over a lake just prior to accident. The acft collided with pwr lines after passing over a dam and was destroyed on ground impact. The plt reported a loss pwr was experienced. The eng was test run…NTSB ATL85FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Proctor, WVThe acft was artd msg and was the object of a search from 9-1-85 to 9-12-85. Acft found in remote area of mtns and dense woods by man on foot hunting ginseng on 9-16-85.ND witnesses found. Residents in area reported rain all day on 8-30-85 and it was heavy at…NTSB FTW85FQG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Morton, TXAfter the plt completed a swath run, the acft entered a rgt climbing maneuver, then rolled wings level. After that, it reportedly began an abrupt climb for aprx 50 to 60 ft, then nosed down & crashed in a steep descent. After impact, the acft was destroyed by…NTSB FTW85FA335Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American British Harvard Mkii · Ada, OKTwo fully qualified single engine plts were in the acft at the time of the accidnet. The acft was observed making low passes near the airport after takeoff. One plt's mother lived near the accident site. The acft was in a steep banked right turn when the…NTSB ATL85FA261Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-99 · Conover, NCAcft was on trng flt for initial copilot qual for commuter air carrier. Instructor and two trainees were on board. The acft departed charlotte at about 2314EDT for the hickoryarea for trng. At about 0015EDT,it was reported that the crew visited the hickory…NTSB SEA85FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Bridge, IDAt 1445 MDT, the 60 yr old plt departed on a routine, VFR, repositioning flt which he had frequently flown before. After takeoff, he leveled the acft at 9500 ft on a direct course toward the destination. While en route at about 1515, the acft began a shallow…NTSB NYC85FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Carlisle, PADuring the second takeoff attempt from a pvt grass strip witnesses heard the eng sputter then quit soon after liftoff. The acft then descended to ground impact and burned. The acft had not been flown adn was kept out of doors for several months while the…NTSB MIA85FA239Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSilvaire Luscombe 8E · Ocala, FLThe acft was observed to take off, make a steep turn, a few seconds later, at an altitude of about 200 ft AGL, enter another steep turn and spin into the ground. Witnesses report that the pilot exhibited lack of control coordination while performing turns in…NTSB LAX85FJA06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEmroth Emair MA-1B · Pahala, HIWitnesses reported seeing pieces of wood and fabric coming off the acft during it's second swath run. At the end of the run, the acft climbed abruptly to clear trees after which it entered an uncontrolled descent to ground impact. The acft was destroyed by…NTSB DCA85AA035Accident · 8 fatalFinal reportBeech 99 · Auburn, MEDrg arr, aprx 12 mi south of the final apch fix (faf), flt 1808 was clrd for an ILS rwy 4 apch. Aprx 3 min later, ATC controller (ctlr) noted acft was tracking east of the localizer (LOC) course. He asked if the flt was rcvg the ILS LOC. Capt replied 'not yet…NTSB NYC85FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lewiston, NYWitnesses reported seeing the acft circling at low altitudes up to 30 minutes prior to the accident. One witness stated the plt appeared to be performing power stalls at an alt of aprx 500 ft AGL. The acft then entered a spin and descended to ground impact.…NTSB LAX85FA368Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDuce Project Bakeng Duce · St. Helena, CAAccording to witnesses, the plt had attempted a landing on the private ranch airstrip and a go around was performed. The acft then reversed direction and descended, striking a 6 foot high metal fence post before coming to rest. The acft was destroyed by post…NTSB CHI85FA357Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Worthington, MNThe acft had progreesed 16 miles on a 95 mile x-country flt when it was witnessed in low flt over a corn fld. The acft was about 200 ft AGL when it entered a descending right power on turn until ground impact. An autopsy report on the plt disclosed,…NTSB ANC85FA163Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Mt. Palmer, AKAircraft collided with Cessna 180 and crashed on mountain side about one-quarter mile apart. Piper was sightseeing and Cessna was spotting sheep. Scattered clouds were reported about 300 feet above the points of ground impact.NTSB FTW85FA331Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportValentin Taifun 17E · Abilene, TXThe glider was thermaling in a slow right climbing turn about 600 feet above ground level. Witnesses stated it started a right spiraling descent and the nose suddenly dropped until it was in a near vertical attitude. The spiral then developed into a tight…NTSB BFO85FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Browntown, VADrg a wx briefing, flt prctns for ocnl mtn obscn & IMC were relayed to the plt, but he was not provided a forecast for thunderstorms, nor advised VFR flt was not rcmdd. The route of flt was portrayed as marginal VFR, as was the destn at morgantown (mgm).…NTSB BFO85FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Afton, VAThe plt and his wife departed waynesboro arpt in reported VFR wx conditions at aprx 1700 hrs. According to the assistantarpt mgr the ceiling was about 2500 ft however, the mountain tops were obscured in the direction the acft flew towards. At about 1710 hrs…NTSB ATL85FA256Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Flat Rock, NCAcft hit northwest side of ridge in level attitude,cruise speed,heading southeast. Conditions were dark night and the cloud ceiling was about 40 feet above the ridge. Pilot received wx brief before take off and en route which reported a ceiling of 10,000 feet…NTSB ANC85LA159Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Gulkana, AKThe acft crashed shortly after the plt had departed an airstrip to proceed on a hunting trip. Impact occurred in a wooded area about 1 mi from the strip. According to witnesses, the plt had made 2 low approaches over the trees before the acdnt. The acft was…NTSB CHI85FA354Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Wilmington, OHThe pilot was flying on a south casterly heading of approximately 150' at a low altitude when he struck a set of static lines at approximately 170' AGL. The aircraft flipped over and hit the terrain at approximately 60, nose down in a stand of corn. The pilot…NTSB ANC85MA157Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 24D · Gulkana, AKDuring a night arrival, the flt was on an instrument apch to the Gulkana arpt when radio contact with the acft was lost. A search was initiated & the wreckage was found 7.4 mi north of the terminal VOR on the 330 deg radial. The inbound course for the VOR rwy…NTSB MIA85FA235Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · St. ThomasWitnesses stated the acft was flying slow at aprx 200 ft alt photographing a group of sail boats. As the plt entered a left turn to reverse course, it stalled and nosed down striking the water in a near vertical attitude. At the time of the accident the acft…