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 CHI85FA356Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Rose Township, MIJust prior to the accident, several witnesses observed the acft flying at a very low alt in the vicinity of the crash site. The crash site was located across the road from the home of the plt's brother. According to witnesses, the acfts eng was operating…NTSB MKC85FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · New Madrid, MOA witness said N267CD made a low pass down the farm airstrip and as the acft neared the end of the strip, it began a climb, banked to the left and descended to the ground. The acft impacted in a nose low, left wing low attitude.NTSB DEN85FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P II · Cedar City, UTThe plt took three of his friends up for a pleasure flt in the local area of Cedar City, Utah. VMC prevailed at the time. The plt continued to climb his acft as it passed over rising terrain. The flt terminated in a box canyon with high terrain on all sides.…NTSB ANC85FA154Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 MK.1 · Tutna Lake, AKThe acft crashed on the side of a mountain at an elev of 2200 ft aprx 3 miles from its intended destination, a remote lake. Purpose of the flt was to discharge caribou hunters into an area where caribou were spotted early that day. The acft was destroyed by…NTSB NYC85FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-305A · Brooklyn, NYDuring an aerial banner tow operation at low level along the beach, witnesses observed the airplane bank sharply to the right and dive into the water. Witnesses recall the engine noise to have been loud yet sputtering before the impact. Inspection of the…NTSB ATL85FA252Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Columbus, GAAcft departed airport after enroute stop for fueling.VFR conditions with broken clouds at 2800 feet and turbulence in clouds. Acft was cleared to 4500 and PIC asked to report reaching. During climb PIC was asked his altitude. His response was unintelligible…NTSB CHI85FA351Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 404 · South Lyon, MIThe acft took off and climbed to 5000 ft uneventfully. It then dropped off radar and subsequently impacted the ground in a flat upright attitude. A post-crash fire consumed the majority of the airframe. Eng and prop teardowns indicated no abnormalities and…NTSB MKC85FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRonald Houk RD-1 · St. Charles, MOThe home built gyrocopter was being flown by the owner/builder/designer who had an airplane, single-eng, land rating. Shortly after the gyrocopter took off, the eng was operating at a high RPM when a witness heard a pop/noise. Subsequently, the gyrocopter…NTSB BFO85FA068Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20-125 · Culpeper, VAWitnesses stated that the takeoff roll began about 2000 ft from the departure end of the 2300 ft sod rwy. The a/c lifted off from a 3-point attitude and climbed at a high angle of attack, 'mushing along' until it fell off on the rt wing and struck the ground…NTSB BFO85FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · Woodbridge, VAThe acft departed saratoga springs, NY, en route to manassas, VA. Wx was VFR and as the acft approached gaithersburg, MD, at 2132 LCL the plt contacted dulles apch for vectors through the area to manassas. The acft was issued a heading to manassas. Shortly…NTSB FTW85MA317Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Quinlan, TXN100HC and N33177 collided due to the failure of both plts to maintain adequate visual separation. The PIC of N100HC made a poor decision by performing the simulated emergency descent on a low alt airway. The southerly descending maneuver was performed…NTSB ATL85FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Selma, ALAcft took off from sod strip on hot humid day near max weight. PIC said he used 10 degrees flaps and was airborne. At about runway mid point. When over first tree line after passing threshold acft descended. When over brown terrain acft climbed. When over…NTSB NYC85LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Altoona, PAThe helicopter with cfi/owner and student who was flying from the left side over high terrain at about 70 mph reported a gradual loss of power. The CFI took control and attempted to effect an airstart. This was without success. The plt then attempted to…NTSB MKC85FA181Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Moscow, ARWitnesses saw three acft in a loose trail formation at low alt near the plt's pvt farm strip. The last acft in the trail position (N9060P) broke off to the left and made a steep pull up. After a short climb, the nose of the acft dropped and the acft dove to…NTSB MKC85FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan ST-A · Versailles, MOThe plt of another (accompanying) acft, had briefed the plt of N17351, on wx that could be expected en route. Instead of following the other acft as he had been briefed, the plt of N17351 got in the lead. While en route, he was observed to fly under the edge…NTSB MIA85FA227Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Cedar Key, FLThe manager of the destination arpt said the plt had called earlier in the evening & had asked to be picked up at the arpt. The plt said that he would fly over the manager's house after he arrived. The manager heard the acft fly over from east to west.…NTSB NYC85FA205Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Cape May, NJCrew members of a coast guard helicopter, observed an acft flying at about 1500 ft above the water. According to them, the acft pitched down into a 60 to 70 deg nose low attitude & collided with the water. The helicopter was immediately flown to the acdnt…NTSB DEN85FTE07Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportRichard A. White Glasair SH-2 · Rawlins, WYThe acft crashed in a slightly nose low high velocity impact with the eng operating at low pwr by the signatures on the prop. The radar plot shows that the flight descended from aprx 15000 ft to about 10000 ft in aprx 1 minute. The acft continued to descend…NTSB ATL85FA242Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Abbeville, SCThe acft crashed into trees & the ground after going into a left turn during a go-around initiated after a bouncy landing. After power was added for the go-around the acft seemed to be uncontrolled so that the CFI on the ground, who had just exited the acft…NTSB FTW85FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Saint James, LAAcft was at a 150' hover preparing to pick up a log when it experienced a power loss. Witnesses stated that they heard a loud 'bang' and the pilot radioed 'get out of the way'. Acft autorotated thru 60' to 80' trees with very low rotor RPM and impacted with…NTSB ANC85LA188Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Mccarthy, AKThe pilot departed a sand bar near the bernard glacier on 8/8/85, and never returned to pick up the passenger he had dropped off earlier. On 8/12/91 the wreckage was found by hunters at 61-11N 141-42W at the 1,000-FT level in mountainous terrain. The wreckage…NTSB SEA85FA190Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeachner Quick Silver · Vancouver, WAPlt was observed working on engine distributor prior to departure for weekend demo at airshow for design sales promotion. Witnesses noted engine sound on takeoff seemed less than normal. Acft lifted off, gear were retracted and acft climbed to about 200 ft…NTSB NYC85FGT02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportJones Marquart MA-5 · New Oxford, PABefore flying a short distance to thomasville to refuel, the plt added 3 to 4 gal of auto fuel to the acft. At thomasville, the acft was serviced with 20.1 gal of aviation fuel. While taxiing to takeoff, the eng stopped & was restarted twice. After departing…NTSB FTW85FA306Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150M · Levelland, TXThe plt had been observed to make takeoffs using maximum up elevator for liftoff. The elevator was found in a nineteen degree up position and both the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were bent upward at the tip. The down elevator clevis was observed…NTSB CHI85FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Walworth, WIThe pilot took off with weather conditions of 100 ft ceiling & visibility of 1/4 mile. Theflight tookd off to the south & crashed in a corn field south of the airstrip tracking 058. The engine was heard at a high power setting just prior to impact.NTSB ATL85FA237Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172A · Glencoe, KYThe acft crashed in a field next to where a friend of the plt was baling hay. The plt had called the friend earlier in the day & ask the friend to go fly with him. Just prior to the acdnt, the plt flew over & circled a couple of times at low alt. Two…NTSB ANC85FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Kodiak, AKDuring a wx briefing at 0719 adt, the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. Later, at 0827. He called the fss to update his wx & filed an IFR clearance. At 0938, the acft departed anchorage. During arrival at Kodiak, the acft was cleared for an…NTSB CHI85FAMS3Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172The aircraft was seen to depart racine, WI on August 3, for ft meyers, FL, but never arrived at its destination. On the fourth day of the search a ramp check at albany-dougherty county airport, Georgia indicated that the aircraft was refueled there at approx…NTSB NYC85FGM05Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportJames Postlewait RV-4 · Zelienople, PAA witness reported that when the acft was departing, the takeoff run & beginning of the climb appeared to be normal. However, at about 300 to 400 ft AGL, the left wing dropped & the acft pivoted to the left, then the plane crashed in a steep nose down…NTSB DCA85AA031Accident · 135 fatalFinal reportLockheed L-1011-385-1 · Dallas/Ft Worth, TXThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-86/05. 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 Psbl…NTSB NYC85FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-177B · Macungie, PAWitnesses saw the acft descend in a near nose dive attitude during a severe thunderstorm. The plt was not in radio communication with gnd facilities. Examination of the acft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. There was no evidence of plt impairment or…NTSB DEN85FA203Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182 · La Salle, COThe plt and his girlfriend t/o from a pvt airfield north of denver co in a C182 in heavy fog conditions. The pilot was not inst rated. Shortly after t/o the aircraft hit the ground and was destroyed. Both occupants rec'd fatal injuries.NTSB CHI85FEV01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLarry Schindler Midget MUSTANG-1 · Paxton, ILThe acft pitched up at about 100 ft AGL after takeoff. After a rt & left turn the acft pitched down and struck the ground left wing down at about a 30 degree angle. No evidence was found to indicate a failure or malfunction of the acft or components.…NTSB SEA85FYM03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 170B · Manzanita, ORAircraft was observed to enter a low overcast shortly after take off. The aircraft then hit a mountain about 4 miles north of the departure airport.NTSB SEA85FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated-Vultee PBY-6A · Northport, WAWater bomber acft landed on lake with dump doors partially open during landing phase of water pickup run. Mechanically operated dump door locks were applied before dump doors were closed. Plt controlled dump doors from pilots control wheel, co-pilot operated…NTSB SEA85FA181Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Ketchum, IDStudent pilot on cross country flt, route thru mountain pass and mountains. Attempted emergency landing on highway. During approach and while turning toward selected landing site, plt inadvertantly set full nose down trim with half flaps. As acft completed…NTSB LAX85FUM01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2A · Ramona, CAOn July 28, 1985 at approximately 1820 hours, a pitts S-2A, N56PS, owned and operated by william l. travis, crashed on a hillside on the 192 deg radial, 12.8 nautical miles from the julian VOR. The flight was for the purpose of aerobatics. The aircraft was…NTSB FTW85FA300Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportS.N.I.A.S. AS350D Astar · Houma, LAThe plt landed at a microwave antenna tower and did not shut down the eng or deplane. An employee at the tower retrievedcargo from the helicopter (a small box of parts) and went back inside the tower building. Shortly thereafter, the plt apparently initiated…NTSB DEN85FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Wilsall, MTThe plt obtained a wx briefing that forecast IMC. He filed a VFR flt plan and departed polson, Montana at 0830 en route to powell, Wyoming. The plt said he encountered low ceilings, low visibilities, and drizzle just past helena, Montana but he continued. The…NTSB CHI85FA316Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Plain City, OHThe plt had just taken off from his pvt strip for the fourth flt of the day when witnesses heard the eng quit. The acft had been flown 3.4 hrs since the last refueling. The acft was being operated on a mixture of avgas and automotive fuel with no STC. The…NTSB ANC85FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Red Devil, AKShortly after the plt took off on a ngt flt to bethel, the acft crashed just north of the east/west rwy in a nose down attitude & on a southwesterly heading. The acft was destroyed during impact, but contd sliding aprx 35 yds to the north edge of the rwy,…NTSB MKC85FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · North Loup, NEThe acft was observed flying low over the ground in the vicinity of where it eventually crashed. A witness aprx 1/2 mi from the crash site noticed the plane flying low over a corn field as though the student plt was practicing ag-acft type swath runs. (The…NTSB MKC85FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchubert Cassutt Sport · Admire, KSAt 0847 CDT, July 27, 1985 N1115G radioed a nearby fss. The station that was called was closed but another fss heard thecall. During the transmission the plt reported that he had an eng problem, was pumping oil overboard and could not see outside because the…NTSB ATL85FA224Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680-FP · Chesapeake, OHAs near as can be determined, this was the plt's second flt since obtaining his multi engine rating and third flt since obtaining his com'l plt certificate from a designated p.e. the acft was observed to depart lawrence co. arpt and upon reaching a point over…NTSB DEN85FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Santa Rosa, NMThe plt departed dalhart, TX on a night x-country to quemedo, NM. En route he stopped and picked up a friend at hereford, TX. He did not file a flt plan. He was lost off of radar just west of Santa Rosa, NM, where the wreckage was later found. The acft was…NTSB CHI85FA314Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Eden Prairie, MNThe plt's windscreen became covered with oil shortly after takeoff. The plt returned to the arpt attempting to set up a pattern for landing. The acft was observed in a descent and turn to final apch. The acft collided with the ground in a descending left…NTSB FTW85MA297Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech H35 · El Reno, OKThe acft took off at 1054 CDT in VMC with no flt plan. At that time, there was a rprtd ceiling of 1800 ft. at 1112 CDT, the plt rprtd he was at 10,000 ft, 'just reaching the tops.' At 1137 CDT, he stated 'we're about 60 west of oke city, westbound to sayre…NTSB CHI85FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 170B · Chicago(L.Mich), ILAt an unknown time during the night of July 25/26 the acft crashed into lake Michigan. Exact wx conditions are unknown. The passenger was recovered from the lake the next morning, along with the two crushed front seats and two buckled interior side panels.…NTSB BFO85FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Oakland, MDThe acft had been observed on the day of this flt and on the 'past couple of days' to be flying low and very slow at tree top level. Ground witnesses heard the sounds of the crash but could not see the acft at the time. The acft impactedthe ground in a near…NTSB LAX85FA325Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Goleta, CAAt 0242 PDT, the student plt tried to call the tower for a radio check. The tower was closed, but a fss specialist heard the transmission & provided advisories. Subsequently, the student plt took off with a passenger aboard. Shortly, after takeoff, the acft…