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 SEA85FA120Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 205 · Chewelah, WAThe acft was observed flying up a canyon at low altitude while climbing at an angle equivalent to the surrounding terrain slope. Shortly thereafter the acft encountered steeply upsloping terrain and began impacting trees in a left wing high and nose up…NTSB ATL85FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Duluth, GAAfter loading a seriously burned patient in the helicopter, the plt started the eng & lifted off from the hospital parking lot. Immediately after lift-off, he started forward translational flt. About 65 ft from the lift-off point, an advancing main rotor…NTSB SEA85FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · Pocatello, IDShortly after departure & level off, the plt reported an eng malfunction & initiated a return to the arpt. About 2 min later, he reported an eng fire & declared an emergency. Aprx 1 min thereafter, the rgt wing separated from the acft & the plane crashed. An…NTSB CHI85FA198Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Burlington, MIThe helicopter was departing from a trailer which was sloped 5 degs to the left. During takeoff, the left skid lifted off first and the helicopter drifted to the right. The right skid caught on the trailer guides and the helicopter rolled over to the right.NTSB ANC85FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-207A · Golovin, AKAccording to the pilot-in-command, he was attempting to fly through a mountain saddle. As he turned towards the mountain and began his climb the weather deteriorated rapidly with ceilings zero, visibility zero and severe turbulence. The airplane struck the…NTSB MIA85FA170Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSilvaire Luscombe 8A · Astatula, FLThe plt (PIC) & his plt rated friend were practicing what the PIC described as simulated crop dusting. After completing a low pass over a field, the PIC made a steep pull up to turn around. He reported that the acft then stalled & crashed. A witness stated…NTSB SEA85FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Murphy, IDPlt received a preflight wx brief indicating a recent frontal passage in the area with strong winds and trubulence associated with thundershowers along the initial route of flight until clear of the owyhee mountains. No flt plan was filed. Radar tracked the…NTSB FTW85FA224Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310F · Marfa, TXThe plt experienced a partial pwr loss from the right eng during the takeoff climb and in his haste to circle back and land did not allow the acft to gain alt. He then failed to maintain adequate airspeed and as a result, lost control of the acft and stalled…NTSB LAX85FA253Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Ojai, CAWitnesses observed the acft enter a box canyon in level flt at an alt below the tops of the surrounding ridges. The eng pwr sounds were reported as 'normal' by the witnesses. Shortly after the acft disappeared behind a ridge, the witnesses saw black smoke…NTSB FTW85FA220Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182RG · Odessa, TXWhile flying at approx 100' AGL, the acft struck a 5/8' static line on a newly constructed powerline. The cable was not yet anchored, except with pulley's on each tower and had about two miles of slack. The wire engaged the left front eng cowl and 1 prop…NTSB DEN85FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28F · Carrizozo, NMThe student pilot departed albiquerque, NM with less than full fuel tanks and a worn out eng driven fuel pump which allowed fuel to be pumped overboard. No flt plan was filed. During his VMC x-country flt, the eng failed and an unsuccessful autorotation…NTSB NYC85FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Morrisville, NYShortly after t/o the pilot experienced a rough running engine, continued maneuvering at a low altitude and the engine quit due to undetermined cause. The pilot attempted to stretch the glide to an open field and stalled the aircraft, which mushed into the…NTSB FTW85LA217Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Chattanooga, OKThe pilot was tow launching a glider. When about 200 feet above ground level and for unknown reasons the glider suddenly gained unwanted altitude and climbed above the tow plane. This pitched the nose of the tow plane downward before the tow line could be…NTSB ATL85FA157Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Covington, TNAfter takeoff, the flt progressed normally, except one ARTCC controller had difficulty communicating with the plt during the early part of the flt. After cruising at 11,000 ft for aprx 2 hrs, the plt obtained updated wx info & requested clearance to descend…NTSB LAX85FA252Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Ocotillo Wells, CAAccording to witnesses on a dune buggy & a honda trx 200, the acft was flying at low alt in strong winds when it seemed to encounter turbulence & go out of control. Some of the witnesses said it temporarily leveled at about 200 ft AGL. All agreed that it was…NTSB LAX85FA251Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A-36 · Hayward, CAAccording to the ATCT tapes, 3 mins elapsed between the time the acft called for taxi from parking to ready for takeoff at the active rwy. Just after liftoff the acft experienced a 'missing' & 'backfiring' engine as reported by witnesses. Plt radioed the…NTSB MKC85FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Calwood, MON951B crashed in a wooded area during a powerline patrol flt which included photography of the powerline. According to witnesses, the helicopter was flying parallel to the powerline in a westerly direction when the accident occurred. Exam of the wreckage…NTSB DEN85FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated-Vultee PBY-5A · Lewistown, MTDuring taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The plt attempted to groundloop the acft. The acft rolled down hill and collided with a gully. The plt was fatally injured. During preflight the co-plt inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The…NTSB MIA85LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Missing AcftThe Acft departed miami, FL, at about 0700 EDT on a flt to port-au-prince, haiti. It did not arrive at its destination or return to miami. The Acft was not found & was presumed to have been destroyed. Also, the plt was not found & was presumed to have been…NTSB FTW85FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Avinger, TXThe pilot stated he was flying low over the lake surface. He felt a decelaration to the right and the next thing he was in the water. Witnesses saw the aircraft over the lake at a low altitude and saw the right wing impact the water and cartwheel to the right…NTSB ANC85FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Anchorage, AKThe acft ran out of fuel after the plt extended his original flt plan route to circumnavigate areas of poor weather. The acft was over water when fuel exhaustion occurred and the acft was ditched under unfavorable conditions.NTSB SEA85FA104Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Spokane, WAThe helicopter was on a flt to a tv station to transport a tv camera man & his gear. The regular plt for this trip was unable to fly, so another was retained for the flt. This was his 1st flt to the station. Helicopter operations at the tv station were…NTSB LAX85FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT6A · Lemoore, CAAfter dropping a parachutist to open an air show the plt's takeoff was delayed by a blown tire on a landing airplane and difficulties with filling his smoke oil tank. After completing about two thirds of his aerobatic routine the plt recovered from a reverse…NTSB FTW85FA209Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Verden, OKAt about 1700 CDT on 5/5/85, the acft was observed taking off at chickasha, OK. At sometime after 1700, an acft matching its description was observed flying low over a lake. A witness in that area observed it pulled up in a steep climb over the dam, until it…NTSB FTW85FA207Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 HP · San Angelo, TXA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI85FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Lakeville, MNThe acft was observed to enter a spin from aprx 3000 ft AGL. The acft continued the spin to ground contact which witnesses stated occurred as the acft seemed to level off. Witnesses also reported seeing the acft perform aerobatics, which included loops, prior…NTSB SEA85FA103Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Seattle, WAAfter liftoff, the plt requested an immediate return for landing stating he, 'smelled smoke/something hot'. Downwind for the precautionary landing was flown at 200 ft AGL, a slow airspeed and close to the runway with a crosswind blowing the acft toward the…NTSB NYC85FHA03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172M · Auburn Center, PADuring attempted landing on a non-certificated strip, plt attempted a go around. The acft struck a grounding cable which was stretched between two telephone poles near the end of the airstrip. The acft then traveled aprx 120 ft before contacting trees. When…NTSB FTW85FA204Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHolder Midget Mustang I · Yukon, OKThe relatively low time pilot (99 total hours) had no recorded experience in high performance aircraft. He had just purchased the midget mustang and had practiced both low and high speed taxi runs on two occasions in the aircraft. He was observed to make one…NTSB FTW85FA203Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B 55 · Brownwood, TXThe professional pilot was familiar with his destination. He had made the same trip many times in the last year. Destination weather information was not available that early in the morning, and although he indicated over the radio that he was aware of the…NTSB SEA85FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Bliss, IDThe acft was observed by witnesses to climb out at a steep angle & slow airspeed after the 3rd touch & go before performing a wingover like maneuver & crashing in the x-wind turn. The pax reported the plt executing a steep left turn before the acft began a…NTSB LAX85FA230Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Garberville, CAWitnesses reported that the acft departed shelter cove, elevation 69 ft, and headed east toward a 2000 ft high mountain located 1 3/4 miles away. They continued to report the acft was climbing at a slow rate in a nose high attitude. The acft contacted trees…NTSB LAX85FA229Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreer Sidewinder "S" · Tracy, CAThe acft crashed short of rwy 25 at Tracy, CA, while on a night apch for landing. A ground witness observed the acfts lights descending straight down into a gravel pit. The acft impacted the ground in a 20 deg nose down, 15 deg left roll attitude. The rwy…NTSB MIA85FA159Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Tampa, FLWitnesses observed the acft takeoff on rwy 36 in foggy conditions. They reported that during the initial climb after lift-off, the acft pitched up & rolled into a steep left bank, then entered a descent & crashed on an aprx heading of 060 deg. Impact occurred…NTSB LAX85FA228Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-6 · El Toro Mcas, CAThe plt initiated a normal takeoff & climb until the acft was over the departure end of the rwy at about 150 ft AGL with the landing gear & flaps retracted. The acft then rolled rapidly into a steep left bank, turned about 180 deg & climbed to aprx 250 ft…NTSB MKC85FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Wakeeney, KSOn a x-country flt from dodge city, KS, to hill city, KS, the plt encountered IFR wx conditions around Wakeeney, KS. The IFR conditions were not forecast for his area of flt. A 2000 CST observation at hill city, KS, was indicating IFR conditions existing aprx…NTSB DCA85AA020Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAerospatiale SA360C Dauphin · New York, NYAt laguardia arpt, wnd was fm 320 deg at 16 gstg 22 KTS. PIC rprtd wnd at heliport (on west bank of east RVR) was fm sw. Obstacles were located along west edge of heliport. PIC rprtd he made pwr check, then bgn rolling takeoff with rgt qtrg hdwnd. As acft was…NTSB CHI85FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Prairie Dusac, WIThis midair collision occurred approx 2 mi NE of sauk-Prairie apt. The pilots of the Cessna were in a climbing right departure turn at approx 1600 ft MSL heading approx 120 deg when a collsion occurred with a Piper heading approx 270 deg and descending. One…NTSB ATL85FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Monroe, NCThe acft collided with rwy 23 (aprx 120 ft from the departure end) following a loss of control during an initial takeoff climb. The acft was observed to enter a steep climb on takeoff after which the right wing dropped. The acft then entered a spin prior to…NTSB ATL85FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Dundee, MSPlt obtained three preflight wx briefings then filed IFR using an assumed name. Routine communications until 2117 CST when pilot reported in a cell and said he wanted to make a 180 degree turn. Cleared for right turn. Radar and comm contact with aircraft lost…NTSB SEA85LA095Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 36 · Elko, NVElko DME (located at the arpt, used for the lda/dme apch, 108.5 mhz) was inop. Drg arrival, the plt expressed mistrust of his DME. Aprx 24 mi sse of bullion (bqu) VOR, ARTCC controller (ctlr) clrd N7514N for 'the apch to the Elko arpt.' Seconds later, the plt…NTSB MKC85FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310G · Mena, ARThe acft crashed out of control after an in-flt airframe failure. The plt had entered an area of thunderstorms after being advised that VFR flt was not recommended in that area. The plt was single eng rated and his flt time in this z eng acft was 18 hrs.NTSB LAX85FA214Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A45 · Fallbrook, CAThe plt was flying to his home arpt under visual flight rules (VFR) from his place of employment when he encountered low ceilings & visibilities. He contd at low alt along an interstate highway toward his original destination. A witness reported that the plt…NTSB DEN85FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Laporte, COThe plt was a business man, involved in building/construction work. On the morning of the acdnt, he had breakfast with friends who said he was in good spirits & was going to fly before going to work. Witnesses near the acdnt site saw the acft flying in the…NTSB NYC85FA110Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Hamilton Twnshp, NJThe plt's original destn was bader field at atlantic city. However, during arrival, he diverted to the atlantic city arpt, since bader field was below mins. Vectors were provided for an ILS rwy 13 apch & the plt was cleared for the apch. He was then cleared…NTSB LAX85FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Sunland, CAThe plt got his pvt plt cert 6 days prior to the accident & planned a local flt to a neighboring arpt just over a coastal mtn range from the dep aprt. 9 NM north of the deparpt, the accident site is almost on a direct line between the dep & dest arpts. The…NTSB LAX85FA215Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Castaic, CAThe pilot requested and received a weather briefing for the cross country flight. VFR flight was not recommended due to multiple cloud layers and mountain obscurement. The wreckage was located the following morning at the 3,500 foot elevation in mountainous…NTSB LAX85FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Goleta, CAWhen the plt was advised the destn arpt (santa ynez) was directly ahead at 12 mi, he requested a freq change & radar svc was terminated. About 9 min later, he reestablished radio contact (with ARTCC) & reported he was not sure of his psn. The controller told…NTSB NYC85FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · No. Hampton, NHOn April 20, 1985, a Piper PA-28-140, flown by a student plt, crashed during an attempted go-around at north Hampton, NH, while on a pleasure flt. The wx was clear, winds were light and variable with unlimited visibility. The tough rwy is 2050 ft long and 300…NTSB MKC85FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Coy, ARWhile approaching a field to dispense rice, the acft struck a set of power lines. The plt had flown over the same set of power lines for nearly 2 hours. The flagmen stated they heard the acft strike the wires and one of the wires made a 'pop' as if being…