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 LAX85FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Lee Vining, CAThe acft collided below the crest of an 8100 ft (MSL) mtn on a flt from mammoth-june lakes arpt (mmh), mammoth, CA, to reno, NV, while executing a left turn course reversal. There were no witnesses to the accident. Witnesses reported seeing the acft flying at…NTSB MIA85FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAronson Falco F8L · Gainesville, FLThe plt received a wx briefing & filed an IFR clnc, then departed VFR. Except for a hdwnd, the 1st part of the flt was normal. In the vcnty of macon, GA, the plt requested & received an IFR clnc. Later, he elected to divert to the gaines- ville rgnl arpt &…NTSB FTW85FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportUniversal Stinson 108 · Emhouse, TXWitnesses observed the student plt making repeated low passes near his friend's house. While maneuvering, the acft collided with a power line, then crashed to the ground inverted. The student held a student plt certificate that was dated 10/17/62. No record…NTSB MIA85FA122Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-85 · Winter Haven, FLWhile taxiing back to the seaplane ramp after landing the acft struck a small fishing boat causing fatal injuries to the boats sole occupant. The acft was being taxied at high speed on the step and s turns where being made to clear the area due to the plt not…NTSB DEN85FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Deming, NMDuring preflt & inflt wx briefings, the plt was advised that mountains along his route were obscured by clouds & precip. Also, he was cautioned about moderate icing in clouds & precip at or above the freezing lvl. While en route, the plt obtained clearance to…NTSB DEN85FA096Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Logan, UTThe plt (non-inst rated) & 2PAX dept Logan airport under extreme IMC conditions. Visability in ice fog was down to just a few feet. The a/c crashed during a rt turn after t/o.there were no survivors.NTSB ANC85FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Koyukuk, AKThe plts of N62744 & three other acft were on an aerial hunting flt. Witnesses in two of the other acft stated the plt of N62744 was maneuvering near a wolverine, but was flying too fast. He announced on the radio that he was going to come back for another…NTSB CHI85FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Angola, INThe pilot departed into adverse weather conditions. During flight the acft began to accumulate structural icing. The pilot elected to continue on & eventually decided to land at Angola, IN. During final turn the pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps. The acft…NTSB CHI85FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Chicago, ILThe Beech 58 plt was returning at ngt when traffic was very light. After lndg, the acft was retained on local control (lc) freq for the plt's convenience. The plt requested clnc to the twa hangar & was cleared on the most expeditious route. This route went…NTSB CHI85FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Toledo, OHThe plt was obsvd taking medication within 2 hrs bfr flt. A witness identified 1 pill as darvocet-n 100, since she took the same medication. When the plt started the eng, it went to a very hi RPM, as if the throttle was too FAR open. While taxiing to takeoff,…NTSB MKC85FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210R · Eli, NEThere were no witnesses to the takeoff or the accident. A flt plan was not filed and no radar data on the flt was found. The owner of N6101U estimated the takeoff time to be 2130 CST, mar. 12 and the plt told the owner he was going to Utah. The wreckage of…NTSB ATL85FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Charleston, WVThe plt filed an IFR flt plan before obtaining the en route wx. He then revised the flt plan by extending the planned flt from Washington, DC, (dulles) to Charleston, WV. The plt did not obtain wx info pertinent to revised flt plan. The plt was unfamiliar…NTSB MKC85FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Waldron, MOWhile maneuvering northbound on the Missouri river levee the passenger noticed the plt flying just above the levee road. The passenger stated the plt told him they were forty feet off the ground but sometimes lower. The passenger stated he saw the pickup…NTSB ATL86FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Robbinsville, NCMsg acft found after 9 mos. Remains found on east side of coline ridge in graham co NC. Path of broken limbs/trees about level into mountainside. Both occupants fatal.NTSB ATL85FA112Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Dauphin Island, ALPlt departed for offshore oil rig 3 times. Two times reported returning due to fog. After third report, plt said he was IFR. No further radio communication. Wreckage indicative of high speed water impact. Dense fog and low ceiling reported offshore south of…NTSB ANC85FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Whittier, AKThe helicopter impacted terrain in a 150 ft gorge after contacting telephone lines along a railroad right-of-way aprx 2 miles north of a tunnel station. Purpose of the flt was to survey the area around the tunnel station.NTSB ATL85FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Le Banon, VAThe acft impacted trees and came to rest 400 ft downslope from the top of clinch mountain. The non-instrument rated plt departed sprinfield, MO, with a ceiling of aprx 300-400 ft AGL. The plt then landed at cookeville, TN, where he received a wx briefing and…NTSB LAX85FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar 601 · Sepulveda, CAThe acft crashed into a residence 2 miles short of the rwy after loss of pwr on the left eng. This eng was feathered, the gear was extended, but the flaps remained up as the acft continued the lndg approach. Post acc investigation revealed no irregularities…NTSB FTW85FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Gilmer, TXAn associate of the plt/owner stated that he had departed at about 2030 CST to get some night practice prior to getting a day VFR restriction removed from his pvt license. Reportedly, the owner/plt & an instructor (CFI) were intending to fly together &…NTSB FTW85FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Foss, OKInflt fire at rear of lft eng caused by fitting of inlet fuel line to eng driven fuel pump being more than 1 & 1/2 turns from finger tight plt was A&P mech and did maint on a/c and had helped install lft eng 19.8 hrs prior to accident . Lft wing separated…NTSB MIA85FA112Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Jacksonvile, FLThe single eng land, pvt plt had an instrument rating, but had no rating to fly multi-eng acft. While on an illegal flt with marijuana on board, he contacted jacksonville apch control & advised that he could not see the ground due to dense ground fog, the…NTSB MKC85FA066Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Cedar Rapids, IAPlt reported no forward vis due to ice on windshield. N1291P then diverted to cid which has rapcon. The temp at the surface was 32 degs f but was reported to be higher at 4,000 ft MSL. The flt climbed to 4,000 ft and began losing the ice but then reported…NTSB LAX85FA163Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Modesto, CAAccording to witnesses, the plt completed a short checkout and then boarded a female companion in the rented acft, took off and flew to a point 2.9 NM from the airport. The acft was observed by numerous ground witnesses to perform a 'series of wingovers, at…NTSB FTW85FA131Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Stigler, OKThe plt filed a VFR flt plan after the wx improved from IFR to VFR with a chance of thunderstorms en route. Ocnl mod turbulence below 5000 ft was forcast due to strong/gusty low lvl wnds. While the acft was en route, a gnd witness heard the engs rev up more…NTSB SEA85FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Bancroft, IDThe acft impacted level terrain aprx 500 yards east of the Bancroft arpt. N9386B was one of a flt of two acft returning to Bancroft from preston, ID. The wx had deteriorated during the flt with snow showers and blowing snow. While the other acft was landing…NTSB MIA85LA110Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell 680E · Key West, FLA coast guard falcon acft was on scene when the acft ditched in the atlantic ocean due to fuel exhaustion. A life raft & marker were dropped by the coast guard acft. A search was conducted all day on 3/1/85 & was called off at sunset on on 3/2/85. The…NTSB ATL85FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Warsaw, NCLow time, non-instrument rated plt delayed departure because of unexpected deterioration of weather. Fss briefer advised wx would improve, better toward destination arpt. Wx conditions continued to worsen after briefing, worse than fcst. Plt departed 3 hrs…NTSB MIA85FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Horseshoe Beach, FLThe acft crashed in the gulf of Mexico while the plt was on a night x-country flt. The wx at the destination had been forcast to be IFR. However, in the area of the accident, witnesses stated the wx was good with no fog & it was a dark night. When the acft…NTSB LAX85FA160Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Shafter, CAThe accident occurred during a multi-enigne training flight. A witness stated he observed the acft initiated a single engine go around at about 50 feet above ground level and that it yawed to the left as full power was applied to the right engine. He further…NTSB LAX85FA159Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20-E · Oceanside, CAGnd witnesses reported the acft engine began to misfire shortly after departing ry 24 at Oceanside muni arpt Oceanside, CA. When the acft reached the departure end of the ry at ab out 100 ft AGL, the plt began a left turn. Prior to completing the turn, the…NTSB DEN85FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Cornville, AZThe acft was on a local flt with the owner/private plt & a student plt on board. While in aerobatic flt over a narrow canyon/gully area, the acft collided with & severed 3 power lines & a static line, located aprx 100 ft above the ground. The acft then…NTSB MKC85FA062Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Sunset Hills, MOThe acft was on a ngt instructional flt with 2 multi-eng instructor plts at the controls & a rated plt occupying a rear pax seat. The rgt fnt seat occupant was an experienced multi-eng plt with 110 hrs in this make & model; however, his 2NDCLASS med cert was…NTSB MIA85FA105Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Jacksonville, FLThe acft crashed & burned while attempting to return to the arpt after the pilot reported a power loss shortly after takeoff. A post crash exam of the engine did not reveal any evidence to suggest any failure or malfunction prior to impact.NTSB LAX85FA156Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Newport Beach, CAThe student plt took off on a dark night in marginal wx conditions with 2 passengers occupying the only passenger seat. About 17 min later, the acft was observed in a low pass over a pier at Newport Beach, CA, flying toward the open ocean. After crossing over…NTSB MIA85FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe Swift GC-1B · Rockledge, FLThe acft crashed into a field after experiencing a loss of pwr. Inspection revealed one of the two check valves inside the eng driven fuel pump was unsetted and wedged between the metal pump housing and the pump diaphram actuating plate. With the check valve…NTSB MIA85FA101Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20D · Punta Gorda, FLFlt departed on runway 9 and a witness reported seeing the aircraft shortly after this with its engine losing power and the pilot attempting to return to the airport, this witness then lost sight of the aircraft. The aircraft crashed one quarter mile from the…NTSB CHI85FA121Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Coldwater, OHThe flight departed without a pre-flight inspection, engine run up, or radio call on UNICOM. The aircraft was observed doing low altitude aerobatic maneuvers. Witnesses observed the aircraft nose over and impact the ground in a near vertica attitude from…NTSB CHI85FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Utica, MIThe pilot attempted a VOR approach and missed. He advised ATC he was going to attempt the NDB & if he could not see the rwy he would go to metro at detroit or pontiac. On the NDB approach the aircraft struck trees 960 ft below the moa. The aircraft flipped…NTSB LAX85FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJim Mckinstry Arestia Ganador · Marana, AZThe aircraft was observed to land fast from a low approach with its canopy open. The aircraft then veered right, and went over on its back at the edge of the runway where it burned. One counterweight had separated from the propeller hub assembly and was not…NTSB DEN85FA084Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC-65 · Chinook, MTThe airplane was observed to enter a shallow right climbing turn at about 200 feet AGL after making a low pass over friends. Witnesses said the airplane then stalled and dove to the ground. There was no evidence of airframe, eng, prop, flt control, or syst…NTSB ATL85FMG01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMcclellan J. Grote Dragonfly · Morrisville, NCThe owner/builder had prepared the acft for its 1st flt. This preparation included high speed taxi tests, a brake line repair & eng adjustments. Two 17.6 lb barbell weights were tied to the wing lift bulkhead with 5/16 inch hemp rope for purposes of weight &…NTSB MKC85FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Mena, ARThe pilot had been cleared for an instrument approach to themena, Arkansas intermountain regional airport. The airplane impacted a mountain side 8 1/2 miles off course.NTSB MKC85FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hot Springs, ARPilot had been cleared for an ILS approach to Hot Springs, Arkansas. After he crossed the initial approach fix, he said he was going to climb back above the clouds for just a second. He climbed 500 feet in the next 12 seconds, then started a fast descent. The…NTSB ATL85FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Burkes Garden, VAThe plt departed manassas without a current wx briefing or filing a flt plan. Plt had also left maps and a list of checkpoints at home. His route of flt was into an area of low ceilings and visibility. The acft crashed into a mountain at the 3850 ft level.…NTSB NYC85FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G90 · St. Mary'S, PAThe acft crashed during a log DME approach. According to ATC the acft crashed after making a procedure turn at the faf. The winds in the area were being called 250 degrees at 10 KTS gusting to 28 knts. A caution on the apch plate has a remark,-'precipitious…NTSB MIA85FA097Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Everglades City, FLThe acft departed the airport for a short flight to drop off one passenger. Shortly after takeoff witnesses stated that the acft started a shallow turn to the left in a nose high attitude. The acft continued to lose speed and rolled rapidly to the left at…NTSB ANC85FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Port Heiden, AKThis flt originated near becharof lake and was destined for cold bay. Acft crashed into the side of a mountain at the 7500 ft level, 23 miles left of course. Marginal weather conditions existed including a 35 kt right x-wind. Plt had flown the same route…NTSB FTW85FA117Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Healdton, OKThe acft collided at 4,500 ft MSL within aprx 15 degrees of head-on. VMC with 30 mi visibility existed with plt reported winds aloft as being light from the west. En route recorded data indicated that N39516 was on a true course of 180 deg and N1162N was on a…NTSB ATL85FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Cartersville, GAThe flt had not yet been scheduled when the plt retired for the evening at 2230 to 2300 EST. At 0230, he was awoken & notified to make a ngt cargo flt. The owner obtained a wx briefing & filed a flt plan, then briefed the plt later. The plt arrived at the…NTSB DEN85FA075Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Albuquerque, NMThe plt was flying his wife & her 4 friends to aspen, co for a ski vacation. Witnesses reported that during takeoff, the rgt baggage door opened. They observed the acft turn left onto a downwind with the landing gear extended. Eight witnesses reported the…