Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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.
Cases, newest first
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 GAA21WA174Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Mitungyy-Meru, KenyaNTSB GAA21WA130Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 188A · Inmediaciones Municipio Paz de Ariporo, Casanare, ColombiaNTSB WPR21FA211Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTextron 172S · Eden, UTThe flight instructor’s improper aeronautical decision-making, which led to an encounter with a downdraft at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and resulted in the instructor’s loss of airplane control and an impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21FA234Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 501 · Smyrna, TNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN21FA239Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPZL Warszawa-Okecie PZL-104 · Pearland, TXThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the presence of a drainage ditch between the runway and taxiway.NTSB CEN21FA238Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair Evolution · McDermott, OHThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid airframe icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane performance and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight break-up.NTSB WPR21FA210Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMark Coby Early Bird Jenny · Stoneville, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.NTSB GAA21WA133Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Hay South, AustraliaNTSB ERA21FA233Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBhi H60 Helicopters UH-60A · Leesburg, FLThe failure of the water tank snorkel support structure, which allowed the snorkel to contact the main rotor blades. Contributing to the accident was insufficient Federal Aviation Administration oversight of the supplemental type certificate process for the…NTSB ERA21FA232Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Crossville, TNA partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat following the initial loss of engine power.NTSB WPR21FA203Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDassault Mirage F-1 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on approach and failure to fly a traffic pattern track consistent with a no-flap configuration. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane’s flaps to extend while in the…NTSB ERA21FA229Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMunson Roger J RV-8 · Van Cleve, KYA loss of engine power due to loss of engine oil pressure.NTSB GAA21WA122Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna F172 · Abzac, France, FranceNTSB CEN21FA230Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSub-Sonex JSX-2 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the water while performing aerobatics, resulting in the airplane’s impact into a lake. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to perform aerobatics at low altitude.NTSB ERA21FA225Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportFlight Design Ctsw · Winterville, NCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.NTSB ERA21FA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Myrtle Beach, SCThe mechanic’s inadvertent installation of the elevator trim tabs in reverse, which resulted in the pitch trim system operating opposite of the pilot’s input and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN21LA225Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH58A · Ulysses, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during the aerial application flight, which resulted in collision with the power line and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA223Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502A · Clayton, LAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control resulting in an aerodynamic stall while executing a steep turnaround during an aerial application flight.NTSB GAA21WA116Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignRobinson R66 · Dvina Bay, RussiaNTSB CEN21FA220Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · St. Louis, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate visual lookout to ensure clearance from the radio tower and its guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unnecessary use of his mobile device during the flight, which diminished his attention/monitoring…NTSB GAA21WA120Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignStorm Fury RG · Mucia, Spain, SpainNTSB GAA21WA114Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLegacy 2000 · Oberramsern, SwitzerlandNTSB GAA21WA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Estepona, SpainNTSB ERA21FA212Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportTed Smith Aerostar 600 · La Belle, FLThe pilot's inadvertent shutdown of the left engine following an intentional shutdown of the right engine while practicing one engine inoperative (OEI) procedures. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct OEI training at low altitude.NTSB CEN21FA209Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMitsubishi MU2B · Hattiesburg, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the night instrument approach which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall from which the pilot was unable to recover.NTSB GAA21WA104Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Durban, South AfricaNTSB GAA21WA100Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Rio Bravo, GuatemalaNTSB ERA21FA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Wingate, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in tail rotor impact with the power line, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB CEN21FA207Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T210M · Oxford, IAThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s capability and his decision to attempt to takeoff from a field, which resulted in collision with a power pole/line and terrain.NTSB ERA21LA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36 · Lakeland, FLThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB GAA21WA099Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Monterrey, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Eden, NCThe impact of the main rotor blades with the tail boom during low-altitude maneuvers, which severed the tail rotor drive shaft and resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21FA194Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Middleburg, FLThe pilot's decision to depart from a soft grass runway with a tailwind, which resulted in an increased takeoff distance and subsequent impact with trees during the initial climb.NTSB GAA21WA101Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Grasmere, South AfricaNTSB CEN21LA204Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Slaughter, LAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.NTSB GAA21WA095Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Fundo, VenezuelaNTSB CEN21LA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAeropro CZ S R O A240 · Richmond, INThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN21FA199Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Port Aransas, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR21FA175Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSwearingen SA226-T(B) · Winslow, AZThe loss of engine power to the right engine for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB GAA21WA088Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAgusta A119 · Nuevo Laredo, MexicoNTSB ERA21LA191Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN21FA198Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Danville, ARThe pilot’s improper decision to continue flight in an area of moderate-to-heavy icing conditions, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s anti-icing system capabilities, a degradation of aircraft performance, and subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA21WA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignVans RV7A · Columbia, AustraliaNTSB WPR21FA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportConsolidated Vultee BT-13A · Camas, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aborted landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA086Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignSikorsky S76C+ · Oak Cheon Goon, South KoreaNTSB ERA21FA189Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Brownsville, TNThe student pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a rapid uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the self-induced and external…NTSB GAA21WA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignLearjet 35 · Belo Horizonte, BrazilNTSB CEN21FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 340A · Tatum, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR21LA161Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S12 · Colville, WAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid powerlines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper…NTSB GAA21WA076Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-31-350 · South Bimini, Bahamas