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 DEN84MA247Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Fort Lupton, CODuring a preflt wx briefing, the plt was advised of thunderstorms & intense rain showers on the route of flt. However, he filed an IFR flt plan & took off. During flt, the ATC controller advised the plt of a level 6 cell ahead & noted that he had no report on…NTSB LAX84FA422Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Honeydew, CAFlt 101, a domestic cargo operation crashed at about 2400 MSL in a steep forested mountain valley. The acft & its cargo,consisting of bank documents & photographs, were destroyed. The plt sustained fatal injuries & no suitable specimens were available for…NTSB CHI84FEI01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell-Olympic Helicopters 47G2 · Toledo, OHThe helicopter was being used to photograph an office building. The photographer stated that after each flt of about 10 min, the plt flew the helicopter to the left & center of the landing pad, a few feet above the ground, then moved the acft sideways to the…NTSB BFO84FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAmerican Aerolights Eagle XL · Smithfield, VAThe plt of the ultralight vehicle, a student, was in radio contact with his instructor thru use of a portable hand-held UHF transceiver. About 10 min after takeoff, the instructor asked him to return to the airstrip for a practice power off landing. During…NTSB FTW84FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Del Rio, TXThe non-instrument rated plt took of at night approximately 30 min prior to the accident. Ground scars indicated that the acft impacted the crest of a rocky hill while in a steep nose down, right wing low attitude. The elevation of the crash site was about…NTSB FTW84FA329Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Lake Charles, LAAt aprx 250 ft ag., according to witnesses, eng sounds indicated that power was reduced to idle. The acft rolled into a steep left descending turn followed by the application of power just prior to impact. The CFI was known to have given other students…NTSB DEN84FA242Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Park Valley, UTNewly certificated pvt plt departed on a moonless night for a VFR flt. Route of flt was over a desert like environment where there are no visual cues for attitude reference. Acft wreckage was found the following day. Acft impacted tundra inverted at a high…NTSB LAX84FA421Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Meadview, AZPurpose of the flt was s sightseeing tour of lake mead, hoover dam and the western rim of the grand canyon. Before reaching the canyon the flt was to travel over a 5500 ft MSL ridge. The helicopter contacted a juniper tree at the bottom of a 3-sided canyon at…NTSB LAX84FA420Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Willows, CAThe acft was observed to pitch up from a level flight attitude from about 300 ft AGL. The acft then pitched down & impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude.NTSB LAX84FA447Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Garberville, CAThe acft collided with trees & ground during climb after takeoff on a dark night in mountainous terrain. The wx is not considered to be a factor since the wx was VMC at the time & place of the accident. It was a moonless night and the areaof the crash…NTSB CHI84FU007Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCollins Fisher FP-202 · Ludington, MIThe ultra-light was constructed by the pilot and two other persons. This group had no previous experience in aircraft construction. This was the third known flight for this aircraft. It had been flown two days prior to the accident and an adjustment to the…NTSB CHI84FA315Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Sandwich, ILPilot attempted to takeoff with 7 passengers in a six place acft. The acft was 187 lbs over gross wt and 1.54 inches out of aft c.g. the pilot tookoff downwind and collided with trees at the end of the rwy. There was a post crash fire.NTSB MKC84FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSims - Basset Varieze · Clarinda, IAWitnesses observed a ground run of aprx 2000 ft before lift-off was achieved after which the acft appeared to climb laboriously to about 100 ft AGL. Acft then executed steep, descending rt turn of about 240 degrees back toward the arpt. Acft collided with pwr…NTSB LAX84FVM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportE.L. Griggs Q2 · Hollister, CAThe acft passed over the arpt twice after departure with the engine popping and backfiring. A witness who heard this radioed the plt to warn him. The plt replied that he was trying to correct it with the mixture control. The plt was also advised that his…NTSB FTW84FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Bedias, TXThe non instrument rated plt penetrated a severe thunderstorm in which turbulence was labeled as severe or greater. There was no pre or in-flt wx briefing. The aircraft broke up in-flt and was consumed by post crash fire. Investigation revealed evidence of…NTSB CHI84FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportIntermountain Mfg. Callair A-7 · Newfolden, MNThe acft crashed after completing two passes over the field being sprayed. Before takeoff the acft was loaded with 80 gals of liquid insecticide. The plts brother, who was acting as a flagman, said that the acft 'started to spiral to the ground' after…NTSB SEA84FA185Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland Beaver DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKThe plt flew into a canyon with a climb-out gradient in excess of the acft capability and collided with the upsloping terrain. The plt said he had hit a downdraft and turned away from the rising terrain just as collision occurred. Surviving passengers do not…NTSB ANC84LAMS1Accident · 5 fatalFinal reportCessna 401 · Anchorage, AKAt 0630 AKDT the plt obtained a wx briefing for the flt which forecast VFR with occasional marginal conditions along the route of flt. At 0704, the plt obtained an updated briefing at which time the destination of cantwell was reported IFR. At 0731 AKDT, the…NTSB FTW84FA321Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Dallas, TXWitnesses observed the helicopter circling a 523 ft, free standing, communications tower. After circling several times, helicopter passed close to the tower & a main rotor blade struck it at the 451 ft level. The outboard portion of the rotor blade separated…NTSB CHI84FU008Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMattison MAC Ultralight · Three Lakes, WIThe recently purchased ultralight was taxied for about 40 minutes prior to the new owner trying his first flt. He had been advised by the former owner to make short hops at low altitude during a familiarization period. The former owner wanted to be present…NTSB CHI84FA308Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Little Falls, MNThe acft collided with the ground during a takeoff attempt. The low time plt was using a grass rwy for the 1st time without an instructor. The acft was rotated prematurely and assumed a nose high attitude. According to one witness the acft was 'behind the…NTSB MKC84FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 36-375 · Bertrand, NEN3930E and N3968E had departed as a flight of two for aerial application. There was no record of preflight briefing or coordination planning. At completion of operations on the object field, N3930E advised N3968E by radio that he was making a final cleanup…NTSB MIA84FA206Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Zolfo Springs, FLDuring the pre-flt wx briefing, the non-instrument rated plt was advised of numerous thunderstorms along his proposed route of flt & that VFR flt was not recommended. While en route, he contacted miami center, requested flt following & was instructed to…NTSB SEA84FA178Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSperling BD-4 · Henderson, NVWitnesses reported observing the acft depart to the ssw toward the mountains. The acft made a series of turns and banks to avoid a group of thunderstorm cells (air mass thunderstorms) in a direction of interstate highway 15. The acft was reported to have made…NTSB MKC84FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBobby Wayne Watkins Mini Coupe · Nashville, ARThe builder/owner/plt had flown the home built acft for about 10 mins on its 1st test flt which was made a few days prior to the accident. On third flt, he took off on rwy 01, climbed straight-out for awhile, made a left turn to x-wind leg & started a…NTSB LAX84FA415Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-300 · Tau, AntarcticaThe acft crash landed after the plt used flaps and power to semi-control pitch after the elevator down control cable failed at about 300 ft AGL on final approach. The left wing of the acft hit the terminal roof during the stall mush FROM50 ft AGL. The company…NTSB LAX84FA407Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Goleta, CAThe plt radioed to the santa barbara tower that he was 'without power' & was going to attempt to land in an open field. However, during the forced landing, the acft collided with trees aprx 50 ft short of the field. An exam of the eng revealed that the fuel…NTSB BFO84FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Selbyville, DEThe student pilot and one passenger departed on the flight without a wx briefing despite the existence of low ceilings and rain. Witnesses related hearing the engine accelerate and seeing the acft start a climb before it broke up and impacted the ground.…NTSB ANC84FA119Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-21A · Ouzinkie, AKN2021A departed kodiak, AK, at 0904 AKDT under a special VFR clearance. Two other plts stated N2021A was then circling over monashka bay while waiting for the wx over the narrow strait to clear. At 0920 AKDT the plt of N2021A stated to one of the other plts…NTSB CHI84FA303Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Birchwood, WIDuring flt, the plt transmitted to ARTCC 'we've got a problem, we're losing altitude.' The controller provided a vector to the nearest arpt, but shortly after that, the plt stated that he would not be able to reach the arpt. The plt did not inform ARTCC of…NTSB ATL84FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-1B · Greenwood, MSWitnesses observed the acft become airborne and accelerate low over the rwy. At the end of the private strip the acft entered a 30 to 40 deg nose high attitude climbing to aprx 1,000 ft. the acft then rolled right as the nose dropped and continued to roll…NTSB NYC84FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Nantucket, MAThe acft disappeared after departing on the return leg of a x-country. The plt had called the operator at the home base and reported that IMC weather existed for the return. The plt was informed that the acft was not needed and he did not need to hurry back.…NTSB MKC84FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorgan T. Melton SKY Rider · West Plains, MOThe owner/bulder stated that he & his brother had been having an eng problem which they assumed was due to a vapor lock. They had installed a metal box around the electric fuel pump to insulate it from the heat of the exhaust pipe. The brother initiated a hi…NTSB LAX84FA405Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Mesa, AZThe helicopter experienced a main rotor drive system disconnect, an uncontrolled descent & subsequent inflight collision with terrain in a hilly desert area. This was the third & last in a planned series of marketing demo flts conducted for three USMC…NTSB SEA84FA175Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Elko, NVAbout 5 min after taking off on rwy 23, the plt reported on a downwind leg of the traffic pattern. Shortly after that, the acft crashed about 2 mi south of the arpt while on a southerly heading in a left wing low attitude. During impact, the left wing tip hit…NTSB NYC84FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Newcomb, NYThe flight was operating in accordance with f.a.r. part 135.the plt filed a VFR flt plan and was cruising at an altitude of 5,500 ft when clouds were encountered. The plt attempted to descend to 3,500 but collided with the santanonimountain at an elevation of…NTSB ANC84FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Cantwell, AKImpact occurred at the 3,600 ft level on a steep slope of mountainous terrain. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported by pilots as well as ground personnel in the area. Loose and unstable terrain conditions limited the investigative effort.NTSB SEA84FA173Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna Wren 182G-460 · Winlock, WAThe Cessna 182 was equipped with a wren conversion for stol operations. The plt took off from an agricultural field toward the southwest with 3 passengers on board. Subsequently, the acft collided with trees beyond the departure end of the takeoff area, after…NTSB MKC84FA218Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEagle DW1 · Kimball, NEThe acft collided with a microwave tower 158 ft AGL while the plt was making a smoke trail to test the wind. As the plt was seen to look back along his smoke path, the acft collided with the tower. The cables supporting the twr & the twr destroyed the acft…NTSB LAX84FA396Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTravel Air 4000 · San Miguel, CAGround witnesses reported that this & another acft were engaged in a mock 'dogfight'; both acft were circling the accident area between 500-800 ft AGL & neither acft was negotiating any aerobatic maneuvers. The plt stated that during a descending 30 deg right…NTSB NYC84FA240Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105C · Rehobeth, MAThe messerschmitt-blohm-boelkow BO-105C was on an air ambulance flt with a plt, 2 additional crewmembers (doctor & nurse) & a passenger (patient) on board. During flt, the plt radioed that he had lost power in 1 eng, then about 14 sec later, he radioed that…NTSB DEN84FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Carbondale, COThe plt was performing aerobatic maneuvers in a P-51D that had been modified for racing & exhibition. Witnesses near the accident site stated that the acft had just completed several aerobatic maneuvers before it began a vertical climb. The climb was…NTSB NYC84FNE03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper J4A · Gardner, MADuring climbout, plt noted slight pwr loss, applied carb heat & eng regained pwr. On removal of carb heat, pwr loss (aprx 200 RPM) again occurred. Application of carb heat again resorted pwr but plt elected to turn back to field and land. During turn, plt…NTSB LAX84MA392Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Concord, CAThe Piper PA-31T was a foreign registered acft (federal republic of germany). The owner/plt in the left front seat held a german commercial certificate with airplane instrument, single eng land & multi-eng land ratings. The plt in the right front seat held an…NTSB CHI84FA290Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJerry D. Fish Drifter · Columbus, INDuring flt, the plt was performing aerobatics & did a series of loops. While maneuvering, the left wing folded upward & the acft, an experimental ultralight, entered a descent & crashed. An exam revealed that the left wing had folded over the eng. Evidence…NTSB CHI84FA289Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander Callair A-9 · Pullman, MIThe acft crashed while practicing aerial application maneuvers. The plt of the acft had been interrupted at the refueling pump by an acft which was awaiting a chemical reload. The student crop dusting plt, who was also a loader, left the refueling area to…NTSB SEA84FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Ventus A · Ephrata, WAA 'gaggle' of about 7 gliders were maneuvering in a climb when N919R climbed into the group. The plt of N17KS said he saw N919R closing and increased his angle of bank to about 100 degrees to try and avoid a collision. The leadingedge of the left wing of…NTSB LAX84FA389Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Randsburg, CAPlt attempted to land on a 1200 ft long airstrip. He landed the acft with a tailwind and touched down aprx 600 ft from the apch end of the rwy. The acft skidded off the right side of the rwy and collided with a caterpillar tractor. The four occupants were…NTSB DEN84FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Peetz, COPlt had completed spraying around farm buildings for insect control. On first pass in crop area, the acft was observed to pull up over pwr lines at end of swath run but collided with overhead ground wire at top of multi- wire array. Acft then collided with…NTSB LAX84FU029Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportUltralight Soaring Wizard J-3B · Lake Elsinore, CAThe Ultralight was observed by witnesses to be circling, then performed what was described as a 'barrel-type' maneuver. During the maneuver, the right wing collapsed and the acft spiraled to the ground in an uncontrolled descent. During theinvestigation of…