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 NYC84FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 · Shelter Island, NYAcft level abt 3000 ft. engines sputtered. Acft descended in uncontrolled attitude. Tach 6.9 hrs since last fueling. Acft did not have shoulder harness or metal to metal seat belt buckle for pilot and copilot seats. Pilot biennial and medical not currentNTSB MKC84FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCulver LFA · Plattsburg, MOWitnesses viewed the acft in a nose high attitude at a low alt near the south end of rwy 18. The acft climbed a short distance, rolled to the left and descended nearly vertically to the ground.NTSB ATL84FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Terry Town, GAWitnesses observed the aircraft manuvering in the vicinity of the accident site at about 100 ft AGL. A second low pass was executed, terminating with a sharp pull up to a near vertical attitude. The acft climbed to about 300 ft AGL, the nose tucked under and…NTSB FTW84FA302Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-18LA · New Iberia, LAA plt witness observed the acft in a 20 to 30 deg dive at high speed just prior to the accident. He reported that at an alt of about 1200 to 1300 ft, the acft began a pull-up. As the pull-up was started, the outboard portion of the acft's left wing folded…NTSB DEN84LU007Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MXL · Granby, COReportedly, the plt was flying at low altitude over a lake & had to pull up to cross over a dam. After crossing the dam, he began to descend, but the ultralight vehicle collided with power lines on the down river side of the dam. The power lines were about…NTSB NYC84FA233Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Woodstock, NYAcft was on a VFR personal flight. Witness on mountain slope heard sounds of approaching acft, observed brief glimpse of acft wheel and wing through cloud and fog about 100 ft away, at tree-top level. A few seconds later. Witness heard eng sound cease.…NTSB LAX84FA382Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEntwicklungsgemeinschaft Phoebus C · Yermo, CAThe pilot encountered adverse soaring flight conditions during a long x-country attempt and was forced to divert to an intermediate airport. On a long glide to his selected landing site, the pilot encountered high powerlines. Turning to avoid them , he lost…NTSB DEN84FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWaco UPF-7 · Brighton, COThe plt departed casper, WY, at 0500 with full fuel tanks. At 0807 the plt landed at an air national guard base but declineed to refuel and departed at 0918. Only a trace of fuel was found in the acft wreckage. The acft had been aloft 3 hours and 34 minutes.…NTSB MIA84FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPeter A. Yarger Skybolt · St. Augustine, FLDuring a turn after takeoff the plt reported the control stick suddenly 'snapped back' to the full nose up position. The acft was at about 300 ft AGL when it stalled. The pilot who was in the back seat was unable to recover before ground impact. After the…NTSB LAX84FA378Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Richmond, CAThese two acft were flying between 1500 and 2000 ft AGL when they collided over Richmond, CA. N103PD was on police surveillance circling to the left. N95726 was on a x-country flying a heading of about 350 degrees. The collision tore the right wing tip off of…NTSB CHI84FA280Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Walbridge, OHDuring flt, the acft encountered heavy rain & the plt attempted to land at a nearby arpt. However, due to another acft on the rwy, he made a go-around. The surviving passenger (a boy) reported that the acft encountered turbulence, black clouds & rain.…NTSB CHI84FA278Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Winchester, INThe acft entered an embedded thunderstorm after being advised by artc of several large areas of heavy precip in his area& along the vicinity of his flt path. The plts response was that his acft radar showed no build-ups or returns. ATC allowed deviations at…NTSB SEA84FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Henderson, NVThe acft crashed shortly after takeoff on a very hot day when the acft was seen turning with the nose elevated. Witnesses noted a shudder of the airframe then the nose dropped. Official temperature was 106 degrees but arpt personnelreported the temperature as…NTSB MIA84FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · St. CroixShortly after takeoff, the acft crashed aprx 200 yards off the northwest shore of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin islands. Witnesses stated the acft appeared to be in straight & level flight with the eng running until it suddenly pitched straight down into the ocean.…NTSB CHI84FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172P · St. Joseph, MIPieces of wreckage and the body of the plt were recovered from lake Michigan aprx 4 mi sw of st Joseph. Wx at the dep arpt was VFR but deteriorated along the route of flt over the lake due to fog becoming IMC. A caution statement printed on the chicago…NTSB BFO84FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MX · Elkton, MDThe ultralight pilot had been practicing maneuvers that weredescribed as whip stalls which were not taught or authorizedbecause of the excessive 'g' forces imposed. An instructor checked his machine and warned him of the dangers on the day of the accident.…NTSB NYC84FA228Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B55 · N. Haverhill, NHA friend who observed the plt preflighting the acft saw him drain fuel from the sumps to check for water. However, he did not see the plt check the fuel level in the tanks. The plt taxied to the rwy, performed an eng run-up & took off. Shortly after lift-off,…NTSB MKC84FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Wright, ARDuring aerial application, the plt was making a left turn over high voltage power lines when the acft hit the cables, crashed & burned in a rice field. An exam revealed 2 wire marks & 2 electrical arc marks on the left wing along with wire marks on one of the…NTSB NYC84FU006Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Pfledgling · Canandaigua, NYDuring takeoff, the ultralight vehicle was observed to enter a steep climb. A witness stated that when it was climbing over the midpoint of the rwy, it entered a steep dive. The plt recovered from the descent & began another steep climb. After reaching about…NTSB DEN84FA207Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Englewood, COWitnesses stated the helicopter entered a 'hard left turn' into a near inverted position before 'it went down hard and fast.' Inspection disclosed the metal connection for the left cyclic stick was broken in half. (Plt was flying from left seat.) Exam of the…NTSB FTW84FA297Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStephens AKRO-MASTER · Killeen, TXThe acft collided with the ground following a low alt aerobatic maneuver while participating in an airshow. Investigation revealed the acft entered a snap roll at about 800 ft AGL, made one complete revolution in about a 20-45 deg nose down attitude, entered…NTSB ATL84FU006Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRitz A · Tullahoma, TNThe ultralight had been flown for 4 ftls and the plt upon landing mentioned a possible control problem with the owner and builder. The builder then took the vehicle up to show how fast it would go. After about 30 minutes of flt he dove atthe rwy in a full…NTSB NYC84FFA03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Glens Falls, NYA witness noted that, on takeoff, the acft appeared to be out of control. It entered a nose high attitude, then 'fell.' The plt recovered before the acft hit the ground, but the airplane 'oscillated in altitude until out of line of sight.' Subsequently, the…NTSB NYC84FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Boston, MADuring arrival, the flt was cleared for an ils/dme apch to rwy 27. While on the apch, the acft crashed in the ocean about 2.7 mi east of the rwy threshold. The plt reported that he was making the apch, using instruments, & landed short for unknown reasons. He…NTSB LAX84FA375Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Yorba Linda, CAAfter filing a VFR flt plan, the non-instrument rated plt took off during darkness. The tower was not in operation when he departed. After taking off, the acft was observed maneuvering at an estimated alt of about 200 ft. witnesses reported there was no wind,…NTSB DEN84FA202Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Albuquerque, NMAccording to arpt personnel the plt was known to perform maintenance on his acft. The plt was not a licensed A&P. According to witnesses, the acft tookoff and climbed to aprx 200 to 250 ft and the eng quit. The acft climbed 'a little more', then made a left…NTSB ATL84LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Summerville, SCA witness observed the aircraft as the pilot attempted a downwind takeoff. The takeoff roll was longer than normal. The aircraft was observed to become airborne about 2000 ft down the rwy. The aircraft never established a positive rate of climb but the nose…NTSB FTW84FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Minco, OKThe student plt had rented the acft. Records showed that he had flown this acft on previous occasions. The plt acting as instructor did not possess a current instructor certificate. There were no witnesses to the crash, but the acft was observed maneuvering…NTSB FTW84FA290Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGriffin FG-1A · Mt Pleasant, TXAccording to witnesses, the gyrocopter plt took off & turned onto a left downwind to stay in the traffic pattern for rwy 17. One witness stated that the gyrocopter turned onto final apch at about 300 to 400 ft AGL. Two other witnesses, who reside aprx 1/4 mi…NTSB NYC84FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCGS Hawk B · Neshanic, NJThis ultralight was being flown by a plt who had about 80 hours of flt time in a C-172 and C-150 acft. He had soloed, but most of his time was dual and the last recorded flt was about 11 years ago. There are no records of any flt instruction in an ultralight.…NTSB NYC84FA224Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Lincoln Park, NJThe acft collided with the ground shortly after takeoff. A following acft plt said the acft was slow and long on takeoffroll and stayed low after takeoff. The acft made a 90 degree right turn and then a 270 degree left turn and was about lined up to land…NTSB LAX84FA371Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Palos Verde Est, CAGnd witnesses obsvd helicopter into normal turn at 500 ft AGL followed by a violent rt turn. During the violent turn the tail rotor assy separated & the main rotor blades coned upwards. The helicopter went into a near vertical descent & crashed. Wreckage exam…NTSB DEN84FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Broomfield, COThe aircraft had been idle for 40 days and was refueled to capacity with 30 gals the night before the flight. Plt and pass were departed at 0819 for a scheduled 0830 meeting 150 miles away. On initial climb, plt reported a power loss. Acft observed to…NTSB ATL84FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHumer Unknown · Carrollton, KYThe ultralight took off from an airstrip and climbed to about 100 ft AGL. At this point the operator turned to the left and a witness noticed the wings rocking until a right turn was established. This turn continued until the vehicle hit the ground. The…NTSB FTW84FA288Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Quinlan, TXSeveral witnesses stated the acft 'buzzed them below tree-top level' before the accident. Witnesses also stated that the engine 'sounded like it cut out.' The acft impacted the ground in a steep left bank. Post accident inspection revealed no evidence of any…NTSB DEN84FA196Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Red Feather Lak, COAcft departed downwind into rising terrain with density altitude calculated to be 10,935 ft. acft was observed to mush into rising terrain 300 ft higher than and 3 mi west of the rwy.NTSB ATL84MA208Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Canton, GAThe acft with a student plt at the controls had an in-flt breakup during a night x-country flt. During a preflt wx briefing, he was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. The plt terminated the conversation before the briefing was completed. While in flt,…NTSB NYC84FA218Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Keymar, MDWitness stated acft was performing touch & go landings. On third or forth initial climb at about 300 ft AGL the acft began 'zigzagging.' The acft then entered a nose low atitude and descended to ground impact aprx 1/2 mile from the arpt. Inspection of…NTSB MIA84FU006Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportStorey SKY PUP · Indiantown, FLThe ultralight experienced an in-flight separation of the left wing. The wing separated at the wing attachment fitting. The plt & ultralight had a parachute attached but it did not deploy.NTSB CHI84FA255Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert B. Boston Glasair RG · Columbus, OHThe plt was on the 2nd leg of a flt to ferry the home-built acft to the lancaster arpt for further testing. After takeoff, he requested clearance to stay in the area for a few minutes. ATC asked him if he had a problem & the plt responded 'no, I just want to…NTSB SEA84FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Burley, WAThe non-rated plt was employed as an acft cleaner & had access to the ignition keys of several acft, including N6950J. Earlier during the evening, he was seen consuming beer. At about 0024 PDT, he took off from rwy 18. About 1 min later, the acft collided…NTSB CHI84MA249Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Cincinnati, OHPlt requested fuel from FBO but failed to make it clear what type he wanted. The FBO personnel misunderstood the plt's request and refueled the acft with 'jet a' instead of aviation grade gasoline. The plt did not monitor the refueling process and failed to…NTSB CHI84FA250Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Warren, MNN9367K was on departure and climbout to aerial application operations. N6533K was about to enter the traffic pattern to land and reload. Marks on respective airframes indicate N9367K was above and approaching N6533K from the latter's forward left quarter;…NTSB ATL84FA203Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCamair 480 · Cumming, GAAccording to witnesses, the acft crossed a highway after taking off, entered a left turn, descended & pulled back up, then went out of control & crashed. One witness indicated that the acft entered a spin prior to crashing. An exam of the wreckage showed…NTSB SEA84FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSorrell SNS-8 · Wenatchee, WAThe ultralight dove into the ground from 200 ft AGL with full power on. The plt had complained of chest pains and was under medication for dyspepsia. Some of the medicine was found in the operators auto. No evidence of pre-impact malfunction of acft or plt…NTSB NYC84FA214Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350D · Island Beach, NJThe on-demand air taxi flt departed for garden city with one pax. The reported weather at the aprx time of the accident indicated low clouds, thunderstorm activity including rain and lighting. One witness stated that he observed the helicopter flying at an…NTSB MKC84FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Golden, MOThe acft was flying low over trees when it banked steeply and spun to the ground according to a witness. The acft impacted the ground in an almost vertical nose down descent. The plt was a student who was on a local solo flt. No mechanical or physical…NTSB DEN84FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 100-180 · Franktown, COThe plt attempted to takeoff downwind (wind 310 degrees @22 knots) with a density altitude calculated to be 9190 ft MSL. According to the acft manufacturer, the acft would require 2,535 ft for a ground run. Rwy 17, a grass strip used for the takeoff was 1800…NTSB MIA84FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-188 · Elkton, FLThe aircraft departed the farm grass strip for a spray mission estimated to take about 20 minutes. When the aircraft failed to return the pilots business partner started looking for the aircraft and pilot. The aircraft was found about one and one half mile…NTSB DEN84LA186Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188 · Groton, SDDuring aerial application flight, the aircraft passed beneath two power lines. The top of the vertical fin and collision avoidance beacon light apparently made contact with the first wire, as they were found separated near that location. After contact, the…