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 MKC84FA174Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Broken Bow, NEWhile on an IFR flt at 6000 ft, the plt requested, and was granted a deviation around wx. Later, N335W informed denver ARTCC that they were going to get into some moderate turbulence for a little bit but that it looked like the light at the end of the tunnel.…NTSB SEA84FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Hammond, ORThe acft was seen first to make a turn to the north followed by a turn to the south. It then went into a nose down attitude and descended until it disappeared from view. The acft collided with the terrain. An investigation revealed no apparent malfunction…NTSB LAX84FA355Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBaugh-Hubert Varieze 100 · Red Bluff, CAA witness saw the canopy come open during the aircraft's initial climb. The aircraft entered a spin when the pilot attempted to close the canopy and collided with the ground. The cockpit area was crushed at during impact but the canopy had separated and was…NTSB CHI84FA239Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Middlefield, OHThe acft props touched the rwy during a wheels-up approach and the plt initiated a go-around with bent props. The acft climbed to about 100 ft AGL with less than full power. The wings began to rock,the left wing dropped and the acft fell straight down to the…NTSB FTW84FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Lone Wolf, OKWitnesses reported that the plt made a low pass by each of his 2 sons who were operating combines in a wheat field. After making the low passes, he pulled up in a steep climb. The acft then entered a steep descent & crashed. An exam of the wreckage revealed…NTSB ATL84LA199Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Hollandale, MSTwo acft were spraying same field. A farm hand was used as flagger to mark last crop row sprayed. Flagger used for last two seasons and briefed previously on flagging operations by the pilot/farm owner. Flagger was not briefed where to begin counting crop…NTSB CHI84FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Merrimac, WIThe acft crashed and burned after an in-flt explosion at about 75 ft AGL as the acft approached to land. The acft had experienced electrical problems of overheating generators and irregular voltage outputs on 2 previous occasions. The pltwas told after some…NTSB MIA84FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26E · Williston, FLThe acft was observed to enter a left base leg for rwy 4. The plt continued to fly the base leg heading & flew thru the final apch leg. The acft then entered a right bank, & after 180 deg of turn, it stalled & went into a right spin at an estimated 600 to 800…NTSB DEN84FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Cascade, COThe purpose of the flt was to qualify one of the plts to fly search missions over mountainous terrain. Such flts included maneuvering at low alt, but not below 500 ft AGL. During the flt, the acft crashed on the nortwest side of pikes peak at an elevation of…NTSB CHI84FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher AS-K13 · Stanton, MNThe tow plane and the sailplane it had towed to pattern alt collided on final approach of the pattern. The tow plane was supposed to follow the sailplane to land after it had dropped the tow rope. There was a low sun glare facing the towplt on the heading of…NTSB LAX84FA339Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rosamond, CAThe acft collided with rising terrain at the 4200 ft level about 3 miles south of elevations of 6800 ft. guards on duty within a mile of the accident site said the weather at the time of the accident was foggy with a light drizzle and northwinds of 35 KTS.…NTSB LAX84FA337Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Barstow, CAThe flt had originated somewhere in Mexico & was being tracked by dea investigators until radar contact was lost. In the vicinity of amboy, CA an anonymous caller had contacted the highway patrol & reported a low flying acft near amboy with no visible…NTSB NYC84FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Haverhill, MAWitnesses observed the acft on a high final apch to rwy 05 when a go-around was initiated over the rwy at aprx 50 ft AGL with the flaps fully extended. The acft climbed to aprx 100 ft AGL & then suddenly entered a stall, descended to the ground & crashed. The…NTSB DCA84AA027Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLearjet 23A · Windsor Locks, CTAccording to witnesses, the acft made a normal apch to rwy 33 with no apparent abnormalities. However, when it was about 200 ft over the apch lights, they heard an increase in the eng thrust & the acft's descent stopped. Two plt witnesses thought the aircrew…NTSB ATL84FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Laceys Spring, ALA non-certificated plt made a steep turn after takeoff. The acft then entered a dive & impacted the ground in a steep nose low attitude. No record of pilot proficiency was found. Acquaintances reported that the plt had no training other than the minimum…NTSB SEA84FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · North Bend, ORThe acft was cleared for an ILS rwy 4 apch while 9 miles north of oth (North Bend) VOR. Instructions were given to cross oth VOR at or above 3700 ft MSL. 14 min later, the plt reported to North Bend fss 'my needle doesn't seem to be moving on my localizer…NTSB FTW84FA264Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Houma, LAPlt was returning to home base of operations, executing standard visual approach along intercoastal waterway on westerly base heading prior to turn on final. Acft collided with overhead ground wires of power transmission array spanning the waterway at an…NTSB LAX84FA328Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Baker, CAThe acft was found where it had crashed & burned on a rough lava bed. The crash site was about 1 mi northeast of a road where drug smuggling acft had been known to land in the past. There was evidence that cocaine had been removed from the accident site. The…NTSB ANC84FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180G · Tyonek, AKTaking off from an abandoned road near a fishing camp, the Cessna turned back and descended with power on over his departure point, heading into the sun which was low on the horizon. It collided left wing to left wing with the Maule which had climbed out at a…NTSB LAX84LAMS3Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · CABetween may 31 & June 1, 1984, the private plt is believed to have driven to the airport, parked his car, & boarded his aircraft for a presumed personal flt. The plt's wife became concerned about her husband's failure to appear at work, & she notified local…NTSB FTW84LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell A-9B · Maringouin, LAThe plt was completing the first swath pass attempting to fly under a power line and between a tree and parked farm equipment. In a slight left turn under the power line, the right wing contacted tree tops aprx 30 ft AGL. The acft continued aprx 150 yards…NTSB MKC84FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Hills, IAThe acft impacted the ground in a 90 degree bank with the nose down about 20 degrees. The acft had been seen in a seriesof low alt dives and climbs. On this last climb over the trees a witness saw a wing suddenly drop and the acft disappear behind the trees.…NTSB FTW84FA258Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Fairview, OKThe acft had inflt structural failure and separation of some components and crashed in an inverted flat spin parts of the wing and aileron were never found. Some parts were found about 1/2 mile from the primary impact point. An autopsy onthe plt revealed the…NTSB DEN84FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BB-55 · Duchesne, UTAcft collided with a mountain at an elevation of 12,000 ft MSL. Wx at roosevelt, UT, 42 NM se of the accident site at 2030 MDT was estimated 7,000 ft bkn, 25,000 ft bkn, 40 miles visibility, 70 deg f, with cumulus nimbus clouds NE and se. Radar summary charts…NTSB FTW84LA256Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Hominy, OKThe acft collided with a radio tower guy wire while the plt was en route to reload. During the collision, the right wing was sheared off & the acft crashed to the ground & burned. The radio tower was located about 1 mi from the arpt.NTSB DCA84AA024Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportLockheed L-188 · Chalkhill, PAAfter departing the baltimore-washington arpt, the acft had climbed to FL 220. According to info on the cockpit voice recorder (vcr), the crew experienced gyro problems during the climb. They selected the #1 vertical gyro to drive both approach horizons…NTSB DEN84FU006Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWeedhopper B · Beresford, SDThe ultralight was observed flying when it suddenly nosed down and crashed. One witness said he thought he heard the engine quit running before the nose down. The acft impacted in a vertical nose down attitude. Investigation showed that the pistons were…NTSB ATL84LA290Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Rockwood, TNThe acft crashed in an area of rising terrain at about the 1800 ft level. About 1 mile away the ridge line rose to an elevation of 2500 ft. when the acft was observed overflying the Rockwood arpt aprx 3 miles from the accident site the ceiling was about 1200…NTSB ANC84FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Nome, AKNumerous witnesses observed the acft flying at low alt & behaving in an erratic manner. According to 3 witnesses, the plt buzzed persons fishing on a local river, an occupied roadhouse & vehicles on 2 roadways. Subsequently, the acft crashed on soft terrain…NTSB MIA84FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver GT · Lithia, FLThe ultralight crashed in the backyard of a friends house as the plt circled at low alt while waving and shouting to be seen. The acft appeared to witnesses to stall before falling on the right wing to the ground from about 50 ft AGL. The engine continued to…NTSB LAX84FA319Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe two acft collided after N1920Y declared his intention to takeoff and was airborne aprx Half way down the rwy. The other acft was in a steep descent at mid-field when he dove into N1920Y. Both acft then crashed uncontrolled into the ground from an alt of…NTSB MKC84FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Kearney, NEDuring return to arpt from a local flight, the plt diverted to observe property of a personal friend, located along a river bank. The plt was making a right turn about 200 ft AGL at 40 to 50 KTS airspeed when vibration was felt in the anti-torque pedals & the…NTSB FTW84FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Kinner, LAThe plt stated he lost eng pwr after departing the new orleans int'l arpt. The flt was unable to return to the arpt. The acft crashed in the waters of lake pontchartraih about 1 mile from the arpt. The wreckage was located and marked with a buoy. Due to high…NTSB FTW84FA242Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE35G · Wewoka, OKThe plt was not current in IMC operations nor was the acft certified for instrument lft. After obtaining a wx briefing which forecast a chance of thunderstorms along his route, the plt departed on a x-country. En route the plt contacted Oklahoma city efas and…NTSB DEN84FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLet L-13 · Edgewood, NMWitnesses reported that the acft appeared to be too high, too fast, and in a crab as it approached the rwy. Over the rwy the glider was observed to roll into a right turn as the nose came up. Shortly thereafter the right wing struck 3 parked acft and collided…NTSB ATL84FU004Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportUltraflight Lazair II · Blichton, GAThe ultralight was low and flat during an approach to land. The acft was aligned with a tree, and according to witnesses, there was no evasive maneuver to avoid the obstruction. The vehicle collided with the tree about 40 ft alg and fell to the ground. No…NTSB ATL84FA184Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Fayette, ALThe acft collided with the ground in a near vertical nose down attitude after being observed by witnesses to pitch down during cruise flt. This acft & plt flew earlier in the day with an instructor who had to recover control of the acft after the plt allowed…NTSB MKC84FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Camdenton, MOWitnesses observed the acft flying low over a lake. As it approach the home of the plt's parents, the acft's wings moved as though waving, then the acft entered a steep climb. After reaching its maximum height from the pull-up, the acft rolled into a steep…NTSB DEN84FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Broadus, MTDuring the initial takeoff climb in a westerly direction a severe wind gust from the south occurred at an alt of aprx 150 AGL. The plt turned the acft to the south and a rapid increase in alt of aprx 60-70 ft occurred. The wind stopped suddenly and the acft…NTSB NYC84FA184Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Bloomsburg, PAThe acft collided with pwr lines during an attempted go-around. Witnesses stated the acft was nose low until just prior to touchdown when it pitched up. The acft bounced into the air and touched down on the nose gear. The acft 'rocked side to side' on the rwy…NTSB MIA84FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · St.Petersburg, FLAccording to witnesses, the plt did at least one complete roll prior to the accident. They stated that after rolling at about 100 ft above the water & parallel to the beach, the acft appeared to bank very steeply to the left, then pitch down into the water.…NTSB NYC84FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-45 · Taunton, MAN812Z crashed in a wooded area about one mile southeast of the Taunton municipal airport. Witnesses in the area observed the acft prior to the crash. One witness saw what appeared to be yellow smoke coming from the bottom of the acft. Some of the witnesses…NTSB MIA84FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The student was on the 3rd leg of a solo, x-country flt. On the 2nd leg, he asked for a df steer to reach the arpt. During lunch, he discussed the situation with his instructor, who was at the arpt with another student. The solo student departed at 1455 EDT,…NTSB ANC84FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Sleetmute, AKAccording to witnesses, the plt made 3 low passes at some boats in Sleetmute slough. They estimated the passes were at 5 to 10 ft above the water, then the plt would pull up in a steep climb attitude, execute a 180 deg turn and make another pass. After the…NTSB NYC84FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210E · Glen Burnie, MDBefore the flt, the plt was observed performing maintenance in the eng compartment. He was known to do some of his own maintenance which included stopping an oil gasket leak by using a sealer. While climbing after takeoff, he turned back to the departure…NTSB ANC84FA073Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Platinum, AKThe herring season was to open at 1600 hrs. According to witnesses, about 30 acft were circling in left turns over merging schools of herring while the plts & their respective boat crews were awaiting the opening signal. The acft were circling under a low…NTSB SEA84FA111Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Portland, ORThe plt was briefed on the weather along his intended route of flt & VFR flt was not recommended. The acft departed vancouver, WA, and flew to tigard, OR. It was observed to depart tigard at about 1810 PDT. Numerous witnesses reported that at about 1815, they…NTSB NYC84FHD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 337 · Coatsville, PAAfter touchdown about 2,000 ft down the 4,600 x 100 ft rwy the acft bounced back into the air. Witnesses observed the acft rt wing drop causing it to veer to the rt toward a line of parked acft. 900 ft from initial touchdown the acft impacted rt wing first in…NTSB LAX84FA304Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrubaker Q-2 · Corona, CAThe plt of a quickie Q-2 had returned to the arpt & made 2 low passes, then began a normal apch to rwy 25. When the Q-2 was on a low final, the plt of a Mooney acft turned onto the rwy & began taking off. At about that time, a ground witness heard the…NTSB FTW84FA237Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Tulsa, OKA witness stated it appeared as though the plt was attempting to perform a precautionary landing on a highway. As the acft reached the highway, the witness heard the engine accelerate to 'full power' and saw the acft pull up. The acft contacted the top static…