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 SEA84FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Diamond Lake, ORThe acft was on a flt from sacramento, CA to vancouver, british columbia, via red bluff, klammath falls, eugene, portland & seattle. During a wx briefing at 0545 PST, the non-instrument rated plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. However, he filed…NTSB LAX84FA258Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7AC · Skull Valley, AZThe acft had been flown on several local flts, earlier that day. The last known flt originated at the ernest j love arpt, prescott, AZ, at 1600 MST. Subsequently, it crashed near the departure end of rwy 02 at the quarter circle 'j' arpt, which was in the…NTSB CHI84FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Gary, INVFR plt received 2 wx briefings, filed an IFR flt plan and departed in night IFR conditions. Aprx 1 min after contacting chicago ARTCC plt reported he was having 'problems.' Aprx 1 min later plt reported, 'nine nine victor, I'm breaking up.' Acft wreckage was…NTSB NYC84FA129Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Burlington, CTThe acft crashed in a steep right descending turn shortly after takeoff. The student plt flying the acft had been scheduled to fly that day but the instructor canceled the flt on account of weather. The acft was seen taxiing out ABOUT1230. After takeoff the…NTSB MIA84LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5A · Clearwater, FLShortly after takeoff, the acft crashed into the ocean. VMC existed at the arpt but dense low ocean fog was reported at the crash site. Some acft debris was recovered.NTSB MIA84FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114A · Key West, FLThe acft took off from rwy 27. Several witnesses stated the acft appeared unusually slow during the initial climb. The plt reported to the tower he had a problem & was going to 'come around.' The acft entered a right turn and appeared to stop climbing at 200…NTSB LAX84FA255Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFolke Wulf 1903A · Livermore, CAThe acft crashed after stalling during the initial climb after takeoff. The plt had called on the radio to say he was 'going to come back around.' When asked by the tower if he wwas declaring an emergency he did not answer. The acft reportedly was making a…NTSB ATL84LA144Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrown, R. M. JR. Monnett Moni · Kill Devil Hill, NCThe acft was the 4th acft to take off of 7 scheduled to make a formation fly-by of the wright brothers national memorial. As the acft took off to join up for the flt, a thick low fog bank rolled in. The other acft departed the area, but the plt attempted to…NTSB LAX84FA253Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSturges BD-5B · Mckinleyville, CAAfter the acft took off, witnesses observed it enter a left turn, pitch nose up, then enter a rolling/vertical descent & impact at the edge of a surf. An exam of the wreckage & eng revealed no evidence of a preimpact/part failure or malfunction. A test plt…NTSB NYC84FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1C · Marlboro, NJPilot and pax departing 2170 ft rwy at near max gross weight pax stated it didnt appear as if they were going to clear high tension power lines located about 2400 ft from rwy end. Pilot made left turn and impacted unmarked wires about 600 ft left of extended…NTSB LAX84FA251Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Kamuela, HIThe acft with 4 occupants on board was being used on a sight-seeing flt to mauna loa volcano. The plt was in radio contact with hilo tower from 1503 to 1506 HST. He indicated concern about the clouds & decided not to proceed to the volcano. When the acft…NTSB FTW84FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Houston, TXWitnesses heard the sound of an acft with the eng at high RPM. Shortly after that, they saw the acft in a left spin with the eng remaining at full power. The acft continued spinning until it crashed & burned. The witnesses noticed that when the plane was…NTSB NYC84FHM05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 182P · Clarkstown, NYStudent plt stated he informed the CFI during takeoff that the acft would not continue to climb. The CFI then took control of the acft. Witnesses stated the eng seemed to stop and the acft entered a glide, banking to the left from aprx 150 ft AGL. The left…NTSB NYC84FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Johnstown, PAThe acft took off with a center of gravity bet 95.45 & 95.71 inches aft of the datum & aprx 98 lbs below the max allowable gross weight. The max aft CG limit for all weights was 94.6 inches. Wx at the aprx time of the accident was 400 ft ceiling, light…NTSB MKC84FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Memphis, MOThe acft broke apart during a x-country flt. Some thunderstorm activity & turbulence existed along parts of the planned route of flt. However, there was no known adverse wx in the vicinity of the crash site. About 25 mi southwest at kirksville, MD, the 0745…NTSB SEA84FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Baker, ORThe plt encountered airframe icing while en route during a x-country flt. He had filed an instrument flt plan to boise, ID, but en route, he changed destinations twice, 1st to ontario, OR, then later to Baker, ID. At 1820 PDT, he reported icing & turbulence…NTSB ATL84FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Nw.Of Abingdon, VAThe acft crashed into a mountain at the 4000 ft level about 100 ft below the crest en route to chattanooga, TN. The plt had received a pre-flt telephonic briefing that was considered current and appropriate for the flt without any special remarks. At…NTSB FTW84FA190Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 · Jennings, LAA popping or backfiring sound was heard by several people who later observed the acft flying at low altitude on what appeared to be a final approach to rwy 13 at Jennings arpt (located about 75 mi sw of the departure point.) No radios were onboard the acft so…NTSB FTW84FA189Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355F · W Cameron 540While the plt was taking off from an unmanned rig, the tail section of the helicopter contacted a rotating beacon support bracket on top of a crane structure. The crane structure was located below the elevation of the landing pad. The helicopter then crashed…NTSB ANC84FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Houston, AKThe acft collided with the ground in a near vertical dive. Prior to the accident, witnesses heard the eng at hi power until moments before impact. They reported the wx was cloudy & cool with light rain beginning to fall, mixed with snow. They reported the…NTSB MKC84FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Fayetteville, ARWhen the plt received a wx briefing at 1012 CST, he was advised that the wx at his destination (Fayetteville, AR) was an estimated 600' overcast, vis 4 mi with light drizzle & fog, but the wx was forcast to begin to improve in about 1 hr. He took off & during…NTSB MIA84LA128Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Marathon, FLThe acft was missing after departing on a flt from maraton, FL to everglades city, FL. Sar personnel found the bodies of the plt & 3 pax, but the acft was not found. It was presumed to have been destroyed during a crash in the gulf of Mexico.NTSB MIA84FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascender II · Palm Bay, FLThe plts of 2 ultralight vehicles were accompanying each other & were flying west at 500 ft AGL in calm air when an acft crossed ahead of their flt path. The acft was estimate to be flying at about 140 KTS & aprx 40 ft above the ultralights' alt. The…NTSB FTW84FA180Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5(205) · Beaumont, TXThe acft was flown into IMC wx after the flt had been advised by the wx service that VFR flt was barely feasible. No wx briefing by FAA was recorded & no flt plan was filed. The accident occurred during the hrs of darkness. A witness near the accident site…NTSB MKC84FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Garden City, KSThe plt departed kendallville, IN, at about 1800 EST & made a refueling stop at topeka, KS. At topeka, he obtained a wx briefing for a flt to pueblo, CO, his intended destination, & was advised of marginal VFR to IFR conditions on his proposed route. He then…NTSB MIA84FA126Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Missing Acft, MSThis Acft disappeared on a flt from ft lauderdale, FL to bimini, Bahamas. After departure, the Acft flt plan was activated by radio. This was the last communication with the Acft. An itap radar readout revealed an Acft flt that departed at the appropriate…NTSB ATL84IA137Incident · 2 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Parkersburg, WVAfter an unscheduled landing due to the condition of a patient aboard the acft, the acft turned off a taxiway into the grass and stopped. Rescue personnel found the plt incapacitated from a heart attack and collapsed over the controls and the nurse…NTSB MIA84FA122Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Mineral Springs, FLThe acft collided with trees and the ground during flt in adverse weather. There is no record of the plt receiving a pre-flt briefing and no flt plan was filed. Witnesses heard an acft flying low followed by a loud thud. About 16 mi north at sarasota, FL, the…NTSB CHI84FA142Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Portage, MIDuring a return flt to traverse city, MI, the acft was observed flying at 'tree top' & 'roof height'. In the vicinity of the crash site, the acft was observed maneuvering. It entered a dive a tree top level, then made a sweeping 270 deg turn to about 500 ft…NTSB ATL84FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Atlanta, GADuring takeoff, the plt radioed that a door had popped open & he needed to return. According to a plt witness, the acft had climbed above treetop level when it started to lose alt. Another witness said the acft leveled off & started to sink, then the nose…NTSB NYC84FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · E. Hanover, NJThe acft was observed as it made a low pass over the end of the rwy, then pull up in a roll and/or vertical maneuver. One witness said that on the downward side of the maneuver, the acft appeared to stall or shudder. Before recovering, the acft impacted in a…NTSB NYC84FA117Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Champion, PAN23968, crashed into trees shortly after takeoff from rwy 27 at seven springs airport. Plt told the resort manager of seven springs that he could not seem to get airborne & after he did get airborne he could not clear the trees. Investigation revealed the…NTSB NYC84FA114Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Oneonta, NYThe acft crashed in a wooded area after the loss of eng power. The wx was VMC. The plt made a missed approach after trying to land on rwy at Oneonta, at 1838 hrs. Later the plt radioed that he was unable to 'pick up' the kring beacon. Boston center vectored…NTSB ATL84FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Fletcher, NCDuring takeoff the left eng lost power shortly after the landing gear was retracted. The plt stated that he felt the loss of power at about the same time that he turned off the landing lights. With the left eng manifold pressure gauge reading 25 inches hg,…NTSB NYC84FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H-18 · Morrisonville, NYThe plt landed on the ice and snow covered rwy after loading 1512 lbs of cargo in freezing drizzle conditions, he taxied for takeoff for an IFR departure shortly after rotation, the right wing dropped and the acft touched down back onthe rwy. Visual exam of…NTSB MKC84FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36 · Webb City, MOThe plt was advised by springfield tower that icing conditions existed along his proposed route of flt. However, he elected to takeoff, & about 4 min later, the plt advised that he had encountered rime ice. He continued the flt to joplin, picking up more ice…NTSB MKC84FA110Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Gasconade, MOThe plt landed at an arpt where, by his own description, the wx was near zero in rain. He then received 2 wx briefings. During the 1st briefing the plt indicated that he could make the flt IFR. The plt was advised of a SIGMET for severe icing conditions at…NTSB MIA84FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAlleva Starduster SA300 · Lakeland, FLThe owner/builder of the acft & his wife were flying at aprx 800 ft AGL when the plane rolled to a near inverted attitude & entered a dive. Before entering the maneuver, the plt was observed waving to friends & acquaintances who resided in the area. Before…NTSB NYC84FA110Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed 18-56 · Oneonta, NYAt aprx 2330 EST, witnesses near the crash site heard an acft, & shortly thereafter, they saw a flash. One of them, who was driving a car, went back to the area the next day & found the acft wreckage. The acft had crashed & burned about 1 mi from the apch end…NTSB FTW84FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Kiefer, OKThe acft was destroyed as it spun into the ground after having been observed doing aerobatics between 800 and 1500 AGL. The maneuvers included barrel rolls and hammerhead stalls. The last maneuver ended in a spin that was said to last ABOUT5 turns before…NTSB FTW84FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Bristow, OKJust prior to the accident, the acft was observed to make a low pass down rwy 35 in slow flt. The acft then entered a steep climb at the end of the rwy to an alt of 200 to 300 ft AGL. It then turned left onto a crosswind leg of the pattern, the left wing…NTSB MKC84FA103Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Springdale, ARAbout 3 minutes after takeoff the acft was observed coming out of the 400-600 ft overcast sky in about a 75 deg nose down, right wing attitude. It impacted a 4-strand high voltage powerline prior to impact with the ground. The plt had received his instrument…NTSB MIA84FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwanson/Bensen B-8M · Dunnellon, FLThe student plt was told by the owner of the acft to only taxi the acft & not to fly it. During the 6th taxi maneuver it became airborne. It climbed to about 200 ft AGL where the plt made a 180 deg turn, followed by a 90 deg turn, followed by another 180 deg…NTSB LAX84FA220Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American T-28B · Rialto, CAPlt was authorized by acft owner to test fly the acft around the traffic pattern with a local FBO owner on board. Plt made 3 flts, last of which culminated in the accident. On the first and third flts, unauthorized passengers were on board. FBO owner stated…NTSB SEA84FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Humphrey, IDWhile on a x-country flt, the acft entered an area of rising terrain & blowing snow & the plt initiated a turn to reverse direction. During the turn, he encountered reduced visibility & the acft collided with the top of a knoll on snow covered rolling…NTSB NYC84FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Groton, CTThe plt received 2 wx briefings prior to departing & both called for low ceilings. During arrival at the destination, the plt requested & was cleared for an ILS apch to rwy 5. While on the apch, the acft collided with a small tree & crashed. The wreckage came…NTSB SEA84FA068Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Hood River, ORAfter crossing the dalles at 12,500 ft MSL, the plt reported to ARTCC he was entering solid clouds. He subsequently reported level at 3,000 ft MSL followed by 'if ah we can't stay VFR we'll go ahead and climb up to about five and file IFR.' The acft was…NTSB MIA84LA114Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Sanibel Island, FLThe acft failed to arrive at its destination. A satellite photo of the area showed wx & cloud cover between the departure & destination arpts. Radar data showed that an acft had left key west, FL, at about 1700, went northbound at 4500 until it encounter bad…NTSB MIA84FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGross Benson B-8M · Sanford, FLThe student plt & the plts of 2 other benson gyrocopters took off from a private strip & proceeded to fly in a loose formation. The plts of the other 2 gyrocopters did not witness the accident, but noticed that 1 of the 3 was missing. Witnesses on the ground…NTSB LAX84FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Clovis, CAThe plt had called his girlfriend to say he was going to fly over her house an that he wanted her to wave at him as he flew past. In flying low over her house the plt waved and yelled loud enough to be heard on the ground. A friend said that during a…