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.
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 FTW84LA166Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · W Camrn Blk 624The pilot and passengers boarded the helicopter in an attempt to fly off the rig before the passage of a squall line. The acft engine was being started when the acft was blown off the platform and into the water by a gust of wind. The acft impacted the sea…NTSB DEN84FA223Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Questa, NMThe acft collided with rising terrain at the 12500 ft level. The summit was about 200 ft above the crash site. A friend of the plt was interviewed by the iic from NTSB. This friend was the host of the 3 accident victims for the weekend at his gunnison ranch.…NTSB ANC84FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Galena, AKThe plt took off on a reported low level hunting trip. During the flt, the acft crashed on snow covered terrain near a group of trees. It came to rest in a near vertical, nose down attitude with crushing damage on the nose & leading edges of the wings. There…NTSB DEN84FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Craig, COWitnesses observed & heard the plt making an apch & subsequent go-around or pass over the ground at the arpt. Heavy fog conditions existed which were below IFR minimums. The plt failed to realize higher terrain exsisted north of the arpt. The acft collided…NTSB NYC84FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · South Paris, MEBefore the accident, the plt was last seen on 3/9/84 at 1530 EST & had not expressed any intentions of flying. At 1730, his car was located at the arpt & his acft, which had been kept there, was gone. The acft was found on 5/24/84 where it had crashed on…NTSB MKC84FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTeratorn Acft Tierra II · Lexington, NEThe plt had flown from callaway to Lexington, NE, earlier in the day. After a short visit, he departed on a return flt. A search was initiated when the acft did not return. About 5 hrs after the estimated time of the accident, the acft was found where it had…NTSB LAX84RA248Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150L · Seoul, South KoreaNTSB DEN84FA307Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112TCA · Missoula, MTThe pilot had filed an IFR clearance. While taxiing to takeoff, he requested and received a clearance to climb VFR on course, via victor airway 2, with instructions to report when reaching 10,000' MSL. This was the last communication received from the pilot.…NTSB NYC84FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Scriba, NYAcft was located, after a 4 day search, in a gravel pit 8 miles from point of departure. Wreckage examination revealed acft collided with terrain in vertical descent with nil forward speed. Investigation of power plant revealed no evidence of torque or power…NTSB NYC84FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172Q · Meadville, PAPlts were briefed on snowstorm advancing toward destination, departed in hope of arriving ahead of wx. Encounting IMC conditions (snow) enroute, plt filed IFR and continued. Communications transcript indicates that when eng began to lose power, plt used carb…NTSB MIA84FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSigers Ritz Model A · Macclenny, FLThe ultralight nosed down and dove into the ground from cruise flt. Engine sound increased during the dive. From 200 ft AGL to the ground impact. No malfunctions in equipment were found during the investigation. The plt had a history of dizziness from a head…NTSB DEN84FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-400 · Saratoga, WYDuring a night x-country after a 16 hour day the airline captain flying his own acft home collided with a mountain at the 10000 ft level. The weather was VMC but the winds aloft were strong and would have blown the acft towardthe mountain had no wind…NTSB LAX84FU025Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWizard J-3BR503 · Lake Elsinore, CAThe acft collided with the ground in a past vertical inverted position. The wings failed in negative load after the plt lost control in pitch with the airspeed decreasing and stalled into a dive. The plt was on his first solo flt and his instructor was…NTSB ATL84MA114Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Cullman, ALPlt cleared for night NDB rwy 19 apch to folwom field. Erratic radar track drg procedure turn and inbd intercept. Witnesses described 200 ft ceiling and reduced vis in fog at airport. Other witnesses observed acft on northbound course,followed by turn to west…NTSB ATL84FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Manassas, VAThe accident occurred on missed approach at night in weather conditions below the destination minimums after aprx 5 hours and 25 minutes of flight. Performance computations indicated the accident occurred at or near the time of projected fuel exhaustion.…NTSB NYC84MA102Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Cumberland, MDApprox 16 min prior to the accident the plt was cleared for the localizer DME approach. The acft collided with the mountainous terrain on a hdg of about 220 degrees at approx 8.5 DME on a bearing of 051 degrees from the arpt. As indicated on the loc/dme rwy…NTSB ATL84FKG05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Madison, GAThe acft collided with a car while landing on an airstrip at night. The car had been parked on the strip & an occupant in the car was fatally injured. An illicit substance was found aboard the acft & it was confiscated by law enforcement officials. Rain & fog…NTSB MKC84FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Harrison, ARThe plt encountered a thunderstorm during a night x-country. The plt was being vectored by the controller to avoid the worst of the storm. After about 2 minutes memphis center heard the acfts call sign shouted over the radio. Further attempts at radio…NTSB DEN84FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MX · Libby, MTAccording to witnesses, the ultralight vehicle was on an apch to the arpt when it entered a left descending turn & continued the turn until impacting a tree. One witness said the plt was bent over forward. Reportedly, the plt made no movements with his hands…NTSB SEA84FA065Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Lewiston, IDThe acft crashed in mountainous terrain while the non-instrument rated plt was on a flt in marginal wx conditions. An investigation revealed that the acft had impacted in a steep nose down, high speed descent. No preimpact/mechanical problem was found. About…NTSB NYC84LA329Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206A · North Hudson, NYAn inflight collision with trees in an area of high terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's decision to takeoff after he received a briefing advising, 'VFR flight not recommended', the dark night conditions, and snow showers.NTSB MKC84FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Oconto, NEAfter attending a business conference at muncie, IN, the plt received a wx briefing & took off at 2026 CST on a flt to des moines, IA, where he refueled. In a phone call to his wife at their home in north platte, NE, he indicated the wx was such that he would…NTSB ATL84FA111Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-301T · Goodway, ALPlt received two weather briefings prior to departure. He was told of an approaching cold front but the fss briefer stated 'if you go now, it'll be fine.' The plt departed on the VFR flt to hickory, NC, and did not file a flt plan. Radar info obtained during…NTSB SEA84FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Stevenson, WAThe plt initiated a flt in weather with low visibility, rain and fog. The plt had reportedly checked the weather but decided to fly anyway. About 30 minutes after takeoff while the plt was maneuvering at low alt, the acft crashed in a river. The acft sank in…NTSB SEA84FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Middleton, IDThe acft collided with the terrain during a test flt. Witnesses observed the acft rotate about 180 degrees about its vertical axis go nose low and descend vertically to the ground. A noise change described as a 'sputter' or tone change' was heard during this…NTSB CHI84FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Wheeling, ILA go-around was initiated about midfield at what one witness estimated as 6 in above the rwy. The acft was between 20 and 50 ft above the trees when it rolled into a steep right angle of bank with the nose dropping simultaneously. Post crash fire destroyed…NTSB MKC84FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31P · El Dorado, ARThe acft crashed into trees 2 miles short of the rwy during an instrument approach in IMC weather. A plt in the right front seat said that just prior to impact, the acft was descending at 2500 fpm, & when he looked ahead, he saw trees. Hesaid he yelled at the…NTSB DEN84FTM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportKeith A Smith KR-2 · Salt Lake City, UTThe acft collided with a mountain ridge in a flat'pancake'attitude,no evidence of foward motion was apparent and all thewreckage was confined to the immediate area. The wooden prop was intact with the exception of 2 inches missing from the end of one blade,…NTSB CHI84FA119Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152-II · Manhattan, ILThe acft was observed entering a spin from a nose high attitude from which it failed to recover. The student pilot was seen waving to his family as the acft circled in the vicinity of his parent's home. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or…NTSB DEN84FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-III · Coalville, UTThe helicopter was equipped with 'bear paws'. Snowshoe-like devices on the skids to distribute weight on soft surfaces. The bear paws on this acft rotated freely around the skids, not tightened down as per design spec. Also, bear paws are not approved for…NTSB CHI84FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310K · Monticello, INAfter taking off, the acft was observed to climb to about 400 ft AGL, then enter a steep left bank. The acft then leveled off & rolled out on a downwind that was angling toward the rwy. On downwind, the aircrew transmitted that they were 'coming back.'…NTSB ATL84FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Bluefield, WVWhile cruising on an IFR flt at 10,000 ft, the plt informed atlanta center that he had an eng problem & was declaring an emergency. He was provided a heading to the Bluefield arpt which was nearby. When asked about the problem, he said the left eng was…NTSB SEA84FA060Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Kent, WAAt about 1345 PST, the plt of a Cessna 172N, N4603F, departed crest airpark, Kent, WA, on a local pleasure flt. Aprx 5 min later, the plt & 1 passenger of a float equipped Cessna 180, N4908A, took off from lake meridian, Kent, WA, & were also on a local…NTSB MIA84FA092Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Sarasota, FLShortly after takeoff the acft entered a descending left turn, struck a wire, a car, and a tree before contacting a building and exploding. A passenger reported that the stall warning horn had activated at least twice during the initial takeoff climb prior to…NTSB ATL84FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Hamilton, ALThe acft collided with trees aprx 6 miles east of marion cty arpt and aprx 17 NM sw of the flt depat pt and also the plt's home arpt. The plt had earlier that day told the haleyville arpt mgr that he would return to haleyville the same day as dept. The acc…NTSB NYC84FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Beverly, MAA commercially rated plt (student) was receiving multi-eng training from an instructor plt (CFI). The student stated that on final apch to landing, he noticed the airspeed was slow when the CFI shut down the right eng by using the mixture control. The acft…NTSB MIA84FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · St. Petersburg, FLPrior to departure the plt noticed thunderstorms & lightning to the north of the arpt. He stated that immediately after takeoff he remembered a flash of light & a noise. His next recollection is impact & being in the water. The area around St. Petersburg at…NTSB LAX84FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Thousand Oaks, CAThe helicopter collided with 2 cables supported by 150 ft tall twin towers. It then went out of control & crashed into a 15 ft deep drainage ditch & burned. The plt had been cited on 2/20/84 for 'careless & reckless operation of an acft.' Another person who…NTSB FTW84LA145Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Abbeville, LAThe plt was employed as a professional corporate & charter plt; however, he had not flown agricultural acft in several years. He had receently purchased half interest in the air sevice & was on his 1st refresher flt since then. While the plt was practicing a…NTSB MIA84LA089Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P-210N · Key West, FLDuring his wx briefing the plt was given the flight precautions & enroute forecast along his proposed route of flt. Enroute at 14,000 ft the plt advised ARTCC that the flt had encountered rime ice. The controller cleared the flt to descend to 12,000 ft & the…NTSB SEA84FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-J3A5D · Mountaindale, ORThe acft crashed during an instrument approach to hillsboro airport. Witnesses reported seeing the acft below a very low overcast sky condition prior to impact. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the stabilator failed in overload before the point of…NTSB LAX84FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Livermore, CAWhile on a night x-country flt, the acft collided with the ground near the top of hilly terrain at an elevation of about 1840 ft. the time of the accident was not known, but the acft had departed groveland, CA at sometime between 1900 & 1930 PST. Witnesses in…NTSB DEN84FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Franktown, COThe acft was observed circling for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, pwr decreased and the acft descended. During descent an occasional burst of pwr was heard. When the acft neared the ground it nosed up & down along with an increase in eng pwr. Witnesses stated…NTSB NYC84FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPanaplane Pappillon · Pepperell, MAThe airman took off on his first solo flt after one and one half hours of ground instruction and no flt instruction. Theflt proceeded after a normal takeoff to turn left at about 50 ft AGL to avoid a hanger. After a precise 90 degree turn, the acft continued…NTSB FTW84FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportUltraclassics Bearcat 150 · Abita Springs, LAThe airman tookoff for a personal flt, and after circling, made a desending high speed pass over the arpt. He then pulled the vehicle into a climb and began a roll. About 2/3 through the roll, the vehicle's nose dropped and it dove into the ground. The nose…NTSB ATL84FA105Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Dawson, GAA failed cylinder head assembly resulted in a total power loss very shortly after takeoff. Witnesses observed the aerial application acft at 30-50 ft AGL over the rwy before it pulled up steeply, rolled and entered a near vertical uncontrolled descent to…NTSB CHI84FA112Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23A · Oaktown, INAcft stalled & crashed after a pwr loss during night x-country flt. Plt radioed a 'mayday' call after reporting 3 mins earlier he had 30-45 mins of fuel remaining. Indianapolis ARTCC was giving flt assistance to N3639Q & advised the flt ofan arpt at 'your two…NTSB MIA84FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Cooper City, FLWitnesses saw the acft in a spin prior to impact. They stated that the plt was seen doing practice airwork in the area.NTSB ATL84MA101Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Charlottesville, VAWhile proceeding on an IFR flt plan, the plt requested he be assigned an alt below 8000 ft due to 'a passenger with an ear problem.' Otherwise, the en route portion of the flt proceeded without incident. During arrival, the plt was cleared for an ILS apch to…NTSB ATL84FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47GL · Cullman, ALThe plt had just completed an eng overhaul & was test flying the helicopter. While maneuvering at aprx 100 ft AGL, the eng lost power & the plt initiated an autorotation. During the landing, the helicopter impacted hard on rising terrain, rolled onto its side…