Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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 WPR21LA166Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Williams, AZThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in night visual meteorological conditions.NTSB GAA21WA081Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Canberra, AustraliaNTSB ERA21FA184Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna A188 · Pineview, GAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in collision with powerlines during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA21FA178Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Great Valley, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff.NTSB CEN21LA181Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Revolt · Seminole, TXThe student pilot’s loss of trike control while maneuvering at low altitude in gusting wind conditions, resulting in an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21FA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMagnus Fusion 212 · Conifer, COThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude toward a mountainous canyon, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid rising terrain, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.NTSB GAA21WA062Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Colon and El Marques, Queretaro, MexicoNTSB GAA21WA061Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna T206H · Quintana Roo, Mexico, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A-1 · Cave Spring, GAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a power line.NTSB WPR21FA143Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350-B3 · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s failure to adequately respond to an encounter with whiteout conditions, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the (1) operator’s inadequate pilot training program and pilot competency checks,…NTSB GAA21WA060Accident · 7 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 401 · Hermosillo, Mexico, MexicoNTSB GAA21WA056Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 208 · Ndetani, KenyaNTSB GAA21WA054Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · XIa Men City, ChinaNTSB GAA21WA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Leksand, SwedenNTSB ERA21FA154Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B36 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s likely activation of the auxiliary fuel pump to “high” for undetermined reasons during takeoff, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to an excessively rich fuel-to-air mixture. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s…NTSB CEN21LA151Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Palestine, TXA total loss of engine power due to the flight crew incorrectly placing the fuel selector between fuel tank detents, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a placard on the fuel selector, the lack of obvious fuel tank…NTSB CEN21FA150Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAviat A-1B · Berwyn, NEA loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain as a result of spatial disorientation during cruise in dark night conditions.NTSB GAA21WA040Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-28-161 · Acklin, BahamasNTSB ERA21FA148Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C23 · Purcellville, VAThe pilot's improper decision to depart from the short turf runway with a tailwind.NTSB GAA21WA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignWag-a-Bond Traveller Wag-A-Bond · Lac Barron QC, CanadaNTSB ANC21LA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Kodiak, AKAn impact with ocean waters for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA21WA037Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech B300 · Ji'an City Jiangxi Province, ChinaNTSB ERA21FA142Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Jupiter, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, resulting in an unsecured engine cowl that…NTSB GAA21WA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R22 · Bollena, ItalyNTSB ERA21FA140Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna R182 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into low instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA21LA141Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSteinman Mark E Lancair 320 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The airplane’s impact with water for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA21FA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV7 · Mayfield, KYThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of airplane control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA027Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-28-140 · Ilopango, El SalvadorNTSB ERA21FA133Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Vinemont, ALA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR21FA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Los Angeles, CAThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 6 exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN21FA130Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVelocity Vtwin · Janesville, WIThe exceedance of the maximum airspeed for flight with the landing gear extended, which resulted in a separation of the right main landing gear door that subsequently impacted the right propeller and resulted in a total loss of right engine power.…NTSB ERA21FA130Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · St Thomas, CBA total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of two of the stage 3 compressor blades. Contributing to the failure of the compressor blades was the failure of maintenance personnel to inspect the compressor at the recommended interval for operation in…NTSB WPR21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46R-350T · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot’s encounter with mountain wave activity with severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.NTSB GAA21WA035Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Culiacan, MexicoNTSB GAA21WA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAviat A1C-180 · Nanyuki, KenyaNTSB GAA21WA018Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignBell 206B · Courchevel, FranceNTSB CEN21FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Galt, MOThe pilot’s decision to takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions consisting of low ceilings and icing and his failure to remain clear of terrain while attempting to remain below the clouds, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21LA124Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 441 · Belvidere, TNThe pilot’s failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure by prematurely descending the airplane below the final approach fix altitude to fly under the low ceiling conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA21WA016Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Sefferweich, GermanyNTSB ANC21FA015Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 185 · Chitina, AKAn in-flight breakup during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB GAA21WA012Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Sao Felix do Xingu, BrazilNTSB CEN21LA121Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182Q · Hackberry, LAThe flight instructor did not maintain control of the airplane during training maneuvers, which resulted in a rapid, steep descent and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA011Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna T188 · Ourilandia do Norte, BrazilNTSB WPR21LA097Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170A · Port Angeles, WAThe total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel planning.NTSB ERA21LA111Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Boynton Beach, FLThe pilot’s controlled flight into the ocean at night due to his unrecognized spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with the tuning of his transponder while maneuvering over an area with reduced visual references.NTSB ERA21WA118Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 95 · Porto Nacional, BrazilNTSB WPR21LA158Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArbc Inc DBA Lindstrand 77A · Rio Rancho, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the balloon’s approach to landing, which resulted in a hard landing and fatal passenger injury when the passenger fell out of the basket.NTSB GAA21WA015Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignAir Tractor AT402 · Hoopstad, South AfricaNTSB WPR21WA091Accident · 5 fatalClass 4 · ForeignBell 430 · Ladysmith Kwa Zulu Natal Province., South AfricaNTSB ERA21WA110Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignMD Helicopter 369E · Pena Larga, Venezuela