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 LAX84FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 (205) · Schurz, NVThe acft was on a crosscountry flight in VFR conditions. The non-instrument rated pilot encountered instrument conditions at night and lost control of the acft in flight. The post crash investigation revealed evidence of an inflight structural failure due to…NTSB FTW84FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Aubrey, TXThe purpose of the flt was to give a bfr to the private rated plt who had not flown for about 1 year. There were no witnesses to the accident. The plt stated that he could recall doing basic airwork during the flt, but could not recall any details of the flt…NTSB FTW84FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman FM-2 · Houston, TXThe plt had purchased the wwii fighter about a week before the accident & it had been flown several hours during the last few days before the accident. The plt intended to shoot touch-&-go's on this flt. After takeoff the acft was observed to remain in the…NTSB DEN84FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Hanksville, UTThere were two pilots aboard this acft which impacted in a steep nose down attitude on a plateau at 5000 ft MSL. Flight control continuity was established. The pilot was recently certificated & his class iii medical had expired. The second pilot held a…NTSB ATL84FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Knoxville, TNAcft stalled during a steep climbing turn after takeoff.NTSB DCA84AA002Accident · 10 fatalFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS-748-2A · Pinckneyville, ILAbout 1.5 min after departing springfield, IL, the fltcrew reported a slight electrical problem, but they continued on course. About 33 min later & a few min before the acft should have reached its destination, the acft crashed. Impact occurred while the acft…NTSB MIA84FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Cornwell, FLThe acft was found with a large amount of burned marijuna onboard & the cargo door open.NTSB SEA84FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Near Challis, IDThe acft collided with trees at an elevation of 8560 ft MSL. The crash site was on the east side of a ridge & aprx 30 to 40 ft below the ridgeline. The ridge ran northeast-southwest & formed the west side of dry canyon. The plt stated that the eng lost power…NTSB MKC84FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Sullivan, MOThe acft collided with trees during an attempted go-around from a precautionary/forced landing. There were no radio calls from the pilot but evidence discovered in the engine tear down revealed internal problems. The magneto had broken and the oil pan…NTSB FTW84LAMS1Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Gulf Of MexicoThe acft disappeared on a flt over a part of the Gulf Of Mexico south of corpus christi in an area of thunderstorm activity. The storms were densely packed and it was considered unlikely that VFR flt could be conducted in the area. Theaccident acft was in…NTSB CHI84AA016Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportKemmeyer Sonerai II · Battle Creek, MIThe plt flew the home built acft from Battle Creek to marshall, MI to talk to friends. After about 30 min, he took off without refueling. Shortly after the acft departed, a witness on a golf course heard the sound of the eng. He looked up & saw the acft in…NTSB ANC84FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Egegik River, AKThe plt flew the acft with 4 passengers to a dirt/gravel strip near the Egegik River & becharof lake, aprx 45 mi south of king salmon, AK. The plt was aware that the operator (ft richardson flying club) prohibied the operation of its acft into unapproved…NTSB MIA84FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Venice, FLImmediately after takeoff the plt radioed on UNICOM that his cowling was coming open & that he was returning to the field. Other plts waiting for takeoff reported seeing that acft enter a left turn between 200-300 ft AGL & become very slow. One of the plts…NTSB LAX84LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Varieze · Pacifica, CADuring flt, the eng lost power. Witnesses observed the plt make a forced landing on a shoreline. The acft touched down on beach sand, the main gear separated, then the fuselage skipped along the sand/surf for about 250 yds. Before stopping, it impacted a…NTSB FTW84FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 195B · Alanreed, TXA recovered flt log indicated a route of flt via tulsa, OK; klahoma city,OK; sayre,OK; amarillo, TX; then tucumcari,NM. While taxiing for takeoff at the departure arpt, the plt received a wx briefing along the route to Oklahoma city. The accident site was 44…NTSB DEN84FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Kim, COThe acft collided with the ground in a wing down nose low attitude. The plt had been advised that VFR flt was not recommended for his route of flt. The non-instrument rated plt went anyway and encountered weather. In maneuvering to get below or out of the…NTSB MKC84FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Springfield, MOAt 2346 CDT, Kansas city center provided the 2251 CDT Springfield wx & advsed the plt to expect vectors for an apch to rwy 1. Vectors were provided until 0006;50 CDT, when center advised that radar contact was lost, 3 mi south of the outer marker compass…NTSB LAX84FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175B · Burbank, CARelatives expected the plt to return home on the evening of 10/4/83. When he did not return, relatives report the acft was overdue. The acft was found where it collided with a mountain at an elevation of about 3580 ft, 10 mi north of the destination arpt.…NTSB MIA84LA007Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T-210-J · FLThis acft is missing on a flt from andros town, Bahamas to ft. pierce, FL. After departure the acft contacted nassau to file a VFR clearance and called miami fss to report 60 DME east of ft. lauderdale in heavy rain. The plt requested information on how to…NTSB MIA84FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKimbal Dyke Delta JD2 · Punta Gorda, FLThe homebuilt acft was observed flying northeast ovr the east side of charlotte county arpt at abt 1000 ft. witnesses stated that the acft pitched downward and entered a spin into the ground. Wreckage examination revealed that the wing bonding material…NTSB CHI84FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320Q · Malinta, OHThe plt was on a night x-country flt to position the acft at defiance, OH. In the vicinity of Malinta, OH. Several witnesses heard and/or observed the acft circling for aprx 5 to 10 min. About 1/2 of those who heard the eng sounds saidthe engs were sputtering…NTSB LAX84FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Snow Water Lake, NVThe acft collided with the terrain in a high speed wings level descent at night after encountering weather and icing at flt level of 13000 ft. the plt was in contact with salt lake center until 5 minutes before radar contact was lost and gave no indication of…NTSB FTW84FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · La Porte, TXCessna 152, N6281Q, & Piper PA-38, N9132A, were both on local, solo student flts. The plt of a 3rd acft, who was holding short for takeoff on rwy 12, observed the Cessna 152 & Piper PA-38 on final apch. Recognizing the potential for a mid-air collision, he…NTSB NYC83FA260Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Livermore Falls, METhe acft collided with trees during a go-around at night in a ground fog. The plt had called his wife and discussed the weather. He decided on an alternate arpt if the weather created problems. He had flown into bowman field many times at night and knew the…NTSB ATL84FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Pliny, WVThe helicopter was being used in the construction of elect transmission lines. A 150-FT longline cable had been utilizedon an earlier flight for lifting external loads. However, there was no reason for the longline to be attached on the accident flight as the…NTSB MIA83FA242Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 560E · Matacumbe Key, FLThe acft crashed in the water in an isolated area of the Florida bay while in a near inverted, left wing low, nose down attitude & at a high rate of descent with slow forward speed. The landing gear were down & locked, & the flaps were extended about 10 degs.…NTSB ATL83FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A150L · Ringgold, GAThe acft was observed buzzing a truck stop, partially owned by the plt, at low altitude. The acft then stalled & spun into the ground. Some of the witnesses observed the plt waving & one witness said it appeared that the plt was leaning out the window…NTSB FTW83FA441Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Leesville, LAEarlier in the day the four occupants of the acft had been reported to the sheriff's dept as being drunk at a lounge near zwolle,LA. After landing at the Leesville arpt the acft ran off the asphalt bending both ends of the prop blades. The occupants attempted…NTSB CHI83FA445Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182B · Constantine, MIThe non-instrument rated plt was on a x-country flt on a dark night. During the flt, the acft crashed in a corn field. Just prior to the initial impact, there was aprx a 15 deg descending angle cut thru the corn in the direction of flt & a 30 deg angle cut to…NTSB CHI83FA441Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Bethany, ILPrior to this flt, the plt had contacted a fss & inquired about the wx. He was advised that VFR flt to terre haute, IN, was not recommended. He took off at about 1830 CDT. The plt again contacted the fss & inquired about the wx at burlington, IA &…NTSB NYC83FU011Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCGS Hawk · Huntington Mill, PAWitnesses observed the home built, ultralight vehicle as the plt was making a turn from downwind to final apch. They reported that the bank angle became steep as the plt was making a left turn. Subsequently, the vehicle entered a nose down attitude & crashed…NTSB CHI83FA440Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Raymond, ILDuring a wx briefing at 1433 CDT, the plt was advised to expect 500 ft ceilings, 2 mi visibilities, rain showers & thunderstorms. He then took off from bismark, MO with no flt plan. Reportedly, wx was encountered during the flt which deteriorated as he…NTSB ATL83FA378Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Benson, NCAprx 3 mi south of the crash site, a witness saw the acft flying northbound along a railroad track. He reported that the acft was flying below tree top level & the eng was running smoothly. A short time later, another witness aprx 1 1/2 mi further north, also…NTSB NYC83FA256Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Burlington, VTAcft had been parked on ramp at syracuse for aprx 5 days with partially full tanks & exposed to rainy wx. According to the plt, there was no evidence of water during preflight. Plt taxied to another area where 40 gals of fuel was added. Flt from syracuse to…NTSB LAX83FA458Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU206-G · Flagstaff, AZThe acft collided with trees shortly after takeoff. The weather was marginal with 700 ft scattered, ceiling 3000 ft WITH8 miles visibility. The plt received two weather briefings about an hour apart while waiting for weather improvement. The briefer commented…NTSB DEN83LU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksiver E (Modified) · Sioux Falls, SDAfter takeoff, the plt of the weight-shift controlled, ultralight vehicle entered a steep climb, then began a series of maneuvers which included past vertical wingovers. Reportedly, on his last maneuver, he performed a whip stall. A ground witness stated that…NTSB DEN83FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Encampment, WYA low pass was made over a fishing pond so the front seat plt could wave at his father. According to the plt's father, the pass was below the level of the tree tops. In attempting to pull up sharply to avoid the trees, the acft was banked steeply and stalled.…NTSB DEN83FA221Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Salt Lake City, UTThe acft crashed in an uncontrolled descent shortly after takeoff. A witness noticed the acft in a tail low attitude at low alt and slow airspeed. He said the plane looked like it was shifting from side to side. The left wing dipped. The acft rolled to the…NTSB ATL83FA377Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-23 · Battleboro, NCThe acft spun into the ground short of the rwy on final approach. This glider was towed aloft and flew in the local area for over an hour prior to the accident. A witness observed the glider enter the traffic pattern, turn base and overshoot the turn to…NTSB SEA83FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Eastsound, WAThe acft collided with the glassy water during a low alt maneuver. The acft was observed by witnesses to descend from about 100 ft in a flat attitude,touch down,skim along the water then the nose pitched down and the acft nosed over. The occupants were…NTSB CHI83FA438Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBensen B8M · Paoli, INShortly after takeoff, the gyrocopter crashed on the west side of rwy 02/20. Witnesses observed the acft turn to the right after lift-off, then it disappeared behind trees. They reported hearing an unusual noise & stated that the eng stopped operating, then…NTSB LAX83FA456Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Patterson, CADuring a x-country flt, the acft crashed into rising terrain in a semi-box canyon in the diablo range. The crash site was at an elevation of aprx 1200 ft MSL. The canyon tops ranged from 1500 to 1700 ft. according to a farmer residing 2 mi west of the…NTSB NYC83FA253Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Arkville, NYPrior to taking off, the plt advised company personnel that he planned to fly vfr-on-top at 8500 ft MSL. He planned to depart at 1400 EDT, but did not specify his route of flt. When the acft did not arrive, a search was initiated, it was found where it had…NTSB LAX83FA455Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Lake Genevieve, CADuring cruise flight the acft encountered a downdraft while flying in mountainous terrain. The pilot lost control of the acft & it crashed. The pilot was student pilot rated only & had not been endorsed for this flight. He also was carrying a passenger who…NTSB LAX83FA453Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKecskes DER Jager D-1X · Clearlake Oaks, CAThe acft collided with the ground while performing low alt aerobatics at a private ranch strip. This show had become a regular wed morning event to entertain guest. According to witnesses the acft had done rolls loops and pull-ups. After a low pass the acft…NTSB CHI83FA437Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJilek-Smith Miniplane DSA-M3 · Rush City, MNThe plt was performing a high speed taxi test on rwy 33 when the acft became airborne. After lift-off, it climbed to an alt of aprx 50 ft & went into a left turn. It continued in a nose high attitude until it turned about 180 deg then crashed. One witness…NTSB ANC83FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Valdez, AKThe plt had tried to fly to silver lake, earlier that morning, but had to abort the mission due to low ceiling & visibility. When he had returned at 1110 adt, the ceiling had improved, but there was still layers of stratus & fog below the main cloud base.…NTSB LAX83FA444Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Santa Ana, CAAfter landing at night, the plt taxied to a non-illuminated ramp area & stopped to deplane the passenger, who held a student plt certificate. The purpose of the passenger deplaning in that area was for her to obtain a vehicle & meet the plt at the acft's…NTSB FTW83FA431Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690A · Nacogdoches, TXAfter transporting passengers from longview, TX to Oklahoma city, ok & return to longview, the acft was refueled for a flt back to Nacogdoches, TX, where the acft was based. About 12 min after takeoff, the plt was cleared for an NDB apch to Nacogdoches &…NTSB MIA83FA233Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Dog Island, FLAfter the plt arrived at the arpt, a person (who later witnessed the accident) drove the plt down the strip to examine the rwy. The witness asked the plt not to take off because the strip was too wet. The plt, who was a surgeon, told the witness that he had 3…