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 NYC83FA248Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U-206FG · Jones Beach, NYThe acft ditched in the ocean about 4 miles se of Jones Beach, NY following eng power failure. The 4 occupants drowned. The plt was going from Washington,DC to westhampton Beach, NY, the acft was last refueled before its departure from westhampton Beach on…NTSB NYC83FA245Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 19A · New Cumberland, PAAn operations manager stated that 3 persons came to buy a sight-seeing. Pleasure ride & the plt selected the Beech 19A. During its takeoff, witnesses observed the acft over the end of the rwy in a nose high attitude, but with very little climb rate. According…NTSB CHI83FA410Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Forestville, WIThe acft was observed making low passes, 150-200 ft AGL, over a wooded area & then strike a radio antenna at the 207-FT level. The acft rolled inverted & impacted the ground. Members of the plt's aero club stated that the plt & pax were probably spotting for…NTSB MIA83FU006Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAmerican Aerolights EAGLE-2 · Miami, FLAfter taking off from a grass field, the 2 place, ultralight vehicle remained in a normal right traffic pattern. As the vehicle was on a base leg for landing, witnesses saw the right wing trailing edge area flutter, then the right wing dropped & the…NTSB MIA83FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPitts S-2A · Green Cove Spr., FLThe acft collided with the ground and was destroyed during a pleasure flt. Examination of the wreckage and the accident site revealed evidence to suggest that the acft collided with the ground while in a steep left bank, nose low attitude and a high rate of…NTSB LAX83LA467Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland B-206 · Davenport, CAThe acft collided or ditched in the water while attempting to evade customs officials. Custom officials had been watching this acft and followed it from Mexico. After a touch and go landing at compton the acft left the los angeles area at 200 ft MSL trying to…NTSB LAX83FVG17Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHiller UH12L · Tulelake, CAThe helicopter was on an agricultural spraying operation. While performing a turn-around, a spray boom struck a raised dirt bank beside a ditch at the edge of the field. Subsequently, the helicopter was pitched down & to the right, then impacted an upright…NTSB FTW83FA430Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105S · Grand Chenier, LAThe acft departed an offshore platform at 1510 for a 13 min flt to Grand Chenier. On 9/20 the wreckage was recovered from the floor of the gulf. The bottom left side of the fuselage revealed evidence of high impact forces with the water. There was no evidence…NTSB NYC83FA242Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Collier Twnshp, PADuring arrival, the plt contacted apch control & was provided radar vectors for a visual apch. While on the apch, he was instructed to keep his speed up until he was 1 1/2 mi on final. Vectors were provide with turns as necessary until the acft was 6 1/2 to 7…NTSB LAX83FA439Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · S. Lake Tahoe, CAThe acft crashed during low alt turn following takeoff from the so. Lake Tahoe arpt. The tower controller advised the plt, after takeoff, that he could turn and circle the valley to gain alt before proceeding on course. The acft made one 360 deg turn and…NTSB MIA83LA229Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Miami, FLThe acft landed at aprx 0215 EDT. After arriving at the ramp, the plt's wife exited from the acft thru the right door. She then walked in front of the acft & was struck by the propeller. The plt's wife was fatally injured & he was taken to a hospital & was…NTSB NYC83FA254Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31ATC · Provincetown, MAThe acft crashed in cape cod bay during a night x-country flt. Two sections of wooden wing identified as from the same make and model as the missing acft were recovered from the bay during the 3 days following the flt of the acft. Other identified parts of…NTSB LAX83FA434Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Big Bear, CAAccording to the plt, after a runup, during which the mixture was 'leaned', the acft departed rwy 25 at Big Bear airport. He stated that the nose of the acft was lowered to 'gain 80 KTS IAS,' and that the acft 'climbed to approximately 150 to 200 ft above the…NTSB FTW83FA424Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPartenavia P68C · Plainview, TXThe plt was executing a high speed pass over the rwy at about 250 ft AGL. The plt then began a rapid pull-up & both wings separated just outboard of the eng nacelles. Reconstruction of the sequence from a videotape revealed that the acft's speed at the time…NTSB ATL83FA365Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ · Millington, TNTh plt was giving free rides to spectators at an air show. The acft was observed making what appeared to be a loop which was initiated at a low altitude. As the acft reached the top of the loop, it was estimated to be 1,000 to 1,200 ft AGL. The nose then…NTSB MKC83FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Trenton, MOThe acft had just received extensive maintenance at buffalo, MO, which included internal & external recovering & an STC modification. During arrival at Trenton, MO, the acft was observed on a short final apch. At a position of aprx 200 ft short of the rwy &…NTSB MIA83FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStol UC-1 · Lake Hamilton, FLThe student was a commercial plt with ratings in single & multi-eng land & single eng sea acft. He was on his 1st flt in this make & model of acft to receve instruction for a multi-eng sea rating. After instructing water landings with flaps, the instructor…NTSB LAX83FA435Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCassutt 3-M · Mesa, AZThe acft collided with a street lamp while pulling up from a low pass over a dry river bed. This experimental amateur built acft was operating outside the prescribed boundaries for this acft. Witnesses disagreed on the engine sounds. Somedescribed the engine…NTSB ATL83FIG07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Berlin, MDThe acft crashed into trees after the acfts landing gear became entangled in the banners tow bridle during an attempted banner pick-up. According to one witness who was a member of the banner crew on the field, the acft came in too low and caught the left…NTSB ATL83FA366Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPterodactyl/Lambert None · Mt. Holly, NCThe plt was on a x-country accompanied by a plt in another ultralight vehicle. The accident acft was faster, so the plt maneuvered around while en route. During a turn, the accident vehicle got out of sight from the plt of the other vehicle & became…NTSB ANC83FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Kotzebue, AKThe plt & his wife had flown to an area where she had seen a caribou that she wanted to shoot. After landing on a gravel bar, she shot the caribou, but then complained of a bad headache & vision problems. The plt reported that they loaded the meat & horns in…NTSB SEA83FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Kalispell, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while attempting to maneuver back to the departure airport after encountering icing conditions. Factors include icing conditions, mountainous terrain, and low ceilings.NTSB LAX83FA436Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Newport Beach, CAAbout 30 mins before the accident, the two plts stopped by a hangar to say hello to an individual. This person reported that the plt appeared to be intoxicated; his speech was slurred, he couldn't focus his eyes on things very easily & he giggled a lot. The…NTSB DEN83FA214Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Silverton, COThe plt departed longmont, CO at about 0520 MDT. At 0617 MDT, he contacted the denver en route flt advisory service & received wx info. The location of the acft at that time was not determined. No further radio communications were received from the plt. A…NTSB LAX83FU016Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper MX · Visalia, CAThis ultralight plt, according to witnesses, expressed some anxiety about flying on the day of the accident. The instructor reviewed the procedures with her on the ground, but did not fly with her. The acft, prior to takeoff, had less than 2 gallons of fuel.…NTSB CHI83FA419Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWarren Moneri S · Lapeer, MIThe glider collided with the ground after an unscheduled tow release at about 150 ft AGL.this was the plts first flt in this acft after having the engine removed and the acft recertified as a glider. Ground personnel observed the glider and tow pilot release…NTSB MIA83FA225Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A152 · Homosassa Sprgs, FLThe acft was first observed making low passes, almost striking trees & power lines. It then continued in a steep bank through about 90 deg of turn, rolled inverted & pitched down simultaneously. The acft impacted the ground in the parkinglot of a convenience…NTSB LAX83FA424Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301T · San Marcos, CAAt aprx 2209 PDT, the plt departed fresno, CA on a night, VFR, x-country flt. He cancelled his VFR flt plan at 0009 PDT & landed at ramona, CA at 0012. After landing, he called his wife to inquire about the wx at palomar, CA. She looked out the window &…NTSB ANC83FA161Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Kasilof, AKThe acft crashed in a vertical nose down attitude a short distance from the plt's private airstrip. According to relatives the plt was taking his girl friend's 2 children for a short flt. Investigation revealed the plt's last known medical certificate was…NTSB LAX83FA420Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Ventura, CAThe helicopter was observed descending 'straight down' & 'nose first.' The wreckage was located about 200 yds offshore in about 30 ft of water. Witnesses stated that it was dark & hazy. They were able to see the acft lights, but not the stars. The plt did not…NTSB FTW83FA416Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Altus, OKThe plt initiated a takeoff on a hot afternoon with 7 passengers on board. Shortly after left-off, 2 witnesses observed what they described as a puff of black smoke from the right eng. According to witnesses, the acft rurned to the left before crossing the…NTSB LAX83FU015Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWaspair Tomcat HM-81 · Roseville, CAThe plt had only flown 1 flt since he had crashed the same ultralight vehicle nearly 1 yr previously. An eye witness, who was president of the local ultralight association, had test flown the repaired vehicle before the plt flew it. The plt, the eye witness &…NTSB LAX83FA419Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEaa Biplane A-1 · Mesa, AZThe acft was observed performing 2 or 3 consecutive loops at an altitude of about 1,000 ft. following the last loop, theacft pulled up to a near vertical attitude, stalled, slid straight down & entered a spin. The eng was heard running in an apparent normal…NTSB FTW83FA415Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Huffman, TXThe acft collided with the ground in a high speed dive and totally disintegrated. Impact created a 7' crater and material blew out for 100 yards. The engines were recovered at the 14 ft level in the crater. The acft took off at 2215 from baytown TX. At 2334…NTSB CHI83FA407Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Anoka, MNThe plt rented the acft & reported that he & his friend would be going on a local flt. A witness stated that he saw the acft fly over at an estimated 1000 to 1500 ft AGL. Reportedly, the acft was in level flt when the plt 'cut' the power, the acft 'nosed up a…NTSB ATL83FU006Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCondor II · Slate Hill, VADuring a local flt, the ultralight vehicle was observed approaching a residence in a shallow descent & with little eng noise. A witness stated that just prior to hitting a tall tree, the eng sound increased, the nose pitched up & the empennage struck tree…NTSB MKC83FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Unionville, MOThe acft was observed to turn 45 deg to the left after takeoff and when a short distance past the south end of the runway initiated a turn right as if to land on runway 35. As the acft became aligned with runway 35, the right wing dropped, the acft entered a…NTSB FTW83FA409Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-A55 · Houston, TXImmediately after takeoff the acft lost power on the right eng & the acft pulled up steeply, rolled to the right & impacted in an inverted position. Teardown of the right eng did not reveal any preimpact failure or malfunction. The l & r eng fuel selectors…NTSB SEA83FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Everett, WAThe acft collided with trees and the ground in an attempt to return to the arpt after takeoff. The acft crashed one milesouth of the arpt in IMC weather in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses said dense fog existed at the time with zero visibility. The…NTSB FTW83FA407Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8C · Post, TXThe acft had impacted in a steep right wing down, nose low attitude. No preimpact, mechanical malfunction or failure was found. The plt's blood alcohol level was 0.054%. There were no entries in the plt's log book for previous flts in Luscombe acft.NTSB FTW83FA406Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28R-200 · Copan, OKThe acft collided with an electric transmission line and burned during an emergency landing. The flt had been in progress only an hour when the plt lost his engine oil pressure and his engine failed. ATC gave him a heading to the nearest arpt but he could not…NTSB MIA83FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Marathon, FLThe acft landing gear collapsed during a forced landing due to a cabin fire. The landing occurred just short of the rwy at Marathon arpt, FL. The plt had departed this arpt about 30 minutes earlier on the 2nd leg of a student x-country flt. The departure was…NTSB CHI83FA402Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Cassopolis, MIThe acft entered a flat spin while practicing VMC maneuvers. The right fuel valve was in the off position.NTSB NYC83FGM05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 152 · Butler, PAThe acft crashed on approach to the final destination arpt after completion of a multi-legged x-ctry flt in foggy weather. The flt had 5 enroute stops which entailed 6 takeoffs and climbs during 3.6 hours. According to the FAA the acft contained 5 or 6…NTSB MKC83FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-151 · Chesterfield, MOThe plt landed a lawrenceburg, TN, on the evening of 8/28/83. Thunderstorms were reported in the area at that time. At lawrenceburg, fuel was available during daylight hours. At 0203 the next morning, the plt called the muscle shoals fss & obtained a wx…NTSB ATL83FKG11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A188A · Jesup, GAThe plt was spraying a field that was bordered by tree lines on the north & south edges. While pulling up from a swath run at the south side of the field, the acft hit the top of a pecan tree. Reportedly, after impacting the tree, the acft pitched up, entered…NTSB SEA83FA187Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Near Elk River, IDThe acft collided with trees and crashed into heavily wooded area at about 4000 ft MSL. The purpose of flight was to look for game or areas for hunting in a pre-hunting game spotting trip. The acft first impacted a large 200 ft tree about 85 ft below its top.…NTSB LAX83FU014Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportDavis Homebuilt · Byron, CAGround witnesses reported that the ultralight departed the private airstrip to the east. After departure the plt negotiated a 90 deg lt turn, followed by a 270 deg rt turn. After the 90/270 deg turn was completed, the plt negotiated a rt traffic pattern but…NTSB DEN83FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWeedhopper Unknown · Powell, WYThe ultralight vehicle crashed in a corn field while on a local pleasure flt. It impacted the soft ground in a nose down, vertical attitude. The engine buried itself to a depth of 18 inches. Examination of the wreckage airframe revealedthat a bolt with a self…NTSB DCA84RA003Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationLockheed 382G · Angola/Dundo, Angola