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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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 FTW83FU004Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascender II+ · Haskell, OKThe plt & his instructor were departing the airport in separate ultralight vehicles to proceed on a x-country flt for a fly-in. The instructor saw the plt takeoff, but lost sight of him moments later & did not see the accident. However, an eye witness stated…NTSB ANC83FA154Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Fairbanks, AKAt aprx 1900 adt, the plt & 2 passengers departed north pole, AK on a flt to portage creek strip. During the flt, he contacted flt service to obtain wx information. He asked for & was provided the wx at several locations. Also, he stated that he was really…NTSB FTW83FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRotec Rally 2B · Keller, TXAfter assembling his ultralight, the plt received dual instruction in a 2 place model. After his 2nd dual flt, he told his instructor (CFI) he had soloed his vehicle. The CFI cautioned him against further solo flts until he was qualified &emphasized the need…NTSB CHI83FA393Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-150 · Graceville, MNWhile spraying a field adjacent to a house the acft struck a guy wire which had been strung between a 82 ft tower on the house & a 28 ft pole supported by wires.NTSB ANC83FA152Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A-185F · Farewell, AKThe acft collided with mountainous terrain in a narrow canyon, the acft was heading in a general direction to leave the canyon. The propeller damage indicates the engine was at high power at impact. The plt had given a PIREP to farewellfss when he was 40…NTSB MKC83FA199Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Boonville, MOThe acft crashed in a nose low, left wing low attitude during an aerobatic training flt. There were no signs of stretch on the seat belts of both seats. The instructor plt's body was found in the wreckage; however, the private plt's body was found about 900…NTSB CHI83FU010Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportTeratorn Tierra · Pepin, WIThe plt had recently purchased & assembled the ultralight vehicle. The person who sold him the ultralight said that he saw the vehicle on the night before. According to him, it 'looked like he had it together all right.' He said it was his impression the plt…NTSB MKC83FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAirmass Sunburst · Carthage, MOAfter making several takeoffs & landings, the plt circled the arpt, then departed in a northerly direction. One witness stated that the vehicle was flying toward a storm that was approaching from the north. He estimated the ultralight was at aprx 300 ft AGL…NTSB DCA83AA036Accident · 11 fatalFinal reportLockheed Learstar, L-18-56 · Silvana, WAThe acft was on a sport parachute flt to carry 24 parachutists to 12,500' over a drop zone (dz) for a mass jump. It was in a cargo configuration with no passenger seats, but it had 1 jump seat. There were 24 seat belts on the floor of the cargo area. Also,…NTSB LAX83FA398Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · La Jolla, CAPrior to departure, the acft was observed being run up with the eng sputtering & backfiring quite badly. The acft returned to the hanger & 3 lower plugs were changed. The flt was then resumed. The acft was next observed off shore, with the eng sputtering &…NTSB FTW83FA387Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Conchas, NMIt was reported that the plt had been giving rides to various family members & the acft was observed flying in the area of Conchas lake on several occasions. It was also reported that the acft had 'buzzed' boats on the lake several times during the day. The…NTSB CHI83FU009Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWeedhopper B · St. Joseph, ILThe ultralight vehicle collided with the ground after the left wing folded up at about 1000 ft AGL. Witnesses said the ultralight was traveling east when the wing collapsed or folded back. Reportedly, it pitched up & the right wing tip went up. The vehicle…NTSB LAX83FA395Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing Vertol BV-107-II · Shaver Lake, CAThe only witness, the hooker, who gets logs ready for transport by the helicopter, stated that he heard noises and the rotor blades began coming apart as the acft started downhill with a log. Examination of the wreckage revealed that #3 sychronizing shaft…NTSB DEN83FA193Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421A · West Jordan, UTInvestigation revealed that the plt aborted two takeoff attempts due to a 'roughness' in one eng. Not able to duplicate the roughness during subsequent ground checks, the plt departed. At an alt of 300 AGL the left eng began to surge and the right eng,…NTSB CHI83FA387Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2A · Waukegan, ILWhile on a local flt, the acft crashed in lake Michigan about 1/2 mi from the shoreline. According to witnesses, it was flying over the water at about 100 ft, then pulled almost straight up to about 300 ft above the water, nosed over & went almost straight…NTSB LAX83FA393Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · San Pedro, CAThe plt was on a mission to transport company personnel & had landed on a barge that was being used as a helipad. The barge was about 250 ft long & 75 ft wide. After arriving, the plt parked the helicopter with the tail boom as close to the edge of the barge…NTSB FTW83FA384Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · El Paso, TXThe plt had postponed the flt due to wx conditions. During a flt from deming, NM to waco, TX, the acft subsequently crashed within the boundries of a private arpt, northwest of El Paso, TX. Impact occurred in a steep left bank, nose low attitude. The degree…NTSB LAX83FA390Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Rosa, CAThe non-instrument rated plt & a passenger took off from the arpt at dawn before the control tower was in operation. The takeoff was at 0549 PDT in IMC conditions. Shortly after taking off, the acft crashed. One witness stated that he heard the acft takeoff…NTSB DCA83AA034Accident · 10 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Peach Springs, AZThe acft departed las vegas, NV as the 2nd of 5 acft on a scheduled grand canyon sight-seeing flt. The 1st portion of the flt was over the las vegas strip area & lake mead & was uneventful. However, wx conditions precluded the plt from continuing over the…NTSB LAX83FA388Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P206B · Kernville, CAThe acft was conducting an aerial search in a box canyon. According to the surviving pax they ran out of room to turn the acft around in the canyon. The acft crashed at the 3,850 ft level. Surrounding mountain peaks are 9,470 ft MSL.NTSB ATL83FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWeedhopper JC-24 · Wiggins, MSReportedly, the non-rated plt had no previous flt experience, but was briefed on the ultralight vehicle's operation, control response & other aspects, as well as the traffic pattern, direction, etc. During takeoff, the ultralight entereda dive after climbing…NTSB ANC83FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-206 · Anchorage, AKPrior to the flight N70531 was noted to have the entire cabin area full of cardboard fish packing boxes and empty 5 gal buckets stuffed one inside the other. The acft was noted to be heavier than normal during repositioning operations. The plt stated during a…NTSB SEA83FYA02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Nr Jackpot, NVPrior to the accident, the acft was observed maneuvering in the vicinity. Subsequently, the acft collided with the ground while it was being flown under a 40 ft power line. Both of the occupants had student plt certificates that had expired. One of the…NTSB SEA83FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Granite Falls, WAThe acft collided with the ground in a vertical nose down attitude. The engine was imbedded 4 ft into the ground. All components of the acft were accounted for in the immediate area of the impact. Witnesses observed the acft in a left turn before falling into…NTSB NYC83AA209Accident · 5 fatalFinal reportAerospatiale AS350D · Dover Township, NJWitnesses observed the helicopter fly along the beach at alt of about 100-150 MSL, enter a bank to the right and descendinto the water at an angle of about 45 deg. Examination of the wreckage failed to reveal any pre-impact discrepancies of the aircraft or…NTSB MIA83FA202Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114A · Ebro, FLShortly after takeoff the plt advised departure control that he was going around clouds & that there was no activity on his onboard storm scope. Several minutes later radar contact was lost. The acft had broke up in flight. Although VMC prevailed at the…NTSB LAX83FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-35C · Jamul, CAReportedly, after waiting almost 2 hrs, the plt decided he would fly the sailplane, either for 1 hr or until the owner arrived, when the owner arrived, he observed the sailplane flying back & forth along the north side of ridge area. Subsequently, the acft…NTSB SEA83AA176Accident · 5 fatalFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Toutle, WAThe helicopter took off on a sight-seeing, passenger flt in the mount st helens area. When the flt became overdue, a search was initiated. Later, the helicopter was found where it crashed & burned in a heavily wooded area on relatively level terrain, near the…NTSB LAX83FA397Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Kernville, CAThe acft crashed in rising terrain 6 mi west of the departure arpt at 5,000 ft MSL. The alta sierra pass is 6,500 ft mslwith mountain tops at 8,320 ft MSL. The plt was issued a student certificate on 8/22/80 which was not renewed.NTSB NYC83FA207Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Scranton, PAShortly after takeoff the acft ws observed on radar making a left 360 deg turn. The plt did not respond to a call from the controller. A witness heard the plane 'sputtering' & observed it in erratic maneuvers prior to it hitting a house. Post exam revealed…NTSB NYC83AA208Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Pomona, NJDuring his wx briefing, the plt was advised of an area of rain showers & scattered thunderstorms along his route of flt, as well as flt precautions for occasional moderate turbulence below 8000 ft which was forcast. He departed norfolk at 1500. At about 1630,…NTSB FTW83FA373Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Ville Platte, LAPrior to takeoff the plt had received a wx briefing & was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. He was given convective SIGMET 13C which called for thunderstorms with tops above 45,000 ft throughout his route of flt. About 25 minafter takeoff four…NTSB DEN83FA203Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Sevier, UTThe flt was returning to san jose,CA after an extended x-country flt to oshkosh,WI which began in the latter part of July. Earlier on the day of the accident, at 0645, the plt received a wx briefing at miles city,MT. He requested the general outlook to the…NTSB CHI83FA381Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Evart, MIThe acft collided with a utility pole and a large tree during a forced landing after a power loss on takeoff. Witnesses heard the acft backfiring and the ground run was excessively long. Immediately after takeoff the acft went through the tops of pine trees.…NTSB CHI83FU008Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MX · Shelby Township, MIThe ultralight was flying low over a gravel pit and suddenly pulled up and went into a dive. The acft engine was runningthroughout the maneuver according to witnesses. The acft did not pull out of the dive and the acft dove into the water. One witness thought…NTSB SEA83FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPietonpol-Imrie Aircamper · Shelton, WAThe home built acft was manufactured in 1975 & was built in Canada from the 1930 pietenpol aircamper design. The plt had flown the canadian registered acft to an antique fly-in. Traffic at the arpt required that only rwy 35 could be used. The plt waited from…NTSB NYC83FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Wiscasset, METhe acft was observed taking off on a foggy night with a low overcast sky condition. Shortly after taking off, the plane was observed to turn at low alt, then enter a nose down attitude. The acft crashed & the non-instrument rated plt & passenger were fatally…NTSB FTW83FA362Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · El Paso, TXTwo plts & 2 passengers departed san angelo, TX, on a x-country flt, one of the plts, who had 95 hrs of flying time, was the pilot-in-command (PIC) for the 1st leg of the x-country to El Paso, TX. On the next leg, the other plt assumed duties as PIC & signed…NTSB FTW83FA361Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Seminole, TXPrior to the flt, the plt & passengers were observed drinking beer in a lounge. They told witnesses that they were going to the arpt to eat & were later seen at a restaurant on the arpt. After that, they decided to fly. The takeoff time & purpose of the flt…NTSB CHI83FA366Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 114 · Richmond, OHThe acft was borrowed by the pilot to give a friend a familiarization flt in a retractable landing gear acft. The acft was observed by campers as it performed a stall and recovery. A 2nd stall was done but this time the acft entered a spin and after at least…NTSB NYC83FU009Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAmerican Aerolights Eagle XL · Mayville, NYAccording to witnesses, the ultralight was in level flt at aprx 150 to 200 ft AGL when they heard a loud bang. Shortly thereafter, the eng noise ceased & the vehicle entered a spiraling descent & crashed. A rip in the wing center section was seen prior to…NTSB NYC83FU008Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGoldwing None · Broadalbin, NYThe owner/builder/plt had recently constructed the home built ultralight vehicle. According to friends, he most likely had never ridden in an airplane & he believed it was possible to build & fly the ultralight with no instruction. According to the owner of a…NTSB NYC83FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fishers Island, NYThe plt had called his home base & was told that fog was beginning to move shoreward & that the intended destination, (waterford, CT) would not remain VFR for long. The plts of N6877J & another acft chose to depart immediately. Before arriving, fog had moved…NTSB LAX83LA468Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Essex, CAAn in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX83FA377Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · San Simeon, CAThe acft collided with the terrain while on a pleasure flight for the purpose of sightseeing. The wreckage was found in a box canyon at 3500 ft MSL. Examination of the accident site revealed that the acft impacted on a heading of approx 085 degrees. The…NTSB CHI83FA371Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti F.260C · Oshkosh, WIThe foreign registered plt had a statement of aerobatic competency by an FAA inspector which contained a min alt limitation of 300 ft AGL. While performing at an air show, he had planned to pull up in a half loop, make a half roll on top, enter a 2 turn spin…NTSB CHI83FA365Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Marseilles, ILThe acft was on a parachute jumping mission. After climbing to 9000 ft MSL, 4 sky divers jumped out & the plt began a descent back to the arpt. The acft was seen level at aprx 500 ft AGL & in the aprx position for a downwind leg for a left pattern for runway…NTSB ANC83FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Mccarthy, AKThe acft was observed by another pilot to fly into a box canyon. The witness stated that the acft then atmptd what looked like a chandelle to reverse direction but stalled and came to rest on the side of the canyon wall.NTSB MKC83FA177Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bentley, KSThe acft stalled, crashed, nosed over and burned during an aerial application maneuver. The owner of the acft was spraying the same field in another acft and saw the accident. He stated, the acft pulled up at the completion of a run, was in a turn around when…NTSB CHI83FA359Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180D · Bay City, MIAfter an overshoot landing attempt the pilot initiated a go-around the acft overan the end of the runway, traveled for about 330 ft and colided with a auto mobile. The roof ofthe auto was sheared off causing 2 fatal and 4 serious injuries.