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 CHI83LA357Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBlack KR1 · Franklin, WIThe acft was observed to touchdown on rwy 27; become airborne, climb out and turn toward the airport crashing 500 ft short of the rwy. FAA examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of flight control failure/malfunction or pre-impact plt…NTSB CHI83FA334Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Dwight, ILThe acft crashed in a corn field during a heavy rainstorm while on a cross country flight. The pilot had logged 4 hour of simulated instrument time and was not instrument rated.NTSB SEA83FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36 · Firth, IDAccording to witnesses, the acft was overheard returning to the strip for a second load. Reportedly, it went into a steep bank at about 70 ft AGL & turned toward the strip. As the wings leveled, sounds of high eng power ceased & the acft descend to the…NTSB LAX83FUJ15Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrau VARI-EZE · Tucson, AZWitnesses observed the acft make 4 low passes, 200-300 ft AGL. On the last pass the acft pulled up ino about a 30 deg nose high attitude & start a right roll. The nose began to drop, & as the roll was completed the acft was in about a 80 deg nose low, wings…NTSB CHI83FA347Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6D · Muskegon, MIThe acft collided with trees after performing an aerobatic maneuver at low altitude. Witnesses near the scene said the acft was flying low; most heard the engine running. Some said that at the top of a loop the engine sounded like it stopped. On the descent…NTSB NYC83FA198Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210H · Marlborough, CTThe acft collided with trees and the ground during an approach to land on a foggy night at an arpt with no instrument approach facilities or control. The 67 year old plt had canceled his IFR flt plan at 2110 EDT. The accident occurred at 2115 EDT. The plt and…NTSB ATL83AA305Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBeech F35 · Elkin, NCDuring his 1010 wx briefing for the proposed route of flt, the plt was advised that showers were expected in west Virginia & that it might not be possible to maintain VFR below clouds along the mountainous route. The briefer suggestedan alternate route…NTSB LAX83FA371Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Pleasanton, CAThe acft crashed in a steep nose down attitude in hilly terrain. Debris was scattered for about 100 ft but the acft did not travel after initial impact. The fuel tanks were ruptured and no fuel remained. The sheriff's deputies said no odor of fuel was noted…NTSB CHI83FA243Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPestes RV-3 · Oshkosh, WIThe accident occurred during a 'showcase' flyby at the annual eaa convention. The acft was flying #4 position in a formation of 4 acft. The flt was executing a very steep, near 90 deg bank left turn at 300-500 ft when the acft's came up & over putting the…NTSB ANC83FA137Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-44A · Big Lake, AKThe acft crashed in a level, wooded area. The initial impact with trees occurred aprx 40 ft AGL. Both wing tips & a portion of the left stabilizer & elevator were found at the bases of the trees that were first impacted. From the first impact point, the…NTSB NYC83FGM04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportChamberlain KR-1 · Johnstown, PAThe acft collided with the ground after takeoff. The weather was VMC and no flt plan was filed. The acft was an amateur/experimental KR-1 with a vw 2100 cc engine, maintained under a condition inspection program performed by the owner. Investigation at the…NTSB LAX83FVG15Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-Z · Davis, CAThe acft collided with the ground while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The plt had scheduled a number of aerobatic fltsfor various people. During the last flt of the day the aircraft crashed in a alt open, plowed field. Weather was not a factor. The aircraft…NTSB FTW83FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascenger II+ · Round Rock, TXThe ultralight vehicle had been recently built & had been flown once by an experienced ultralight plt. He reported there were no discrepancies in the vehicle's assembly or flt characteristics. The owner & 2 other personnel met at the flying area & assembled…NTSB ATL83FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-23G · Warrenton, VAAt an altitude of about 4,500 ft the glider was ovserved to pull up into a stall & enter a spin which continued for three turns. The glider came out of the spin into a left spiral & appeared to be traveling at a very high speed. The nose then 'tucked under'…NTSB NYC83FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Rockwell 680 · Bayport, NYAt about 60 ft AGL black smoke was observed coming from the left eng. The acft continued a climb in a nose high attitude& the nose pitched down & the acft rolled inverted. Eng teardown revealed extensive damage to the supercharger assembly. The impeller shaft…NTSB LAX83FA362Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Porterville, CAOn 7/27/83, mild mast bumping occurred during a pushover maneuver while a hiller FH-1180 was on a flt to certify new rotor blades. Prior to the incident, the helicopter was accelerated to 90 mph. This was followed by a pull-up & deceleration to 80 mph, then…NTSB CHI83FA336Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Aerolights Eagle 2 · Valpariso, INThe person who sold the acft to the plt stated he had given the plt a training flt that evening, but since there was only 1 set of controls, the plt (involved in the accident) only observed. Since darkness was apchg, the previous owner did not want to…NTSB DEN83FA180Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235C · Pitkin, COThe acft was on a x-country flt from camarillo, CA to oshkosh, WI. The plt landed at about noon at montrose, CO, where the acft was refueled & the occupants went to a restaurant to eat. After departing montrose, the acft was seen flying low over rising,…NTSB NYC83FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Acra, NYThe pilot stated that he was looking for VMC even though he was on an IFR flight. While inbound to albany he said he was circling down from 4000 feet in a VFR spot to get under the clouds. He subsequently cancelled his IFR flt plan and said he was going to…NTSB LAX83LA355Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A150K · Stonyford, CAThe acft collided with the ground while negotiating a low level aerobatic maneuver. The acft had departed a private ranch airstrip and according to a witness the acft was 'rolled'. After a few circles of the strip. The witness was surprised because the plt…NTSB LAX83FUA06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRand Robinson KR-1 · Seal Beach, CAAccording to a witness, the acft apchd at about 1000 ft, made 3 circles & headed in an easterly direction. The acft was then observed to make a steep banked turn toward the witness at an estimated altitude of 200 to 300 ft above the water. It then nosed down,…NTSB NYC83FFJ03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSopwith Triplane · Allegany, NYThe owner/plt of the home built, Sopwith triplane took off on a local flt. This was the 1st flt since some maintenance rework & a new propeller installation. After the acft was airborne for aprx 20 min, it was observed flying at about 500 ft AGL. Reportedly,…NTSB NYC83FA189Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Canton, PAWhile the helicopter was on a power line patrol flt, one of the main rotor blades separated & the acft crashed & burned. Numerous persons saw the helicopter while the plt was patrolling at low alt. Several reported seeing the acft maneuver abruptly over…NTSB NYC83FA188Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Brooklyn, NYA Cessna U206G float plane, N5328X, & a bell 206A police helicopter, N4797R, collided in flt over Brooklyn, NY. The aircrew of the police helicopter were on a traffic observation flt & had just reported traffic conditions in the vicinity of a toll station…NTSB NYC83FA187Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fairton, NJPrior to departure the plt received a wx briefing which was concluded with a severe wx warning. The plt stated he would try anyway & if the wx got too bad he would return. About 16 min later the plt requested updated wx conditions. He was advised of a…NTSB LAX83FA348Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Watsonville, CAThe plt, who was a contractor, was scheduled to attend a heavy equip't auction in sacramento to begin a 1000. Witnesses heard normal eng sounds as the acft departed rwy 19 & turned to a left downwind departure turn. The acft was observed proceeding on a NE…NTSB ATL83FU004Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCondor II Special · Dahlonega, GAAfter takeoff, the ultralight vehicle was observed to climb about 600 to 700 ft over a pasture east of the rwy, then the plt began to perform aerobatic maneuvers. After completing a loop, the ultralight was observed to rotate nose up. At about that time, a…NTSB MKC83FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Eagle 2-PLACE · Chesterfield, MOThe acft was first observed in a left 30 deg bank turn with the nose slightly down. After the first 360 deg turn, the angle of bank increased to 60 deg. During the 3rd 360 deg turn, the diameter of the turn decreased to about 100 ft & theforward speed…NTSB FTW83FA343Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Houston, TXThe helicopter crashed in a relatively high speed descent while in a slight nose-low and left bank attitude. The acft had been circling at an alt of about 600 ft MSL awaiting clearance to land. The PIC in the left seat, who was not flying the acft, said he…NTSB CHI83AA326Accident · 6 fatalFinal reportAero Commander 685 · Cleveland, OHWhile turning from downwind to base leg, the acft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the acft. The acft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right eng revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo…NTSB ATL83AA285Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-31P · Lost Creek, WVThe acft took off with 4 occupants & an estimated 596 lbs of cargo on board. After it took off, the ATC controller noted that it was climbing slower than expected. After climbing to about 4200 ft MSL, the aircrew reported a problem with the left eng & said…NTSB ANC83FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHelio H395 · Fairbanks, AKTakeoff was from a dirt driveway which had a usable length 0F 330 ft before it curved north. Before takeoff, the plt hadbent several small trees back away from the driveway & tied them down so they would not interfere with the takeoff. There are numerous…NTSB NYC83FU007Accident · 1 fatalClass 5Final reportEasy Riser 1 · Canandaigua, NYNTSB LAX83FA346Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVarieze 1 · Mojave, CAThe plt purchased the acft a week before the accident. The day before the accident the plt stated to rutan aircraft factory personnel that he had never flown this type of acft in the past & was afraid of the acft. On the day of the accident witnesses observed…NTSB CHI83FA319Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · Hibbing, MNPrior to departure, the plt obtained a wx briefing & was advised to check back before departing to see if anything had developed. Reportedly, he took off at 0815 CDT, and at 0831 CDT, he radioed the Hibbing fss for wx info. The fss specialist advised that the…NTSB LAX83FA341Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Grass Valley, CAThe pilot had flown to the arpt 5 times before and was aware that all landings were to the north and takeoffs to the south on the single rwy 01-19. This was for noise abatement at the north end of the rwy and because of the rwy upslope to the north. At about…NTSB LAX83FA335Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Fontana, CAThe acft impacted the terrain at 4600 ft MSL at a steep angle in brush and dirt near a fire road. According to the plts family the acft had recently been purchased by the plt and he frequently practiced aerobatics in the late afternoon. Hisaerobatic…NTSB LAX83FA333Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS3-A · Bishop, CAThe glider plt was participating in a soaring contest which involved a quadrangle course. While enroute to the 1st turn point with 2 other sailplanes, the plt was observed to depart from the general flt path of the other 2 gliders & fly on the leeward side of…NTSB MKC83FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Shelton, NEThe plt had dusted 1 field & had started dusting another that was located on rolling terrain. After making 3 swath runs over the 2nd field, he was maneuvering for a 4th run when the acft's right wing impacted with a power line cable. The wing's leading edge &…NTSB ATL83FA272Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Ellenwood, GADuring the flt, the acft collided with 2 utility transmission lines, then crashed to the ground. According to witnesses, the accident occurred after the acft had circled the passenger's home & the plt had started a turn. An exam of the wreckage revealed no…NTSB NYC83FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65S · Abbot Village, METhe acft was observed to depart a pond to the south & climb over trees when the eng lost power. The acft started a rightbank as if to return to the pond & stalled into the trees. One witness heard the eng restart just before the crash. The last annual…NTSB NYC83FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Farmingdale, NYThe carburetor had been previously removed & reworked, then was reinstalled. After the installation, which included a leak check, the plt got into the left front seat & the passenger/mechanic got into the right front seat. The plt primed the eng, then made a…NTSB LAX83FU010Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMitchell A-10 · Porterville, CAAfter takeoff, the plt of the ultralight vehicle climbed to an altitude of 700 ft AGL in the pattern & turned downwind. According to the plt's partner, the ultralight began a dutch roll type of maneuver, and after several oscillations, the vehicle stalled &…NTSB FTW83FA324Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiccard AX-6 · Azle, TXDuring a landing in light wind conditions, the balloon touched down beside a power line. After touchdown, the balloon envelope collapsed over the power line which carried 7200 volts. The voltage traveled to the basket/gondola which overturned on the grass…NTSB NYC83FNE04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD-5B · Westfield, MAThe acft crashed short of the rwy during an attempted landing. There were some confusing and garbled transmissions and some mistaken instructions from the tower during the problem experienced by the accident plt. This plt did not make it clear that he had an…NTSB ATL83FA263Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Roopville, GAAccording to a witness, just after takeoff the acft began a left turn which suddenly steepened. The acft returned to a wings level attitude and a power reduction was heard. The acft again rolled into a left turn and the witness heard an increase in power. The…NTSB CHI83FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportGrumman AA-1 · Manitowoc, WIThe acft disappeared from radar contact while over lake Michigan. This acft had departed baltimore MD at 1142 CDT to flyto Manitowoc, WI. The last enroute stop for fuel was at muskegon mi at 2040 CDT. The weather was VMC but the night was dark. No flt plan…NTSB ATL83LA264Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBensen B8M · Somerville, TNThe acft crashed during takeoff while on a pleasure flight. A witness stated that he saw the acft take off and climb outat a gradual climb to about 100 ft and then start a gradual descent to about 30 ft. at which time the acft nosed over and went almost…NTSB ATL83FKJ05Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAeronca 7BCM L-16A · Gadsden, ALThe acft collided with the ground in a 70 degree dive while taking part in an air show as a spotter plane. The acft had dropped one smoke grendade and was orbiting to drop another when it turned left and pitched down. According to an inspection guide for this…NTSB ATL83FA262Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Mccomb, MSThe acft crashed in a nose low attitude and was destroyed. The two plts aboard had been practicing instrument approachesat Mccomb and suddenly without notifing fss the practice was discontinued to return to baton rouge. Fss found out about the change by…