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 FTW83FA323Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13-EM-7A · Cedarville, ARThe pilot was using an improvised hydraulic vertical saw to trim limbs & brush from powerlines. The saw blades appear to have malfunctioned while the helicopter was maneuvering. The pilot jettisoned the saw, but the quick disconnect hoses failed to release…NTSB ATL83LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Cirrus · Damascus, MDThe glider collided with a fence during an off arpt forced landing. The plt stated that she did not see the power lines until she was on the final approach. She maneuvered the glider to miss the powerlines but was unable to miss the fence and landed short.…NTSB SEA83FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans-Rupert RV-4 · Marshall, WAThe flt was to test a newly installed airspeed indicator. A passenger who went on the flt survived the accident and saidthe pilot had done an aileron roll from 4000 ft MSL (about 1700 ft AGL) and had buffeted and lost alt during recovery. After a high speed…NTSB FTW83FA319Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-1B · Newport, ARThe acft remained low after takeoff and after a turn continued north out of sight of witnesses and did not reappear. It collided with the bottom two strands of a powerline which were severed by the propeller. The acft fuselage came to rest 162 ft beyond the…NTSB SEA83FU007Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAirmass Sunburst · Tacoma, WAThe ultralight had previously flown to Tacoma with 2 phantom ultralights in preparation for the airshow. During descent the 3 acft had reached speeds of 75-80 mph. After landing, one of phantom plts asked the sunburst plt if he knew how fast he was going and…NTSB FTW83FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BCS 12-65 · Odessa, TXThe acft collided with wires and the ground during recovery from an aerobatic maneuver. The plt had done what appeared to be a maneuver similiar to a hammerhead stall shortly after first takeoff. The acft appeared to be recovering as it 'bottomed out' at…NTSB LAX83FUM08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportClark Super Q2 · San Diego, CAThe hoem built acft was constructed using the basic design of the Q2, a 2 palce plane with a canard. However, it was built with signigicant design changes. These included a 2nd elevator which created at-tail. The 2nd elevator was operated by a handle which…NTSB MIA83FA175Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLong EZE · Near Captiva, FLA witness observed the aircraft flying in a northerly direction about 1/2 mile away at an altitude of about 100 feet. It appeared to be travelling in excess of 80 KTS and the engine sounded normal. Another witness observed the aircraft strike the water in a…NTSB LAX83FVM09Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportTwitchell LONG-EZE · Oceano, CAThe acft was observed in a 3-4 turn spin until impact. A control stick was mounted on the right armrest in the rear cockpit. A complete set of controls; stick, rudder & throttle, was installed in the front cockpit.NTSB CHI83FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Rogers, OHThe acft collided with trees immediately after takeoff. The acft was 20 lbs under max gross weight. Density alt was 2,500 ft.NTSB LAX83FUG18Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMiller RA1 · Adelanto, CAWitnesses observed that shortly after takeoff the gyrocopter porpoised. The main rotor blades separated in flight and the acft crashed.NTSB DEN83FA156Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Wheatland, WYDuring an aerial application maneuver, the acft collided with the ground. An exam of the wreckage indicated that it impacted in a steep nose down attitude while rotating to the left. The flaps were found extended 25 deg & the airspeed gage was found…NTSB ATL83FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAirmass Sunburst Model B · Ernul, NCThe plt was en route from ayden, NC, where he purchased the ultralight, to his home in havelock, NC. While en route, he had landed at Ernul, NC to refuel. After refueling, he took off, circled back over the field, then added power & began to climb. At about…NTSB ATL83FA249Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHamilton T-28R-2 · Martinez, GAThe acft was 1 of 2 that made a low pass over rwy 24. After the pass, the plt made a right turn, establishing the acft in a right traffic pattern for rwy 24. According to 1 witness, while the acft was turning on a right base, intermittent bursts of dark smoke…NTSB MIA83FA173Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft TC-19 · Lorida, FLWitnesses along a highway observed the acft flying at low altitude. One witness saw the acft hit a powerline, climb a little, then crash nose first.NTSB FTW83FA310Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Enid, OKPrior to takeoff the plt was advised the winds were from 180 deg at 20 KTS gusting to 27 KTS. During takeoff from rwy 17THE plt advised the tower that he was 'bringing it around to land on 30.' When asked if he was experiencing any difficulties the plt…NTSB SEA83FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMonnett - Larsen Moni · Albany, ORThe home built, powered glider was being flown on a local test flight. According to witnesses, the acft was in unpowered flt (gliding) when it entered a descent & crashed. At about the same time it began descending, they observed something separate from the…NTSB ATL83FA247Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Keyser, WVThe manager of blackhawk airways had cleared the flt for a 1000 EDT departure, but the actual takeoff time was not established. No record of a preflt wx briefing was found. However, during a telephone conversation prior to the flt, the plt indicated to his…NTSB FTW83FRG05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAero Commander Callair A-9 · Lytton Springs, TXThe acft crashed during a turn-around maneuver while conducting an aerial application mission. The acft had completed about 3 spraying patterns after reloading and was turning steeply to line up for another pass when the nose dropped and the acft descended in…NTSB FTW83FA303Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5A · Houston, TXThe Grumman American AA-5A, N9844U, had just landed. While taxing, the aircrew stopped short of rwy 13R as Beechcraft. Hawker BH-125, N125E, was taking off. The rated student in N125E, who was on a training flt, was at the controls & beganthe takeoff. The…NTSB FTW83FA302Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · El Campo, TXThe acft impacted the ground in a steep nose down attitude. After impact, the acft remained in a tail-high attitude. No known witnesses observed the accident. An exam of the eng & prop showed a minimum of power being developed at the time of impact. A…NTSB ATL83FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Fleeton, VAOn July 2, a main landing gear, identified by the FAA as part of N7284P, was found floating in the chesapeake bay. The body of the deseased passenger was located on July 9, 1983 in the bay. Investigation revealed no record of communicationbetween the acft and…NTSB SEA83FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascender II · Sumner, WAReportedly, a father & his 14 yr old son had been receiving ground & taxi instruction, and had received 'crow-hop' practice in the previous few weeks. On 6/27/83, the vehicle became airborne with the son on board. He flew it in a pattern around the open field…NTSB NYC83FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Jaffrey, NHAt 0555 EDT, the non-instrument rated plt obtained a wx briefing for a flt from limington, me to pawling, NY. At that time, he stated he was unsure when he would depart, the decision depended on the wx. The briefer advised that at that time, VFR flt was not…NTSB MKC83FA136Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Neligh, NEAt aprx 1920 CDT, the plt entered the NWS station at norfolk, NE & request a wx briefing for a flt from bloomfield, NE back to norfolk, to arrive before sunset. He was advised of marginal wx conditions due to thunderstorm activity. The forecast called for…NTSB FTW83FA299Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680-F · Norman, OKThe acft crashed after starting a go-around or aborted landing at normal ok. The acft was on a x-country from dallas to wichita. There was no radio communication with the acft after it was cleared to land. The approach looked ok but on short final the acft…NTSB LAX83FU009Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAmerican Aerolights Eagle XL · Sommerton, AZA witness in another ultralight saw the plt of the eagle xl climb to about 800 to 1000 ft AGL after taking off. The witness was aprx 500 ft AGL when he saw the eagle xl start a steep descent from his 8 to 9 o'clock high position and thought the eagle xl plt…NTSB NYC83FNE03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Madison, CTThe acft collided with the ground while performing aerobatic maneuvers during an airshow. Witnesses said it appeared that the pilot was having trouble staying in the assigned area for the maneuvers because of high winds. The winds were estimated at 20 KTS…NTSB LAX83FA305Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportProut LONG-EZE · Geyserville, CAThe acft was first observed rounding the bend in the russian river about 1 mi west of the bridge flying in an easterly direction, apparently following the river bed. The acft's altitude was described from 'just over the water' to 'tree-toplevel.' As the acft…NTSB DEN83FA152Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Cortez, COThe plt filed a company VFR flt plan & took off at aprx 0930 MDT on a return flt to farmington, NM. According to a surviving passenger, after departing blanding, the acft entered low clouds. Reportedly, the plt flew in the clouds for a period of time until he…NTSB LAX83FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Pacoima, CAThe acft was observed maneuvering in the area of the arpt traffic pattern for about 45 min before the accident. Initial impact occurred with power lines about 1/2 mi southwest of the arpt while the acft was on a heading of about 320 deg. The acft then struck…NTSB CHI83FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar 601A · Celina, OHWhen the plt arrived at the destination arpt, there was construction on the rwy, about 2500 ft from the apch end. He contacted UNICOM & was advised that the rwy was closed, but was told he could land on the grass beside the rwy. The plt responded that the…NTSB MKC83FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · 3m Se Of Benton, MOAccording to the surviving passenger, a boy, the plt was flying the acft from the right seat. The acft was flown to the vicinity of the plt's property where he made a pass over a farm belonging to a relative. The low pass was made near the operator of a…NTSB DEN83FTG01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportStolp SA750 · Harwood, NDThe acft impacted the ground in an inverted position in about a 30 degree nose down attitude. The acft was observed doing aerobatics with the last maneuver a spin. The acft spun to an out of sight position behind the trees and a crash was heard. The CFI on…NTSB DEN83FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Gillette, WYThe plt had recently purchased the acft. While on a x-country trip, he landed at an arpt with an elevation of 4363 ft & refueled. When he was taking off, the density alt was aprx 7089 ft & the acft was near its max gross wt limit. Shortly after lift-off, the…NTSB ATL83FA238Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Millhaven, GAThe plt & his son took off at night to participate in the search for a downed acft. Subsequently, they found the burning wreckage of the downed plane. They saw people moving around the accident scene & made a pass over it by diving with the landing light on.…NTSB ATL83FA237Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed L-18 · Millhaven, GAThe acft collided with trees during an attempted off arpt landing at night for marijuana unloading. The acft was being followed by a u.s customs helicopter, the occupants of this helicopter said the acft had made one missed approach and during the go-around…NTSB NYC83FA148Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Great Bend, PAThe owner of the acft reported the flight was unauthorized. He stated that during takeoff the eng quit and the plt made a right turn back to the field. Before the turn was completed, the acft stalled and plunged to the ground. Examination revealed that the…NTSB ATL83AA235Accident · 8 fatalFinal reportCessna 421A · Atmore, ALAbout 20 mins after takeoff the plt reported the right eng had lost power & the acft would not maintain alt. Vectors were provided for an emergency landing, but the acft crashed in a wooded area about 3 mi from the arpt. There was evidence that the gear &…NTSB MIA83FU004Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MX · Williston, FLThe plt of the ultralight vehicle took off from an open field near his residence. Witnesses near the crash site stated that they observed the ultralight approach an open field for a landing. As the plt was in a left descending turn to the field, the…NTSB CHI83FA267Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-161 · Cambridge, OHThe acft collided with the ground during a night flt after the plt encountered weather according to the radio transmissions to cleveland center. His statements were 'what have you got me into' and 'what are we into here' when asked by cleveland if he was into…NTSB SEA83FA131Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Glacier Peak, WAThe acft collided with a side of Glacier Peak at about 10000 ft MSL while in level flt. The exact weather conditions at the accident site at the time of the accident are unknown but several mountain climbers at 6000 ft about 2 miles away atabout the same time…NTSB MKC83FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · South Fork, MOTakeoff was from a farm strip 1,600 ft long with grass 8 to 10 inches high. There are trees about 800 ft south of the south end of the strip. The acft took off to the south & made a left turn. After turning about 135 deg the bank abruptlysteepened, the nose…NTSB LAX83LUQ03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMareik-Bensen B-8M · Santa Maria, CAThe gryoplane was observed to depart from controlled flt at or below 800 ft AGL & the plt became separated from the acft. Both impacted the ground in a near vertical descent about 40 ft apart. The plt's blood alcohol content was 0.13%. The clasp ends of the…NTSB CHI83LA265Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Flint, MIAfter takeoff, the plt leveled the Balloon, and a short time later, he collapsed to the floor of the gondola & had difficulty breathing. The Balloon began descending. Subsequently, it hit the porch of a house & was damaged. The plt died from acute myocardial…NTSB LAX83LA291Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · Ducor, CAThe acft crashed into the side of a hill at 1900 feet MSL while on a photographic mission. The top of the mountain that was struck is 2412 feet MSL. The pilot was fatally injured in the crash and ground fire following impact. According to his secretary he was…NTSB SEA83FA127Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Stehekin, WAThe acft crashed into trees at the departure end of the rwy during a go-around. The pilot had attempted a landing on RWY34 with full flaps. Power was cut on final over the trees at 75 mph. When touchdown had not been accomplished about halfway down the rwy…NTSB NYC83FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Moultonboro, NHAfter making an instrument acph to laconia, NH, the plt landed, phoned his wife & advised her of his intention to fly to Moultonboro, NH. After taking off, he advised Moultonboro UNICOM that he had departed laconia & was over a nearby lake, but was having a…NTSB FTW83FA280Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B III · Eugene Isl.BlkThe helicopter was used to shuttle pax & supplies between various oil drilling platforms & was en route between two islands when the accident occurred. Wreckage was spotted 6 miles west of the destination island. Only the pilot's body was retrieved & 2 pax…NTSB LAX83FU008Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEipper Quicksilver MX · Rancho Cordova, CAJust prior to the accident, the ultralight vehicle was observed maneuvering in the area. While maneuvering, it entered a nose high attitude, stalled & crashed in a steep dive. The wind was reported as variable at 5 gusting 12 KTS. A toxicological test of the…