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 SEA83FA103Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · South Prairie, WAWitnesses observed the touchdown about 1,800 ft down the 2,600 ft strip. After bouncing twice, & about 2,000 ft down therwy, power was applied for a go-around. During the climbout the acft turned left toward higher trees. The flaps were described as being in…NTSB MKC83FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBensen B-8M · Herington, KSThe builder/plt purchased the basic airframe & rotor kit from Bensen, but purchased the eng from another source. The eng was not modified iaw Bensen instructions. Reportedly, the plt was only going to conduct taxi & ground runs when he started at aprx 1100…NTSB MIA83FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportParson Bensen · Tavares, FLThe gyrocopter descended to the lake in an uncontrolled maneuver and crashed. The plt was on his 2nd flt in the acft and had been told to limit his climb to 10-15 ft AGL by the builder of the gyrocopter. The plt climbed to about 400 ft AGL and the acft…NTSB LAX83FA242Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Bridgeport, CATwo Schempp-Hirth gliders, N184N & N6482, were being flown in a x-country contest along a triangular course. The course started at minden, NV & went to schurz, NV & Bridgeport, CA, then back to minden. The plts of both gliders had participated in contests for…NTSB FTW83FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBreezy DRAKE-EDGAR · Broken Arrow, OKThe acft collided with the ground in a flat spin that lasted for about 14 turns with no change in attitude. The plt had just completed an air show and was preparing to join a formation flt to return to the arpt. Just before joining the formation the plt was…NTSB DEN83FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Lander, WYAt noon on 5/21/83, the plt departed riverton, WY on a flt to ogden, ut to transport a minister back to riverton for a wedding. After arriving at ogden, he obtained a wx briefing for the return flt. He was warned of possible thunderstormactivity, turbulence,…NTSB ATL83FA198Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Chesson, ALWhile the acft was on a x-country flt at 4000 ft MSL, radio & radar contact were lost soon after a turn was initiated. Wreckage of the aircraft was found scattered over a distance of 2193 ft. an exam of the wreckage revealed that the stabilizers/ruddervators,…NTSB NYC83FU005Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobertson B1-RD · Enfield, NYDuring flt, the 2 ultralight vehicles were observed flying in close proximity to each other. Later, they were observed approaching the departure field at aprx 300 to 500 ft AGL. The lead vehicle, sn:115, with a non-rated plt, began a left turn. The other…NTSB MKC83FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWeedhopper JC-24C · 5n Battle Creek, NEThe plt had assembled & flown the ultralight vehicle during the previous summer. This was his 1st flt after removing it from winter storage. He was observed preflighting the vehicle before takeoff. At about the time of the accident, a ground witness heard the…NTSB LAX83FA240Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan PT-22/ST-3KR · Mesa, AZThe acft departed with another Ryan PT-22 as a flt of two, in formation. Two rated plts were aboard the acft. After breaking formation, the acft was observed to enter a snap roll at aprx 2000 ft AGL. A witness observed the plane before it crashed. His…NTSB DEN83LU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportIntl Ultralight Banshee · St. George, UTReportedly, the ultralight vehicle was assembled at an abandoned arpt, then was test flown by an international ultralight company salesman. The non-rated plt, who was planning to buy the ultralight, then flew the vehicle to familiarize himself with its flt…NTSB ATL83FA194Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Dublin, VAThe acft collided with wires and crashed during a training mission. According to one of the cfi's other students the area in which the crash occurred was regularly used by the CFI for airwork. This airwork was normally performed at ABOUT800 ft AGL. On this…NTSB NYC83FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20K · Old Lyme, CTThe acft collided with the ground in IMC after the plt reported he lost his vacuum instruments. The flt originated at mattituck, NY with a destination of lebanon, NH. After departure the plt was cleared to climb to 7000 ft. the instrumentrated pilot was on an…NTSB FTW83FA238Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350D · Venice, LAThe acft crashed into a swamp with low rotor RPM after a failure of the accessory gearbox power output gear. The pilot radioed an emergency call saying he was experiencing severe vibrations and was landing. A few seconds later, he radioed that he was…NTSB MIA83FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Near South Bay, FLThe plt had recently purchased the acft & was using it to commute on a weekly basis between his residence in hialeah & la belle where he worked as an acft mechanic. The wreckage was found completely submerged in a canal after a Florida fish & game official…NTSB DEN83FA114Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Burns, WYBefore departing, the plt received a wx briefing & was advised that VFR flt was not recommended thru western Nebraska & eastern Wyoming. A frontal wx sys was forcasted to produce thunderstorm activity with associated turbulence & rain. Reportedly, the plt was…NTSB SEA83FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Edmonds, WAThe plt had earlier visited his fiancee. She stated that he was intoxicated & she gave back her engagement ring to him. He was later observed departing the arpt. Shortly thereafter police began receiving complaints of a low flying acft overthe beach area. The…NTSB LAX83FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHomebuilt None · Tracy, CAThe plt had built the ultralight vehicle at home by using the plans of a weedhopper. Reportedly, he had used materials that would have been similar to or stronger than those that would have been supplied by a weedhopper kit. A friend, who had flown the…NTSB CHI83FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M-20-J-201 · Bloomington, ILPrior to the accident, a witness heard the acft, then saw it for a short time thru an opening in the clouds. In his opinion, it was heading directly into a thunderstorm, which concerned him. He said that rain was falling, and about 10 min later, the…NTSB MIA83FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Pembroke Pines, FLWitnesses reported that during takeoff, the eng began sputtering when the acft was climbing thru about 50 ft AGL, then the eng noise stopped completely as the acft reached about 150 ft AGL. A puff of smoke was observed coming from the eng as the acft veered…NTSB ATL83FA185Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Cheraw, SCThe student was on his 5th dual instructional flt & was practicing landings with his instructor. They had completed 3 or 4 landings & were in the traffic pattern for another when an intense thunderstorm cloud moved over the arpt. A plt/witness stated that a…NTSB ATL83AA184Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportAero Commander 680 · Titusville, FLWitnesses saw the acft briefly before it crashed. One witness saw the acft flying toward a dark cloud at an unknown alt, but too high to fly under it. Shortly thereafter, he heard the eng noise increase & decrease, then increase until it was loud. He then…NTSB NYC83FU004Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVector 610 · Turners Falls, MAOn 4/18/83, the ultralight vehicle was damaged by high winds. This necessitated the replacement of the front & rear spars as well as the battens which provided curvature to the upper wing surface. Prior to a test flt, a weighted tail wheel was also installed.…NTSB FTW83FA226Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · New Braunfels, TXAt 2006 CDT, before departing san antonio, TX, the plt obtained a wx breifing. At that time, he was advised to expect VFR conditions on his flt to san marcos, TX, but IFR conditions were expected when he planned to return at about midnight. The plt flew to…NTSB FTW83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRotec Rally 2B · Manvel, TXThe plt had flown the ultralight vehicle to his employer's house & landed in the back yard. During the landing, the vehicle sustained damage which included a bent main landing gear axle, a sheared kingpin bolt & a cracked tail boom to tailmount sleeve. A…NTSB DCA83AA025Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Gaithersburg, MDThe owner/plt was on a flt, accompanied by two nephews, ages 19 & 8 yrs old. An associate of the owner/plt reported that the 19 yr old nephew, who occupied the right front seat, was a single eng plt, but had no multi-eng instruction. However, no FAA records…NTSB ATL83FA179Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-150H · Fort Valley, GAAfter a touch-and-go landing, the aircraft was observed to turn after takeoff, enter a steep climp, then go into a steep nose down descent & crash. Witnesses reported hearing the eng operating until just prior to impact. An exam of the acft & eng revealed no…NTSB ATL83FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Kennesaw, GAThe acft crashed in a wooded area after a touch and go landing. The wing flaps lever had been placed to the up position but the flaps did not retract. When the CFI finally noticed that the flaps were not up he took over at about 200 ft AGL and started a…NTSB FTW83FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Iraan, TXAccording to a truck driver, he was proceeding northbound on a highway, when he saw the aircraft enter what he described as a loop from aprx 100 ft AGL. The witness then lost sight of the acft, but shortly after that, he saw a large explosion on the ground…NTSB SEA83FYM05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBrantly Helicopter B-2 · Milton Freewtr., ORThe helicopter was observed to climb to about 50-75 ft AGL & then something flew off the acft. One m/r blade was found intact 240 ft from the wreckage. The outer blade was heavily damaged at the tip area. The inboard blade section had the pylon tube attached…NTSB DEN83FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 28-180 · Alpine, WYThe acft collided with mountainous terrain in IMC weather. The pilot had been briefed on the weather. Part of the observation called for mountain obscuration by clouds or precipitation. A person who resides in Alpine, WY said the mountain tops were obscured…NTSB LAX83FVG11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRietman Widget · Yreke, CAAfter takeoff the acft was observed to climb to about 7,000-8,000 ft MSL & enter a slow flat spin. 8 turns were counted & the acft did not recover. The plt bailed out of the acft at about 500-600 ft but the parachute did not have time to fully deploy. The…NTSB FTW83LA215Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Port Aransas, TXDuring a wx briefing, the non-instrument rated plt was told to expect no significant en route wx, but was advised of lower ceilings along the coastline, later that night. There were no records of en route wx briefings. When the acft was about 40 mi northwest…NTSB ATL83FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32RT-300T · Murfreesboro, TNThe acft crashed in an open field after an in-flt fire. The fire started while the acft was cruising. No emergency callswere made and the engine which was the fire source was not shut down. A rear seat passenger said he tried to open a reardoor to let out…NTSB SEA83FA094Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-172N · Friday Harbor, WAThe acft crashed during an attempted go-around. The acft flap switch was in the down mode and the flaps were in the fulldown(40 degree) position. A passenger said the acft was 'real close to the right side of the runway' just before go- around N3413E impacted…NTSB NYC83FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Coram, NYThe acft crashed shortly after declaring an 'emergency.' A witness saw the acft, but heard no eng sound prior to the crash. Examination of eng failed to reveal any discrepancies. However, when the carburetor was examined no fuel was found in the line between…NTSB MKC83FA098Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Stover, MOThe acft crashed into a wooded area in a high speed descent on a dark and stormy night. The pilot had telephoned the st. louis fss on 04/30/83 and requested Kansas city weather. The weather briefer advised the pilot that the area was in a tornado watch. The…NTSB LAX83FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Nimbus II · California City, CAWitnesses reported that during takeoff, the glider was being towed when it released at aprx 300 ft AGL & entered a left turn. The turn continued, the bank angle increased & the glider subsequently hit the ground aprx 1 mile southwest of the arpt. Impact…NTSB NYC83FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Waymart, PAThis was an introductory instructional flt. Witnesses observed the helicopter flying straight & level prior to the accident. The helicopter had impacted a 60-FT tree at about the 40-FT level. No preimpact failure/falfunction of either the airframe or engine…NTSB NYC83FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Farmingdale, NYBefore the acft took off, the tower received a radio call from the plane requesting 'is there anyway we can get a simulated eng failure after takeoff & land downwind.' The aircrew indicated they would climb to 600 ft, then begin the simulated emergency. The…NTSB LAX83FA211Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Redlands, CABefore flying, the plt told the FBO that he would stay in the local Redlands/riverside, CA area. However, after taking off, he flew to las vegas, NV. He departed las vegas at 1636 PDT. When he did not return to Redlands, a search was initiated. The wreckage…NTSB SEA83FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 77 · Renton, WAThe acft was taking off for a 1 hour engine run-in following a top overhaul. After liftoff the engine began a gradual power loss and rough running. The pilot was trying turning back to the runway to land when total power loss occurred. The acft had turned 45…NTSB MKC83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAmerican Eagle 430B · Hartshorn, MOThe co-owner of the ultralight vehicle was watching the flt & observed the accident. He said the vehicle approached the pasture & was descending from aprx 200 ft as if the plt was going to land or fly by. The ultralight passed over the takeoff/landing area at…NTSB CHI83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAirmass Sunburst B · Norwalk, OHThe ultralight made several low altitude turns over the area and in heading for an open field several 35 ft trees had tobe cleared. Clearance of the trees was estimated by witnesses as 5 ft or less. The acft went out of control in a left turn beyond the trees…NTSB NYC83FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller FH-1100 · Gettysburg, PAThe plt took off on a flt to york, PA to refuel the helicopter & to demonstrate it to a prospective buyer while en route. Witnesses observed the helicopter shortly after departure. Two of 4 witnesses heard a change in the sound of the helicopter, 2 witnesses…NTSB DEN83AA105Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 340 · Rock Springs, WYThe aircrew of a Cessna 340, N5415M, were scheduled for an air taxi check ride with an inspector at jackson, WY, later in the afternoon. They had planned to takeoff from Rock Springs, WY, practice a few instrucment apchs at Rock Springs, then proceed to…NTSB SEA83FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Lebanon, ORSeveral witnesses observed the plt making repeated low passes over the rwy. On the last pass, the acft entered a steep climb, fell off on one wing, then dove toward the ground. The plt started a pull-out, but the acft struck the ground before he recovered.…NTSB CHI83FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Pillager, MNThe acft collided with the ground after dragging the right wing in the water 3 times. The acft disappeared from view of witnesses around a point of land in the lake. The acft was heard producing power up to a 'few second' before a 'thud' was heard followed by…NTSB ANC83FAA06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Nome, AKAt 1205 bdt, the plt reported departing rwy 20 on an IFR flt. At that time, the bases of the clouds were reported to be at aprx 600 to 700 ft with the tops at 3500 ft & another cloud layer was above that. At aprx 1207, the acft crashed on the arpt boundry,…NTSB SEA83FA087Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · 2nm E. Of Blyn, WAThe plts had received a wx briefing from seattle fss earlier in the day for a flt from seattle to port angeles. Due to the time span between arrival & departure at port angeles, the wx briefing was not valid for the return flt. The acft impacted the west…