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 DEN83FTC02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPitts S-15 · Laramie, WYThe acft crashed during a ferry flt in VMC wx conditions. While in formation with two other acft N6CQ was observed to pull up to a near vertical climb, reverse course and disappear. Found near the maneuver location, the acft struck the ground in a nearly…NTSB ANC83FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Bettles, AKAccording to witnesses, the acft was seen flying along the trans Alaska pipeline at an estimated alt of 200 ft AGL. As the acft entered a pass, where the pipeline crossed rising terrain, a witness heard the acft's eng power increase, then the plane…NTSB NYC83FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Blue Bell, PAThe plt had been briefed on forecast strong winds & a SIGMET for moderate to severe turbulence. Witnesses observed the acft make a series of approaches to rwy 24. On the 1st approach the acft was almost over the threshold as the base turn was completed. The…NTSB ATL83FA163Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Frisco, NCThe destination arpt was unlighted & was closed from 30 min after sunset until 30 min before sunrise. Prior to the flt, the plt made arrangements for someone to take his car to the destination arpt & park it with the headlights turned on at the apch end of…NTSB MKC83FA090Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBreezy 01 · Kechi, KSThe home built acft had been in storage with the wings removed. The wings had been recently re-installed by the owner and this was the first flight after the re-installation. During a takeoff from an open field, witnesses observed the aircraft lift-off, climb…NTSB CHI83FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA24-260 · Middleton, WIDuring arrival at night, the plt was cleared for a vor-b apch to the morey arpt, an uncontrolled facility at an elevation of 928 ft MSL. Rwy 13/31 at the arpt had low intensity rwy lights which could be activated by keying the radio on 123.5 mhz. The circling…NTSB LAX83FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Auburn, CAPrior to this flt, the acft had not been flown for two months or refueled in five months. During that period, it had been exposed to unusually heavy amounts of rainfall. An annual inspection had been completed on 1/12/82 & 77 hrs had been flown since that…NTSB ATL83FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Mobile, ALThe plt had not flown actively for aprx 1 yr. However, shortly before the accident, he had told friends that he had missed flying & was going to resume this activity. He received a checkout in the Cessna 177RG on 12/12/82 in anticipation of flying again. This…NTSB MIA83FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRotec Rally 2B Ultralight · Palm Bay, FLThe Rotec rally 2B was an unregistered ultralight vehicle that had been assembled from a kit. The plts of two other ultralight vehicles stated that they were in a very loose formation with the one that had crashed. According to them, they were flying at about…NTSB MIA83LA114Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Gulf Of MexicoThe plt flew from mobile, al to pensacola, FL, where a passenger enplaned for a flt to columbus, MS. After the passenger disembarked at columbus, the plt took off on an IFR flt plan back to mobile at an altutude of 7000 ft. reportedly, the flt progressed…NTSB LAX83FA188Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182RII · Casa Grande, AZThe acft collided with a lone mountain while in straight & level flight.NTSB DEN83FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Salt Lake City, UTThe helicopter collided with the side of a mountain during a turn after departing from a hospital helipad while on an emergency medical flt to pick up a medical team to care for a critically ill child. The plt was notified at 0510 by his dispatcher. After…NTSB MIA83FA113Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Gainesville, FLThe acft crashed about 8 miles from the intended destination during weather on a dark night. The plt had gone outbound that afternoon with two passengers who did not return with him because of motion sickness. According to the one of his former instructors…NTSB LAX83LA190Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-4 · La Jolla, CAThe plt was qualified for solo winch launches in an SGS-1-26 glider. On his 1st winch launch using a c.g. hook in this glider, he allowed the acft to enter an abnormally high angle of attack, which was observed thru-out the takeoff process. The glide then…NTSB ANC83FU003Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPteradactyl Ascender · Girdwood, AKAccording to a witness, the ultralight vehicle had just taken off, had turned to a downwind heading & was climbing, when it began to oscillate longitudinally. After a few oscillations, the vehicle nosed over, the wings folded & the ultralight crashed to the…NTSB LAX83FA185Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32-300 · Weaverville, CAThe acft was being flown to a uni-directional arpt with an instructor plt (CFI) in the right front seat & a student plt/prospective buyer in the left front seat. The rwy elevation was 2230 ft MSL at the south end & 2350 ft at the north end. North of the rwy,…NTSB CHI83FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Coulterville, ILDuring a wx briefing before takeoff, the non-instrument rated plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. However, he departed sheboygan, WI at aprx 1500 CST with no flt plan. At dusk, witnesses (near the crash site) heard the acft maneuvering. One…NTSB NYC83FA087Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Wellsville, NYJust prior to this flt, the plt had flown from hornell, NY to Wellsville, NY. Before departing hornell, he radioed that the vacuum annunciator light was on, & during a run-up, the suction gauge read zero. Ground personnel advised that with this problem, the…NTSB LAX83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMitchell A-10 · Tulare, CAThe ultralight was on a demonstration flt. Reportedly, the plt made a pass down the rwy, then had turned downwind at 400 to 500 ft, when witnesses heard a loud bang or crack & saw the wings of the vehicle fold. The ultralight then entered a spiral & crashed…NTSB ATL83FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWizard J3 · Dovesville, SCReportedly, the owner/plt had purchased the ultralight acft on 4/21/83. His instructor stated that he (the plt) had received aprx 1 1/2 hrs of supervised taxi time, but had not flown the vehicle prior to the accident flt. On the day of the accident, the plt…NTSB ANC83FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2A-8 · Selawik, AKAccording to the FAA specialist on duty at the nome flight service station the plt of munz northern flt 601 requested only the ambler wx at 0030 gmt. The only surviving passenger stated that the flt deptd nome, AK at 1330 bst and as the flt continued north…NTSB ATL83FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Rocky Face, GADuring two wx briefings the plt was advised that wx enroute would be marginal VMC to IMC. He was given a convective SIGMET covering tenessee & north carolina. There was a possibility of thunderstorm activity, low ceiling & visibility, high surface winds,…NTSB NYC83FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Captree Island, NYThe plt contacted the islap west arrival controller with the intention of landing at islap, NY. However, islap was below mins, so the plt diverted toward farmingdale, NY & asked about the wx there. The islap controller coordinated the diversion with the…NTSB FTW83FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Dalhart, TXAs the plt was approaching Dalhart, TX, he was in radio & radar contact with albuquerque ARTCC (center). Aprx 15 mi from delhart, the plt asked center about the wx over Dalhart. He was advised that the fss there was shut down & no current wx for Dalhart was…NTSB LAX83FJA06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Waimanalo, Oahu, HIThe acft was observed maneuvering over the water at low altitude prior to impact with the water. A surviving pax stated that he & the plt had a big party the day before the flt & they both had hangovers the following morning. He further stated that they had a…NTSB FTW83LA177Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6 · Mckinney, TXThree observers accompanied the aircrew & other passengers on a flt to transport skydivers aloft. Prior to the flt, all 3 of the observers were briefed not to exit the acft until the engines were secured. However, 1 of the 3 discussed the need to move a…NTSB SEA83FA072Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlasair SH2 · Camano Island, WAThe aircraft was observed in a flat left hand spin which continued to ground impact. The aircraft entered the spin from a vertical maneuver at about 2000 feet AGL. The pilot had helped build this aircraft. He was characterized as a conservative pilot and had…NTSB FTW83FA176Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Cuero, TXThe non-rated plt had been previously employed by the operator & knew where the keys of the acft had been kept. He had no known flight training, but had previously been a passenger in the acft on at least one ocasion. He took the acft without permission,…NTSB FTW83FA175Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Eagle Pass, TXThe acft was on a flt to a private ranch landing strip at night. The strip had an unlighted windsock at midfield & portable rwy edge lights were in use. During arrival, the aircrew estimated the visibility was 3 to 4 mi & reported they would be able to land.…NTSB ANC83FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Glennallen, AKWitnesses reported that after takeoff, the plt flew by a cabin at approximately 200 ft, signaled by rocking the acft's wings, then began a gradual climb. The climb increased in steepness until 1 witness could see the entire top of the acft. It then nosed…NTSB NYC83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPterodactyl Ascender II · Lehighton, PASeveral witnesses observed the ultralight vehicle takeoff & climb in a circular pattern to an alt of about 1500 ft. one witness stated that just prior to the accident sequence, the ultralight was turning with a steep angle of bank. At about that time, the…NTSB LAX83FVG10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Georgetown, CAThe acft collided with a mountainside at the 3500 ft level in a 45 degree nose down attitude after colliding with a 30 ft tree during IMC weather on a dark night. There is no record that the plt received a weather briefing. The pilot was not instrument rated…NTSB FTW83FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Bethany, OKThe student pilot departed Oklahoma city, OK en route to chickasha, OK. The acft was observed to depart runway 17R and proceed wsw of the airport. The acft wreckage was located about 1 1/2 miles west of wiley post airport. The acft was intact and exam…NTSB DEN83FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Kanab, UTThe acft departed page at about 1150. At about 1238 the acft struck the south slope of a 6,280-FT canyon wall at about 6,000 ft MSL. The canyon is one of a series of about five 'finger' canyons forming the vermilion cliffs group. Sigment lima 15 in effect…NTSB CHI83FA156Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Miltona, MNPrior to separting, the plt was advised of low ceilings & poor visibility over the entire proposed route & was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. In a discussion with persons at fergus falls, MN, he stated that he was going to follow the highway. About…NTSB FTW83FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Enid, OKDuring the early morning hours, the acft crashed at the edge of a wheat field on relatively level terrain. The main wreckage then crossed a road & came to rest in another field. There were no known witnesses. A passing farmer discovered the wreckage at about…NTSB DCA83AA023Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportGates Learjet 25 · Newark, NJThe acft was on a ngt check courier flt. During arrival, the indicated airspeed was well above the legal limit of 250 ktfor flt below 10,000 ft. rwy 4R was selected for landing after the crew were advised that their original choice (rwy 11)was noise…NTSB LAX83LAMS4Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 152 · Missing AcftThe plt reportedly took off on a 1 hr local. The Acft did not return & was presumed to have crashed. Also, it was presumed to have been destroyed & the plt was presumed to have been fatally injured. The owner/operator provided info which suggested that the…NTSB MKC83FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-400 · Salem, MOThe student plt departed dexter, MO at aprx dusk on a VFR, no-flt-plan flt to houston, MO. Time required for the flt would have been aprx 30 min (estimated). At 1900 CST, the bunker, MO city marshal reported that an acft flew over bunker so low that he…NTSB ATL83FA145Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Roanoke, VAThe acft was on a x-country from buffalo, NY to new port richey, FL. The plt made an en route stop at painsville, OH, then proceeded toward greensboro, NC. While en route, he elected to land at Roanoke, VA because his fuel would be low if he continued to…NTSB LAX83FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Cobb, CAThe plt had left his acft at lakeport, CA for maintenance to be performed & barrowed Mooney M20E, N2571W. Before the plt took off, the owner heard him talking to someone about the wx, but no record of a wx briefing was found. While en route to palo alto, CA,…NTSB DEN83FA087Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Salt Lake City, UTBefore departing phoenix, AZ, the plt obtained a wx briefing, was advised of forcasted icing conditions & was informed that the Salt Lake City (slc) VORTAC was out of service. While en route, at 0931, he received a wx update. The slc wx at that time was, in…NTSB ATL83FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKit Built Scorpion 133 · Centerville, TNThe rotorcraft crashed in a steeply descending turn shortly after takeoff from about 100 feet AGL. No mechanical malfunction was found during, the on-site wreckage examination which would have resulted in the abrupt steep left bank and ground impact. The…NTSB LAX83FJA05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMurrayair MA1B · Nr Lihue Arpt, HIThe acft collided with a tree during a turn-around while engaged in aerial application operations. The pilot had made a few runs over the same field until he exhausted his load. After landing and reloading he returned to the area to finish the job and on the…NTSB LAX83FA166Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Sedona, AZDuring preflt briefings, the plt was briefed to expect deteriorating wx conditions with associated flt precautions for mountain obscurement, icing & moderate turbulence. The wx briefings were complete, except due to an inoperative circuit, the 0654 prescott &…NTSB DCA83AA022Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · Jeffersonville, GAThe acft was on the return portion of a round trip flt, hauling canceled bank checks. When they boarded before takeoff, the plt's wife, who was not a plt, occupied the r front seat & his 2 daughter's, ages 4 & 6, were in the passenger seats. Previous legs of…NTSB FTW83FA164Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Salt Flat, TXBefore departing tucson, the plt was advised of 2 marginal wx systems along his route. He took off at 1038 MST. At 1130,he contacted ATC & reported at 13,800'. From then until 1214, his alt varied between 10,000' & 16,000'. Radar contact was lost at 1228…NTSB LAX83FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 B III · Salinas, CAPurpose of flt was to transport a technician & his equipment to a mountain top to service a microwave antenna site. Cloud coverage precluded a landing at the site, but the plt was able to land in a clearing on the eastern ridge line about 100 yds below the…NTSB LAX83FA153Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Near Pala, CAAccording to a friend of the plt, he (the plt) had watched wx infor on tv, on 3/20/83. To the friend's knowledge, the plt had never telephoned the FAA fss for a wx briefing or to file a flt plan. After the friend took the plt & his wife (who was also a plt)…NTSB CHI83FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Rochester, ILThe acft experienced an in-flt break-up during descent. The pilot had reported on the radio to Kansas city ARTCC that hewas having severe chest pains and shortness of breath. Radar contact with the plane was lost at 1425 CST. The pilot had reported he was…