Fatal NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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.
Cases, newest first
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 GAA21WA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Wolseley, South AfricaNTSB CEN21LA113Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Newellton, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines/poles and terrain while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB ERA21LA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Columbia, SCThe pilot's in-flight loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA21LA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKolb Firestar · Vineland, NJA steep descent and impact with terrain during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR21LA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 560 · Warm Springs, ORA loss of airplane control due to pilot incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB DCA21WA066Accident · 62 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBoeing 737 · Jakarta, IndonesiaNTSB GAA21WA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna T303 · Bojaca-Cundinamarca, ColombiaNTSB GAA21WA009Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Vila Velha, ES, BrazilNTSB CEN21LA107Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHawker Beechcraft G58 · Credit, ARA loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an emergency descent with one engine inoperative and inadvertent collision with transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inability to respond appropriately to the…NTSB CEN21LA104Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · New Hudson, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of an instrument rating and the low visibility at the time…NTSB ANC21WA011Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Eaglesham, CanadaNTSB ANC21WA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R66 · Ojiro in Shimada-City, Shizuoka, JapanNTSB GAA21WA006Accident · 4 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 177 · Rancador, PR, BrazilNTSB CEN21LA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Tuckers Crossing, MSThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control when the external saw contacted trees during an attempted emergency landing due to a main rotor transmission oil pressure warning. The reason that the pilot did not release the external saw from the helicopter during the…NTSB ERA21LA085Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210L · Midway, GAThe pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to complete the flight to work in an emergency room.NTSB CEN21LA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportExpress CT · Grand Prairie, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during the departure turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA092Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSonex Tailwheel · Burleson, TXA total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.NTSB ERA21LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB10 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in environmental conditions favorable for serious carburetor ice during a prolonged wait with the engine at a low power setting before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.…NTSB CEN21LA091Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Aledo, TXThe pilot’s loss of control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an upright spin into terrain.NTSB WPR21LA070Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSilverLight AR-1 · Heber City, UTThe pilot’s failure to follow the procedures for takeoff in the Pilot Operating Handbook, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to receive additional training in the gyroplane.NTSB CEN21LA089Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Bossier City, LAThe student pilot’s decision to conduct a flight during night instrument meteorological conditions and his loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s use of an amphetamine and his attention…NTSB CEN21LA088Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S12XL · Port Isabel, TXAn exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and aerodynamic stall following a loss of engine power during an unknown phase of flight, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21LA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAnthony Mattioli AR-1 · San Mateo, FLA loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB ERA21LA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech V35A · Attalla, ALA loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.NTSB ERA21WA086Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Mambucaba, BrazilNTSB CEN21LA084Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Colorado City, TXThe pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.NTSB CEN21LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV6 · Hitchcock, TXThe pilot’s impairment by the effects of ingested alcohol, which resulted in the loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Windom, MNThe pilot’s spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR21WA065Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Tallong, AustraliaNTSB CEN21LA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA38 · Franklin, ARThe impairment of both pilots from carbon monoxide exposure due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect the degraded muffler.NTSB CEN21LA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Telluride, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn from the base leg to final approach, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at a low altitude over mountainous…NTSB WPR21WA063Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignGrob 120A-1 · Beer-Sheba, IsraelNTSB ERA21LA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech V35 · Deltaville, VAAn uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain following an in-flight collision with seagulls.NTSB ERA21LA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FLThe pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…NTSB WPR21FA057Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBlevins Kamron Odyssey · Arlington, WAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could be determined based on available evidence.NTSB WPR21WA062Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Katale, UgandaNTSB GAA21WA173Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA11 · Open Door, ArgentinaNTSB ANC21LA007Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150L · Colton, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain positive control of the airplane in mountainous terrain during dark night conditions as a result of spatial disorientation which led to a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA21WA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBeech 95B55 · Sao Pedro, SP, BrazilNTSB WPR21FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Los Angeles, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the throttle control hardware during recent maintenance, which resulted in its disconnection and a subsequent loss of engine power on approach for landing.NTSB CEN21WA063Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRotorsport UK Cavalon · Avoch, United KingdomNTSB CEN21LA055Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182R · Rockwall, TXThe pilot’s decision to continue an unstabilized approach and his delayed go-around decision, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the inaccurate wind direction reporting as a result of a…NTSB WPR21FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177 · Langley, WAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control while attempting to conduct an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power as a result of…NTSB CEN21LA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTrick Trikes Stss · Holden, MOThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.NTSB WPR21FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA38 · Grass Valley, CAA total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB WPR21LA061Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Arch Cape, ORThe pilot’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN21WA056Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignQuest Kodiak 100 · Guatemala City, GuatemalaNTSB CEN21LA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Dunn Center, NDThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN21WA061Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Durango, MexicoNTSB WPR21WA050Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Nelspruit, South Africa