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 MIA83FU001Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportManta Foxbat · Ft. Lauderdale, FLReportedly, the plt had received about 5 hrs of ground handling instuctions before he flew the foxbat, ultralight vehicle. The ultralight was equipped with a weight shift control sys. While landing on his 1st flt with this vehicle, it collided with the…NTSB MIA83FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot's father and fiancee were acting as ground crew for the banner pickup. The pilot's father, who is a senior captain for pan am, stated that the acfr flew in a very erratic manner after the banner towing hook was thrown out. The acft was banking and…NTSB LAX83FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Dos Palos, CAThe non-rated plt & a friend (also non-rated) took the acft without permission of the owner. They took off at night & made repeated passes over the city of Dos Palos, CA. After about 15 to 20 min, the acft was flown to the vicinity of a home belonging to the…NTSB ATL83FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Crossville, TNThe aircraft crashed into hinch mt at the 2700 foot level during cruise flt in IMC weather. The pilot was informed during the initial and subsequent briefings that VFR flt was not recommended for his route. The first leg of the flight from new orleans to…NTSB LAX83FA396Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Littlefield, AZThe passenger stated the flt was behind schedule, and an airport thought to be tuweep was spotted. They descended to 150-200 ft to read a sign and when the plt tried to climb in a left turn he collided with rising terrain. The accident location is about 8…NTSB LAX83FA387Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Trinity Center, CAThe acft departed creswell, OR, sometime after 1800 PST on 3/19/83. At 2110 PST, the plt contacted portland flt watch by radio & stated that he was over roseburg, or at 9500 ft. he requested pireps of wx over the siskiyou mountains & into the san francisco…NTSB NYC83FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-60 · North Adams, MAAt 1145 the plt reported VFR conditions & requested radar vectors to the arpt. He was issued a cruise clearance of 5,000 ft & given a heading. 18 mi from the arpt he reported visual contact with the ground. At 1151 he was asked if he was familiar with the…NTSB ATL83FA176Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · Waverly, GAThe acft crashed into trees during an instrument approach at night in stormy weather. Both the CFI, seated in the front left seat, & the new owner of the acft, were fatally injured. An IFR flt plan was filed & the CFI had obtained 2 wx briefings prior to…NTSB MKC83FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · St. Louis, MOThe helicopter was observed by several witnesses flying at 200-300 feet above the Mississippi river. As it wobbled and buffeted and rolled to the right. It was spinning and the tail rotor separated shortly followed by an explosion with a blueish/white smoke…NTSB LAX83FA138Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Chatsworth, CAThe acft collided with powerlines 177 AGL during flt in adverse weather. About 2 miles from the site of the powerline collision the acft had collided with hilly terrain about 500 ft higher than the powerline. The pilot had received a weather briefing and…NTSB SEA83FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Glenns Ferry, IDThe acft collided with wires and crashed during a low pass while it was being delivered to a repair station. The pilot was flying low to keep pace with his wife who was following in a car to transport the pilot after landing. Witnesses observed the acft…NTSB FTW83FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A23-24 · Shawnee, OKThe plt departed his private, 1200 ft airstrip & flew to the Shawnee muni arpt with 1 passenger. During arrival on the return flt, he elected to land toward the south. According to a witness, there was a thunderstorm at that time aprx 1/2 to 1 mi…NTSB CHI83FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Danvers, ILThe aircraft crashed at night during IMC weather conditions on the return portion of a cross-country. The pilot had checked the weather outbound, but there was no record of a briefing for the return flight. The outbound flt was in early dusk. The return was…NTSB ATL83FKJ03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEaa Biplane P-2 · Southside, ALThe pilot was performing aerobatics over the airport at 400-500 feet AGL. On the last pass, he had completed one roll and was inverted in what appeared to be a second roll when the aircraft dove at the ground in a near vertical position. The aircraft engine…NTSB LAX83FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Fiddletown, CAThe acft crashed into hilly terrain while descending to enter the traffic pattern at the rancho murieta airport. The pilot had called sacramento fss to get assistance in locating this arpt which is about 11 NM from sacramento VOR on a bearing of about 65…NTSB FTW83FA149Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Kingston, OKThe acft rolled right after a premature liftoff due to a dip in the rwy. The acft continued to roll right until it impacted a 6 degree slope in a 100 degree nose down attitude. Investigation revealed that the right engine had suffered a power loss due to a…NTSB DEN83FTE07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHomebuilt Rotorcraft Z6 · Bennett, COThe Homebuilt gyrocopter crashed on level terrain after rudder and rotor blade separation in flt. The rudder was found about 100 yards from the main wreckage. It had been struck by one of the rotor blades and had separated in flt. The separated rotor blade…NTSB DEN83FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7EC · Wright, WYThe acft spun into the ground from low alt while hunting foxes. The acft had previously landed in a wheat field and the occupants talked with a friend about seeing foxes nearby. They were going to fly around some more and have a look. A short time later the…NTSB LAX83FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U2061 · Pt Reyes, CAThe Cessna U2061, purchased that day by the occupants, collided with trees on a hillside 10 miles from pt. Reyes, CA. An eyewitness observed the aircraft flying into worsening weather at 500 AGL or lower under a thin cloud layer in the olema valley. During…NTSB FTW83FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Mayflower, ARThe acft collided with trees while flying in a westerly direction near Mayflower, AR. The acft was returning from a cross-country at night and was observed by a group of youths who said it was flying fast at low alt. As they watched, it descended to about…NTSB SEA83FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Mccall, IDThe acft impacted a rocky slope of a box canyon at the 6300 foot level. The weather was reported to be IMC with thunderstorms, overcast skies and the mountain tops obscured. The wreckage location was on a direct line between departure point and destination.…NTSB LAX83FVG09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech V35B · Copperopolis, CAThe acft was observed taking off to the south from the plt's private strip. The acft made a 180 deg turn & flew over theplt's residence near the runway. A momentary increase in eng RPM was heard. The acft then made another 180 deg turn & flew down the runway…NTSB ATL83FA129Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Birmingham, ALThe acft collided with trees and terrain during a practice localizer approach at night to rwy 23 at Birmingham municipalarpt. The weather was VMC and the pilot was not instrument rated. On approaching Birmingham from tri-cities, NC the pilot asked for a…NTSB SEA83FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlasair SH-2 · 5 Nm E. Of Kent, WAThe homebuilt acft collided with powerlines on final approach and crashed. The pilot was on a flight from one airport toanother to demonstrate his acrt to other builders of the acft. He was observed to enter the pattern and fly a low base leg and final…NTSB DEN83FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Evanston, WYWhen en route, the acft collided with power lines where they crossed over a highway about 39 ft AGL. Two witnesses near this location reported that the acft was flying low & was following the highway on a westerly heading when the acft struck the wires. The…NTSB DEN83FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Lake Powell, UTThe acft was seen to fly erratically before plunging into the lake during an landing attempt. Investigation revealed a history of pre-existing medical problems that could lead to 'a convulsive episode with accompanied loss of consciousness.' An examination of…NTSB DEN83FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Limon, COThe acft crashed in a snow covered field during IMC weather. Witnesses heard and saw an acft flying low in the area of the accident just before the crash. There are no known witnesses to the actual crash. The acft was discovered several hours later by a snow…NTSB ATL83FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Hopkinsville, KYThe plt obtained a wx briefing & filed a flt plan from lexington to paducah,KY with a 15 min en route stop at bowling green, KY. While inbound to bowling green, he reported that the cloud base was at aprx 6000 ft & that there was lightning to the west. After…NTSB LAX83FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportThorp T-18 · Simi, CAThe acft crashed in a school playground in a steep uncontrolled descent. Witnesses said the acft was observed in a 60 degree nose down attitude at about 1000 ft AGL and this continued until ground impact. The engine was producing high power at this time. No…NTSB ATL83FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas B-26C · Hubbards Fork, KYThe plt & acft had been fighting forest fires earlier in the day. A late developing fire necessitated another dispatch. The acft arrived on scene & checked in with the lead acft circling overhead coordinating the fire fighting efforts. The tanker made 2 runs…NTSB FTW83FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 · Orange Grove, TXThe plt was believed to have departed hebbronville muni arpt at about 0500 CST. When the acft failed to arrive at its destination, a search was initiated. The wreckage was found where it crashed in an area of mesquite trees & brush, about halfway between the…NTSB SEA83FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Moses Lake, WAThe flight originated at the pilots private farm strip. The pilot stated that during the flight the engine 'sputtered and died'. During a power off landing attempt the passenger grabbed the controls according to the pilot. The pilot said he fought for control…NTSB FTW83FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Borger, TXAccording to 2 plt witnesses, the acft stalled during takeoff after it had climbed to aprx 75 to 100 ft AGL. They reported that at that time, it did a wing-over, entered a dive & crashed. Reportedly, the acft was loaded to near its max gross wt limit. The…NTSB MIA83LA084Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R · Cross City, FLThe acft collided with trees during a night landing on a lonely stretch of country road. The landing was an attempt to unload 662 pounds of marijuana in an illegal drug operation.a passenger was fatally injured and the injured pilot was found later in the…NTSB CHI83FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDodd Pitts S1S · Harvard, ILThe acft crashed into an open field leaving no ground scars other than the principal impact. One witness saw the acft stall at the top of a loop and go into a spin (tail-down). He stated the acft rotated 6-8 times prior to impact with the engine running. The…NTSB MIA83FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · Brooksville, FLThe acft disappeared from radar during descent from 4000 ft MSL to 2000 ft MSL. Investigation revealed SIGMET bravo 3 in effect in the area of the accident at the time of the crash. The transcript of radio communications with the flt shows no in-flt weather…NTSB LAX83FA320Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E55 · Bridgeport, CAThe recorded transcript between the plt and the reno fss specialist reveals that the plt was aware of moderate icing conditions below 18000 feet and reported moderate to severe turbulence along his proposed route of flt. The plt reported icing conditions and…NTSB LAX83FA121Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Phoenix, AZThe purpose of flt was to take aerial photogrphs of a business agency near the crash site. The helicopter was observed orbiting a parking lot in a right hand pattern at 150-300 ft AGL. After 2-3 orbits it appeared to hover before pitching nose down to a near…NTSB LAX83FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-R3S · Kerman, CAThe acft returning from a spray mission collided with a tree and crashed near the pilots home. The pilot made a low passover his house to let his wife know he had returned. He made a spray run over his own vineyard and collided with a largetree while pulling…NTSB CHI83FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Beloit, WIReportedly, the plt had not flown for 2 or 3 months before his flts on 2/27/83. On that day, he took off & made 5 touch-and-go landings, then stopped for a cup of coffee. The plt then departed again on a 2nd flt. Aprx 1/2 hr later, smoke was observed from the…NTSB NYC83FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Mountville, PAThe acft collided with a power line and a tree before crashing to the ground during a go-around attemp. The acft had been crabbing in a cross-wind for a landing and drifting off to the right of the rwy. The pilot applied power for a go around but never…NTSB LAX83FUM04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 180J · Descanso, CAThe non-instrument rated plt was on a flt from farmington, NM to el cajon, CA, but made a stop at borrego springs, CA where a passenger deplaned. Before departing farmington, he obtainend a wx briefing for the trip, but only filed a flt plan for the 1st leg…NTSB FTW83FA128Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P-206C · Brookland, ARThe acft crashed in IMC weather after the pilot failed to complete a VOR approach to jonesboro. According to the owner of the accident acft, the plt was instrument rated and had filed an IFR flt plan but was not very proficient in instrument flying. During…NTSB MIA83FA081Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Chuluota, FLThe acft crashed from 200 ft AGL on takeoff. Witnesses said the engine quit and the acft made a steep left turn and then dove straight to the ground. The acft had almost made a 180 degree turn to line up with state road 419 when it crashed. This road…NTSB FTW83FA126Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Pineville, LAThe owner, an instructor plt (CFI), was in the right front seat & a private plt with no instrument rating was in the left front seat. During arrival, the aircrew had inquired about the wx at the esler regional arpt, however, the fss & the UNICOM had closed…NTSB ATL83FA117Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Hendersonville, NCAfter reporting level at 7,000 ft in rain, the plt reported that altitude could not be maintained due to a power loss. He stated that '...we're down to about fourteen inches and we just broke out and I got the lights.' At 1849, after a discussion with ATC…NTSB MKC83FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Ellsworth, KSThe pilot departed red cloud, NE for a VFR, no-flight-plan flight to kingman, KS. Witnesses reported an aircraft flying in flight conditions that appeared to deteriorate from a weather stand standpoint in the direction of flight. One witness stated that he…NTSB LAX83FA350Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Mount Shasta, CAThe acft flew into mt reddy at about 9000 ft level. The clouds were as low as 5000 and the mountain tops were obscured. The plts in flt wx briefing contained the advice that VFR flt along his route was not recommended because the mt tops were obscured in…NTSB ANC83FU002Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEagle B · Chugiak, AKReportedly, the plt took off from a yard, and when the ultralight vehicle had climbed to about 200 ft AGL, the eng lost RPM momentarily, then regained power. A witness reported that when the RPM decreased, the ultralight nosed over & went upside down. During…NTSB LAX83FA104Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper 601P · San Diego, CAWhile taking off, the acft climbed aprx 100 to 200 ft, then began loosing alt. During a forced landing on a street, it hit a parked car & a light pole & burst in flames. The plt, who later expired, said that neither eng developed full power (2575 RPM). He…