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 CEN21FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech J35 · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot of the J35’s failure to maintain clearance from the M35, which resulted in a midair collision and the J35 pilot’s subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21WA042Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA34 · Reus, SpainNTSB ANC21LA004Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAutoGyro MTO Sport · Whitewater, KSA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA21LA035Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman GA7 · Ellicott, NYThe pilot’s continued descent below the minimum descent altitude while conducting an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR21WA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-25-235 · Kirkwood, South AfricaNTSB WPR21LA032Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.NTSB WPR21LA030Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 310 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s minimum controllable airspeed while maneuvering with one engine inoperative. Also causal was the loss of power in the left engine due to oil starvation. Contributing to the accident were inadequate maintenance…NTSB CEN21LA030Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Lubbock, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to fly into icing conditions with an airplane that was not equipped for icing, which led to structural icing and a subsequent loss of airplane control, and the pilot’s impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a cracked…NTSB ERA21FA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Dunnellon, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.NTSB CEN21FA026Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Woodbranch, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR21FA025Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLancair 235 · Cordes Lakes, AZThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic experience in the accident…NTSB WPR21WA089Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 182 · Cheworez, ZimbabweNTSB CEN21FA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Slidell, LAThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after departure for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN21FA024Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGlasair III · Ford Heights, ILThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA018Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T182 · Houma, LAImpact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined with the available information.NTSB GAA21WA002Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Passa Tres, Rio Claro, BrazilNTSB ERA21LA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Citra, FLThe student pilot’s inadequate preflight planning likely due to impairment from ethanol, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was his improper decision to depart from an unlit airstrip in dark night conditions.NTSB GAA21WA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · ForeignPiper PA28RT · Ubate-Cundinamarca, ColombiaNTSB CEN21WA013Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna FRA150 · Troutbeck, United KingdomNTSB GAA21WA175Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPioneer 300 · Loches, FranceNTSB GAA21WA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA25 · Juan Jose Rios, MexicoNTSB ERA21FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCzech Sport Cruiser · Waterloo, ALThe improper configuration of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation following the failure of the electric fuel pump.NTSB WPR21LA011Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S-7 · Spirit Lake, IDThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN21LA008Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStephens William E Quicksilver MXL-2 Sport · Mount Vernon, INThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an…NTSB ERA21WA033Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · ForeignANG 01 · Peremoha, UkraineNTSB CEN21FA007Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech S35 · Telluride, COThe pilot’s loss of control during the climb to cruise flight resulting in the airplane’s impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to not climb to a higher altitude before proceeding over high terrain.NTSB WPR21LA003Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEvolution Revo · Hawthorne, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.NTSB ERA21LA004Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Beechhurst, NYThe pilot’s selection of a landing area that provided inadequate distance from obstacles and his subsequent decision to abort the landing with inadequate takeoff distance available, which resulted in a high-speed collision with a concrete bulkhead.…NTSB ERA21LA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TBM700 · Corfu, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons during the descent to the destination airport.NTSB CEN20WA426Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus SR22 · Le Chevillotte, FranceNTSB WPR20LA319Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T182 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN20LA417Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuicksilver Mxii · Killeen, TXA total loss of engine power due to cold seizure for a reason that could not be determined, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.NTSB WPR20LA315Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Emmett, IDThe pilot’s descent below surrounding terrain and his delayed decision to initiate a climb which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were terrain and lighting conditions that affected the pilot’s ability to accurately assess terrain…NTSB ERA20LA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA25 · Floral City, FLThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a tree while flying towards the rising sun during an aerial application flight, which resulted in a collision with the tree and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB GAA20WA139Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172 · Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaNTSB ERA20LA329Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Lincolnton, GAThe pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB ERA20LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV 8 · Hilliard, FLA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB CEN20WA409Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPitts S1 · Kulmbach, GermanyNTSB CEN20LA402Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Hilltop Lakes, TXThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to establish and maintain a…NTSB CEN20LA401Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Kokomo, INThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB CEN20WA408Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRaven Aircraft Corppration Raven · Moosburg an der Isar, GermanyNTSB CEN20LA413Accident · FatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCosmos Phase 3 · Wayne, OKA loss of control while taxiing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN20LA400Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSafari S · Red Bud, ILA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN20LA399Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Zeeland, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a visual approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience at night.NTSB CEN21WA036Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna TU206G · Los Laureles, MexicoNTSB WPR20LA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Seeley Lake, MTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA20WA137Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S6 · Lasne, BelgiumThe government of Belgium has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a RANS S6 airplane that occurred on September 13, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Belgium's investigation under the provisions…NTSB ERA20LA315Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Steinhatchee, FLThe failure of the air traffic controller to provide hazardous weather information to the pilot, resulting in the flight’s encounter with strong updraft conditions, an inflight loss of airplane control, and an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s…NTSB CEN20LA392Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Cottage Grove, MNA steep descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN20LA389Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 8KCAB · Groton, SDThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.