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 FTW82AA167Accident · 7 fatalFinal reportBeech B90 · Charlotte, TXThe plt & 6 pax were returning home after fishing in Mexico. After clrg customs at laredo, TX, they departed on the next leg of the flt. The plt was clrd to 11000 ft, but got off course. He commented that an instrument had popped, he then requested 7000 ft,…NTSB SEA82FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Oregon City, ORThe aircraft crashed during takeoff from a private airport that was not open to the public. Operations on the airport were at the owner's discretion (prior permission required). An electric fence crossed the airport about 1500 ft from the south end. The owner…NTSB MKC82FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStarfire JRF · Adel, IAThe owner/pilot of the home built aircraft was practicing touch-and-go landings. While climbing after the second touch-and-go, the left wing separated and the aircraft crashed about 3/4 mile south of the airport. A witness reported that on one of the…NTSB FTW82FQD11Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mescalero, NMTwo witnesses observed the aircraft flying eastbound at low altitude along a highway, then begin a climbing turn over sharply rising terrain. After completing about 90 degrees of turn, the aircraft struck the tops of trees about 30 ft AGL. About 12 paces…NTSB CHI82FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Pardeeville, WIAccording to witnesses the aircraft made a routine takeoff followed by an immediate left climbing turn. The aircraft was observed to lose airspeed and descend into the ground. Witnesses stated that the engine was running until ground impact.NTSB ATL82FKM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHudson 2-2-2E · Statesville, NCWitnesses observed the pilot make a low pass parallel to runway 26, then pull-up sharply in a left climbing turn. The witnesses reported that after the pull-up, the left wing dropped and the aircraft entered a spin. The aircraft crashed about 1000 ft south of…NTSB ATL82FKG13Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Thomson, GAPrior to the accident, witnesses observed the aircraft while aerobatics were being performed. One witness estimated that the maneuvers were being flown between 100 and 300 yards AGL. Reportedly, the aircraft had been performing rolls, loops and spins for…NTSB FTW82FPD11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 152 · Carswell, TXAn instructor pilot and a passenger (a student pilot) departed north richland hills, TX at about 1700 hrs. The instructor flew to a recreational area and landed in an open nearby field. He gave airplane rides to various persons for about 1 1/2 hrs then parked…NTSB DEN82FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Wheatland, WYThe acft struck a tree approximately 1/2 mi from the approach end of rwy 08. No fuel was on board the acft. The gear were down & the flaps were in the 10 deg position.NTSB CHI82FA144Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bowling Green, OHThe pilot started his takeoff with the aircraft about 198 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit. The plane was observed to lift off near the departure end of the runway, then continue in a nose high attitude. Some witnesses observed the wings rocking or…NTSB DEN82FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Hakalau, HIThe aircraft departed hilo on the last leg of a 3 flight. A few minutes after takeoff, the pilot called the tower to askfor return and indicated he had a difficulty. No further transmission was made. Witnesses heard intermittent engine sputtering and then the…NTSB CHI82FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Kenosha, WIThe aircraft crashed in a steep nosed down attitude while the pilot and one passenger were on a local flight. Prior to the accident, witnesses observed the pilot practicing stalls below 1000 ft. no precrash failures were found. The last entry in the pilot's…NTSB NYC82FA080Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105C · New Ringgold, PAThe helicopter was leased by the allentown sacred heart hospital. At 2236 EDT, the pilot, who was standing by for duty, obtained a weather briefing. Later, at 2312, there was a request for a med-evac helicopter to respond to a car accident. The helicopter…NTSB FTW82FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411A · Houston, TXThe acft was the second acft of a flight of two. The lead acft had received radio clearance for takeoff. The lead acft was to proceed to a visual checkpoint northwest of the arpt & wait for this acft to join up. Witnesses observed the acft depart rwy 17 &…NTSB MIA82DLA05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRaz-Mut 440A · Deland, FLThe pilot of this amateur/experimental aircraft was on an initial test flight. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft was observed to swerve left and right just before lift-off. After lift-off, it was observed to climb to about 70 to 100 ft AGL and drift left.…NTSB FTW82FRA19Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBoeing A75 · Chapell Hill, TXDuring a pull-up from a swath run, the right wing of the aircraft struck the top of a 45 ft pecan tree. The lower right wing tip separated, and the aircraft rolled inverted and crashed.NTSB FTW82FA152Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · Roanoke, TXWitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared to takeoff and climb normally until it reached an altitude of about 100 ft AGL. It then pitched up abruptly to about a 70 deg nose high attitude. After the pitch-up, the aircraft climbed to about 175 to 200 ft…NTSB ATL82FKQ12Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell/Soloy 47G-3B · Magee, MSThe Bell 47G-3B with a Soloy conversion was being used to demonstrate an aerial application spraying technique for use along powerline right-of-ways. For about 15 to 20 minutes after takeoff, routine spray runs were made over several different powerlines…NTSB MKC82FCD07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Fairfield, IAThe pilot stated that he intended to fly down the runway to have a photographer take pictures to be used in publicity for airshows. After several passes (one inverted), the pilot landed to talk with the photographer. The photographer stated they agreed that a…NTSB SEA82DYE06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech 23 · Greenwater, WAAt about 1620 local time on 4/24/82, the aircraft departed burley, id and proceeded on a VFR flight plan to tacoma, WA. The mountains east of seattle were obscured by an overcast ceiling beginning at 3500 ft. during a descent from 10,500 ft into the seattle…NTSB NYC82FHM06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSpezio Sport DAL-1 · Lagrange, NYThe owner/pilot of the aircraft was a photographer with an amputation above his left wrist. His class iii medical certificate stated that he must wear an artifical limb while flying. The pilot had been asked to photograph a building in an industrial park.…NTSB CHI82FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDauntless D52 · Sebring, OHBoth wings separated during an experimental test flight of the motorized glider. The plt had indicated the tests would include climbing to a safe altitude & doing a few power-off shallow glides to see if there was any indication of flutter at perhaps max…NTSB LAX82DA147Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportS.N.I.A.S. AS350 · Gold Strike, NVThe helicopter had just returned from a sightseeing tour of the grand canyon. The pilot reported that the passengers wanted to get out while the helicopter was undergoing its two-minute, cool-down period. The pilot escorted four of the passengers from the…NTSB ATL82FKG11Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 210 · Lexington, GAIn the early morning hours on 4/23/82, the aircraft departed covington, GA and proceeded on an undetermined route. At about 2300 PST that night, residents near the accident site heard the sounds of a crash. The wreckage was found the next morning about 1000…NTSB MIA82FKJ04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Malone, FLAfter completing a spray run the aircraft was observed to pull up in a tight left turn striking a water tower approximately 5 feet from the top. The aircraft spiraled down and crashed approximately 135 feet from the base of the tower.NTSB FTW82FQD10Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportMooney M20K · Van Horn, TXN99996 departed riverside, CA on a flight to nacogdoches, TX the aircraft made a refueling stop in deming, NM, the last known en route position. The left seat pilot held a pvt certificate, the right seat pilot was a former FAA designated pilot examiner.…NTSB LAX82FVD13Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBeech A36TC · Hearst, CAAbout 26 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain at night. The crash site was located about eight miles east of the departure airport and was at an elevation of about 2000 ft MSL. During impact it struck trees and a 20 degree slope…NTSB LAX82DA146Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Apple Valley, CAWitnesses observed the aircraft to be gliding on final approach with the engine at idle when it abruptly pitched nose down and struck the ground. The engine and both leading edges of the wings contacted the ground at the same time with no turning movement.…NTSB FTW82FA145Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 212 · Intracoastal Ci, LAThe helicopter was in cruise flight when a sudden and severe right yaw occurred. Subsequently, it was autorotated to a ditching in rough water. Touchdown was made on top of a wave, then the helicopter rolled over. The survivors did not get the raft out.…NTSB MKC82FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B95 · Climax Springs, MOApproximately 8 min after takeoff the acft was observed at a very low altitude. It started a right turn that gradually steepened until the wings were almost vertical. After almost two turns the wings leveled for an instant, then the right wing & nose dropped…NTSB MKC82FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Ste. Genevieve, MODuring the day of the accident, the pilot received 7 weather briefings which described marginal VFR conditions for his route of flight. At about 1730 CST, he departed Kansas city on a VFR flight plan to farmington, MO. During the flight, he encountered…NTSB ATL82FA110Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-30 · Lafayette, GADrg the wx briefing the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended due to low ceilings & poor visibility. The plt responded he had to go to ft. payne VFR because they have no instrument approach. A jeppesen us (lo)29 low alt enroute chart was found at…NTSB FTW82FA137Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot was trying to land after both engines failed during takeoff after the aircraft was refueled with jet fuel instead of gasoline. The weather was IFR with fog, low ceiling and rain. The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing and was…NTSB MIA82DA111Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Near Westbay, FLDuring the wx briefing the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended due to low ceilings & visbilities just east of panama city & along the gulf coast. At 2015, approximately 28 mi se of destin, the plt contacted eglin approach control(a/c) & was…NTSB LAX82FVG20Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportSmith Miniplane DSA-1 · Chicago Park, CAThe aircraft crashed while the pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude. The impact occurred just below the top of a ridge at the edge of a valley as the pilot was completing a loop. He was performing the loop perpendicular to the ridge, and…NTSB LAX82FUQ13Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150 · Santa Barbara, CAThe aircraft crashed in a wooded canyon area beneath the cold spring canyon arch bridge in los padres national forest. The plane impacted about 250 yards north of the bridge while on a northerly heading. Broken tree tops and branches were found over an area…NTSB LAX82DA140Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportHughes 369HS · 8 S. Of Page, AZThe aircraft was number two in a trail of three helicopters flying up the Colorado river at marble canyon to page, AZ when it struck an aerial cableway stretching across the river, 22 ft above the water. Witnesses stated that after the collision the…NTSB CHI82FA127Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 411 · Middlefield, OHThe purpose of the flt was to prepare for a FAA part 135 air taxi check ride which was scheduled later that week. The acft was observed during the approach with one eng shut down. During the turn to final the acft crashed 1/2 mi from rwy 28.NTSB LAX82FXQ07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150 · Wadsworth, NVWhile flying over the truckee river on a local flight, the left wing of the aircraft struck a group of five powerlines. The aircraft then impacted the water in a nose down attitude. It was carried downstream about 100 yards by the current before coming to…NTSB FTW82FQA16Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Ruidoso Muni, NMThe aircraft took off from runway 18 with 4 occupants and about 98 gal of fuel on board. The wind was from 210 deg at 8, gusting 20 KTS, the pressure altitude was about 8900 ft and moderate turbulence was reported. According to witnesses, the aircraft made a…NTSB FTW82FA132Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Hinton, OKHelicopter broke up in flight and fell in pieces in an open field. Weather was VMC and it was daylight. All 3 occupants were fatally injured. The breakup occurred while aircraft was in cruise flight.NTSB CHI82FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Bird Island, MNThe aircraft departed thief rivers, MN and proceeded en route to new ulm, MN. One witness near the accident site heard a noise that sounded to him like an explosion. He and other witnesses in the vicinity saw the aircraft descending out of control in a roll…NTSB ATL82FA104Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 · Hendersonville, NCThe aircraft crashed on tree covered/rising terrain after the pilot was cleared for a night ILS approach to runway 34 at the asheville regional airport. The crash occurred about 1 to 2 mi south of the final approach fix while the aircraft was on an outbound…NTSB ANC82FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-4-220C · Homer, AKThe pilot departed Homer airport on a special VFR clearance after being advised numerous times that VFR flight was not recommended. Shortly after takeoff (8 minutes) the aircraft dove out of the clouds and crashed near the airport. The pilot was not…NTSB LAX82FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20 · Tulare, CAThe glider pilot entered a thermal with three other sailplanes and began to climb. Two of the sailplanes were about 1000 ft below him and the other plane was about 500 ft above. As the pilot was climbing to about 4000 ft MSL, he lost sight to the sailplane…NTSB ANC82FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSud SA 318C · Near Savoonga, AKAt 0746 LCL time, the plt activated his VFR flt plan for a round robin flt from nome, AK to Savoonga, NE cape, Savoonga, se cape, Savoonga & back to nome. After arriving at Savoonga, the helicopter was refueled. According to svrl villagers, the wx at that…NTSB SEA82FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A152 · Bremerton, WAThe pilot took off downwind and against traffic in marginal weather conditions. No flight plan was filed and there was no record of a weather briefing. During departure, a near-miss occurred between N761QZ and a light twin-engine aircraft on an instrument…NTSB NYC82FGT13Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 182 · Catawissa, PAReportedly, the pilot departed the airport to accumulate time on a overhauled engine. The airport manager stated that shortly after takeoff, the pilot called on the UNICOM frequency that the engine and aircraft worked like new and he was completely satisfied…NTSB LAX82FA134Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Lake Hughes, CAThe pilot requested the en route weather conditions at 1545, 1625, 1732 and 2150 PST from the bakersfield fss. The pilot was informed, on each occasion, that VFR flight was not recommended; however, at 2213 the pilot departed bakersfield. No flight plan was…NTSB ANC82FA036Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Near Tanana, AKThe aircraft crashed on a snow covered mountain slope while in a steep left bank/nose low turn. The 1754 ast weather at Tanana, AK (19 NM sse) was, in part: 1800 ft broken, 3500 ft overcast, visibility 7 mi with light snow, wind 320 deg at 18 KTS. Flight…