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 LAX82FA130Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Torrance, CABefore departing on the initial flight from los angeles, CA, the pilot drained a large amount of water from the fuel tanks. After making a battery start, the pilot and two passengers departed on a flight to the santa catalina airport where they had lunch.…NTSB DEN82FA056Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320F · Missoula, MTDuring arrival for an ILS-2 approach to runway 11, the pilot was advised to hold at the kona NDB while snowplows finished clearing the runway. At that time, the Missoula weather was 1200 ft obscured, 2 mi visibility with light snow and fog, temperature and…NTSB NYC82FGM10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeech E55 · Scandia, PAAt 0834 EST, the pilot departed bradford airport on an IFR flight to alton, IL. About 4 minutes later, he advised that he was having difficulty with his flight instruments while in IFR conditions. He attempted to return to the departure airport by using d.f.…NTSB DEN82FA057Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20B · Near Salida, COAfter departing Salida at approximately 0820 the plt radioed over UNICOM that the clouds in the local area had bases of 12,500 ft MSL & tops at 16,500 ft MSL. About 15 min later the acft impacted a mountain at the 13,500 ft level. There were flt precautions…NTSB ATL82FA093Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Bostic, NCThe aircraft crashed in a steep nose down attitude about 5 mi east of the destination airport. When the airport operator went home at about 1830 EST, he noted that a 350 ft mountain peak near his home was obscured by clouds. At about that same time, he…NTSB ATL82FA089Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Louisville, KYThe aircraft crashed on approach during an attempted emergency landing. The aircraft had just departed and was returningbecause of smoke in the cockpit. The smoke was caused by an electrical short and arcing of wiring in the system. The loose wiring and worn…NTSB ATL82FKG10Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBeech A36 · Darien, GAThe pilot filed a VFR flight plan, but did not activate it after takeoff. While en route, he encountered deteriorating weather and obtained an IFR clearance. As he continued, he entered an area of thunderstorms, turbulence, and heavy rain. As the pilot was…NTSB NYC82FNC06Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172 · Hampstead, NHSeveral witnesses observed the plane circling at low altitude before it crashed. A friend of the pilot reported that thepilot waved, gunned his engine a couple of times and waggled his tail. Witnesses stated that after making several circles at an altitude of…NTSB FTW82FA110Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMbb-Bolkow BO-105CBS · Mckinney, TXThe acft accelerated over the runway after a 10 sec hover. After acceleration, the acft went into a nose high, steep, right climbing turn. The angle of bank was described as 45 to 90 deg. The pitch varied from 15 deg up to 30 deg down just prior to impact.…NTSB DEN82FA054Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Lamar, CODuring the wx briefing the plt was advised that the wx along his proposed route of flt would be generally good VFR with the exception of possible turbulence & that blowing dust would be the big problem. There were pireps of 65K winds at 3,000 ft over Oklahoma…NTSB FTW82FRD09Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna A185E · New Orleans, LAThe pilot of the amphibious aircraft initiated a takeoff on runway 10. Witnesses stated that the engine began losing power. After taking off, the aircraft was observed to make a sharp left turn back toward the airport while still at a low altitude. Some…NTSB FTW82FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Dulce, NMApproximately 30 min after departure the acft returned to the arpt trailing smoke & occassional flame from an area near the cowl flaps & nose gear doors. The plt did not make a straight in approach but appeared to be in a normal traffic pattern. The acft…NTSB MIA82FA088Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M2OJ · Ormond Beach, FLThe non-instrument rated pilot had filed for an IFR climb to vfr-on-top. He took off after receiving a clearance to the bulli intersection with instructions to maintain 9000 ft, if not vfr-on-top by that altitude. At 1720 EST, the pilot transmitted that he…NTSB FTW82FA108Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American 690C · Hughes, ARThe acft had been on sales demonstration flts and was on a delivery flt from memphis, TN to dallas, TX. The plane was observed departing at 1550 CDT in a max performance climb. Radar info from mode c of the transponder returns indicated that the acft climbed…NTSB ATL82FA087Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Westminster, MDThe aircraft crashed after takeoff from a 2930 ft runway with four occupants on board. The aircraft weight was not known, but was estimated to be 2334 lbs during takeoff. There was a light wind from the west and the temperature was 42 degrees fahrenheit.…NTSB LAX82FVM13Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Morgan Hill, CAThe pilot was observed making repeated low passes in the vicinity of the crash site. This was also close to the home of one of the passengers. The final pass was made in a westerly direction over a dam at about 50 ft AGL. Just beyond the dam, the pilot made a…NTSB ATL82FA086Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Mchenry, MDAt 0635 the plt received a wx briefing which included forecasted icing conditions along his route of flt. At 1215 received an updated briefing & was informed that IMC existed along his route of flt & VFR flt was not recommended. At 1536 he called & received…NTSB FTW82FRG27Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206 · Austin, TXDuring a low pass over lake Austin the aircraft collided with power cables about 300 feet above the lake. Witnesses reported two loud cracking sounds and that the helicopter pitched up and gyrated wildly then continued in the original direction of flight and…NTSB FTW82FA103Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Magdalena, NMThe plt was advised of the icing conditions to be expected three different times during his wx briefing. At 1524 while enroute at 14,000 ft, the plt was advised of a PIREP of light to moderate icing between 14,O00 & 22,000 ft. the plt replied that was about…NTSB MKC82FCJ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Davenport, NEAt 1242 CST, the pilot received a weather briefing including a forecast of marginal VFR conditions at the destination. Between 1649 and 1848 CST, there were three weather reports from the destination of ceilings between 300 and 500 ft, visibilities between…NTSB LAX82FUQ12Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150M · Oxnard, CAThe student pilot departed hawthorne, CA at approximately 1000 PST on a solo cross-country flight to porterville, CA and return. During the flight the pilot became lost and landed at visalia, CA. While there he obtained fuel and directions to porterville and…NTSB NYC82FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Stratford, NHBefore takeoff, the pilot received a partial weather briefing by telephone. He was advised of reported icing conditions and was told that snow and rain showers were moving through the area causing marginal VFR conditions. Before terminating the conversation,…NTSB NYC82FA059Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Williamsport, PAThe acft impacted a mountain about 5 mi sw of the arpt at an elevation of approximately 1,400 ft while executing a missed approach from an ILS approach to rwy 27. The published missed approach procedure requires a climbing right turn to 3,700 ft via a heading…NTSB MIA82FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBenson B-8M · Minneola, FLWitnesses heard an engine sputter and looked up to see the gyrocopter descending vertically into a nearby wooded area while the nose of the aircraft was pointed almost straight down. Investigation revealed that the pilot did not possess any aeronautical…NTSB ATL82FLT03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Greenfield, TNWitnesses reported that the aircraft crashed after the pilot had been making low passes for about 15 to 30 minutes. In the vicinity of a 30 ft pole, the pilot made a right turn and the aircraft struck the top of a 45 ft tree. The aircraft continued over a…NTSB ATL82FA080Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Francisco, NCThe non-instrument rated pilot received a partial weather briefing by telephone, but hung up when he obtained the information that he requested. FBO personnel stated that he looked and acted tired before taking off at 0022 EST. Subsequently, the plane was…NTSB MIA82FA078Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Leesburg, FLThe pilot, who was a rock group driver, took an aircraft from the hangar without permission to joy ride members of the group. During the 2nd flight, the aircraft wing hit the bus during one of several low passes over the area. The aircraft then hit a tree and…NTSB LAX82FA111Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Sunflower, AZAt 1027 the plt received a wx briefing for holbrook, AZ. The plt was told of forecasts for "at least moderate icing in clouds or in precipitation above the freezing level" & the briefer stated "I guarantee you moderate to severe turbulence..." For a route…NTSB LAX82FA110Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Alpine, CAAfter being cleared from 8000 feet down to 6000 feet the air traffic controller realized that the aircraft was in trouble when the mode c altitude indicated 3600 feet. He received no understandable response from the pilot when asked about altitude or heading.…NTSB FTW82FRG26Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Kingsville, TXOn 3/17/82 a wx briefer advised the pilot all of Texas would be under instrument meteorological conditons on the morningof 3/18/82. There was no record of a flt plan filed by the pilot of N8988P and the departure time from Kingsville could not be determined.…NTSB CHI82FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Richmond, INDuring a VOR approach to runway 05 when 3 miles away from the airport at minimums ground contact was not made. The pilot stated that she elected to perform a missed approach but before power was applied the copilot raised the flaps. She further stated that…NTSB ATL82FLJ06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBede BD-4 · Knightdale, NCTwo witnesses observed the aircraft on a low final approach for runway 19. They reported that the aircraft then turned to an easterly heading. One witness reported that the left turn appeared to be coordinated. The other witness heard the pilot add power…NTSB LAX82FA109Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · 12 N.E. Burbank, CAAfter takeoff, the pilot was cleared to proceed on an IFR flight plan. After being cleared to 15,000 ft MSL, he reported having trouble maintaining his airspeed and subsequently declared an emergency. Shortly after that, radar contact was lost. The aircraft…NTSB FTW82FQG16Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Near Sterling C, TXThe student pilot departed his ranch strip reportedly to check on cattle. The plane crashed on rolling terrain in a nose down, left bank attitude and burned. There was no indication that the aircraft moved after impact. Both propeller blades were twisted and…NTSB FTW82FPJ14Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Hulen, OKThe pilot departed lawton, Oklahoma at 0902 local time on a flight to inspect mineral property. At about 0931, the pilot contacted ft. sill approach control and requested vectors to lawton. He was instructed to fly a heading of 320 degrees. After flying that…NTSB ATL82FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Tilghman Island, MDThe student pilot/owner of the aircraft was endorsed to fly the plane and would fly it from his farm on Tilghman Island to easton, MD for dual instruction. Several days before the accident, he had asked his instructor (ip) to schedule some time for an early…NTSB MIA08CA076Accident · 1 fatalData collectionFinal reportBeech C24R · Mobile, ALUndetermined.NTSB LAX82FUJ32Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech 58 · Tucson, AZThe plt departed phoenix at 0045 for the third leg of a six leg bank run between phoenix & Tucson intl arpt. He was in contact with the phoenix TRACON during departure & was released at the toltec intersection (V16) at 5,500 ft. there was no further radio…NTSB LAX82FXQ06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 182 · Lake Tahoe, CAA pilot who landed prior to the departure of N5298N stated that his aircraft had accumulated 1/4 inch of airframe ice while over the lta VOR. An employee of Lake Tahoe aviation fueling service informed the pilot of N5298N of these weather conditions and ice…NTSB FTW82DA093Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech C-45H · Mcallen, TXAbout 18 minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that the no. 2 engine had lost power and that he was returning to land at Mcallen, TX. While approaching to land, the aircraft crashed in an open field about 400 yards short of the runway and 115 feet right of…NTSB ATL82FKQ11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna T188C · Mahew, MSDuring return flight to airport the pilot flew into a previously treated field for a cleanup swath run. Approximately 1700 feet from the south end of the field the aircraft collided with a 3-strand steel twisted cable powerline running east-west across the…NTSB LAX82FUG08Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 210G · Etiwanda, CAThe aircraft struck a ridge at an elevation of about 2000 ft MSL. At the impact point, the terrain sloped upward at an angle of about 35 degrees. The aircraft impacted in a near level flight attitude. The weather at the crash site was not determined. However,…NTSB LAX82AA106Accident · 6 fatalFinal reportBoeing KC-135A · Glendale, AZThe USAF KC-135 was on an IFR flt plan & executing a tacan 3L apch to luke afb. The AA-1 had departed sky harbour arpt &had been released by phoenix trsa. The AA-1 was heading westerly in airspace designated as a special traffic area & was required to have…NTSB NYC82FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Spangler, PAThe helicopter struck a set of north-south powerlines while the pilot was patrolling a set of east-west powerlines. The powerlines being patrolled passed under the lines that were struck. The accident occurred over hilly, wooded terrain.NTSB NYC82FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337C · Bloomfield, CTAt 0630 & 0800 the plt received wx briefing for an IFR flt to bridgeport, CT & was advised of flt precautions for icing, low ceilings & visibilities. The flt departed at 0907. At 1118 the plt diverted to windsor locks for landing at bradley intl arpt because…NTSB FTW82FPM11Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 172 · Heavener, OKThe aircraft crashed at night on rising terrain about 300 ft below the crest of a hill. The nearest weather reporting station was at mcalester, OK. The weather at mcalester was 1200 ft overcast, visibility 7 miles, ceiling ragged. The mcalester field…NTSB ATL82FKG09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 210D · Near Commerce, GAThe owner had flown a PA-23 from charlotte to jackson county,FL with another plt following him in N3909Y. The owner stated the other plt was very meticulous & always drained fuel prior to flt. After the 1 hr flt to jackson county, they both looked over the…NTSB MKC82IA042Incident · 1 fatalIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-131B · Las Vegas, NVThis incident occurred when there was no intent to fly. On 3-8-82, a Boeing 707-131, owned and operated by twa, was receiving routine maintenance in Las Vegas, NV. During the check, the servicing valve on the forward water tank would not open. A twa mechanic…NTSB DEN82FTI11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna TR182 · Livingstone, MTThe plane crashed about six miles west of livingston, Montana. It was found to have struck about 50 ft below a 5300 ft ridge, while in a 20 degree climb attitude. The weather at livingston was: 900 ft broken, 2500 ft overcast, visibility 10 miles, wind…NTSB ATL82FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Taylorville, NCThe aircraft departed akron, NY at 1154 EST on a flight to charlotte,NC. Toward late afternoon, as the sun began to set, one of the passengers (the pilot's daughter), informed the pilot that the aircraft was getting low on fuel. He diverted toward an airport,…