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 ERA20WA196Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationDiamond DA20 · Rome, ItalyThe government of Italy has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a DIAMOND DA20 airplane that occurred on May 25, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Italy's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB DCA20WA108Accident · 97 fatalForeign investigationAirbus A320 · Karachi, PakistanThe government of Pakistan has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an AIRBUS A320 with CFM56 engines that occurred on May 22, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Pakistan's investigation under the…NTSB WPR20LA152Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a steep and descending turn to final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB CEN20LA186Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206 · Center, TXThe non-instrument rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions (clouds) which resulted in spatial disorientation and an inflight loss of control.NTSB WPR21WA018Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignOsprey 2 Amphibian · Maitland Aerodrome, AustraliaNTSB ERA20LA183Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Rogersville, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath on approach, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of an impairing medication.NTSB CEN20LA179Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210 · Burlington, WIThe pilot did not maintain a safe altitude during the visual approach, and subsequently lost control which resulted an impact with trees and terrain.NTSB ANC20LA046Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot’s controlled flight into flat snow-covered terrain in weather conditions that were conducive to flat light conditions.NTSB WPR20WA143Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationDaher Kodiak · Papua, IndonesiaThe government of Indonesia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Daher Kodiak airplane that occurred on May 12, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Indonesia's investigation under the…NTSB ERA20LA179Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Land O Lakes, FLThe partial loss of engine power due to a contaminated fuel system and the pilot’s improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a known deficiency in engine power.NTSB ERA20LA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA34 · Pembroke Pines, FLA total loss of power in the right engine for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to turn 180° before securing the right engine, which resulted in a loss of…NTSB WPR20LA141Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Byron, CAThe tow airplane pilot’s loss of control resulting from the glider pilot’s failure to maintain a proper altitude behind the tow airplane, which caused the tail of the tow airplane to be lifted upward and the tow airplane to pitch nose down while at a low…NTSB CEN20WA209Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA38 · Kena, LithuaniaThe National Transportation Safety Board was notified of an accident involving a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, LY-ATM, near Kena, Lithuania. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Transport Accident and…NTSB CEN20LA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T210L · Burleson, TXThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA20WA170Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 35 · Esquel, ArgentinaThe government of Argentina has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a LEARJET 35 airplane that occurred on May 06, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Argentina's investigation under the provisions…NTSB CEN20WA171Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Area Municipio De Joyabaj, GuatemalaNTSB CEN20LA169Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRans S-12 · Delta, COThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a test flight which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN20LA168Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Palmyra, ILA loss of control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.NTSB CEN20LA167Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMD Helicopter 369 · Houston, TXAn uncommanded right yaw that occurred for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a loss control.NTSB ERA20WA167Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGrumman AA5 · Dnipropetrovsk, UkraineThe government of Ukraine has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a GRUMMAN AA5 airplane that occurred on May 01, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Ukraine's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ANC20WA072Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S76 · Cheonwangbong, South KoreaThe government of Korea, Republic Of has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a SIKORSKY S76 helicopter that occurred on May 01, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Korea, Republic Of's investigation…NTSB WPR20LA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hemet, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly inspect and replace damaged aileron control cables, which resulted in fatigue separation of the aileron control cable and loss of control of the aircraft.NTSB CEN20WA200Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA 25-235 · Angostura, MexicoNTSB WPR20LA131Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35 · Currie, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a forced landing which resulted in a hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB WPR20LA130Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH 1H · Mesa, AZAn in-flight separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the airframe due to fatigue failure of the gearbox attachment studs, resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact. Contributing to the accident were 1) the improper application…NTSB CEN20LA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAerostar 601 · Craig, COThe student pilot’s flight into terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA20WA174Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV7 · Toledo, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an amateur-built VANS RV7 airplane that occurred on April 23, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the…NTSB WPR20LA128Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA31T · Billings, MTThe degraded airplane performance after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.NTSB ERA20WA154Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGarlick UH1H · del Curepto, ChileThe government of Chile has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a GARLICK UH1H helicopter that occurred on April 20, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Chile's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB WPR20LA123Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna TU206 · Auburn, CAThe total loss of engine power after takeoff due to water contamination of the fuel.NTSB ERA20WA173Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Matoes do Norte, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on April 18, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ERA20WA172Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationComp Air CA-8 · Campo Verde, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an amateur-built COMP AIR CA-8 airplane that occurred on April 13, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under…NTSB ERA20LA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportArion Lightning LS-1 · Mount Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the…NTSB ERA20LA149Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPipistrel Italia Sinus 912 LSA · Marathon, FLThe pilot’s loss of control of the motorized glider, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with a residential home and postimpact fire. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined due to the condition of the wreckage.NTSB CEN20LA143Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Pecan Gap, TXThe pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from tree, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA145Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchempp Hirth Standard Cirrus · Groveland, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack following his premature termination of the tow for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin during a turn back to the departure airport.NTSB WPR20LA118Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKolb Firestar 2 · La Center, WAA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN20LA136Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IAThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.NTSB WPR20WA114Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124A · Manilla, PhilippinesThe government of the Philippines has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an Israel Aircraft Industries 1124A airplane that occurred on March 29, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of the…NTSB CEN20LA134Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMuse P51D · Mesquite, TXThe pilot’s inadvertent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20WA137Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Chicureo, ChileNTSB ERA20LA134Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMaule MT-7 · Swansboro, NCThe airplane’s turning descent into water while enroute in night instrument meteorological conditions for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ANC20WA035Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Konstantinovsky Cape, RussiaThe government of Russia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL 206 helicopter that occurred on March 23, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Russia's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ERA20LA132Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 310 · Charleston, SCThe pilot’s fuel mismanagement during flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB CEN20LA127Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Pleasant Plain, OHThe pilot’s encounter with convective turbulence and low-level wind shear in dark night instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN20LA122Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · LaCrosse, KSAn infight loss of control as a result of pilot impairment, the cause of which could not be determined.NTSB GAA21WA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignCessna 177 · Ebermannstadt, GermanyNTSB CEN20WA135Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, MexicoThe government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on March 15, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB WPR20FA108Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20K · Sylmar, CAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation during an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control of the airplane.NTSB GAA20WA143Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA28 · Paquera, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica