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 ANC18FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Anchorage, AKThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while in level cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB CEN18WA231Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802 · Mallorca, SpainOn June 12, 2018, about 1600 hours universal coordinated time, an Air Tractor AT-802 airplane, Spanish registration EC-GVN, was substantially damaged during an agricultural application flight near Mallorca, Spain. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local…NTSB CEN18FA216Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T182T · Monroe, WISpatial disorientation resulting in a loss of control during the missed approach conducted in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to execute an instrument approach in weather conditions that were below…NTSB CEN18FA217Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLet L 23 Super Blanik · Moose, WYThe pilot's encounter with atmospheric conditions that resulted in a loss of lift and a subsequent loss of control near terrain that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the operator's published tour flight…NTSB CEN18FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.NTSB ANC18FA044Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA18 · Sitka, AKThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack for unknown reason, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.NTSB WPR18WA187Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Moorabbin, AustraliaNTSB CEN18WA234Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25 · Cajeme, Sonora, MexicoOn June 7, 2018, a Mexican registered Piper PA-25, XB-YEI, impacted electrical cables and terrain near Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Cajeme, Mexico, on a local aerial…NTSB WPR18WA165Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Njabini, KenyaOn June 5, 2018, about 1705 local time, a Cessna 208, 5Y-CAC, collided into a mountain in the Aberdare mountain range near Njabini, Kenya. The 2 pilots and 8 passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned and operated by…NTSB ERA18WA159Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421B · Rock Sound, BahamasNTSB ANC18FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMason Hal J Kitfox Model 1 · Salem, ORThe student pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane for which he was not endorsed to fly solo and in which he had limited experience or training, and his subsequent loss of airplane control after takeoff.NTSB WPR18LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Pulse · Mountain Home, IDThe hang glider's encounter with a developing vortex or dust devil while maneuvering during an airshow routine, which resulted in a loss of control at an altitude that precluded recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's preexisting and worsening…NTSB ERA18LA157Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31 · Amagansett, NYThe pilot's decision to fly under a thunderstorm and a subsequent encounter with turbulence and restricted visibility in heavy rain, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN18FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Midland, TXAn inadvertent stall, resulting in an uncontrollable descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.NTSB CEN18WA203Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Bosschenhoofd, NetherlandsOn May 31, 2018, a Piper PA-25-135 airplane (SE-KHF), crashed while attempting to pick up a banner near Bosschenhoofd, Netherlands. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the…NTSB WPR18FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ 2 · Melville, NYThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, spin, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN18WA202Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell Helicopter Textron Bell 206B · North Aldborough, United KingdomOn May 30, 2018, about 1225 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Bell 206B helicopter, registration G-OPEN, s/n 4300, impacted terrain and was destroyed near North Aldborough, North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. The pilot was the sole occupant and was…NTSB CEN18FA201Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAyres S2R · El Reno, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB WPR18LA151Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Bainbridge Island, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his distraction by using the tablet for navigation, which resulted in his failure to detect that the airplane had entered a descent.NTSB WPR18FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrison Marvin E JR RV 6A · Petaluma, CAA partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff due to a loose left magneto, and the pilot's decision to turn back to the airport and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and…NTSB CEN18FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Omaha, NEThe pilot's loss of directional control and his failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN18WA196Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAvid Avid Flyer · Granada, SpainOn May 26, 2018, at 1030 UTC, an Avid Flyer Stol, EC-YFP, encountered a loss of climb during initial climb out and subsequent impact with terrain near Loja Aerodrome, Granada, Spain. The experimental airplane was destroyed; the pilot suffered serious injuries…NTSB CEN18WA214Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 47 · Ciudad Valles, MexicoOn May 25, 2018, at 0030 hours universal coordinated time, a Scotts Bell 47 helicopter, Mexican registration XB-OSS, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during an aerial application flight in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The pilot was fatally…NTSB CEN18FA192Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D17S · Santa Fe, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA18FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Daytona Beach, FLThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning back to the runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the…NTSB ERA18FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Chesapeake, VAThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN18WA190Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationReims F172N · Stolwijk, NetherlandsOn May 22, 2018, about 0930 UTC, a Reims Aviation, F172N airplane, PH-SBM, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain near Stolwijk, The Netherlands. The two pilots on board the airplane were fatally injured. The foreign, local personal flight departed…NTSB CEN18FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJames Donald Baker Zenith · Bolivar, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after takeoff.NTSB ERA18FA149Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12 · Commerce, GAThe pilot's failure to effectively mitigate an accumulation of carburetor ice, which resulted in an undetected partial loss of engine power and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.NTSB ERA18FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Bennington, VTThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during a turn.NTSB CEN18FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Luling, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerline structure while hovering, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.NTSB DCA18RA186Accident · 112 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Havana, CubaThe government of Cuba has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737-200 that occurred on May 18, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Cuba's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex…NTSB ERA18WA151Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Itacoatiara, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 210 airplane that occurred on May 16, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ERA18WA147Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationMaule M7 · Abayt, Saudi ArabiaThe government of Saudi Arabia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Maule, M-7-235C, airplane that occurred on May 15, 2018 near Abayt, Saudi Arabia. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Saudi…NTSB CEN18WA188Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Tuzantan, MexicoOn May 15, 2018, about 1300 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 208 airplane, N149CD, crashed in jungle terrain under unknown circumstances near Tuzantan, Mexico. The three occupants were fatally injured. The flight departure and destination were unknown.…NTSB WPR18FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Cascade, IDThe non-instrument-rated pilot's improper decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into an area with low ceilings due to mountain obscuration, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA18FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35A33 · Jacksonville, ALThe pilot/mechanic's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, including the left muffler and heat exchanger, which precluded his detection of preexisting cracks and led to a missed opportunity to replace the components. The inadequate inspection allowed…NTSB CEN18WA169Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Clonbullogue, IrelandNTSB CEN18WA289Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20K · Flix, SpainOn May 12, 2018, at 1340 universal coordinated time, a Mooney M20K airplane, D-ETFT, impacted terrain near Flix, Tarragona, Spain. The pilot and 2 passengers were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed.The accident investigation is under the…NTSB CEN18WA191Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20K · Tarragona, PortugalOn May 12, 2018, about 1340 coordinated universal time, a Mooney M20K airplane, D-EFTF, impacted terrain near Tarragone, Portugal, after reporting an engine issue to air traffic control. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB CEN18FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lone Tree, COThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to fly the airplane at night in marginal weather conditions.NTSB ANC18FA036Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AKThe student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…NTSB ERA18WA153Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell Helicopter 206 · Barra da Tijuca, BrazilNTSB ERA18FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Middletown, NYThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which the pilot could not recover.NTSB CEN18FA160Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBelair Raven · Sault Ste Marie, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA18WA143Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206F · Trelawny, JamaicaThe government of Jamaica has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA U206F airplane that occurred on May 04, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Jamaica's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB WPR18FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Air Racing Thunder Mustang · Reno, NVThe pilot's failure to properly secure the engine coolant pump pulley during recent maintenance, which resulted in a loss of the engine's lubrication, cooling, and propeller control systems, and a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over.…NTSB ERA18WA139Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAgusta Bell AB206B · Cacao, French GuianaThe government of France has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Agusta Bell AB206B helicopter that occurred on May 2, 2018 near Cacao, French Guiana. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of France's…