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 WPR18FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlugzeugproduktions-und Vertri EA 300/L · Four Corners, CACollision with terrain after the pilot was unable to regain airplane control during an aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to provide effective internal oversight to identify and prohibit exceedance of the airplanes'…NTSB WPR18FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPeterson Lancair Legacy · Bowie, AZAn in-flight loss of control due to a bird strike.NTSB WPR18LA010Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Molokai, HIA descent and subsequent impact with open ocean waters for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA18WA013Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Novo Airao, BrazilOn October 17, 2017, about 1540 universal coordinated time, an amphibious Cessna 208, Brazilian registration PR-MPE, was substantially damaged after it came to rest inverted while attempting to land on a river in Novo Airao county, State of Amazonas, Brazil.…NTSB CEN18WA016Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAvid Mark IV · Jüterborg, GermanyOn October 16, 2017, about 1123 UTC, an amateur-built Avid Mark IV airplane, French registration F-JAGB, owned and operated by a private individual, crashed during a test flight near Jüterborg, Germany. The pilot on board was fatally injured and the airplane…NTSB ANC18FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Russian Mission, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR18WA025Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationQuicksilver GT500 · Melaka, MalaysiaOn October 14, 2017, about 1130 local time, a Quicksilver Aircraft GT-500, registration 9M-EAC, was destroyed after colliding with a river shortly after takeoff from Sungai Rambai Aerodrome, Melaka, Malaysia. The airplane was operated under the pertinent…NTSB CEN18FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Ramsey, MNThe pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid…NTSB CEN18FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182H · Las Cruces, NMControlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions.NTSB ERA18WA015Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206 · Itaituba, BrazilOn October 11, 2017, about 1600 universal coordinated time, a Cessna U206G, Brazilian registration PT-LSC, was destroyed when it collided with a tree during takeoff near Itaituba, State of Para, Brazil. The pilot was fatally injured, and one passenger…NTSB ERA18WA014Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech E33A · São José do Rio Preto, BrazilOn September 10, 2017, about 1525 coordinated universal time, a Beechcraft E33-A, Brazilian registration PT-DDB, struck a residence while conducting a go around near São José do Rio Preto State Airport (SBSR), Brazil. The airplane was substantially damaged,…NTSB CEN18LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGlobe GC 1A · Los Lunas, NMThe loss of directional control during takeoff and impact with a steel culvert.NTSB CEN18WA007Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Gramzda, LatviaOn October 8, 2017, about 1014 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Robinson R44 helicopter, YL-HBH, impacted a powerline after takeoff near Gramzda, Latvia. One passenger was fatally injured and the pilot and two other passengers on board were seriously…NTSB CEN18FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39C · Vernon, TXAn in-flight loss of control and collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA18FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Front Royal, VAThe tow plane pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the glider instructor's diversion of attention away from the tow airplane which resulted in his delay in…NTSB ERA18WA009Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationZlin Z50 · Gauteng Province, South AfricaOn October 6, 2017, about 1530 coordinated universal time, a Zlin Z-50L, South African registration ZS-VAR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Kitty Hawk Airport (FAKT), Gauteng Province, South Africa. The pilot was fatally…NTSB ERA18FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBryant C Crosby BC Ultra PUP · Bardstown, KYThe pilot's improper decision to initiate a flight in an airplane he had never flown and with no currency in any airplane nor a medical certificate, which resulted in his loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's psychiatric…NTSB CEN18WA005Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Cerro de Ortega, MexicoNTSB ERA18FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Salters, SCThe pilot's decision to attempt a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver in a non-aerobatic airplane, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane during the maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by the effects of…NTSB CEN18FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchaffer Fisher Horizon 2 · Eden Prairie, MNAn inflight loss of control and collision with terrain for undetermined reasons after a thorough examination of the airplane's flight controls was unable to confirm control continuity. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the…NTSB ERA18LA002Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · San Juan, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from helicopters during the approach for landing, resulting in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR18FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Klamath Falls, ORThe noninstrument rated pilot's decision to depart on a cross-country flight with en route weather conditions forecasted to be less than visual meteorological conditions and then to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in…NTSB CEN18FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrantly B 2B · Midland, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and his failure to promptly initiate the proper recovery technique, which resulted in a descent that could not be arrested before impacting the…NTSB ANC18RA001Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Campbell River, CanadaNTSB WPR17FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Brinnon, WAThe flight instructor's failure to completely and properly evaluate the student pilot's incorrectly- planned flight, and his failure to use all available resources to maintain situation awareness during the flight, which resulted in controlled flight into…NTSB ERA17WA342Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Cape Town, South AfricaOn September 28, 2017, about 1000 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, South African registration ZS-OSL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an emergency autorotation near Cape Town, South Africa. The pilot was fatally injured.…NTSB ERA17FA339Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHickox Andy Andys Gyroplane · Umatilla, FLThe pilot's improper response to a total loss of engine power, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the rudder and vertical stabilizer, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent. The loss of engine power was due to the separation of the electrical…NTSB ERA17WA344Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150 · BahamasOn September 26, 2017, a Cessna 150G, N3214X, went missing and was presumed to be substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger were also missing, and presumed to be fatally injured. As of October 30, 2017, the airplane had not been found. A visual…NTSB CEN17WA369Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMD Helicopter 369 · Norrbotten, Sweden, SwedenOn September 26, 2017, about 1154 hours universal coordinated time, an MD Helicopters 369D, Swedish registration SE-JVI, impacted terrain about one-third mile from the Alvsbyn Airport (ESUV), Norrbotten, Sweden. One pilot was fatally injured and the second…NTSB CEN17LA368Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEris E. Ervin Quicksilver · Cleburne, TXAn engine loss of power due to fuel starvation from a broken fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine; the loss of engine power prevented the pilot from reaching a suitable landing area. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the…NTSB CEN17FA364Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Camden, ARThe pilot's improper decision to return to the runway instead of landing straight ahead when the engine lost power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's…NTSB CEN17FA362Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU 2B-40 · Ainsworth, NEThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN17FA361Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Thief River Falls, MNThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR17FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Perkinsville, AZThe pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience.NTSB CEN17WA370Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150J · Goderich, CanadaOn September 20, 2017, about 2036 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J single-engine airplane, Canadian registration C-FHPU, serial number 15070602, crashed in Lake Huron about 1.1 nautical miles west of Goderich Municipal Airport (CYGD), Goderich, Ontario,…NTSB ERA17FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Rhine, GAThe student pilot's decision to take off from a partially-lit grass runway in dark night, marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN17WA360Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV4 · Stafsberg, NorwayOn September 19, 2017, at 1450 UTC, a Vans Aircraft RV-4, experimental, amateur-built airplane, Norwegian registration LN-ABF, impacted terrain near the Hamar Airport (ENHA), Stafsberg, Norway. The pilot and passenger on board were fatally injured and the…NTSB CEN17WA383Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 47G · Llano Bonito de Pococí, Costa RicaOn September 18, 2017, at 0720 central daylight time, a Bell 47G2 helicopter, Costa Rican registration TI-BGH, serial number 1459, impacted terrain during an aerial application flight, near Llano Bonito de Pococí, Costa Rica. The pilot was fatally injured,…NTSB ERA17FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · North Branford, CTA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss…NTSB CEN17FA355Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Ancho, NMThe pilot's distraction by a cell phone during a low-altitude flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN17FA354Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Glenwood Springs, COThe non-instrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning, his decision to depart into forecast instrument meteorological conditions along the route of flight, and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which…NTSB ERA17WA345Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206F · Caracarai, BrazilOn September 15, 2017, about 1300 coordinated universal time, a Cessna U206F, Brazilian registration PT-JPW, was substantially damaged after ditching in the Rio Branco river, near Caracaraí, Brazil. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was conducted…NTSB CEN17WA353Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationMooney M 20K · Braunwald, SwitzerlandNTSB ERA17WA323Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBritten Norman BN2A · San Salvador de Paul, VenezuelaOn September 11, 2017 about 1400 coordinated universal time, a Britten Norman BN2-A, Venezuelan registration YV1441, was landing at San Salvador de Paul, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, when it struck and fatally injured a child who was on the runway. The pilot…NTSB CEN17WA343Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper Piper PA-28RT-201 · Wolferton, United KingdomOn September 11, 2017, at 0956 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Piper PA-28RT-201 single-engine airplane, United Kingdom registration G-BHAY, serial number 28R-7918213, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power and…NTSB CEN17FA342Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRans S-6 · Stonewall, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while conducting aerobatic flight maneuvers with insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB WPR17FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon G36 · Benicia, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which caused the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA17WA321Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper Piper PA-34-200T · Cerrione, ItalyNTSB ERA17MA316Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 · Hertford, NCA failure of the rear bearing in the No. 2 engine, which (1) created multiple and likely unexpected and confusing cockpit indications, resulting in the pilot's improper diagnosis and subsequent erroneous shutdown of the No. 1 engine, and (2) the resulting…NTSB ERA17FA317Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Medford, NJThe pilot's early entry into and failure to maintain rotor rpm during a forced landing autorotation after performing an engine shutdown in flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel…