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 WPR17FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bolinas, CAThe non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.NTSB ERA17FA313Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Jacksonburg, WVThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions in the vicinity of adverse weather conditions.NTSB CEN17RA337Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206 · San Jose, Costa RicaimportNTSB ERA17WA320Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Pontinia, ItalyOn September 3, 2017 about 1030 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 182P, I-SCAP, impacted terrain during initial climb after takeoff, from Pegaso Club 2000 Airfield, Pontinia, Italy. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Five…NTSB ERA17WA318Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Hekpoort, South AfricaOn September 3, 2017, about 0930 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 172M, South African registration ZS-JDN, was destroyed when it impacted a valley in the Magaliesberg Mountain range, near Hekpoort, South Africa. The two commercial pilots were fatally…NTSB WPR17LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalker Edgar E Glastar · Cascade, IDThe pilot's inadequate flight planning, preparation, and navigation, which resulted in the airplane entering a canyon that the pilot was unable to exit by climbing the airplane. Also causal were his in-flight decision-making and his execution of the course…NTSB CEN17WA378Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Sueco, Chihuahua, Mexico, MexicoOn September 2, 2017, about 1700 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA25-235, Mexican registration XB-EXZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted powerlines near Sueco, Chihuahua, Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured. The local flight departed…NTSB CEN17FA334Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV-12 · Fishers, INThe pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain pitch control following the in-flight opening of the canopy during the initial climb resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain and ground fire.NTSB ERA17FA299Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA1 · Portland, TNThe pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN17FA331Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Ellabell, GAThe total loss of engine power due to oil starvation to the No. 1 connecting rod, which resulted from the improper torque of the No. 1 cylinder hold-down bolts and through-studs at the time of the cylinder's installation, which resulted in the failure of the…NTSB ERA17WA296Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210 · Ciudad Bolivar, VenezuelaOn August 27, 2017 about 2052 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cessna T210M, Venezuelan registration YV2594, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after a loss of engine power near Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. The pilot and three passengers were…NTSB ERA17LA297Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTukan Trike · Nicholasville, KYThe noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during takeoff.NTSB ERA17WA308Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMaule M7 · Zhideli, KazakhstanOn August 25, 2017, about 0450 coordinated universal time, a Maule M7-260C airplane, Kazakhstan registration UP-ML003, impacted terrain during a forced landing near Zhideli, Kazakhstan. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained serious…NTSB ANC17FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18AS · Tyonek, AKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night, marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN17WA325Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAviat Pitts S-2B · Holmestrand, NorwayOn August 22, 2017, at 1025 hours universal coordinated time, an Aviat Pitts S-2B, Norwegian registration LN-PTS, impacted the terrain following a loss of control while performing aerobatic maneuvers near Holmestrand, Norway. The pilot and passenger were…NTSB ANC17FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International S 2R · Calipatria, CAA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because of the extensive thermal damage from the postcrash fire.NTSB ERA17WA283Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Maly Utrish, RussiaOn July 21, 2017, about 1832 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R66 helicopter, Russian registration RA-05750, was substantially damaged when it impacted mountainous terrain near Maly Utrish township, while on a night flight from Anapa, Russia, to…NTSB WPR17FA185Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRich Wheeler Express CT · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern for landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, a subsequent aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.NTSB ERA17WA289Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationLearjet 25 · Naiguata, VenezuelaOn August 19, 2017, about 0415 universal coordinated time, a Learjet 25D, Venezuelan registration YV3191, descended and impacted the ocean about 5 nautical miles north of Naiguatá, Vargas, Venezuela. The two pilots and three passengers were fatally injured.…NTSB ERA17LA280Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo · Quinton, VAThe flight instructor and commercial pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in water contamination of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA17FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Philipp, MSThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, below a low overcast ceiling, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN17WA320Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA36 · Vejer de la Frontera, SpainOn August 15, 2017, a Piper PA-36-375 airplane (EC-EHB, s/n 36-8102001) impacted terrain during fumigation operations in the vicinity of Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. The pilot was fatally injured.This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the…NTSB ANC17WA048Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSocata TBM 700 · Zemyo, JapanOn Aug 14, 2017, at 1215 Japan standard time, a United States registered Socata TBM 700 airplane, N702AV, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances near Zemyo in Nara Prefecture, Japan.…NTSB ERA17FA274Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Charlottesville, VAThe pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, leading to a high rate of descent to the ground with a right spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent and recurrent training in vortex ring state recognition…NTSB ERA17FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · New Milford, CTThe flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control during the initial climb.NTSB ERA17WA273Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Algiers, AlgeriaOn August 10, 2017, about 0930 coordinated universal time, Bell 206L3 helicopter, Algerian registration 7T-WUF, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering in Algiers, Algeria. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The…NTSB ANC17WA045Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT502 · La Crete, CanadaOn August 10, 2017, about 0320 Coordinated Universal Time, an Air Tractor AT-502B airplane, C-FWAS, impacted terrain while conducting an aerial application repositioning turn near La Crete, Alberta, Canada. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The…NTSB CEN17LA307Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPegasus Quantum · Fort Atkinson, WIThe student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around, which resulted in impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the non-instructor sport pilot's decision to allow the student pilot to fly the aircraft.NTSB CEN17FA315Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-150 · Las Vegas, NMThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an accelerated stall and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the gap in the pilot’s flight experience, his…NTSB ERA17FA265Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Freedom · Green Township, NJThe pilot's improper preflight setup of the aircraft's foldable wing, during which he incorrectly attached a nylon strap loop pull handle, instead of the steel cable shackle at the end of the strap, to its mounting hook. The nylon strap failed in flight,…NTSB CEN17WA310Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Berghaus Diavolezza, SwitzerlandOn August 4, 2017, at 0720 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181, Swiss registration HB-PER, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted mountainous terrain near Berghaus Diavolezza, Switzerland. The pilot and two passengers on board were fatally injured. A third…NTSB WPR17FA179Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMichaelian Lancair IV-TP · Rio Linda, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB WPR17WA178Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cloncurry, AustraliaOn August 2, 2017, at 0740 local time, a Robinson R22, VH-HGU, was destroyed by a post-impact fire following a collision with power lines during cruise flight near Cloncurry Aerodrome, Australia. The helicopter was operated under the pertinent civil…NTSB CEN17WA321Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Puerto Chiapas, MexicoOn August 2, 2017, about 2115 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, XB-MWZ, had a loss of engine power and subsequently impacted the Pacific Ocean near Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. Two persons were on board the helicopter. One person was reported…NTSB CEN17FA297Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Topeka, KSThe failure of the pilot and flight instructor to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.NTSB ERA17LA261Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Danbury, CTThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight, which likely reduced…NTSB WPR17FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Big Bear, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR17FA170Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 19A · Waipi'o, HIThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at low altitude in close proximity to the rising terrain.NTSB CEN17FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA 4 250 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind in unfavorable water conditions, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and the pilot losing control.NTSB CEN17FA288Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith CH701SP · Laddonia, MOThe pilot's decision to take off at night and continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. which resulted in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented and losing control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's…NTSB ANC17FA039Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna U206 · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was (1) the inadequate preflight…NTSB WPR17FA166Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Ogden, UTA loss of control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA17RA260Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBritten Norman BN2A · Eteringbang, GuyanaOn July 25, 2017, about 2153 coordinated universal time, a Britten Norman BN2A-26, Guyana Registration 8R-GRA, operated by Roraima Airways Ltd., was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain while on approach to Eteringbang Airstrip (SYET),…NTSB ERA17WA291Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationMitsubishi MU2B · San Fernando, ArgentinaThe government of Argentina has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a MITSUBISHI MU2B airplane that occurred on July 24, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Argentina's investigation under the…NTSB CEN17WA289Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206 · Culiacan, MexicoNTSB CEN17FA281Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Farmerville, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the lake during a low-level maneuver.NTSB WPR17FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportApplegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CAA fatigue failure of the left aileron control rod end during aerobatic flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB ERA17WA259Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCirrus Design SR20 · Santo Antonio do Leverger, BrazilOn July 20, 2017, at 1109 coordinated universal time, a Cirrus SR-20, Brazilian registration PR-PRF, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Santa Edwiges farm, near the municipality of Santo Antônio do Leveger, Mato…NTSB ERA17FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAircraft Mfg & Dvlpmt CH601XLi Slsa · Towanda, PAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, and the pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an attempted return to the airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall…NTSB CEN17WA279Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper Piper J3C-65 · Laukaa, FinlandOn July 19, 2017, about 0903 coordinated universal time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, Finnish registration OH-PAD, was destroyed when it collided with the trees and terrain near Laukaa, Finland. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane departed a private…