Fatal NTSB investigations
180,641 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,620 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 WPR17FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAppleby Nieuport 28 · Paso Robles, CAThe failure of unknown personnel to properly safety an elevator control cable turnbuckle, which disconnected in flight resulting in loss of pitch control. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate design of the experimental airplane, which did not…NTSB ERA17FA164Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell-Carson 47G Super C 4 · Timmonsville, SCThe pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at a low altitude near trees, which resulted in collision with the trees.NTSB ERA17FA156Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8 · East Windsor, CTThe flying pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane at a slow airspeed, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilots' operation of the airplane over its maximum…NTSB WPR17FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB 20 Trinidad · Sierraville, CAThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN17RA158Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA31T · Cascais, PortugalOn April 17, 2017, about 1104 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-31T, serial number 31T-8020091, Swiss registration HB-LTI, was destroyed during impact and a postimpact fire following a loss of control during initial climb from runway 17 at the…NTSB ERA17FA155Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Williston, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA17WA159Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Cassilandia, BrazilOn April 14, 2017, about 2045 coordinated universal time, a privately owned and operated Cessna 172N, Brazilian registration PR-LPW, was substantially damaged after it struck a tree about 400 meters from the threshold of runway 13 at the Aeroporto de…NTSB CEN17WA161Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationChampion 8KCAB · Cancun, MexicoThe accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Mexican government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Mexican government. Further information pertaining to…NTSB WPR17WA123Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Anem Mountain, Oksibil, IndonesiaOn April 12, 2017, about 0340 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 208C, PK-FSO, operated by PT. Spirit Avia Sentosa as an unscheduled cargo flight under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of Indonesia, collided with mountainous terrain 7…NTSB ERA17FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHoward DGA 15P · Monongahela, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN17FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTemco GC 1B · Hartsville, INThe pilot's loss of control after exceeding the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA17FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Sanford, FLThe incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate…NTSB WPR17FA085Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Harrisburg, ORAn encounter with a downburst during an instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to solicit and disseminate pilot reports from arriving and departing…NTSB CEN17FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Oxford, IAThe failure of the pilot receiving instruction to recover from the practice stall before the airplane entered a spin and the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot receiving instruction and delayed remedial action to recover the airplane.NTSB ERA17FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPipistrel Virus SW · Micanopy, FLThe pilot's intentional flight into an area of known convective thunderstorm activity, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA17FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBuckeye Dream Machine · Knoxville, TNThe pilot's decision to maneuver the aircraft at low altitude, towards rising terrain, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees.NTSB ERA17FA143Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Edgewater, FLThe Cessna pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the Grumman during the transition to a different formation. Contributing to the accident was the stepped down configuration of the formation flight which was composed of dissimilar aircraft.NTSB ERA17WA147Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-42 · Sorocaba, BrazilOn March 31, 2017, about 1745 coordinated universal time (1445 local time), a Piper PA-42, Brazilian registration PP-EPB, operated by a private individual, was destroyed after it impacted the ground while on approach to Barra Do Garcas Airport (SBBW),…NTSB ERA17WA146Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGrumman G164 · Pista La Julia, EcuadorOn March 30, 2017, about 1645 universal coordinated time, a Grumman 164A, Ecuadorian registration HC-BPI, was destroyed when it impacted electrical wires and terrain near Pista La Julia, Ecuador. The foreign certificated pilot was fatally injured. The flight…NTSB CEN17WA143Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationAerospatiale AS355 · Snowdonia, United KingdomOn March 29, 2017, about 1500 coordinated universal time, an Aerospatiale AS355 F1 helicopter, G-OHCP, collided with Rhinog Fawr mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, United Kingdom. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured.The accident investigation is…NTSB ERA17FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Dadeville, ALA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postcrash thermal damage to the engine accessories and the airframe. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to navigate to any of the available forced landing sites within…NTSB ERA17FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Aberdeen, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after takeoff in dark night conditions for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR17WA083Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Reefton, New ZealandOn March 27, 2017, about 0345 Universal Time, a Robinson R22, New Zealand registration ZK-IHA, impacted forested terrain about 5.5 miles north of Reefton, West Coast. The pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured, and the helicopter was substantially…NTSB CEN17WA142Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRutan Longez · Cloncoskoran, IrelandOn March 27, 2017, at 1514 coordinated universal time, a Rutan Long-Ez, Irish registration EI-CPI, collided with terrain in Cloncoskoran, Waterford, Ireland, following a loss of engine power. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The…NTSB ERA17FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hayden, ALThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control and in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN17FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Stonewall, TXThe pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point following a loss of engine power and his inability to stop the airplane on the short, soft runway. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the airplane by the owner and the mechanic…NTSB ERA17FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Marietta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while manually flying the airplane, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability control…NTSB CEN17FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Union City, OKThe pilot's improper recovery from a spin.NTSB CEN17LA135Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8F · Vicksburg, MIThe pilot's inadvertent contact with the propeller while hand propping the engine, which resulted in a fatal injury.NTSB ERA17FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Minter City, MSThe pilot's incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.NTSB CEN17WA137Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 152 · St-Bruno, Quebec, CanadaNTSB CEN17FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210B · Opal, SDThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of evidence.NTSB CEN17WA130Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Figeac, FranceOn March 15, 2017, about 2100 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Bell 206 helicopter, F-GPPH, impacted terrain near Figeac, France. The pilot was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The flight originated from Poiters Biard (LFBI), France, and…NTSB CEN17RA131Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S92 · Blacksod Bay, IrelandOn March 14, 2017, about 1719 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, Irish registration EI-ICR, crashed offshore near Blackrock Island West of Blacksod Bay, Ireland. There were 4 occupants. The pilot was fatally injured and 3…NTSB CEN17FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Chalmers, INThe pilot's failure to ensure that the needle did not entangle with the tower's vertical lattice as he moved the helicopter rearward, which resulted in the helicopter becoming tethered to the tower and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN17WA129Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationMD Helicopter 369 · Mexicali, MexicoOn March 13, 2017, about 1600 hours pacific daylight time, a MD Helicopters model 369FF single-engine helicopter, serial number 0079FF, Mexican registration XC-PEP, collided with high-voltage power lines while maneuvering near Mexicali, Mexico. The pilot and…NTSB CEN17WA128Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Etchoropo, Sonora, MexicoOn March 12, 2017, at 2050 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA25-235 airplane, Mexican registration XB-FHP, impacted terrain near Etchoropo, Sonora, Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces.The accident…NTSB WPR17FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChallenger II · Oakdale, CAThe pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point and his subsequent loss of directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would…NTSB ERA17WA127Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky S76 · Istanbul, TürkiyeOn March 10, 2017, at 0821 coordinated universal time, a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter, Turkish registration TC-HEZ, was destroyed shortly after takeoff from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport (LTBA), Istanbul, Turkey. The two pilots and the five passengers were…NTSB ERA17FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJordan Bruce C Pitts S2E · Apex, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the final approach to the runway in gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR17FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's failure to identify and correct his construction error of a critical structural component, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of multiple…NTSB ANC17FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Nome, AKThe pilot's improper decision to conduct multiple visual approaches to the destination airport despite the night instrument meteorological conditions; the airplane's low fuel state at that time, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel…NTSB ANC17RA019Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationBell 412 · Matsumoto, JapanimportNTSB ERA17WA124Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Villa Tapia, Dominican RepublicOn March 4, 2017, about 1330 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8969L, was destroyed following a collision with antenna wires and terrain during an aerial application flight near Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic. The pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA17FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B 60 · Duette, FLThe pilots' decision to perform flight training maneuvers at low airspeed at an altitude that was insufficient for stall recovery. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inappropriate use of non-standard stall recovery techniques.NTSB ERA17FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Canton, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a night visual landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his use of a combination of medications.NTSB WPR17FA066Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310Q · Riverside, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control upon entering instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's personal pressure…NTSB ERA17FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLavender Alan P Sonex · Methuen, MAThe pilot's failure to properly secure oil and fuel line fittings during maintenance, which resulted in an inflight engine fire, and his subsequent loss of control while maneuvering for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention…NTSB CEN17FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Chauvin, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude resulting in a collision with water for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN17FA111Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Berthoud, COThe failure of the pilots to apply prompt and/or correct flight control inputs to adequately recover from the intentional aerodynamic spin.