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 WPR17FA041Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPetrus David Wayne S90 · Fresno, CAThe pilot's abnormally steep takeoff climb followed by a loss of control and rapid descent to ground impact, for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA17FA073Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Gatlinburg, TNThe non-instrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's established anti-authority attitude.NTSB ERA17WA085Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · Tabatinga, BrazilOn December 23, 2016, about 1830 universal coordinated time, a Beech 58, Brazilian registration PT-ICU, was destroyed when it impacted wooded terrain while on approach to Tabatinga International Airport (SBTT), Tabatinga, State of Amazonas, Brazil. The two…NTSB ERA17FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Middlebury, VTThe pilot's improper decision to return to the airport following a partial or complete loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of…NTSB DCA17WA044Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 727 · Puerto Carreno, ColombiaThe Accident Investigation Group (AIG) of Colombia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 727 airplane that occurred on December 20, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AIG of Colombia's investigation…NTSB ANC17FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 11 · Aniak, AKThe pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.NTSB ERA17WA079Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT502 · Primavera do Leste, BrazilOn December 13, 2016, about 1930 coordinated universal time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, Brazilian registration PR-AJF, was destroyed after it impacted terrain and was subject to a postcrash fire, during an agricultural spraying operation near Primavera do Leste,…NTSB WPR17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuest Kodiak 100 · Moab, UTThe pilot's loss of control shortly after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR17WA039Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Juhu, IndiaNTSB CEN17WA222Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA38 · Ingenio La Cabana, El SalvadorOn December 11, 2016, a Piper PA-38, YS-332-PE, crashed near Ingenio La Cabana, El Salvador, a 0715 local time and was destroyed. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of…NTSB CEN17WA054Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationGrumman AA1 · Pintendre, CanadaOn December 10, 2016, a Grumman American AA-1B airplane, C-FJEX, impacted terrain near Pintendre, Quebec. The pilot and passenger were fatality injured. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Canadian government. This report…NTSB CEN17FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAircraft Mfg & Design CH601XL Slsa · Marengo, ILA loss of control in flight for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were identified during the investigation.NTSB ERA17WA080Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationNeiva EMB-721D · Manaus, BrazilOn December 7, 2016, about 1150 UTC, an Industria Aeronautica Neiva S/A EMB 721D, Brazilian registration PT-REI, registered to and operated by a foreign individual, collided with trees then terrain shortly after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions…NTSB CEN17WA051Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Alsace, FranceOn December 7, 2016, at 1644 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-34-200T airplane, Switzerland registration HB-LSD, was destroyed when it collided with the terrain near Alsace, France. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane departed the Nurnberg…NTSB CEN17FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCub Crafters PA18 · Basin, WYThe pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ANC17FA010Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Port Alsworth, AKUndetermined due to a lack of physical evidence.NTSB ANC17FA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at an altitude too low to allow for recovery from an intentional aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of knowledge of the stall performance characteristics of the airplane modified…NTSB WPR17FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirborne Windsports PTY Edge XT-912-L · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.NTSB ERA17FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227 · Camilla, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate and continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA17WA081Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sao Lourenco da Serra, BrazilOn December 4, 2016, about 1800 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44-II, Brazilian registration PR-TUN, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Sao Lourenco, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The pilot and three passengers were…NTSB CEN17WA052Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPZL Bielsko SZD51 · Husbands Bosworth, United KingdomOn December 4, 2016, about 1230 coordinated universal time, a PZL Bielsko SZD-51-1 glider, G-CSFT, and a Cessna 150L airplane, G-CSFC, collided in midair near Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. The glider impacted terrain and the pilot was…NTSB CEN17WA049Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBeech E 90 · Toledo, SpainNTSB ERA17WA303Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSchempp Hirth VENTUS2C · San Carlos de Bolivar, ArgentinaOn December 3, 2016, about 1750 coordinated universal time, a Schempp Hirth Ventus-2C motorized glider, Argentine registration LV-EDB, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after the left wing detached from the…NTSB CEN17FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGordon Pegazair P 100 · Mt Vernon, INThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment resulting from the combination of his progressive degenerative neurologic condition and his use of alcohol.NTSB CEN17FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Fargo, NDThe loose fuel fitting on the combustion heater that leaked a lean fuel-air mixture into the nose baggage compartment. The mixture was most likely ignited by the combustion heater, blowing off the nose baggage compartment doors and starting an in-flight fire.NTSB ERA17WA062Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Vinogradny Township, RussiaOn November 28, 2016, about 0638 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, Russian registration RA-04195, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Vinogradny Township, Russia, while enroute from Yalta, Russia, to Crimea, Russia.…NTSB WPR17FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Glamis, CAThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a downwind landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a go-around and subsequent landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an…NTSB ERA17WA059Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB710 · Novo Progresso, BrazilOn November 24, 2016, about 2040 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB-710C, Brazilian registration PT-NCJ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain on approach to an unregistered landing strip in a quarry near Novo Progresso, State of Para,…NTSB ERA17WA061Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206 · Villavicencio, ColombiaOn November 23, 2016, about 2000 coordinated universal time, a Cessna TU206G, Colombian registration HK2659, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Vanguardia Airport (SKVV), Colombia. The Colombian certificated pilot and two of the passengers…NTSB ERA17WA055Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R · Valparaiso, ChileOn November 23, 2016, about 1410 universal coordinated time, an Ayres S2-R, United States registration N5532G, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain near Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, Chile. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight…NTSB WPR17FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Upland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR17WA026Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802 · Trangie, AustraliaNTSB ERA17FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · New Gretna, NJThe pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and in-flight weather evaluation, which resulted in an encounter with a strong cold front and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR17FA024Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31T · Elko, NVA loss of engine power to the left engine for reasons that could not be determined due to the extensive fire and impact damage to the airplane.NTSB ERA17WA060Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAgusta A109A II · Varese, ItalyOn November 19, 2016, at 1316 universal coordinated time, an Augusta A109 A II, N109W, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while navigating near Varese, Italy. An Italian passenger was fatally injured and the Italian certificated pilot and Swiss passenger…NTSB WPR17WA027Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Mount Windsor, AustraliaOn November 18, 2016, at 1244 local time, a Robinson R44 II, Australian registration VH-ZNZ, collided with terrain near Mount Windsor, Australia. The helicopter was destroyed by a post impact fire. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was…NTSB WPR17FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Moss Beach, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…NTSB ERA17FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCurtiss JN4 · Williamson, GAThe in-flight failure of the propeller due to excessive engine vibration loads and the use of an incorrectly-sized propeller, which resulted in a fatigue crack of the leading edge strip. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate repair of the propeller…NTSB WPR17FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Pukoo, HIThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions at night in rain, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA17WA049Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Kingston, JamaicaOn November 18, 2016, about 1335 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, United Stated registration N101KA, operated by the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre, was destroyed when it impacted a building in Greenwich Farm, Kingston 13, Jamaica. The pilot and two…NTSB ERA17LA042Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Blairstown, NJThe pilot's improper engine start procedure, which resulted in a loss of control on the ground and collision with a tree.NTSB ERA17FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Crescent City, FLAn abrupt pitch-up maneuver following a descent, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the right wing due to the overload failure of both the forward and aft right wing attachment brackets.NTSB WPR17WA028Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT502 · Walgett, AustraliaNTSB CEN17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStamper RV-10 · Dubois, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low…NTSB WPR17WA016Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Kamo, New Zealand, New ZealandOn October 30, 2016, a Robinson R44, ZK-HTH, was destroyed by fire after it collided with terrain near Kamo, New Zealand, The helicopter was operated by Helisika Agricultural Limited under the pertinent regulations of the government of New Zealand. The pilot…NTSB ANC17FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Heli-Porter Pilatus PC-6 · Port Alsworth, AKThe airplane's collision with mountainous terrain while operating in an area of reduced visibility and icing conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which would have identified deteriorating weather conditions…NTSB ANC17FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Palmer, AKThe student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.NTSB CEN17FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A-1C-180 · Clarksville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN17WA086Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20K · Saarbrucken, GermanyOn October 27, 2016, about 0946 UTC, a Mooney M20T, N400MW, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted on the runway at the Saarbrucken-Ensheim Airport (EDDR), Saarbrucken, Germany. The pilot on board was fatally injured and the airplane was…NTSB CEN17FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRoe Cleo Wittman Tailwind W10 · Pearland, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate training…