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 ERA16FA309Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in continued flight into a thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN16LA347Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHaggenmacher Bensen · Bryant, ARThe pilot’s loss of gyroplane control during an intentional high-speed pass, which resulted in the gyroplane porpoising and impacting terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the flight in an aircraft in which he had little…NTSB CEN16FA344Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAves Douglas James RV 6 · Viborg, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent flat spin into terrain.NTSB ERA16WA315Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT502 · Sorriso, BrazilOn September 1, 2016, about 1905 coordinated universal time, a privately owned and operated Air Tractor AT-502B, Brazilian registration PR-SLV, experienced an in-flight loss of control and impacted terrain near Sorriso Municipality, State of Mato Grosso,…NTSB CEN16WA371Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Bovec, SloveniaOn September 1, 2016, about 1545 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-28-161, Slovenia-registration S5-DES, was destroyed when it crashed into mountainous terrain near Bovec, Slovenia. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated…NTSB WPR16FA172Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Sparks, NVThe pilot's selection of a landing runway which, given the wind and traffic conditions, was susceptible to high crosswinds and the translation of wake turbulence across its approach path, and the controller's and pilot's failure to ensure separation from the…NTSB CEN16FA341Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Bentonville, ARThe pilot's failure to monitor and/or transmit his position over the uncontrolled airport's common traffic advisory frequency, and his decision to continue the takeoff when he observed conflicting traffic on the runway.NTSB ANC16FA061Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Russian Mission, AKThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other while in level cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB WPR16FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Clinton, MTThe sudden right turn on approach to landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN16LA338Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot's improper decision to continue a descent during a night visual approach a for landing which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility and pilot's disregard of the PAPI indications that the…NTSB WPR16WA192Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Mpumalanga Province, South AfricaOn August 27, 2016, about 1025 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 182Q, South African registration ZS-PHB, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Komati Gorge Lodge private airstrip, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The pilot…NTSB WPR16WA190Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationXtremeair XA42 · Zhangye Ganzhou, ChinaOn August 27, 2016, at 1047 local time, an XtremeAir XA-42, N344XA, operated by Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. collided with the ground during an aerobatic maneuver at an airshow near the Zhangye Ganzhou Airport, China. The airplane was operating under…NTSB WPR16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1(PT17) · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was a high density altitude and the pilot's failure to plan/adequately compensate for high density altitude conditions.NTSB ERA16WA307Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Finca, ColombiaOn August 26, 2016, about 1250 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-25-260, Colombian registration HK588, operated by Fumigaciones Aereas Del Norte S.A.S., was destroyed when it collided with an electrical wire and terrain near Finca, Colombia. The…NTSB CEN16WA337Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationYakovlev/Chinnery YAK 11 · Speyer, GermanyOn August 25, 2016, at 0651 universal coordinated time, a Yakolev YAK-11, US registration N111YK, crashed under unknown circumstances in Speyer, Germany. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The accident investigation is under the…NTSB CEN16FA333Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Terre Haute, INThe pilot's failure to maintain a normal approach path to the runway, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree and a house during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.NTSB ERA16FA297Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHeberlein Ronald Vans RV 9A · Sebring, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN16FA331Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStemme S10 VT · Telluride, COThe pilot's encounter with a downdraft that exceeded the climb performance of the powered glider and resulted in his inability to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly near building clouds and rain…NTSB CEN16LA326Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportThrush S2R T660 · Ruthton, MNThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the tower guy-wire during an agricultural spraying operation.NTSB CEN16FA328Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Center, COThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a low-level maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16WA298Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 550 · Charallave, VenezuelaNTSB ERA16FA289Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31 · Northport, ALA total loss of power in both engines due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement, and his subsequent failure to follow the emergency checklist. Contributing to the pilot's failure to follow the emergency checklist was his lack of…NTSB ANC16FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Chugiak, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep low-altitude turn following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at too low…NTSB ERA16FA288Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 B55 (T42A) · Fredericksburg, VAThe pilot(s) failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN16WA325Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA38 · Peterborough, CanadaOn August 11, 2016, at 0520 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-38-112, Canadian-registered C-FSYH, was damaged when it struck several metal poles during a forced landing near Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the…NTSB CEN16FA315Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Howe, TXThe improper execution of an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of remedial action during the autorotation.NTSB ERA16WA287Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Fredonia, ColombiaOn August 9, 2016, about 2156 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 172N, Colombian registration HK4822G, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Fredonia, Antioquia, Colombia. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured and…NTSB CEN16WA340Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationQuad City Challenger II · Amos, CanadaOn August 9, 2016, at 1530 UTC, a Quad City Challenger II (S/N CH2-0903-2368), C-IIJW, impacted terrain near the runway end at Amos/Magny Airport (CYEY), Amos, Quebec, Canada. The aircraft was destroyed and sole occupant on board was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN16LA312Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Hickory Ridge, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR16FA160Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAMS Flight Carat A · Minden, NVImpact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN16WA318Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Winchelsea, East Sussex, United KingdomOn August 6, 2016, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, G-CDER, sank after ditching near Winchelsea, East Sussex. The pilot was fatally injured. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the government of the United Kingdom. Any further information…NTSB CEN16FA308Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPzl-Bielsko SZD 55-1 · Channahon, ILThe glider pilot's failure to maintain adequate pitch control while being towed and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed control after releasing from the towline, which resulted in the glider exceeding its critical angle of attack and an…NTSB CEN16FA307Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWilson BUGATTI-DEMONGE 100P · Burns Flat, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following an engine anomaly during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was an…NTSB CEN16LA310Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Indianola, IAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.NTSB WPR16FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 34-200T · Flagstaff, AZA departure flight path that consisted of several unexplained turns during the initial climbout, and terminated in a high-speed descent and ground impact. The reason(s) for the turns and descent could not be determined due to lack of definitive evidence.NTSB ERA16FA279Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Destin, FLThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff, while maneuvering over water during dark night conditions.NTSB DCA16WA218Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Lusikisuki, near Port John, Eastern Cape Province, South AfricaThe South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter that occurred on August 03, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist SACAA's investigation under the…NTSB DCA16RA206Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 777 · Dubai, United Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BOEING 777 that occurred on August 03, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the GCAA's investigation under the…NTSB CEN16FA304Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C 1 · Jeanerette, LAThe pilot's loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB WPR16FA157Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportArion Lightning LS-1 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent impact with a building. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's unreported physiological…NTSB WPR16WA161Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA31 · Nong Prue, Thailand, ThailandOn August 1, 2016, at 1605 local time, a Piper PA31-350, HS-FGB, was destroyed after it collided with a wooden bridge during an emergency landing near Nong Prue, Thailand. The aircraft was operated under the pertinent regulations of the Government of…NTSB WPR16FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSperling Richard G Lancair 360 · The Dalles, ORThe pilot's loss of control during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown.NTSB ERA16WA306Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB820 · Londrina City, BrazilOn July 31, 2016, at 2357 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB820C (Piper PA-31-350), Brazilian registration PT-EFQ, was destroyed when it impacted a power line and terrain following a loss of power in the left engine, while on approach to Londrina…NTSB DCA16MA204Accident · 16 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportKubicek BB85 · Lockhart, TXThe pilot's pattern of poor decision-making that led to the initial launch, continued flight in fog and above clouds, and descent near or through clouds that decreased the pilot's ability to see and avoid obstacles. Contributing to the accident were (1) the…NTSB WPR16FA153Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · McKinleyville, CAAn inflight fire in the floor area near the main bus tie circuit breaker panel that resulted from chafing between an electrical wire and a hydraulic line and/or airplane structure.NTSB CEN16LA292Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402 · Sac City, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to circle over the field to identify hazards before beginning the aerial application.NTSB CEN16LA291Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT602 · David City, NEThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN16FA295Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Holmen, WIThe pilot's loss of airplane control during an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument flight proficiency.NTSB CEN16FA290Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Fond du Lac, WICarburetor contamination following exposure to water in the fuel, which resulted in a carburetor malfunction and a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of airplane control that resulted in a stall.NTSB WPR16FA152Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310B · Columbia, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.