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 CEN16FA216Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Rockville, INThe pilot's use of an improper soft-field takeoff procedure, which resulted in the airplane having insufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect and its subsequent impact with trees near the departure end of the runway.NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB WPR16FA124Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 1B · Hawthorne, CAThe failure of both pilots to land the airplane on the remaining runway when a sufficient rate of climb could not be attained. Contributing to the accident was a reduction of available engine power due to severe camshaft lobe wear.NTSB ERA16LA210Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCameron A-225 · Nunda, NYThe ground crewmember's failure to let go of the balloon's basket when the balloon began to ascend. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the balloon after landing, which resulted in an inadvertent takeoff.NTSB ERA16FA208Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Collegedale, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering after a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M 18A · Brunswick, NCThe failure of the right wing due to a fatigue fracture of the right outboard wing forward spar lower fitting. Contributing to the accident was the routine operation of the airplane over its certificated maximum gross weight and the operator's improper or…NTSB CEN16FA214Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Marion, ILThe pilots' failure to maintain adequate airspeed while executing a simulated engine failure and landing maneuver, which resulted in the wing's critical angle of attack being exceeded and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB CEN16FA212Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Wishek, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…NTSB CEN16FA211Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Houston, TXThe pilot's improper go-around procedure that did not ensure that the airplane was at a safe airspeed before raising the flaps, which resulted in exceedance of the critical angle of attack and resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and spin into…NTSB CEN16FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175 · Pine Bluff, ARA loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because a test run of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB CEN16FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPruss Richard S Kitfox IV · De Smet, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during a steep turn at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at too low of an altitude to recover.NTSB WPR16FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell S2R · De Smet, IDThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from guy wires during an aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced ability to see the guy wires due to sun glare.NTSB WPR16WA123Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Siriwo, IndonesiaOn June 4, 2016, about 0815 local time, a Bell 206 helicopter, registration PK-UAF, sustained substantial damage following collision with terrain near Siriwo, Indonesia. Reports indicate that there were 4 soles onboard the helicopter; 1 fatal, 3 serious. The…NTSB ANC16WA030Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationWag-Aero Super Tri-Pacer · Williston Lake, CanadaOn June 04, 2016, about 1500 Coordinated Universal Time, a Wag-Aero Super Tri-Pacer airplane, CGSMJ, impacted terrain near Williston Lake, British Columbia, Canada, under unknown circumstances. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The…NTSB CEN16WA237Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationVans RV6 · St-Mathieu-De-Beloeil, CanadaOn June 28, 2016, about 1350 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Vans RV6, C-TFUO, impacted terrain at St-Mathieu-De-Beloeil (CSB3), Quebec, Canada. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The airplane was substantially destroyed. The…NTSB CEN16LA203Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Penwell, TXThe pilot’s intentional flight into a silo.NTSB CEN16WA205Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationVans RV4 · Coex, FranceOn June 1, 2016, at 2100 local time, a Vans RV4, Netherlands registration PH-EIL, was destroyed when it collided with the terrain in Coex, France. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received serious injuries. At the time of this report, it is…NTSB ERA16LA201Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCriquet Aviation Bogota Columb Storch FI-156 · Fordsville, KYThe steep descent to ground impact for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN16WA198Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAmateur Construction Rans S6-ESD (Modifie · Shropshire, United KingdomThe United Kingdom Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has notified the NTSB of a fatal accident involving a Rans S-6ESD, registration G-MYES, which occurred on May 20, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIB…NTSB ERA16WA207Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-160 · Corumbaiba, BrazilNTSB WPR16FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAUndetermined because the airplane was not located.NTSB WPR16FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMoore Joseph O Varieze · Santa Paula, CAA total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the camshaft drive gear teeth.NTSB ERA16LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRepublic P 47D · New York, NYA catastrophic engine failure of undetermined origin, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent ditching. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to jettison the canopy before ditching, which resulted in his inability to…NTSB ERA16FA194Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportJihlavan Airplanes Sro KP 5 ASA · Rhoadesville, VAThe pilots' loss of control that necessitated the activation of the parachute system and the airplane manufacturer's inadequate design of the front parachute anchor attachment structure, which resulted in a failure of the parachute after it was deployed in…NTSB WPR16FA116Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Hanapepe, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic…NTSB ERA16WA321Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV7 · Cordoba, ArgentinaOn May 19, 2016, about 2015 coordinated universal time, an experimental, amateur-built Vans RV-7, Argentine registration LV-X566, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during aerobatic maneuvers near Cordoba, Argentina. The…NTSB ERA16FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D35 · Sevierville, TNThe pilot's failure to properly configure the landing gear and the pilot's inappropriate decision to abort the landing after the propeller had contacted the runway, which resulted in a loss of thrust and a subsequent loss of control of the airplane.NTSB DCA16RA156Accident · 66 fatalForeign investigationAirbus A320 · Cairo, EgyptThe Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation (EMCA) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving an AIRBUS A320, equipped with IAE V2500 engines, that occurred on May 19, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the EMCA's…NTSB WPR16FA112Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT 6 · Mesa, AZThe pilot's inability to return to the departure airport due to an unspecified in-flight emergency for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the airplane.NTSB CEN16FA188Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Sheridan Lake, COThe pilot's severe impairment from the combined effects of high levels of ingested alcohol as well as three impairing medications (zolpidem, lorazepam, and diphenhydramine), which resulted in his decision to attempt an aerobatic maneuver that the airplane was…NTSB ERA16FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Wantage, NJA collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined as the investigation did not reveal any postaccident anomalies with the airplane or pilot.NTSB CEN16WA199Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-200 · Halden, NorwayOn May 17, 2016, about 1615 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-28R-200 airplane, Norwegian registration LN-AAM, impacted trees and terrain, near Halden, Norway. The airplane was destroyed during impact and the pilot, the sole…NTSB ERA16FA185Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Tupelo, MSA preexisting stress rupture that initiated at a spot weld in the turbocharger v-band exhaust clamp, which resulted in the failure of the clamp and separation of the exhaust tailpipe, an in-flight fire, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR16FA111Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Altadena, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the loss of radio communications for a reason that could not be determined because of the…NTSB ERA16FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreg Connell Pitts S-2SW · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to reestablish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground.NTSB CEN16LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · West, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid cellular tower guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.NTSB CEN16LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 3B 1 · Portia, ARThe pilot's decision to perform a sliding takeoff from the elevated platform, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the right skid plate caught on a protruding screw. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to adequately inspect the landing…NTSB CEN16WA351Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Aube, FranceNTSB WPR16FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Surprise, AZThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the bolt connecting the throttle cable to the carburetor during the installation of the carburetor, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB ANC16WA028Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationVans RV4 · Eckville, CanadaOn May 07, 2016, about 2000 Coordinated Universal Time, an amateur-built Van's Thiessen RV-4 airplane, C-GGYT, impacted terrain near Eckville, Alberta, Canada, under unknown circumstances. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The Transportation Safety Board…NTSB ANC16FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Skagway, AKThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot experiencing a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB CEN16WA176Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S12 · Wiener Neustadt, Austria, AustriaOn May 6, 2016, about 1625 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Rans S-12, D-MOHA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain after a loss of control during the initial climb from Loan Airport, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The pilot and passenger were killed. The…NTSB CEN16LA175Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Windsports PTY Edge X Classic · Rush City, MNThe student pilot's failure to maintain the appropriate pitch attitude during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s decision to conduct a solo flight without a solo endorsement in an…NTSB CEN16FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310F · North Little Rock, ARThe pilot's failure to promptly feather the left propeller upon the initial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and his failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering with one engine inoperative, which resulted in a loss of control at a low altitude.…NTSB CEN16FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Reedsville, WIThe failure of the power turbine governor's dual-spool bearing due to a lack of lubrication, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA16WA175Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Avacha`, RussiaOn May 3, 2016, about 0347 UTC, a Robinson Helicopter R44, Russian registered RA-2118G was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain near Kamchatka, Russia, while on a flight from Khalaktyrka, Russia to Karymshina, Russia. The pilot and two passengers…NTSB ERA16FA176Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Syosset, NYThe pilot's loss of airplane control while operating in instrument meteorological conditions with only a partial instrument panel due to a failure of the airplane's vacuum pump. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's spatial disorientation and the…NTSB ERA16WA180Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Sao Paulo, BrazilOn May 5, 2016, about 1515 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R22 Beta, Brazilian registration PR-RCA, operated by AGD Aviation, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires and then terrain while maneuvering in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight…NTSB WPR16FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Henderson, NVThe pilot's failure to monitor and maintain clearance with terrain while maneuvering at low level. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot's failure to conduct an adequate amount of clearing turns while maneuvering at low level.NTSB ERA16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Boone, NCThe pilot's delayed decision to conduct a go-around following an unstabilized landing approach and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees near the end of the runway.