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 ERA16FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyskamp Bruce A Acroduster · Belton, SCA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive postcrash fire damage. Also causal was the pilot's loss of airplane control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Carrollton, OHAn in-flight collision with trees and terrain for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed during the examination.NTSB WPR16FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Woodland, WAThe pilot's delay in recognizing that the airplane was not performing as expected and aborting the takeoff, which resulted in collision with a berm beyond the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's exceedance of the airplane's gross…NTSB CEN16WA174Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150 · Strakonice, CzechiaOn April 20, 2016, at 1253 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Cessna 150 airplane, Czech Republic registration OK-OKA, serial number 150741140, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near the Strakonice Airport (LKST), Strakonice, Czech…NTSB CEN16FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 A90 1 · Slidell, LAThe unstable approach in black-hole conditions, resulting in the airplane overshooting the runway extended centerline and descending well below a safe glidepath for the runway. Contributing to the accident was the lack of monitoring by the copilot allowing…NTSB ANC16FA019Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Chugiak, AKThe in-flight collision with one or more large birds (Bald Eagle), which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA16FA165Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV12 · Stevensville, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during approach for landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA16WA163Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Bely Island, RussiaNTSB ERA16FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Westmoreland, NYThe pilot's decision to takeoff on the grass runway given the conditions at the time; his excessive aft control input during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the aft fuselage contacting the runway surface; and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed and…NTSB CEN16LA154Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Kilbourne, LAThe failure of the operator to comply with the terminating action of the airworthiness directive, which resulted in the subsequent failure and separation of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue.NTSB CEN16WA160Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationExtra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Cozumel, MexicoOn April 17, 2016, at 1940 UTC, an Extra EA300, N13DK, impacted terrain at Cozumel International Airport (MMCZ) in Cozumel, Mexico. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. This investigation is under the jurisdiction…NTSB DCA16WA131Accident · 12 fatalForeign investigationBritten Norman BN2 · Kiunga, Papua New GuineaThe government of Papua New Guinea has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BRITTEN NORMAN BN2 airplane that occurred on April 13, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Papua New Guinea's…NTSB ANC16WA018Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRockwell 112 · Revelstoke, CanadaOn April 11, 2016, about 2000 Coordinated Universal Time, a Rockwell Commander 112B airplane, CGQJN, impacted terrain near Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, under unknown circumstances. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The Transportation…NTSB ERA16FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Ocala, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent placement of the…NTSB CEN16FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 690B · Taylor, TXA loss of control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.NTSB CEN16FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Midlothian, TXThe flight instructor's inability to move the control stick after takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and inadvertent aerodynamic stall. The reason for the inability to move the control…NTSB ANC16FA017Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Angoon, AKThe pilot's inadvertent turn toward terrain that was higher-than-expected while trying to avoid poor visibility conditions and his subsequent attempt to clear terrain, which reduced the airspeed and led to the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of…NTSB ERA16FA144Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Pigeon Forge, TNAn inflight loss of engine power due to a failure of the engine fuel pump, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain during the subsequent autorotation. The failure of the engine fuel pump resulted from the absence of adequate grease leading to…NTSB WPR16FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNokes Matthew Lancair IV P · Fallbrook, CAA loss of engine power during cruise for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN16WA144Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208 · Tayoltita, Dgo, Mexico, MexicoOn April 1, 2016, about 0900 local time, a Cessna 208B single engine airplane, serial number 208B2104, registry XA-ULU, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing near Tayoltita, San Dimas, Durango, Mexico. There were ten persons on-board…NTSB CEN16WA141Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Madrid, SpainOn March 31, 2016, about 1200 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cessna 172 airplane, Spanish registration EC-JSM, collided with the terrain following a bird strike near Madrid, Spain. The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane…NTSB CEN16RA136Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationMitsubishi MU 2B · Iles-de-la-Madeleine, CanadaimportNTSB ERA16FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Canadensis, PAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.NTSB CEN16WA140Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna Skyhawk II 172N · Vulcan de Fuego, Guatemala, GuatemalaOn March 27, 2016, about 2242 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Guatemalan-registered Cessna 172N, TG-KAM, impacted terrain near the Vulcan de Fuego while en route from Tiquisate, Escuintla, to the La Aurora International Airport (MGGT), Guatemala City,…NTSB ERA16FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Charleston, WVThe flight instructor's failure to ensure that her seat was properly secured before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent loss of control. Contributing was the lack of an installed secondary seat stop.NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB ANC16WA016Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationMooney M20C · Yao, JapanOn March 26, 2016 , about 1618 Local Time, a Mooney M20C airplane, Japan registration number JA3788, operated by the pilot, was destroyed by post crash fire following a loss of control while attempting a go-around at the Yao Airport, Osaka Prefecture. The…NTSB WPR16WA089Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Carmila West, AustraliaOn March 25, 2016, at 1028 local time, a Bell 206B, VH-WHU, collided with power lines during an aerial agriculture flight near Carmila West, Australia. The helicopter was destroyed by the post impact fire and the pilot was fatally injured. The flight was…NTSB ERA16LA139Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHall, Wendall W Harmon Rocket II · Cheraw, SCThe pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.NTSB WPR16FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American AT 6A · Astoria, ORThe pilot's loss of aircraft control during a low-altitude ash dispersal maneuver. Contributing to the accident was his degraded performance due to his medical conditions.NTSB ERA16WA147Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Riosucio, Choco, ColombiaNTSB ERA16WA138Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B III · Angostura, ColombiaOn March 23, 2016, about 1211 universal coordinated time, a Bell 206B III, Colombian registration HK4764, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain and was consumed by a postcrash fire. Three of the four occupants were fatally injured, and one…NTSB WPR16FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAirborne XT 912 · Hawthorne, CAThe weight shift control aircraft encounter with a wake vortex from a preceding airplane, which resulted in a roll upset at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the accident pilot's failure to recognize the potential for a wake…NTSB CEN16WA142Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationYork Laser Z-200 · Abbeyshrule, IrelandOn March 20, 2016, at 1745 coordinated universal time (UTC), an experimental amateur built York Laser Z-200 airplane, Dutch registered PH-LSR, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Abbeyshrule, County Longford, Ireland. The…NTSB CEN16FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Ellsworth, NEThe pilot's impairment due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a known cracked engine exhaust muffler, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flying the airplane without properly repairing…NTSB ERA16WA136Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationComp Air CA9 · Sao Paulo, BrazilOn March 19, 2016, about 1853 coordinated universal time, an experimental amateur-built Comp Air CA9, Brazilian registration PR-ZRA, was destroyed by impact and fire after collision with a building shortly after takeoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There was a…NTSB DCA16RA108Accident · 62 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Rostov-on-Don, RussiaThe Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BOEING 737 that occurred on March 19, 2016. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the MAK investigation under the provisions of ICAO…NTSB ERA16FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340 · Tampa, FLThe intentional low altitude maneuvering during takeoff in response to a near-miss with an airplane departing from a converging runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR16FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Alpine, WYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb in dark night conditions with no visual reference, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA16FA127Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSheahen Dane E RV-8 · Clermont, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing; which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the fatigue failure of the crankshaft for reasons that could…NTSB CEN16FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRemos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau Remos GX · Española, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.NTSB ERA16WA339Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Johannesburg, South AfricaOn March 7, 2016, about 1410 coordinated universal time, Piper PA28-140, South African registration ZS-EXV, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an emergency landing to Mountain View Airfield (FAMV), Johannesburg, South Africa. The pilot and a…NTSB CEN16FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCurtiss Wright Travel AIR 4000 · Palmer Lake, COThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude in strong gusting winds, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB CEN16FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportOhlgren RV 6A · Abilene, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of central…NTSB CEN16FA111Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Navasota, TXThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action to prevent a stall at an altitude that was too low to recover. Contributing to the accident was the owner/non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an accelerated…NTSB ANC16WA015Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Seoul, South KoreaOn February 28, 2016 , about 1831 Local Time, a Cessna 172S airplane, Republic of Korea registration number HL1153, operated by the pilot, was destroyed following a loss of control shortly after takeoff from Gimbo International Airport, Republic of Korea.…NTSB WPR16WA085Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationZlin Z242L · Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR ChinaOn February 27, 2016, approximately 0610 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Zlin Z242L, Hong Kong registration B-LUR, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water under unknown circumstances near the Tolo Harbour, Tai Po, Hong Kong. The pilot, the…NTSB ERA16WA129Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEnstrom F28 · Globitsy, RussiaOn February 24, 2016, about 1754 hours local, an Enstrom F-28A, RA-2348G, registered to the City of Saint-Petersburg, Russia, operated by a private individual, impacted terrain near Globitsy Township, Lomonosov District, Leningrad Region, Russia. Visual…NTSB ENG16WA018Accident · 25 fatalForeign investigationViking Air DHC-6 · Soli Ghoptevir, NepalNTSB CEN16WA109Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Palin, GuatemalaOn February 23, 2016, at 1805 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA28-140, Guatemalian registration TG-PEW, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near Palin, Guatemala. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from La Aurora Airport,…