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 CEN16FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Eaton, COThe pilot's loss of airplane control in gusting wind conditions and low-level wind shear, following a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly monitor the fuel level inflight because of his…NTSB ERA16LA010Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMurray Blair L Free Bird Classic · Kylertown, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach for landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.NTSB WPR16FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain airplane control due to an encounter with a downdraft that exceeded the airplane’s climb performance capabilities and resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart without…NTSB CEN16LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRich Harry A Woodstock I · Decatur, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning from the downwind to the base leg of the pattern in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the glider exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and entering an aerodynamic stall/spin at a low…NTSB ERA16LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Seville, FLThe airplane’s encounter with a downdraft, and the pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and airspeed, which provided insufficient time and altitude to recover before impacting terrain.NTSB ERA16FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG · Erwin, TNThe pilot's decision to fly into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the airplane entering a severe thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR16FA006Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Hope, IDThe pilot's selection of an inadequate altitude to cross mountainous terrain and her subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the weather conditions and flight plan.NTSB ERA16FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GAThe student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student…NTSB ANC16FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Big Lake, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall at too low an altitude to allow recovery.NTSB ERA16WA025Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-200 · Brazil, BrazilOn October 6, 2015, about 1433 UTC, A Piper PA-28R-200 (Embraer EMB711C); Brazilian registration PT-NKU, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while flying from Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil to Serra do Caraca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The two occupants were…NTSB ERA16WA017Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB721C · Corumba, BrazilOn October 6, 2015, about 1200 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB721C, Brazilian registration PT-RAM, was substantially damaged when it encountered a wind gust and struck a tree, during takeoff from Guanabara Farm, Corumba, Brazil. The pilot and one…NTSB CEN16WA009Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 430 · Xalapa, MexicoOn October 6, 2015, at 2355 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Bell 430 helicopter, Mexican registration XC-VER, collided with terrain after departure from the El Lencero Airport, Xalapa, Mexico. A postimpact fire ensued. The pilot and co-pilot were fatally…NTSB CEN16FA005Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Chadron, NEThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into rising terrain during cruise flight.NTSB WPR16FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Cedar City, UTThe failure of the pilots to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.NTSB ERA16WA002Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-325 · Chia, ColombiaOn October 3, 2015, about 1715 UTC, a Piper PA-31-325, Colombian registration HK3909G, registered to and operated by El Caminante Air S.A., collided with a structure then rolled inverted during a forced landing in a field near Hipodromo de los Andes, Chia,…NTSB CEN16WA002Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 200 · Chigwell, United KingdomThe Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) United Kingdom has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Beech B200 that occurred on October 3, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIB investigation under the…NTSB WPR16FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJohnson Coot · Deer Park, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention due to the rough…NTSB ERA16FA001Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Westminster, SCThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN16WA010Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA31 · Veracruz, NicaraguaNTSB CEN16FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Huntsville, TXThe pilot's mismanagement off the fuel supply to the engine, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB ERA15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · St. Petersburg, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain single-engine minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of right engine power during initial climb. Also causal was the loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the…NTSB CEN15LA432Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRans S18 · Shattuck, OKThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the unregistered airplane during initial climb and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CEN15FA427Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Lexington, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at too low of an altitude to recover.NTSB CEN15WA449Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationTrendak Tercel · Odorheiul Secuiesc City, RomaniaThis is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. On September 26, 2015, at an unknown time, a Trendak Tercel gyroplane, A11-DUN, impacted terrain after takeoff from an airfield near Odorheiul Secuiesc city, Harghita County, Romania.…NTSB CEN15WA429Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA28 · Sandstedt, GermanyOn September 26, 2015, at 1138 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28, German registration D-EBVM and a Reims F172, German registration D-EGJA, collided over Sandstedt, Germany. The pilot on board the PA-28 was fatally injured. The pilot and two passengers…NTSB CEN15FA426Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJones Ralph D Zodiac CH 601 HD · Ama, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…NTSB CEN15FA425Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310Q · Wichita, KSThe separation of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab pushrod to the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in the elevator trim tab jamming in a position outside the limits of normal travel and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN15FA424Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Pagosa Springs, COImproper engine assembly by unknown maintenance personnel, which resulted in the failure of the No. 6 connecting rod due to oil starvation from the shifting of the crankshaft's No. 4 main bearing.NTSB CEN15FA422Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPierce, Henry Bushby Mustang II · Granbury, TXThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA15WA370Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Maceio, BrazilOn September 23, 2015, at 1350 universal coordinated time, a Bell 206L-3, Brazilian registration PP-ELA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Maceio, Brazil. The four occupants were fatally injured. The local police patrol flight originated at Zumbi dos…NTSB ERA15FA362Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Morrisville, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack, which led to an aerodynamic stall, following a total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the…NTSB CEN15WA456Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAmateur Construction Glasair RG · Muhen, SwitzerlandOn September 20, 2015, about 1000 hours universal coordinated time, a Glassair RG airplane, Swiss registration HB-YEA was destroyed when it impacted an automobile and burst into flames during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Muhen,…NTSB ERA15FA361Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Spring Hill, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA15FA359Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoatright Waylon RV10 · Alma, GAThe noncertificated pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in his overweight, improperly-loaded airplane in dark night conditions at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB ANC15FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC 3T · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's decision to depart in dark night, visual meteorological conditions over water, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to determine the airplane's…NTSB WPR15WA271Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 · Chong Qing, China, ChinaOn September 13, 2015, at 0600 local time, a Bell 407 GX, B-7702, operated by Chong Qing General Aviation Corporation, collided with terrain during an aerial photo operation near Chong Qing, P. R. China. The helicopter was being operated under the pertinent…NTSB ERA15FA353Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39 · Oneida, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined due to extensive postimpact damage.NTSB ERA15FA352Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Atco, NJThe student pilot's improper decision to intentionally maneuver at low altitude while waving to people on the ground, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15WA355Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSmith AEROSTAR600 · Santa Fé de Antioquia, ColombiaNTSB ERA15FA351Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Riegelwood, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA15LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20TN · Atlantic City (Atlantic Ocean)A loose oxygen line, which was not detected by maintenance personnel during a recent annual inspection, that allowed oxygen to escape and drain the oxygen canister more quickly than the pilot expected. This reduced the pilot's availability of supplemental…NTSB CEN15WA406Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech Beech C 24R · Könnern, GermanyOn September 10, 2015 about 0830 UTC, a Beech C24R Sierra airplane, German registration D-EHZK, crashed into a field under unknown circumstances near Könnern, Germany. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight departed from the…NTSB ERA15FA348Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Somerset, NJThe pilot's attempted 180-degree return to the runway immediately after takeoff in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with…NTSB CEN15WA454Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Foleyet, CanadaOn September 9, 2015, about 0015 Universal Time Coordinated, a Robinson R-44, C-GZFX, owned and operated by Apex Helicopters Inc. was found in a heavily wooded area about 17 nautical miles south of Foleyet, Ontario. The pilot and one passenger were fatally…NTSB WPR15WA259Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Ballarat, Australia, AustraliaOn September 8, 2015, at 1542 local time, a Cessna 172S, VH-ZEW, collided with terrain near Ballarat, Australia. The airplane was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the Government of Australia. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot,…NTSB WPR15FA258Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSilvaire Luscombe 8A · Creswell, ORThe pilot's decision to return to the runway shortly after takeoff, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall and spin.NTSB ERA15FA340Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Kernersville, NCThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was deficient Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control training on recognition and handling of…NTSB ERA15LA339Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEvolution Revo · Laconia, NHThe sport pilot’s improper decision to operate the weight-shift-control aircraft at low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the aircraft, which resulted in a subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB DCA15WA188Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Tambacounda, SenegalNTSB CEN15LA404Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Midland, TXThe partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.