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 CEN15FA400Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310H · Silverton, COThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper judgment and his failure to maintain situational awareness, which resulted in the flight's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and controlled flight into terrain during cruise flight.NTSB CEN15WA401Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150F · Brackley, United KingdomOn September 4, 2015, about 1110 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 150F airplane, G-ATKF, impacted terrain during takeoff at the Hinton in the Hedges Airfield, near Brackley, United Kingdom. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane sustained…NTSB WPR15LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Manra Island, KiribatiA The loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined asbecause the helicopter sank in the oceanwater and was not recovered.NTSB WPR15FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santee, CAThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the right magneto.NTSB ERA15FA336Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHenderson W A/Johnson W L RV 6A · Bon Aqua, TNThe pilot's incapacitation from complications of a recent heart attack, which resulted in a loss of control during cruise flight.NTSB ERA15FA335Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCooper Michael C RV 8A · Advance, NCThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB ERA15WA371Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB721 · Sao Felix do Xingu, BrazilOn August 30, 2015, about 1830 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB721, Brazilian registration PT-EPD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power near São Félix do Xingu Municipality, State of Pará, Brazil. The…NTSB CEN15WA448Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPitts S2 · Friesach, AustriaOn August 30, 2015, about 1242 UTC, a Pitts S2B airplane, D-EZZT, (s/n 5327), impacted terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers near Friesach, Austria. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. This investigation is under the…NTSB CEN15FA388Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Kewanee, ILThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff into low instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ERA15FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCornell W F/Sahakian J A JR Giles 202 (G202) · Newburgh, NYSeparation of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers from the fuselage due to a fracture that initiated at the bond between the left horizontal stabilizer and the flange that attached the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage skin. The failure was likely…NTSB ERA15FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Alabaster, ALAn in-flight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN15FA386Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBarrow Ted A ONE Easy · Battle Creek, MIThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight.NTSB WPR15FA250Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25 · Llano, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control during the landing approach due to an incapacitating medical event.NTSB ERA15FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA44 · Houlton, METhe pilot's descent below the published minimum descent altitude in night instrument meteorological conditions without visual contact with the runway environment, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA15WA347Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206B · Lib Mandy, PeruNTSB ERA15FA325Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Titusville, FLThe pilot's continued flight into known convective weather conditions, which resulted in the airplane's encounter with thunderstorms and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control during a missed approach. Contributing to the accident was the failure of…NTSB CEN15LA399Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Hancock, WIThe in-flight failure of the left wing lower forward attach point under normal loading conditions due to corrosion and fatigue cracking in the center section hinge brackets. Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate maintenance and overweight…NTSB CEN15WA380Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationDehavilland DHC-2 MK. I · Lac Long, CanadaOn August 23, 2015, about 1530 coordinated universal time, a De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I airplane, collided with wooded mountainous terrain near Lac Long, Quebec, Canada. The pilot and 5 passengers were fatally injured. The accident investigation is under the…NTSB CEN15LA376Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW 20 · Hempstead, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an attempted off-airport landing.NTSB CEN15FA374Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 B33 · El Dorado, ARThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the accident site or based on the available information and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical…NTSB ANC15FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Kasilof, AKThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on postaccident examination and testing.NTSB CEN15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Martinville, ILThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Townsend, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN15LA367Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Wiville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility pole while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in damage to the right aileron and a subsequent uncontrolled right roll at a low altitude.NTSB DCA15WA187Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationCessna 441 · Cape Town, South AfricaThe government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna 441 airplane that occurred on August 17, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under the…NTSB CEN15WA394Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-220T · Newquay, United Kingdom, United KingdomOn August 17, 2015, about 1833 universal time (UTC), a Czech Republic registered Piper PA-34-220T, OK-OKD, sustained substantial damage during a go-around at the Newquay Cornwall Airport, Newquay, United Kingdom. The pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN15FA362Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenair CH 2000 · McAllen, TXThe flight instructor's loss of airplane control while departing in gusting wind conditions that were conducive to low-level wind shear.NTSB WPR15MA243Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · San Diego, CAThe local controller's (LC) failure to properly identify the aircraft in the pattern and to ensure control instructions provided to the intended Cessna on downwind were being performed before turning Eagle1 into its path for landing. Contributing to the LC's…NTSB ERA15FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Hicksville, NYThe pilot's improper decision to delay turning toward a suitable runway once he realized that an engine failure had occurred, which resulted in his having inadequate altitude to glide to a suitable runway, and the New York terminal radar approach control…NTSB ERA15FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T206H · West Caldwell, NJA loss of engine power due to a malfunction of the turbocharging system likely due to contaminated oil. Also causal were the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff although the airplane was not performing normally and his failure to maintain adequate…NTSB WPR15LA242Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBartels Lancair · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)The pilot's incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean.NTSB ERA15WA324Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Sakha Republic, RussiaOn August 14, 2015, about 1055 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R-44, Russian Registration RA-04339, was substantially damaged after impacting a light pole shortly after departure from a mountainous landing area in the Sakha Republic, in the Russian…NTSB ERA15WA316Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - II · Limpio, ParaguayOn August 14, 2015, about 0830 local time (1130 coordinated universal time), a Robinson R44 Raven II, designated A02 and operated by the Paraguayan National Police, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Limpio, Paraguay, about 6 nautical miles northeast…NTSB CEN15LA360Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T 28A · Las Cruces, NMFailure of the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod, due to improper rotation of the propeller during a previous hydraulic lock.NTSB WPR15FA241Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T182T · Oroville, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ selection, for undetermined reasons, of a route different than the most commonly used route.NTSB ERA15FA308Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Weirsdale, FLA partial loss of engine power during takeoff. The reason for the partial loss of power could not be determined due to the extensive fire and impact damage to the engine.NTSB ERA15FA299Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R · Marathon, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate after takeoff due to spatial disorientation while turning after takeoff in dark night conditions in a sparsely populated area, which resulted in the airplane’s descent into water. Contributing to the…NTSB CEN15FA347Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5A · Harrisburg, ILThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark, night conditions and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN15FA342Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Harbor Springs, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees during the approach in dark, night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB WPR15FA238Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAviat A 1 · Compton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and/or appropriate pitch attitude during a banner pickup, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall/spin at too low an altitude to allow…NTSB ERA15WA309Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Bajo Baudo, ColombiaOn August 9, 2015, about 2200 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 172N, Colombian registration TI-BAA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a rejected landing at Pizarro Airport (SK-195), Bajo Baudo, Colombia. The two pilots and one passenger were…NTSB CEN15RA352Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationDehavilland DHC 2 · Akureyri, IcelandOn August 9, 2015, at an unknown time, a De Havilland DHC-2 airplane, United States registration N610LC, was substantially damaged when it impacted mountainous terrain near Akureyri, Iceland. One occupant sustained fatal injuries, and one occupant sustained…NTSB CEN15LA344Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT · Humboldt, IAThe pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ERA15WA305Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Vereda Guarigua Cajica, ColombiaOn August 8, 2015, 1505 UTC, a Cessna 402B, HK-4990, registered to and operated by AeroExpress, collided with terrain near Vereda Guarigua Cajica, Cundinamarca, Colombia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and flight plan information is…NTSB ERA15WA303Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationCessna U206F · Istra, RussiaOn August 8, 2015, at 1708 universal coordinated time, a Cessna U206F airplane, Russian registration RA- 67523 registered to a private owner, and a Robinson R44 II helicopter, Russian registration RA- 04383, registered to a private owner, collided while…NTSB WPR15FA236Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182F · Montecito, CAOil starvation that led to the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod and a subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB ERA15FA298Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMchugh Tony Kitfox Model 1 · Montrose, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15FA297Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Saranac Lake, NYThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff, which resulted from his impairment or incapacitation due to an acute cardiac event.NTSB ANC15FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Chugiak, AKThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR15LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Aeronautical ST3KR · Hollister, CAThe pilot's failure to observe the runway environment while operating in the traffic pattern and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a lawnmower on the runway during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the lawnmower operator's…