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 CEN15WA349Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172F · La Blanca, GuatemalaOn August 4, 2015, at 1315 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 172F, Guatemalian registration TG-ZAB, operated by AFYCO S.A., was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near La Blanca, Guatemala, during an aerial application flight. The pilot was fatally…NTSB WPR15FA227Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P337G · Santa Paula, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN15FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 602 · Wilmot, ARThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane as a result of incapacitation by drug effects or an acute cardiac event.NTSB CEN15WA420Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB505 · Blackbushe Airport, United KingdomOn July 31, 2015, at 1408 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Embraer EMB-505, Phenom 300, airplane, registered HZ-IBN, impacted a terrain during landing at the Blackbushe Airport (EGLK), United Kingdom. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured.…NTSB CEN15LA329Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportO'Dell Aeromaster · Sulphur Springs, TXA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postimpact damage precluded a thorough examination of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control following the loss of engine power,…NTSB CEN15FA328Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Milwaukee, WIThe pilot's improper pitch control during the landing, which resulted in the propeller striking the runway, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the subsequent go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack…NTSB CEN15FA321Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportChristensen Steve Wheeler Express · Holland, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a high-pitch, steep right turn, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain. Contributing to…NTSB WPR15FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Riverside, CAThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the airplane and engine. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to reach the farthest runway and land into the wind instead of…NTSB CEN15FA320Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M35 · Amery, WIThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering with the airplane near its maximum gross weight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN15FA316Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Colbert, OKThe pilot's failure to properly position the fuel selector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's failure to select an appropriate location for a forced landing,…NTSB ANC15WA061Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Seibert Lake, CanadaOn July 26, 2015, about 1738 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182 airplane, C-FWVQ, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Seibert Lake, Alberta, Canada, under unknown circumstances. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The Transportation Safety Board…NTSB ANC15WA060Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA46 - 350P · Tokyo, JapanOn July 26, 2015, at 0200 coordinated universal time, a Japanese registered Piper PA46-350P airplane, JA4060, operated by a private individual, impacted a residential area shortly after takeoff from Chofu Airfield, Tokyo, Japan. The pilot, one passenger, and…NTSB CEN15WA317Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCox Bede BD-5G · Garranbane, IrelandOn July 25, 2015, at 1745 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Cox model Bede BD-5G amateur-built airplane, Irish registration EI-DNN, serial number HJC4523, was destroyed during a postimpact fire following a forced landing near Garranbane, Ireland. The pilot,…NTSB CEN15LA318Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA38 - 112 · Millbury, OHA loss of engine power due to three of the engine valve adjustment mechanisms backing out, which resulted from improper maintenance.NTSB CEN15FA315Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSanford Zenith CH 601XL · Bristol, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and airplane control following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the installation of ignition system coils that were not engine-manufacturer replacement parts, which…NTSB CEN15FA325Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Truth or Consequences, NMThe student pilot's improper decision to conduct a flight in dark night conditions without a solo night flight endorsement and his subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA15FA277Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Lake Wales, FLA partial loss of engine power due to oil starvation. Contributing was the flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted emergency landing, and his delayed decision to deploy the airplane's parachute system.NTSB CEN15FA310Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7BCM (L-16A) · Auburn, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while turning at low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and entering an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ANC15FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Trapper Creek, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground.NTSB WPR15WA224Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationGlasair SH-2FT · Wedderburn, AustraliaOn July 19, 2015 about 1700 local time, an amateur built Glasair SH-2FT, Australian registration VH-HRG, collided with terrain near Wedderburn, Victoria, Australia. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was fatally injured. The investigation…NTSB ERA15WA290Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210D · Rio Verde, BrazilNTSB CEN15FA307Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Cody, WYThe pilot's loss of airplane control following the loss of power in the left engine; the reason for the loss of power could not be determined during postaccident engine examination.NTSB CEN15WA338Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigation3xtrim 450 Ultra · Golub-Dobrzyn City, PolandOn July 17, 2015 about 1615 UTC, a 3Xtrim 450 Ultra, light sport airplane, Poland registration SP-SPRL, impacted terrain while on a sightseeing flight near Golub-Dobrzyn, Poland. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger was killed. The airplane was…NTSB ANC15FA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 207A · Juneau, AKThe pilot's decision to initiate and continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of situational awareness and controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the company's failure to follow its…NTSB CEN15FA305Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32-300 · Brazoria, TXThe student pilot's failure to arrest the descent in a timely manner and the flight instructor's failure to safely intervene in the routine training maneuver for reasons that could not be determined based on the information available.NTSB WPR15FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-160 · Twin Sisters Mtn, WAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR15FA212Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Mazama, WAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR15WA213Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 - NO Series · Zhejiang Province, P.R. China, ChinaOn July 9, 2015 at 0225 Universal Coordinated Time, a Bell 407, B-7723, was substantially damaged when it crashed at the Qiandao Lake General Aviation airport, Zhejiang Province P. R. China, while conducting a post-repair hovering test. A total of seven…NTSB WPR15WA211Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAmature Built Pitts · Maitland, Australia, AustraliaOn July 8, 2015, at 1641 local time, an amateur built Pitts 12, VH-JDZ, collided with terrain near Maitland, Australia and was destroyed by postimpact fire. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated under the pertinent…NTSB ERA15MA259Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportCessna 150M · Moncks Corner, SCThe approach controller's failure to provide an appropriate resolution to the conflict between the F-16 and the Cessna. Contributing to the accident were the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, resulting in both pilots' inability to take…NTSB CEN15WA299Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRockwell International 112TCA · Kempten (Allgäu), GermanyNTSB WPR15FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Salem, ORThe pilot's unstabilized approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a porpoise during landing. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted…NTSB CEN15FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7BCM · Portland, TXThe pilot’s ostentatious low-altitude aerobatic display, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin when he exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and drugs.NTSB CEN15MA290Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3E · Frisco, COAirbus Helicopters' dual-hydraulic AS350 B3e helicopter's (1) preflight hydraulic check, which depleted hydraulic pressure in the tail rotor hydraulic circuit, and (2) lack of salient alerting to the pilot that hydraulic pressure was not restored before…NTSB CEN15FA289Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Bartlett, ILThe pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities.NTSB WPR15FA206Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-135 · Carey, IDUndetermined because examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR15FA205Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Newberg, ORThe loss of translation/rotational power between the engine and the transmission due to the severe wear of the forward spline portion of the lower coupling drive shaft. The reason for the severe wear of the forward spline could not be definitively determined…NTSB WPR15FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Asotin, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.NTSB CEN15FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Quinlan, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the wing's critical angle-of-attack being exceeded and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot's…NTSB WPR15FA200Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportManiscalco Great Lakes · Corona, CAThe 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/spin at too low an altitude to allow recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper…NTSB ERA15FA254Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Plainville, MAThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the alternator drive coupling. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to locate and navigate to a suitable forced landing site due to low cloud ceilings.NTSB ERA15WA255Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - II · Makarakskiy, RussiaOn June 27, 2015, at 0820 coordinated universal time, a Robinson Helicopter R44 II, Russian registration RA-05765, was damaged while attempting to depart from Makarakskiy, Russia. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight was destined for…NTSB CEN15FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChristen Industries Pitts S-2B · Cameron, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-level aerobatic flight maneuver.NTSB CEN15FA281Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStuhlmiller Robert Europa · Beloit, OHThe pilot’s incapacitation in flight due to a cardiovascular event.NTSB CEN15WA283Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLake LA4 - 200 · Split, CroatiaOn June 25, 2015, at 1735 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Lake Aircraft LA4-200, Croatian Registration 9A-DLA, was destroyed when it contacted the sea near the Split Airport (LDSP), Resnik, Croatia. One pilot and the sole passenger were fatally injured.…NTSB ANC15MA041Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3 · Ketchikan, AK(1) the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain; and (2) Promech's company culture, which tacitly endorsed flying in…NTSB WPR15FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportShort Brothers S312 Tucano T MK1 · Maricopa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during low-level airwork, which resulted in uncontrolled collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the combined effects of butalbital and codeine.NTSB ANC15WA043Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Fort McMurray, CanadaNTSB ERA15FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Holly Ridge, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.NTSB WPR15LA193Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 5 · Salinas, CAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by high-dose opioid use.