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 ERA15WA247Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna T303 · Vaupes, ColombiaNTSB CEN15FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's loss of airplane control during initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.NTSB CEN15FA277Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorthwing Design Apache Sport · Taos, NMThe powered-lift aircraft's departure from controlled flight for reasons that could not be determined from the available information.NTSB ERA15WA250Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, BrazilOn June 16, 2015, at 1910 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Bell 206B helicopter, Brazilian registration PT-YDY, operated by a private owner, was destroyed following a controlled flight into terrain near Ouro Preto municipality, State of Minas Gerais,…NTSB WPR15WA188Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - Undesignat · Timber Creek, Australia, AustraliaOn June 14, 2015, at 1100 local time, a Robinson R44, VH-KJJ, collided with terrain under unknown circumstances near Timber Creek, Australia. The helicopter was operated under the pertinent civil regulation of the government of Australia. The helicopter was…NTSB ERA15WA261Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationIlyushin IL-103 · Brest, BelarusNTSB CEN15FA269Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the mechanic's…NTSB CEN15FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32 · Cuba, MOThe pilot's continued flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in his loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane's design limits, and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reliance on onboard…NTSB CEN15WA273Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-23-250 · Kangirsuk, CanadaOn June 11, 2015, about 2340 eastern daylight time, a Canadian registered PA-23-250, C-FXPS, impacted terrain about 1.2 nautical miles from the Kangirsuk Airport, Kangirsuk, Quebec, Canada. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The investigation…NTSB CEN15FA267Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Huggins, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB WPR15FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F35 · Everett, WAThe partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to debris within the fuel servo, which restricted fuel flow throughout the engine fuel system and resulted in a partial loss of engine power.NTSB CEN15FA264Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Kadoka, SDThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15WA236Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech C90 - GTI · Belo Horizonte City, BrazilOn June 7, 2015, about 1823 UTC, a Textron Aviation C90GTi, Brazil registration PR-AVG, experienced a loss of control shortly after takeoff and crashed into a house near Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport (SBBH), Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The…NTSB CEN15WA260Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationVans RV-7A · Zagreb, CroatiaOn June 7, 2015, at 1430 coordinated universal time, a Van's Aircraft RV-7A, Croatian registered 9A-DVM, owned and piloted by the accident pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Zagreb, Croatia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the…NTSB CEN15WA262Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell Helicopter 206B · Baldwin, United KingdomOn June 6, 2015, about 0810 coordinated universal time, a Bell 206B helicopter, G-RAMY, impacted mountainous terrain near Baldwin, Isle of Man, United Kingdom. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured.The accident investigation is under the…NTSB ERA15WA246Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-25-235 · Patrocínio Municipality,Minas Gerais, BrazilOn June 5, 2015, about 1506 universal coordinated time, Piper PA-25-235, Brazilian registration PR-ACH, was substantially damaged by collision with terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in Patrocinio Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian…NTSB CEN15FA257Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorse Frank L Rebel · Eagle, CO, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty, crosswind conditions that likely exceeded the recommended limitation of the airplane.NTSB CEN15FA255Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCub Crafters CC18-180 · Raton, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15WA235Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A188 · Puerto Gaitan, ColombiaOn June 4, 2015, about 1715 coordinated universal time, a Cessna A188, Colombian registration HK-1364, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and then terrain during an aerial application flight near Puerto Gaitan, Colombia. The commercial…NTSB ANC15LA035Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · McCarthy, AKThe pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from the spinning propeller while traversing the area between the leading edge of the wing and the nose of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the decision to leave the cockpits of the airplanes…NTSB CEN15LA253Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW27 - 18E · Lamy, NMA loss of glider control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence and the glider’s severe fragmentation.NTSB WPR15LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R T34 · Blythe, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR15FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-135 · Livermore, CAA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined, because examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA15LA231Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Siler City, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN15WA251Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationM7 Aerospace SA226 - TC · Queretaro, MexicoOn June 2, 2015, about 1425 central daylight time, an M7 Aerospace LLC SA226-TC airplane, XA-UKP, impacted terrain near Queretaro, Mexico. A postimpact ground fire occurred. The pilot, co-pilot, and three passengers were fatally injured and the airplane was…NTSB CEN15FA249Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMonnett John T JR Sonex SA · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. The reason for the loss of…NTSB ANC15WA036Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Sikanni Chief, CanadaNTSB ERA15WA233Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationVans RV8 · Corropoli, ItalyOn May 31, 2015, about 1430 universal coordinated time, a Vans RV8, I-LOVI, and a Vans RV7, I-AMEL, were destroyed after colliding midair and then subsequently colliding with the Adriatic Sea, near Corropoli, Italy. The Italian certificated pilot of the RV8…NTSB CEN15FA245Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Plainview, TXThe pilot’s decision to take off ahead of an approaching severe thunderstorm, which resulted in an encounter with hazardous weather conditions that led to a loss of airplane control.NTSB ANC15FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Bethel, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude, which resulted in collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from carbon monoxide exposure in flight. The source of the carbon monoxide could not be determined because the…NTSB WPR15WA172Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 - Beta · Mitchell, AustraliaOn May 28, 2015 about 1620 local time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, Australian registration VH-HRW, collided with terrain near Mitchell, Queensland, Australia. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was fatally injured. The investigation is…NTSB WPR15LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Wasco, CAAn in-flight impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN15FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Syracuse, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall .NTSB CEN15WA254Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T182 - T · Carlow, IrelandNTSB ERA15FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBR Legend Turbine Legend · West Columbia, SCAn engine flame-out due to fuel starvation as the result of an improperly-installed auxiliary fuel pump fitting, and the pilot's failure to promptly feather the propeller following the engine-flame out, which resulted in decreased glide capability and impact…NTSB ANC15WA029Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT802-A · Cold Lake, CanadaOn May 22, 2015, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Canadian registered Air Tractor, AT-802A airplane, C-FDHV, operated by the Conair Group Inc., was destroyed when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances during firefighting operations near Cold…NTSB WPR15FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Pleasanton, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.NTSB ERA15FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Rowdy, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN15WA390Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAvions Robin DR400 · Arras, FranceOn May 21, 2015 about 1245 UTC, a Robin DR400-140B airplane, French registration F-GBUP, impacted into a cultivated field near the Arras-Roclincourt Airport (LFQD), Arras, France. One pilot and a passenger were killed. Another pilot was seriously injured. The…NTSB WPR15FA163Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell Commander 114 · Laughlin, NVA partial loss of engine power due to the turbocharger's seizure as a result of a severely worn turbowheel. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot/owner to have the turbo normalization system inspected every 100 hours as required, which…NTSB ERA15FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 B55 (T42A) · Saltville, VAThe pilot’s flight into developing rain showers and updrafts, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s continued flight into forecast adverse weather conditions, and his reliance on…NTSB CEN15FA232Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff due to his impairment from marijuana. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired decision to fly after using a disqualifying drug.NTSB WPR15FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Juntura, ORThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while intentionally maneuvering at low altitude for the aerial observation flight.NTSB ERA15WA213Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Bajo Hondo, ArgentinaOn May 13, 2015, about 1835 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Cessna 182, Argentine registration LV-CXM, impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial survey flight near Bajo Hondo, Argentina. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the…NTSB ERA15WA223Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182J · Novo Progresso, BrazilOn May 9, 2015, about 1430 local time, a Cessna 182J, Brazilian registration PT-CND, was destroyed when it impacted the Baú River, near Novo Progresso, Pará State, Brazil. The Brazilian pilot was fatally injured. The flight, which originated at Novo Progresso…NTSB WPR15FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172S · Davenport, CAUndetermined because the airplane was not located.NTSB ERA15FA208Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Atlanta, GAA partial loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel manifold, which resulted in a collision with terrain shortly after takeoff.NTSB ANC15WA067Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationKevin D. Yarnevich Kitfox · Surrey, CanadaNTSB WPR15FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46 350P · Spokane, WAThe mechanic's incorrect installation of two aileron cables and the subsequent inadequate functional checks of the aileron system before flight by both the mechanic and the pilot, which prevented proper roll control from the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's…NTSB ERA15WA216Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationThrush S2R-T34 · Puebloviejo, EcuadorOn May 5, 2015, a Thrush Aircraft, Inc., S2R-T34, Ecuador registration HC-CBY, registered to and operated by Aerovic C.A., collided with terrain near Puebloviejo, Ecuador. Meteorological conditions and flight plan information are unknown for the flight from…