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 CEN15LA222Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Basile, LAThe pilot’ failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA15FA204Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Mulberry, TNThe pilot's failure to recover from a controlled descent for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident investigation.NTSB ERA15FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Penn Yan, NYThe student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the student's inappropriate configuration of the airplane's wing flaps for the initial climb.NTSB CEN15WA221Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech Beech 95-B55 · Dundee, United KingdomOn May 3, 2015, at 1113 coordinated universal time, a Beech 95-B55 airplane, G-RICK, impacted terrain while on approach to the Dundee Airport (EGPN), Dundee, Scotland. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Instrument…NTSB CEN15FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHoffman Zenith 701 · Trinidad, COThe noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. The reason for the…NTSB CEN15FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 C-2 · Austin, TXThe helicopter rescue specialist was not properly attached to the hoist system, which resulted in a fall during a night hoist operation.NTSB WPR15FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Mt Tom, ORThe noncertificated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation leading to the pilot's loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB DCA15WA115Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell UH1H - NO Series · Bainskloof, South AfricaThe government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL UH-1H helicopter that occurred on April 22, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under the…NTSB CEN15WA208Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEdge 360 · Norfolk, United KingdomOn April 22, 2015, about 1340 coordinated universal time, an Edge 360 airplane, G-EDGJ, impacted terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers near Norfolk, United Kingdom. The pilot was fatally injured. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and…NTSB ERA15WA195Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-300 · Punta Cana, Dominican RepublicNTSB WPR15LA150Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Redding, CAThe pilot's intentional descent into terrain.NTSB WPR15FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert C. Hanson Pitts S2E · Lebec, CAThe pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient clearance from rising terrain.NTSB ANC15FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Whittier, AKThe pilot's decision to continue flight into known icing conditions, contrary to the airplane’s limitations, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to icing.NTSB WPR15WA145Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 - B · Ziyang City, China, ChinaOn April 13, 2015, at 0800 local time, a Bell 206 BIII, B-7607, collided with a wire during an aerial application flight near Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, China. The helicopter was operated by Hubei Tongcheng General Aviation Ltd under the pertinent civil…NTSB ERA15RA199Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen SA226-TC · North Vancouver, CanadaOn April 13, 2015, at 0709 Pacific daylight time, a Swearingen SA226-TC, Canadian registration C-GSKC, operating as Carson Air flight 66, was destroyed in an area of mountainous terrain about 10 nautical miles north of North Vancouver, British Columbia. The…NTSB ERA15WA182Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172S · Santander, ColombiaOn April 12, 2015, about 1915 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 172S, Colombian registration HK5064G, and a Cessna 150M, Colombian registration HK1912G, were substantially damaged after impacting mountainous terrain in the vicinity of the Serrania Los…NTSB ERA15FA181Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T1 · Fort Lauderdale, FLA rapid onset of smoke and/or fire inflight for reasons that could not be determined due to the postimpact fire and the condition of the wreckage.NTSB WPR15FA144Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Prescott Valley, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the glider’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb after a ground-tow launch, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA15WA193Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210L · Assuncao do Piaui, BrazilOn April 11, 2015, at 2200 coordinated universal time, a privately owned Cessna 201L, Brazilian registered PR-APG, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Assuncao do Piaui Municipality, State of Piaui, Brazil. The pilot was…NTSB CEN15LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger - II · Chippewa Falls, WIThe pilot’s incapacitation due to a cardiovascular event, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR15FA143Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Challis, IDThe pilot's attempt to depart in conditions that resulted in the airplane having insufficient performance capability, which resulted in a collision with a tree.NTSB CEN15FA190Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Bloomington, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA15FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Cherokee, ALThe pilot's spatial disorientation during a low-level river crossing in rainy, gray, reduced visibility meteorological conditions, which resulted in the helicopter's subsequent descent and impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB DCA15WA113Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS365N3 · Jalan Sungai Lalang, Kampung Pasir baru, Semenyih, MalaysiaNTSB CEN15WA191Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper Piper PA-28-140 · Loch Etive, United KingdomOn April 4, 2015, at an unknown time, a United Kingdom registered Piper PA-28-140 airplane, G-BHXK,impacted mountainous terrain near Lock Etive, Oban, Argyll, and Bute, United Kingdom.The two occupants were fatally injured. The investigation is under the…NTSB WPR15FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver Enterprises MXL II · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and structural failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from his use of diphenhydramine.NTSB CEN15FA194Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportS C Aerostar S A YAK 52TW · Advance, INThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities.NTSB CEN15FA189Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Batesville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…NTSB ERA15FA175Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBedecorp BD-22 · Fort Pierce, FLThe pilot's excessive pitch control inputs to the airplane’s sidestick control, which resulted in an overstress of the airframe and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane contrary to the…NTSB ERA15WA180Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 - L4 · Diego de Almagro, ChileOn March 31, 2015, about 2210 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Bell 206L4, Chilean registration CC-APP, operated by a private individual, was destroyed during a collision with power lines and a subsequent postcrash fire, while maneuvering near Diego de…NTSB CEN15FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAircraft Mfg & Dvlpmt CH601XL · Pleasanton, KSThe pilot's excessively high angle-of-attack on rotation that prevented the airplane from climbing sufficiently to avoid the approaching trees.NTSB ERA15FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 L-1 · Saucier, MSA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postaccident fire damage.NTSB CEN15WA193Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S6 - ES · Tan Rouge, RéunionOn March 30, 2015, about 0630 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Rans S6-ES airplane, French registration 974-GQ, impacted terrain near Tan Rouge, Reunion. The pilot and passenger on board were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local flight…NTSB ERA15FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · West Chester, PAThe failure of the flight instructor and the pilot to abort the takeoff after the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power with adequate runway remaining, and their subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane…NTSB ERA15FA170Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Orange, VAThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN15WA186Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - II · Modrava, CzechiaOn March 29, 2015, at 0920 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Robinson model R44 Raven II helicopter, Czech Republic registration OK-RRJ, serial number 12464, sustained substantial damage when it collided with wooded terrain within Šumava National Park, near…NTSB ERA15WA185Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAerospool Dynamic WT-9 · Cotopaxi Volcano, EcuadorOn March 28, 2015, about 1300 local time, an Aerospool Dynamic WT9, French registration F-JUKE, was destroyed when it impacted terrain on Cotopaxi Volcano, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Swiss pilot was fatally injured. The flight, which originated at…NTSB CEN15FA181Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J-4A · Pine River, MNThe pilot' failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight…NTSB WPR15FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R - 301 · Townsend, MTThe pilot's decision to depart on and to continue a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent…NTSB DCA15WA093Accident · 152 fatalForeign investigationAirbus Industrie A320-211 · Barcellonette, FranceNTSB ERA15FA164Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Orlando, FLAn inflight loss of control due to the likely detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt.NTSB ERA15WA167Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna TU206 - G · Mitu, ColombiaOn March 20, 2015, about 1805 coordinated universal time, a Cessna TU206G, Colombian registration HK-2327, was substantially damaged while ditching into the Vaupés River near the Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport (SKMU), Mitú, Columbia. The pilot and a…NTSB ERA15RA163Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationBeech B90 · Punta del Este, UruguayOn March 19, 2015, about 20:38 Local Time, a Beech Model B90 King Air, Argentine Registration LV-CEO, operated by Drogueria Meta, S.A., impacted water in Laguna del Sauce, Punta del Este, Uruguay. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight…NTSB CEN15WA178Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA32RT - 300T · Sudbury, CanadaNTSB CEN15FA174Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · El Paso, TXThe pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into known instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA15WA159Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200T · Macas, EcuadorOn March 15, 2015, at an unknown time, a Piper PA-34, Ecuadorian registration HC-CNC, impacted terrain under unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Edmundo Carvajal Airport, Macas, Ecuador. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA15LA156Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKolb Twinstar · Reynolds, GAThe student 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. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to operate…NTSB CEN15WA173Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEipper Quicksilver - GT500 · Illes Balears, SpainThis is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. The foreign authority was the source of this information. On March 14, 2015, about 1145 UTC, an Eipper Quicksilver GT-500 airplane, EC-DK6, (s/n 0085) impacted terrain after an…NTSB CEN15FA171Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Eufaula, OKThe flight's inadvertent encounter with night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot turning the helicopter and subsequently descending into trees and terrain due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR15FA125Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBAE Systems MK-67 Hawk · Yuma, AZThe pilot’s initiation of an early rotation during takeoff, which led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's use of nose up pitch trim and the operator's policy to use nose-up pitch trim during…