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 CEN14FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU 2B-25 · Owasso, OKThe pilot's loss of airplane control during a known one-engine-inoperative condition. The reasons for the loss of control and engine shutdown could not be determined because the airplane was not equipped with a crash-resistant recorder and postaccident…NTSB WPR14FA044Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Donnelly, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in likely low-ceiling and low-visibility conditions in mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN14FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Kirksville, MOA loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the private pilot's impairment due to a sedating antihistamine and both pilots' fatigue.NTSB DCA14WA007Accident · 10 fatalForeign investigationSwearingen SA227 · Riberalta, BoliviaThe government of Bolivia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a SWEARINGEN SA227 airplane that occurred on November 03, 2013. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Bolivia's investigation under the…NTSB CEN14WA038Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-34 · Coburg, GermanyOn November 11, 2013, at 1020 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-34, German registration D-GRCP, impacted trees while on approach to land at the Coburg/Brandensteinsebene Airport (EDQC), Coburg, Germany. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured.…NTSB CEN14FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Springdale, ARA total loss of power to both engines due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal were the pilot’s reliance on the fuel totalizer rather than the fuel quantity gauges to determine the fuel on board and his improper fuel planning.NTSB CEN14FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23-250 · Caledonia, MNThe pilot's loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident airplane examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA14FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Nashville, TNThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway during an attempted approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s mental state, his…NTSB WPR14FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMusick Lancair 235 · McMinnville, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while intentionally performing maneuvers in an effort to troubleshoot a landing gear malfunction.NTSB CEN14LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 22-150 · Princeton, MNThe pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff.NTSB CEN14FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-19-3A · Boerne, TXA defective exhaust system that allowed carbon monoxide to enter the cabin and impair the pilot, rendering him unable to control the airplane.NTSB WPR14WA034Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLancair Legacy · Shepparton, AustraliaOn October 25, 2013 about 1410 local time, an amateur built Lancair Legacy airplane, Australian registration VH-ICZ, collided with terrain near Shepparton, Australia. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot and passenger were fatally injured.…NTSB WPR14WA029Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPZL Okecie M18 · Ulladulla, AustraliaOn October 24, 2013 about 1000 local time, a PZL M18A Dromader aircraft, Australian registration VH-TZJ, collided with terrain near Ulladulla, Australia. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as an…NTSB WPR14WA032Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 - Q · Mount Hotham, AustraliaOn October 23, 2013 about 1130 local time, a Cessna 182Q airplane, Australian registration VH-KKM, collided with terrain near Mount Hotham, Australia. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB CEN14LA015Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P 51D · Galveston, TXThe pilot's loss of situational awareness while instructing the passenger, which resulted in the controlled flight of the airplane into the water.NTSB ERA14FA010Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Somerville, TNThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with night, instrument meteorological conditions while responding to an obstacle alert, resulting in an in-flight loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA14WA036Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34-200 · Marica, BrazilOn October 21, 2013, about 1840 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Piper PA-34-200, Brazilian registration PT-KGK, while on a local training flight, impacted in a lagoon, after a loss of control, in Marica Municipality – State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The…NTSB CEN14FA019Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-140 · Talihina, OKThe pilot’s lack of weather planning and his continued flight into an area of known rain with reduced visibility and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance with trees.NTSB CEN14FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-301 · Huntsville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into an area of known rain with reduced visibility and his failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering the airplane after entering these conditions.NTSB CEN14WA012Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172R · Krems, AustriaOn October 20, 2013, about 0825 coordinated universal time, a Cessna 172R, OE-KRP, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Krems Langenlois Airport, Krems, Austria. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries.…NTSB ERA14WA038Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-200 · Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, BrazilOn October 19, 2013, about 1105 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28R-200, Brazilian registration PT-NKO, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances, near Corumba Municipality, Brazil. The foreign certificated pilot and four…NTSB ERA14LA011Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing B75N1 · Tampa, FLThe parachutist’s low altitude departure from the right wing before the planned altitude and his delayed opening of his parachute canopy, which resulted in impact with a tree and then the ground before the parachute fully opened.NTSB WPR14WA030Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAyres S2R · Wave Rock, AustraliaOn October 18, 2013 about 1500 local time, an Ayres S2R airplane, Australian registration VH-JAY, collided with terrain near Wave Rock, Australia. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as an agricultural…NTSB ERA14FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Tifton, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN14FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Clayton, OKControlled flight into terrain for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.NTSB CEN14FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 500 · Derby, KSThe airplane's encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing, and the pilot's increased workload and subsequent disorientation while maneuvering in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with malfunctioning flight instruments,…NTSB ANC14FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB ANC14WA003Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationKawasaki BK117-B2 · Tatacka, TaiwanOn October 16, 2013, about 1209 Coordinated Universal Time, a Kawasaki BK-117 helicopter, Taiwan Island registration number B-77009, operated by Sunrise Airlines, was destroyed following a loss of control while landing near Yushan N. Peak Weather Staion,…NTSB ERA14WA026Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationLuscombe 8 - E · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaOn October 14, 2013, about 1134 coordinated universal time, a Luscombe 8E, Argentina registration LV-RTS, was substantially damaged, during descent in thick fog, when it impacted terrain in an industrial park. The flight had departed Zarate Airport (SATE),…NTSB CEN14WA029Accident · 14 fatalForeign investigationCessna 208B · Loreto, BCS, MexicoOn October 14, 2013, about 1401 universal time coordinated, a Cessna 208B, XA-TXM, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The pilot and thirteen passengers on board were fatally injured. The flight originated from the…NTSB ERA14WA029Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 - II · Beles, KazakhstanOn October 13, 2013, at an unknown time, a Robinson R44-II helicopter, 22L2, Russian registration UP-RB002, operated by a private individual impacted flat terrain near Beles, Kazakhastan, Russia. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight…NTSB ERA14WA020Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 - NO Series · Gobierno, ArgentinaOn October 11, 2013, at 1900 universal coordinated time, a Bell 407, Argentinian registration LQ-BHT, impacted power lines after takeoff near Gobierno, in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The pilot and three passengers were injured and one passenger was…NTSB CEN14WA013Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEnstrom 280 - FX · Wolica Kozia, PolandOn October 12, 2013, about 0928 hours universal coordinated time, an Enstrom 280FX, Poland registration SP-GMB, impacted trees and terrain near Wolica Kozia, Poland. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The accident investigation is under the…NTSB ERA14LA006Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Hampton Roads, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control due to spatial disorientation in low-visibility conditions while maneuvering during a missed approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ineffective use of the onboard GPS equipment.NTSB WPR14FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Julian, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid clouds in mountainous terrain.NTSB CEN14FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Venice, LAA total loss of engine power due to the liberation of a second stage turbine blade near the blade root due to a high-cycle fatigue crack and subsequent overload. Although extensive testing and materials analysis was performed, the reason for crack initiation…NTSB WPR14LA008Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369 · Paducah, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power transmission line tower while maneuvering to pick up a rope in gusting wind conditions.NTSB WPR14LA007Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 - 300 · Tinian IslandThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions.NTSB ERA14LA007Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2A-8 · Culebra, PRThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered.NTSB WPR14WA098Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAmateur Built KR-2 · Tumut, New South Wales, AustraliaOn October 5, 2013, at 0900 local time, an amateur built aircraft, KR-2, VH-CTE, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Tumut, New South Wales. The flight was operated by the pilot under the pertinent civil regulations of…NTSB WPR14LA005Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Paulden, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear a radio tower while maneuvering at low altitude and his decision to make a high-speed, low pass over the gun club.NTSB WPR13FA430Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 525A · Santa Monica, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately decrease the airplane’s ground speed or maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign and structure and a subsequent postcrash fire.NTSB WPR13WA433Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 - NO Series · Murbad, Thane District, India, IndiaOn September 29, 2013, at 0820 universal coordinated time, a Bell 212, VT-HGB, collided with terrain during cruise flight near Murbad (Thane District), India. The helicopter was destroyed and two flight crew and three passengers were fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA13LA434Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTimothy J Cowper Pitts Special S-1E · Edinburg, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA13LA433Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Bloomsburg, PAThe relieved pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor blades after he exited the helicopter.NTSB ERA13FA432Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLowerre Bruce T S 12-E · Pahokee, FLUndetermined because the wreckage was not recovered.NTSB CEN13FA558Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Bolingbrook, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.NTSB WPR13LA420Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMiller RV6 · Williams, CAThe pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from power lines.NTSB CEN13WA566Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421 - C · Colombier-Saugnieu, FranceNTSB WPR13WA423Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 - R · Hamilton Aerodrome, Australia, AustraliaOn September 23, 2013, at 1950 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 182R, VH-AUT, collided with terrain near Hamilton Aerodrome, Australia. The flight was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations of Australia. The solo student pilot was fatally…