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 WPR13FA281Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, IDA loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane.NTSB CEN13FA274Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing-Stearman IB75A · Dayton, OHThe pilot's controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's modified airshow maneuver, which placed the airplane at low altitude and airspeed and out of position within the performance area.NTSB CEN13FA364Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Waterford, MIThe pilot's failure to retract the wing flaps before attempting to take off, due to his lack of familiarity with the airplane make and model, which prevented the airplane from maintaining adequate altitude for takeoff.NTSB ERA13FA295Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell International 690B · McClellanville, SCThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during high-altitude maneuvering and his subsequent failure to recover airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot and his failure to perform remedial…NTSB CEN13FA357Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Maplewood, MNThe loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA13WA293Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-161 · Barcis, ItalyOn June 18, 2013 at 1655 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Piper PA-28, French registration F-GHLY, privately operated, was substantially damaged when it impacted with the slope of a mountain near Barcis, Italy during a cross-country flight from Locarno…NTSB ERA13WA290Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech 58 · Albenga, ItalyNTSB CEN13FA351Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · La Pointe, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after deciding to go around after a gear-up landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA13WA289Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 · Tefe, BrazilOn June 14, 2013, about 0810 universal coordinated time, a Bell 212 helicopter, Brazilian registration PR-HRZ, operated by an oil and gas exploration and production company, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from a support base…NTSB ERA13WA287Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA22 · Taisha, EcuadorOn June 13, 2013, at 2028 coordinated universal time (1528 local time), a Piper PA-22-135, Ecuadorian registration HC-CMX, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after taking off from Taisha Airport (SETH), Taisha, Morona-Santiago, Ecuador, en route…NTSB WPR13FA269Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGraves SH-2F · Montague, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident testing and examination, which resulted in a stall and subsequent spin.NTSB ERA13LA281Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Newton, MSThe student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in collision with a static wire. Contributing to the…NTSB CEN13FA344Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350B2 · Talihina, OKThe helicopter pilot's failure to see and avoid the 40-ft-tall lamp post during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the obstructions in the takeoff path.NTSB CEN13FA338Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPipistrel Alpha Trainer · Pampa, TXThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the manufacturer providing the incorrect Pilot’s Operating Handbook to the owner, which prevented the pilot from accurately calculating the fuel requirements before the flight. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA13FA275Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Boynton Beach, FLThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin after he climbed the airplane back into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to continue…NTSB CEN13FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Mosca, COThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA13WA306Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA34 · Envira, BrazilOn June 7, 2013, at 1400 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Piper PA-34-200T, Brazilian registration PT-MMX, was substantially damaged during a ditching into the Tarauacá River following an unspecified malfunction of the airplane’s right engine after…NTSB ERA13FA273Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Manchester, KYThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control due to spatial disorientation when he inadvertently encountered night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tailboom.NTSB CEN13WA329Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · San Luis Potosí, MexicoNTSB CEN13WA328Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182R · Micoxtla, MexicoOn June 7, 2013, about 1755 hours central daylight time, a Cessna 182R, United States registration N6241H, impacted terrain near Micoxtla, Mexico. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The accident investigation is…NTSB CEN13FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Beechcraft B200GT · Baker, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during departure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of specific knowledge of the airplane’s avionics.NTSB CEN13FA324Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Ludlow, SDThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was task- and/or work-related fatigue.NTSB ERA13LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaule BEE DEE M-4-210 · Cuttyhunk, MAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.NTSB ANC13FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 · Petersburg, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude above the trees, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to avoid the trees, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA13WA296Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationExtra Flugzeugbau EA-330SC · Bolshoye Gryzlovo, RussiaNTSB CEN13WA392Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210 · Ixchiguan, GuatemalaOn June 28, 2013, at 1330 coordinated universal time, a Cessna T210N, Mexican registration XB-MSN, owned by a private individual, was destroyed when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Ixchiguan, Guatemala. The pilot and five passengers were…NTSB ERA13LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWilson William M Cricket MC12 · Doylestown, PAThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff after detecting the airplane’s degraded performance. Contributing to the accident were the likely loss of power from the left engine for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident examination of the…NTSB CEN13WA311Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSaab 91C · Söderhamn, SwedenOn June 1, 2013, at 1215 universal coordinated time, a SAAB model 91C (Safir) airplane, Swedish registration SE-KVC, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from the Söderhamn Airport (ESNY), near Söderhamn, Sweden. A postimpact fire destroyed the…NTSB WPR13FA254Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Anthem, AZThe failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout in a known training area where multiple aircraft frequently operated, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB ERA13FA259Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 20-C1 · Linden, NJThe flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning and his decision to take off with the airplane at a high gross weight in high temperature conditions that degraded the engine’s available power and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while…NTSB CEN13WA320Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 3N · Cochenour, CanadaOn May 30, 2013, at 2218 central daylight time, a Beech 3N (BE-18), Canadian registration C-FWWV, collided with the water on takeoff from Red Lake, Cochenour, Ontario, Canada. The airplane was registered to First Air Service and operated by a private…NTSB CEN13WA309Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationSikorsky 76A · Moosonee, CanadaOn May 13, 2013, about 0015 EDT, a Sikorsky S-76A, Helicopter, C-GIMY, impacted terrain after departing the Moosonee Airport (CYMO), Moosonee, Ontario. The two pilots and two medical crew were fatality injured in the accident. The accident investigation is…NTSB CEN13WA405Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32R-301T · Lagunillas, MexicoNTSB CEN13WA307Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28RT-201T · Tallard, FranceNTSB ANC13WA051Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B · Fort McMurray, CanadaOn May 29, 2013, about 1110 mountain daylight time, a Canadian registered Bell 206B helicopter, C-FZWB, crashed approximately 75 nautical miles north of Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The helicopter was owned and operated by Aurora Helicopters Ltd., doing…NTSB WPR13FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Mountainaire, AZThe pilot's inability to maintain a climb after departure in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision not to track the four-lane highway just beyond the…NTSB ERA13FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Macon, GAA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive postcrash fire and heat damage to the engine components.NTSB CEN13WA301Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-39 · Wolfsbehringen, GermanyNTSB ERA13FA253Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Johnstown, NYThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN13FA295Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cross Timbers, MOThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during the low-altitude flight.NTSB CEN13WA300Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-34 · Babia Gora, PolandOn May 23, 2013, at 0613 UTC, a Piper PA-34-200T, Polish registration SP-HIN, was destroyed when it impacted Babia Gora Mountain, elevation 5,659 feet, near Krakow, Poland. A post impact fire ensued. The pilot and two passengers on board the airplane were…NTSB WPR13FA236Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Auburn, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during approach to landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent spin.NTSB ERA13WA274Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPitts S-2B · Adana, TürkiyeOn May 19, 2013, at 1015 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Pitts S-2B, Turkish registration TC-AYT, operated by a private owner, was destroyed following a collision with terrain during aerobatic flight near Adana, Turkey. The pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN13WA288Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-140 · Gwynedd, Wales, United KingdomOn May 19, 2013, about 1019 hours universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-28-140, United Kingdom registration G-ATRR, impacted terrain during landing at the Caernarfon Airport (EGCK), Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom. There were three occupants on-board at the…NTSB CEN13LA299Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPeck Norman O Peck P-1 · Aztec, NMThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident fire damage precluded a complete examination of the airplane.NTSB WPR13FA234Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Floriston, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during descent while operating in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN13WA271Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCirrus Design SR22 · Aix, FranceOn May 11, 2013, at 1422 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Cirrus SR22, F-HTAV, impacted terrain near Aix, France. The pilot was fatally injured and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from…NTSB WPR13LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Biggs, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the runway environment during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision.NTSB CEN13FA269Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182T · Fredericksburg, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while transitioning from instrument to visual flight while still in instrument conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB ANC13WA047Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationErickson Air Crane S-64E · Keongbuk, South KoreaOn May 9, 2013, about 0938 local time, a Korean registered Erickson Air-Crane S-64E helicopter, HL9467, crashed in a lake near the Andong Dam, Kyeongbuk Province, South Korea. The helicopter was owned and operated by the Korean Forest Service. The pilot and…