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 ERA13WA156Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172S · Izmir, TürkiyeOn October 6, 2012, at 0915 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Cessna 172S, Turkish registration TC-CBI, operated by the Turkish Aeronautical Association, impacted mountainous terrain during an instructional flight, near Izmir, Turkey. The flight instructor…NTSB CEN13FA006Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Mabank, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN13FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Intracoastal City, LAThe pilot’s decision to attempt a local flight in marginal visual meteorological conditions and his subsequent loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with instrument metrological conditions shortly after takeoff.NTSB WPR13LA002Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWood Mustang II FB · San Manuel, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to final approach due to his distraction by the low engine oil pressure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR13WA014Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R22 · Halls Creek, Australia, AustraliaOn October 3, 2012, at about 1100 universal coordinated time, a Robinson Helicopter Company, R-22 Beta, VH-LLF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the side of a canyon near the Halls Creek Aerodrome, Australia. The pilot was fatally injured.…NTSB ERA13WA030Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Juquiá Municipality, BrazilOn October 03, 2012, at 1100 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-25-260, Brazilian registration PT-DOX, was destroyed when it impacted the ground and was consumed by fire after colliding with high-tension electric wires. The pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN13FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Gary, INThe pilot's loss of control during an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were deficient approach control services and the pilot's loss of positional awareness.NTSB WPR12LA442Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Creation Tanarg · Safford, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in high wind conditions and his failure to adjust the trim appropriately. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s nonstandard modified wing configuration.NTSB ERA12LA584Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKeuthan Buccaneer II · Granite Quarry, NCThe pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN12WA664Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationCessna 414A · Innsbruck, AustriaNTSB ERA12FA583Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Fredericksburg, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.NTSB DCA12RA153Accident · 19 fatalForeign investigationKathmandu, NepalOn September 28, 2012, a Sita Air Dornier 228, registration 9N-AHA, with Garrett (Honeywell) TPE 331 engines, reported a bird strike shortly and crash shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal. The three crew members and…NTSB ERA12WA590Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA34 · Ilheus, BrazilOn September 25, 2012, about 0155 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-34-200T, Brazilian registration PT-RDG, was substantially damaged when it impacted the Atlantic Ocean, shortly after takeoff from the Ilheus Jorge Amado Airport (SBIL), Ilheus, Bahia,…NTSB ERA12WA591Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Roraima, BrazilOn September 24, 2012, about 0400 hours local, or 0800 UTC, a Cessna 210L, Brazilian registration PT-KSB, departed controlled flight and crashed shortly after takeoff from Pouso Da Aguilia Airport (SWPD), Roraima, Brazil. Visual meteorological conditions…NTSB ERA12LA578Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot’s suicidal act.NTSB ERA12FA572Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Land O'Lakes, FLThe pilot’s decision to continue the cross-country flight while fatigued, which resulted in him falling asleep during the initial descent for landing.NTSB CEN12FA654Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Roanoke, TXThe loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel's failure to adequately correct the water contamination effects. Contributing to the severity of the occupants' injuries was the lack of…NTSB WPR12FA432Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKundel Vans RV 7A · Laramie, WYThe pilot’s decision to attempt a landing with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in his loss of airplane control during final approach and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA12FA566Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20M · Crane Hill, ALThe pilot’s loss of control in moderate-to-heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on ADS-B for tactical weather avoidance.NTSB ERA12FA565Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Brownsboro, ALThe pilot's loss of control while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB CEN12LA636Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJDT Mini-Max 1500R · Cameron, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at a low altitude.NTSB CEN12FA638Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMchenry George B JR KR2S · Pueblo, COThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering to land, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA12LA562Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRepublic RC-3 · Cedar Bluff, ALThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.NTSB ERA12FA563Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355F1 · West Windsor, NJDisconnection of the upper rod end from the fore/aft servo due to severely worn threads, which resulted in a loss of control and separation of a main rotor blade during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were incorrect maintenance procedures and…NTSB CEN12FA633Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Willard, MOThe pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation experienced in night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN12LA634Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Design Apache Sport · Vermillion, SDThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR12FA420Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Strawberry, AZThe flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight…NTSB ERA12FA561Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHall Don H RV-7 · Cumming, GAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN12FA639Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Teddys Peak, COThe pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, including fog and mountain obscuration, and his failure to maintain clearance with known rising terrain along the route of flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN12FA628Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Bullard, TXThe pilot's maneuver, which exceeded the airplane's structural limit and resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN12FA621Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter after a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.NTSB CEN12FA619Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWiggins AIR Boss · Lansing, ILThe pilot's failure to obtain adequate familiarization with gyroplane operations before attempting a flight test of the recently completed gyroplane, which resulted in his failure to maintain control during the accident flight.NTSB WPR12LA410Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchoepflin DA-4-550 · Viola, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall/spin with insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB ERA13WA205Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Acreúna Municipality, BrazilNTSB ERA12WA577Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172R · Macapá, BrazilOn September 12, 2012, about 2112 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 172R, Brazilian registration PT-WYK, was destroyed when it collided with terrain under unknown circumstances near Macapa ´, Brazil. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN12FA617Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Kansasville, WIIn-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the pilot and testing of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have led to the loss of control.NTSB WPR12LA407Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Edward R MXS · Borrego Springs, CAThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of aileron and elevator control due to the forward flight control torque tube assembly’s detachment from the forward bearing. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate…NTSB CEN12FA616Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Kingsland, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power resulting from an engine intake valve that became stuck open. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane when a required maintenance…NTSB ERA12WA556Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402 · Rome, ItalyOn September 7, 2012, about 1100 Universal Time Coordinate (UTC), a Cessna 402B, Italian registration I-EJRA, operated by Rilievi Aerofotogrammetrici, impacted the ground near Rome, Italy. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plan information…NTSB CEN12LA615Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGoodyear F2G · Valley City, NDThe pilot’s decision to initiate the aerobatic maneuver at an altitude that did not allow for full recovery of the airplane before ground impact.NTSB CEN12FA611Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairley Gooch Lancair IV · Winnsboro, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of engine power during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the difficult-to-operate fuel selector valve and the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical…NTSB WPR12FA395Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSkykits USA Savannah ADV · Murtaugh, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at or above the airplane's maximum ceiling, which resulted in a stall and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane…NTSB CEN12WA677Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Nyons, FranceOn September 3, 2012, about 0845 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter, Spanish registration EC-IVT, was destroyed when while in level cruise it departed controlled flight and impacted in mountainous terrain near Nyons, France. The pilot and a passenger on board the…NTSB ERA12LA541Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnston Douglas S Safari · McVeytown, PAThe pilot's lack of proficiency and certification, which resulted in his failure to enter an autorotation when the engine lost power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent…NTSB ERA12FA540Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Falmouth, MAThe flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s poor control of the airplane during the approach.NTSB CEN12LA605Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · El Paso, TXThe pilot‘s failure to maintain glider control while attempting to take off using a ground winch, which resulted in an inadvertent stall low to the ground. Contributing to the accident was the ground winch, which was unable to produce enough speed for a…NTSB CEN12LA602Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39C · Davenport, IAThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.NTSB CEN12FA601Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Brighton, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the severity of…NTSB CEN12FA594Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Rye, COThe pilot’s selection of a flightpath toward rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.NTSB ANC12FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to see and avoid high tension power lines.