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 WPR12WA249Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Coonabarabran, Australia, AustraliaOn June 4, 2012, at 1200 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 182Q, VH-CWQ, was reported missing and subsequently located near Coonabarabran, Australia. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under the pertinent civil regulations…NTSB CEN12LA336Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Zahl, NDThe non-certificated pilot's improper preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and his failure to maintain airplane control after a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR12GA243Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportLockheed P2V-7 · Modena, UTThe flight crew's misjudgment of terrain clearance while maneuvering for an aerial application run, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's failure to follow the lead airplane's track and to…NTSB DCA12RA084Accident · 153 fatalForeign investigationBoeing MD-83 · Lagos, NigeriaOn June 3, 2012 about 1545 hours local time, 5N-RAM, a Boeing MD-83, operated by Dana Airlines Limited as flight 992 (DAN 992), crashed into a densely populated area during a forced landing following a total loss of power in both engines while on approach to…NTSB ERA12WA383Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-200 · São Paulo, BrazilNTSB CEN12WA338Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182N · Pista Aérea, MexicoNTSB WPR12LA241Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWestcott Prowler Jaguar · Salinas, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain airplane control during takeoff due to an incapacitating cardiac event.NTSB ERA12FA376Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Beechcraft A36 · Macon, MSThe pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in actual instrument meteorological conditions and his reliance on datalink…NTSB WPR12FA235Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus SR20 · Duck Creek Village, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering a heavily loaded airplane over high mountainous terrain in a high density altitude environment. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience…NTSB CEN12LA330Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Ionia, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper airspeed in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering at an altitude that did not provide a margin for recovery.NTSB WPR12WA239Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Wentworth, Australia, AustraliaOn May 28, 2012, at 1000 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 172, VH-WLF, collided with terrain near Wentworth, Australia. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated under the pertinent civil regulations of Australia. The pilot was…NTSB ERA12RA367Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech V35B · Sumerduck, VAOn May 28, 2012, about 1604 eastern daylight time, a Beech V35B, N6658R, and a Piper PA-28-140, N23SC, collided in flight in the vicinity of Sumerduck, Virginia. The Beech was destroyed, and the pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured; the Piper was…NTSB CEN12WA366Accident · 4 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 172M · Rotterdam, The Netherlands, NetherlandsOn May 28, 2012, about 0920 universal time (UTC), a Netherlands registered Cessna 172M, PH-SKJ, was destroyed when it impacted terrain about 17 nautical miles southwest of the Rotterdam The Hague Airport, The Netherlands. The pilot and three passengers were…NTSB CEN12LA324Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American T-6G · Perry, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude after takeoff, resulting in a collision with a barn.NTSB CEN12FA321Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L4 · (Gulf of Mexico)The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while landing on an obstructed helipad, which resulted in a collision and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helipad owner to mark the helipad closed and the failure…NTSB CEN12FA320Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTackabury Air-Cam · Fort Morgan, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR12FA230Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · St. George, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aggressive pitch-up maneuver, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from alcohol consumption and an…NTSB ERA12LA364Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoyes B/Bailey B Dragonfly · Trenton, GAThe airplane's entry into an uncontrolled descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and it could not be determined whether the…NTSB WPR12FA237Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Lakeview, ORThe pilot’s decision to take off in known adverse weather conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering in mountainous terrain and an area of low ceilings, snow, and fog, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN12WA682Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationAgusta Bell · Eggschwand, SwitzerlandOn May 24, 2012, about 1545 UTC, an Agusta-Bell 206B Swiss registration HB-XPQ, owned and operated by Heliswiss, was destroyed when it collided with a cable and crashed in a mountain forest, near Eggschwand, Switzerland. A post-impact fire ensued. The two…NTSB CEN12FA312Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Sedgwick, ARThe inability of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the Air Tractor pilot by a cellular telephone conversation during the flight.NTSB WPR12WA446Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHughes 369D · Lake Sumner, New Zealand, New ZealandOn May 21, 2012, at 0200 universal coordinated time, a Hughes 369D, ZK-HXZ, registered to and operated by Way to Go Heliservices, crashed into Lake Sumner, New Zealand, under unknown circumstances. The helicopter sank in 125 meters of water and was not…NTSB WPR12LA220Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G 164D · Nicolaus, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.NTSB ERA12FA345Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportShepard Jimmy D JR Pitts S1D · Port Richey, FLThe pilot's decision to conduct aerobatic flight at a low altitude, which resulted in a collision with the water.NTSB CEN12FA311Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Boyd, TXThe pilot’s delayed initiation of a go-around and early retraction of the flaps during the maneuver, which resulted in a collision with trees.NTSB CEN12WA367Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna · Banja Luka, Bosnia & HerzegovinaOn May 20, 2012, about 1200 universal time (UTC), a Bosnia and Herzegovina registered Cessna 182P, E7-SEX, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The pilot was fatally injured. The investigation is under the…NTSB WPR12LA218Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAvia Stroitel AC-5M · Kingston, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while maneuvering in flight.NTSB ERA12WA372Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Veronica, ArgentinaOn May 19, 2012, about 2140 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 182C, Argentina registration LV-GTF, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a missed approach at Veronica Airfield, Veronica, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The foreign certificated…NTSB CEN12LA307Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportDial David L Titan Tornado II · Checotah, OKThe noncertificated pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.NTSB WPR12FA216Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39 · Boulder City, NVAn in-flight emergency followed by a collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and forward and aft canopies revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would…NTSB DCA12FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Hawker Hunter MK.58A · Point Mugu, CAthe pilot's decision to continue the flight with a known fuel imbalance condition that resulted in a loss of lateral control when the imbalance exceeded the known capabilities of the airplane. The fuel imbalance was due to incomplete refueling and an…NTSB WPR12FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportM Squared Breese · Whitewater, CAThe pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude in mountainous terrain in the presence of strong wind and turbulence, which resulted in an aerodynamic upset at too low an altitude for recovery.NTSB ERA12WA354Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna T210M · Manabi Province, EcuadorOn May 13, 2012, about 2030 local time (May 14, 2012, about 0030 coordinated universal time), a Cessna T210M, Mexican registration XB-MPL, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Manabí Province, Ecuador. The pilot and passenger, both of unknown…NTSB CEN12FA291Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Las Vegas, NMThe pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN12FA290Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Chanute, KSThe malfunction of the cabin heater, which resulted in an inflight fire and smoke in the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of understanding concerning the status of the airplane's heater system following and earlier overheat event…NTSB ERA12FA327Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Sterling, PAThe pilot’s decision to take off on an uphill slope without utilizing the entire available runway, and his failure to abort the takeoff when he realized he wasn’t going to liftoff in time to clear the trees at the end of the runway.NTSB ERA12FA326Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGutierrez Pablino Hummel Bird · DeFuniak Springs, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control due to the airplane’s exceedence of its maximum gross weight and center of gravity’s most rearward limit and his lack of familiarity with the airplane make and model, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…NTSB DCA12WA071Accident · 44 fatalForeign investigationSukhoi SJ100 · Mt. Salak, IndonesiaOn May 9, 2012, at 1450 local time, a Sukhoi SJ100-95, Russian registration RP97004, collided with terrain about 35 miles south of Jakarta, Indonesia. The airplane was on a demonstration flight. The 40 passengers and 4 crew were fatally injured, and the…NTSB ERA12WA511Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationAgusta AW119MKII · Piranhas, BrazilOn May 8, 2012, about 0947 universal coordinated time, an Augusta Westland AW119 MKII helicopter, Brazilian registration PP-CGO, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in Piranhas, Goias,…NTSB CEN12WA284Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationReims Cessna FA152 Aerobat · Alastaro, FinlandOn May 8, 2012, at 1530 UTC, a Cessna FA152 Aerobat, Finnish registration OH-CKB, owned and operated by the Finnish Aviation Academy, was substantially damaged when while flying above the Alastaro Circuit Motorsport Center, Alastaro, Finland, the airplane…NTSB ERA12FA319Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Honesdale, PAThe pilot pitching the airplane to an excessive nose-up attitude during an aborted landing, which resulted in increased induced drag, diminished airspeed, and an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of a sedating…NTSB CEN12WA275Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA42 · Grand Case, FranceOn May 5, 2012, at 0640 UTC, a Piper PA42 Cheyenne III, French registration F-GXES, was destroyed when it crashed about four minutes after takeoff into the Atlantic Ocean, three miles from Grand Case, St. Maarten. The pilot and three passengers on board were…NTSB CEN12FA271Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Lake in the Hills, ILThe pilot's excessive bank angle while on approach to land, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and spin.NTSB CEN12WA297Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationWarszawa, PolandOn May 1, 2012, about 1350 UTC, SP-AXL, a Polish registered Liberty XL-2 airplane, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted the terrain near the Babice airport, near Warszawa, Poland. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. This report is…NTSB WPR12WA197Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150 · Bourke , Australia, AustraliaOn April 29, 2012, at 0800 universal coordinated time, a Cessna 150M, VH-UWR, collided with the terrain during a mustering operation near Bourke, Australia. The airplane was operated by a private individual under the pertinent civil regulations of Australia.…NTSB CEN12WA262Accident · 6 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA32R · Attalens, Fribourg, SwitzerlandOn April 28, 2012, about 1500 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-32R-301 airplane, HB-PGA, impacted terrain near the village of Tatroz in Attalens, Fribourg, Switzerland. All six persons on-board were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The…NTSB ERA12FA303Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Anderson, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA12WA353Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEmbraer EMB712 · Morro do Manduba Guaruja, BrazilOn April 26, 2012, about 1845 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), an Embraer 712, Brazilian registration PT-NUH, operated by the Aeroclube de Itanhaem, crashed under unknown circumstances in a dense forest area in Morro do Manduba Guaruja Municipality, Sao…NTSB WPR12FA184Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Blanding, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-level maneuvering flight. Contributing to the pilot’s death was the lack of a timely emergency rescue response due to the lack of effective emergency signal transmissions from both the airplane’s…NTSB ENG12WA037Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPilatus PC6 - B2H4 · Muaritan, IndonesiaOn April 25, 2012, at 09:29 UTC time, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4, PK-VVQ, operated by Susi Air, impacted terrain near Muaritan after the pilot reported a fuel system problem.The accident is being investigated by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety…