Fatal NTSB investigations, AL
180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 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 per year
| 1964 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 11 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1967 | 11 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1970 | 4 |
| 1971 | 11 |
| 1972 | 15 |
| 1973 | 18 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1975 | 12 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1979 | 7 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 12 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND 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 ERA26FA338Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportReed Julian Estill RV-4 · Albertville, ALOn September 15, 2026, about 0620 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-4, N469TW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Albertville, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB ERA26LA140Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportBeech A36 · Gulf Shores, ALOn March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ERA26FA067Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Irvington, ALOn December 13, 2025, about 1145 central standard time, an American Champion Decathlon, N157WB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Roy E. Ray Airfield (5R7), Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane…NTSB ERA25FA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMagni Builder M-16 · Foley, ALThe sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA24LA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Brookwood, ALThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ERA24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Eufaula, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning/management.NTSB ERA24FA055Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech E95 · Elkmont, ALThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during slow flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which he was unable to recover.NTSB ERA24FA050Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Attalla, ALThe undetected wear of both pawl retaining rivets of the left magneto impulse coupling and fatigue failure of one pawl retaining rivet, which led to cascading fractures of the second pawl retaining rivet, left gear retainer assembly, and gear teeth of…NTSB ERA23FA382Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith William S Smith Cozy Mark IV · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s improper installation of engine…NTSB ERA23FA254Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith 601XL · Albertville, ALA descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA23FA175Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Chelsea, ALThe pilot’s delayed corrective inputs while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of multiple sedating medications.NTSB DCA23LA109Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Montgomery, ALThe ramp agent’s cognitive impairment, which resulted in her (1) inconsistent behavior with trained procedures and pre landing briefings, (2) presence on the left side of the airplane while the left engine was still operating, and (3) subsequent ingestion…NTSB ERA23FA087Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20B · Kellyton, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA22FA153Incident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Bay Minette, ALThe pilot’s loss of control during taxi, which resulted in a taxiway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the incident were the low visibility conditions that existed at the airport around the time of the incident.NTSB ERA21LA269Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Alpine, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA21FA133Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Vinemont, ALA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA21LA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech V35A · Attalla, ALA loss of control inflight and the failure of a component of the up elevator flight control system due to fatigue, which rendered recovery from a right descending turn improbable.NTSB ERA21FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCzech Sport Cruiser · Waterloo, ALThe improper configuration of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation following the failure of the electric fuel pump.NTSB ERA20LA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenair CH750 Cruzer · Boaz, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into an area of low clouds.NTSB ERA20LA262Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Malbis, ALThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart in deteriorating weather conditions, which led to restricted visibility and the pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the pilot’s poor decision-making was…NTSB ERA20LA217Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Atmore, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, spin, and loss of control.NTSB ERA20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Selma, ALThe mechanic’s failure to clean the oil suction screen during the most recent maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA20LA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Ozark, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight school’s inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s fuel quantity and caution systems.NTSB ERA20FA063Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans Vans RV-6 · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s inadequate planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to return to the runway after…NTSB ERA20FA056Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Headland, ALPilot incapacitation by a sudden cardiac event related to severe coronary artery disease, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN20FA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-8 · White Plains, ALImpact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA19LA263Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWeatherly 620 · Russellville, ALThe pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during low-altitude agricultural spraying flight operations.NTSB ERA19FA164Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Foley, ALA partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve and the flight instructor's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following the loss of power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.NTSB ERA19FA047Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell OH 58C · Verbena, ALThe pilot's improper decision to conduct a low-level flight over a river, and his failure to see and avoid power lines, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with power lines and the water.NTSB ERA18FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 8GCBC · Foley, ALThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin at an altitude that was too low for recovery.NTSB ERA18LA188Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorthwing 17 · Section, ALThe noncertificated pilot's failure to maintain control of the weight-shift-control aircraft during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the aircraft.NTSB ERA18FA146Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35A33 · Jacksonville, ALThe pilot/mechanic's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, including the left muffler and heat exchanger, which precluded his detection of preexisting cracks and led to a missed opportunity to replace the components. The inadequate inspection allowed…NTSB ERA18FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Ashville, ALDescent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ERA17FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Dadeville, ALA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postcrash thermal damage to the engine accessories and the airframe. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to navigate to any of the available forced landing sites within…NTSB ERA17FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Hayden, ALThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control and in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA16FA289Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 31 · Northport, ALA total loss of power in both engines due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement, and his subsequent failure to follow the emergency checklist. Contributing to the pilot's failure to follow the emergency checklist was his lack of…NTSB ERA16FA140Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Enterprise, ALThe pilot's decision to perform visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…NTSB ERA16FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Mobile, ALThe pilot's loss of airplane control during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight weather planning which resulted the pilot's…NTSB ERA15FA330Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Alabaster, ALAn in-flight loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.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 ERA14FA396Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Northport, ALAn inadvertent collision with a utility wire for reasons that could not be determined from recorded data and examination of the helicopter and accident site.NTSB ERA14FA350Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWilderoder Great Lakes 2TIA · Lillian, ALA loss of engine power due to an inoperative magneto and possible carburetor ice, which resulted in a forced landing into unsuitable terrain. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate magneto overhaul by unknown personnel and the modification to the…NTSB ERA14FA300Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries 1124A · Huntsville, ALThe flight crew's inability to maintain airplane control during initial climb following deployment of the right thrust reverser for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine thrust reverser system did not…NTSB ERA14FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Clay, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while being vectored to intercept the localizer during night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate dispatch procedures, which did not…NTSB ERA14LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Elkmont, ALA stuck exhaust valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at low altitude. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s decision to fly at a low altitude, which reduced his forced landing options when the loss of engine power occurred; and poor…NTSB DCA13MA133Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus A300 - F4 622R · Birmingham, ALthe flight crew's continuation of an unstabilized approach and their failure to monitor the aircraft's altitude during the approach, which led to an inadvertent descent below the minimum approach altitude and subsequently into terrain. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA13FA101Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Jasper, ALThe student pilot’s poor judgment to take a multiengine airplane for which he did not have experience or permission to operate and depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.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 ERA12LA562Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRepublic RC-3 · Cedar Bluff, ALThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.