Fatal NTSB investigations, IA

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

19652026
Fatal NTSB investigations, IA per year, 1965–2026: 268 cases
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Latest 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\" = 'IA' 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.

NTSB CEN26FA267Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportZenith Zodiak 601 HDS · Sioux City, IAOn July 24, 2026, about 1422 central daylight time, a Zenith Zodiac 601HDS experimental airplane, N27601, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Sioux City, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…Jul 24, 2026 · N27601 · DestroyedNTSB ANC25FA086Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportNorth American T-28B · Monticello, IAOn August 11, 2025, about 1505 Central daylight time, a North American T-28B airplane, N28XT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monticello, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…Aug 11, 2025 · N28XT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24FA287Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBell 206 · Nashua, IAOn July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…Jul 29, 2024 · N94XA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA342Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Denison, IAThe pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.Jul 30, 2023 · N231RL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA059Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEngineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C · Corning, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from obstructions during a go-around, which resulted in impact with powerlines, a tree, and the ground.Dec 5, 2022 · N99345 · DestroyedNTSB CEN22FA347Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Ute, IAThe pilot’s inflight collision with a power line during aerial application.Jul 30, 2022 · N501MW · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA320Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Muscatine, IAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight under a thunderstorm, where he encountered reduced visibility due to heavy precipitation, resulting in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.Jul 14, 2021 · N2801T · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA299Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lamoni, IAThe pilot did not maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around after a bounced landing, which resulted in impact with terrain and a postimpact fire.Jul 1, 2021 · N123RE · DestroyedNTSB CEN21FA207Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T210M · Oxford, IAThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s capability and his decision to attempt to takeoff from a field, which resulted in collision with a power pole/line and terrain.May 2, 2021 · N1215M · DestroyedNTSB CEN20LA136Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IAThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA259Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT502 · Sumner, IAThe pilot’s impairment by medical conditions and/or medications, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines and terrain.Aug 8, 2019 · N6113C · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA022Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Guthrie Center, IAPilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of an undetected crack in an engine exhaust muffler, which permitted entry of exhaust gasses into the cabin via the cabin heat system.Nov 9, 2018 · N91770 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportX-Air XA85 · Oskaloosa, IAThe pilot's low altitude flight into a power line due to his impairment from an acute physiologic event during the flight. Contributing to the pilot's impairment was his use of two sedating medications.Dec 23, 2017 · N20XA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA249Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctsw · Monticello, IAThe pilot's decision to fly with his large dog in the two-seat, light sport airplane, and the dog's likely contact with the flight controls during landing, which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall when the…Jul 1, 2017 · N62JN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Oxford, IAThe failure of the pilot receiving instruction to recover from the practice stall before the airplane entered a spin and the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot receiving instruction and delayed remedial action to recover the airplane.Apr 7, 2017 · N9179J · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA361Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Chariton, IAThe non-instrument-rated 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. Contributing to the…Sep 7, 2016 · N465JM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA310Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Indianola, IAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being operated above its maximum gross weight, degraded its climb performance, and led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb.Aug 5, 2016 · N4707M · DestroyedNTSB CEN16LA292Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402 · Sac City, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to circle over the field to identify hazards before beginning the aerial application.Jul 29, 2016 · N1016G · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 500TP · Council Bluffs, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while returning to the airport after becoming distracted by a noncritical flight instrumentation anomaly indication.Dec 10, 2015 · N145JR · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA344Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT · Humboldt, IAThe pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.Aug 9, 2015 · N315LK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Dubuque, IAThe pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.Oct 14, 2014 · N9126V · DestroyedNTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.Sep 6, 2014 · N699TQ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14LA424Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBarger Steve M RV-7A · Russell, IAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and the subsequent loss of airplane control.Aug 9, 2014 · N92BF · DestroyedNTSB CEN14LA305Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to the in-flight separation of the propeller blades for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.Jun 22, 2014 · N108BC · DestroyedNTSB CEN13LA500Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Brooklyn, IAThe improper routing of the seatbelt, which resulted in the inadvertent deployment of the reserve parachute, and the open jump door, which allowed the passenger to be pulled from the airplane.Aug 16, 2013 · N2070K · Minor damageNTSB CEN13FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter 407 · Clear Lake, IAThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.Jan 3, 2013 · N445MT · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Correctionville, IAThe pilot’s failure to perform a go-around after encountering thick fog at night.Dec 2, 2012 · N1566Z · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Clutier, IAThe pilot’s failure to monitor, recognize, and identify obstacles on approach to landing, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s expectation and assumption that there were no above-ground…Nov 28, 2012 · N94973 · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Sep 1, 2012 · N139GS · DestroyedNTSB CEN12LA453Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Britt, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during an agricultural application operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distracted attention due to personal cell phone use during flight operations.Jul 17, 2012 · N4843J · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA340Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver Sport II · Manchester, IAAn inadvertent aerodynamic stall while maneuvering at a low altitude.Jun 5, 2012 · N4396H · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalling Vans RV-3 · Larchwood, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing.Mar 28, 2012 · N34WC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA167Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCrain Jac A BD-4 · Clarinda, IAA loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.Feb 19, 2012 · N215BD · DestroyedNTSB CEN11LA569Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild M-62 · Madrid, IAThe pilot's improper decision to conduct low-level flight along a river, which resulted in a collision with power lines.Aug 13, 2011 · N53956 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11FA507Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky UH-34D · Wilton, IAThe inadequate performance planning by the pilot that resulted in reduced climb capability while transitioning to an out-of-ground effect hover with a left pedal turn.Jul 25, 2011 · N3880J · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11FA436Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRay Aerial Spraying 773 Racer · Ottumwa, IAThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine and ignition system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and extensive postaccident fire damage…Jun 30, 2011 · N773RY · DestroyedNTSB CEN11LA066Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGearn Geary D Swearingen SX300 · Milford, IAA loss of control for undetermined reasons.Nov 10, 2010 · N3ZX · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 (T42A) · Clarion, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left engine power for undetermined reasons.Oct 21, 2010 · N784CB · DestroyedNTSB CEN10LA514Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Boone, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing low-level banner towing operations with a gusting wind.Sep 2, 2010 · N10128 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10LA401Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKlemme William H Zenith CH 701 · Iowa Falls, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the model of airplane.Jul 15, 2010 · N701KC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA320Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lidderdale, IAThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight in marginal weather conditions and his loss of aircraft control.Jun 13, 2010 · N6036U · DestroyedNTSB CEN10FA119Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Forest City, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during final approach.Feb 12, 2010 · N250TT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN09LA527Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Corning, IAThe in-flight loss of control due to the pilot's impairment as a result of hypoxia. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the unpressurized airplane at an altitude requiring supplemental oxygen without having any oxygen available.Aug 15, 2009 · N802LL · DestroyedNTSB CEN09LA409Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Latimer, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.Jul 3, 2009 · N8138B · Substantial damageNTSB CEN09FA377Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Sanborn, IAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning and failure to refuel.Jun 23, 2009 · N7795N · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700 (850) · Iowa City, IAThe pilot's improper decision to depart with a preexisting tailwind and failure to abort takeoff. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the failure to properly restrain (FAA-required) the child passenger.Jun 3, 2008 · N849MA · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08LA037Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPadelt PG37-1 · Hampton, IAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in the failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the power line.Nov 16, 2007 · N4448Y · Substantial damageNTSB CHI07LA213Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402A · Laurel, IAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance with the upsloping terrain for undetermined reasons.Jul 16, 2007 · N203DM · Substantial damageNTSB CHI07FA073Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Council Bluffs, IAThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the presence of severe icing, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear.Feb 17, 2007 · N111SC · DestroyedNTSB CHI07LA062Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHallburg Amphibian S21D · Grinnell, IAThe inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot in command and the fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. An additional cause was the inadequate forced landing procedure. A contributing factor was the tailwind.Feb 2, 2007 · N41RH · Substantial damage