Fatal NTSB investigations, MT
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
| 1963 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1964 | 12 |
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1966 | 6 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1968 | 9 |
| 1969 | 13 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1976 | 13 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1979 | 9 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
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\" = 'MT' 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" = 'MT' 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 WPR26FA032Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCirrus Design SR22T · Lincoln, MTOn October 24, 2025 at 2115 mountain daylight time, a Cirrus SR22T, N740TS, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lincoln, Montana. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)…NTSB WPR26FA031Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Ekalaka, MTOn October 22, 2025, about 1830 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, N67GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ekalaka, Montana. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as…NTSB WPR26LA020Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-23-250 · Condon, MTOn October 17, 2025, about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N2345R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Condon, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…NTSB WPR25FA289Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportMurphy SR3500 · Bigfork, MTOn September 19, 2025, about 1205 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur built Murphy SR3500, N62ZT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bigfork, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB WPR25FA252Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportVans RV-7A · West Glacier, MTOn August 12, 2025, about 1457 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-7A N30SG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Glacier, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB WPR25FA223Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · West Glacier, MTOn July 26, 2025, about 0942 mountain daylight time, a Grumman AA-5, N1342R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near West Glacier, Montana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB WPR25FA214Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-180 · West Yellowstone, MTOn July 17, 2025, about 2358 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7186W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Yellowstone, Montana. The pilot and two pilot rated passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB WPR25FA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTOn June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N79306, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB WPR24FA270Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182K · Augusta, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB WPR24FA238Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Helena, MTThe pilot’s loss of situational awareness during the water scoop due to task overload while operating in a multi-airplane tactical firefighting environment, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the airplane’s collision…NTSB WPR24FA150Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Thurlow, MTThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by his cell phone use while…NTSB WPR24FA132Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Anaconda, MTA total loss of engine power due to a loss of cooling oil to the turbine-to-compressor coupling shaft and subsequent fracture of the shaft at an altitude too low for the pilot to complete a successful autorotation. Contributing to the accident was carbon…NTSB WPR23FA286Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRisen 915 iS · Glendive, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR23FA244Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCurtiss Wright P-40E · Hamilton, MTA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR23LA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportScoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS · Perma, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline.NTSB WPR22FA169Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBearhawk LSA · Kalispell, MTAn excessive pitch control input for undetermined reasons while the airplane was operating above maneuvering speed, which led to a structural failure of the right wing during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the poor construction quality of the…NTSB WPR21FA353Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech S35 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s improper flare, which led to a hard landing, subsequent loss of control, and collision with trees.NTSB WPR21FA258Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172R · Missoula, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB WPR21LA032Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.NTSB WPR20LA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Seeley Lake, MTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR20LA245Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 337 · Ennis, MTThe pilot-in-command’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while attempting an evasive maneuver from a boxed canyon, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command’s…NTSB WPR20LA128Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA31T · Billings, MTThe degraded airplane performance after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.NTSB WPR20FA063Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna TR182 · Billings, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight.NTSB WPR19FA246Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 33 · St. Ignatius, MTThe pilot’s decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with power lines and terrain.NTSB WPR19FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Wolf Point, MTThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR18FA260Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobert L Coons RotorWay RW 1 · Billings, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a hangar while maneuvering to his hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in helicopters.NTSB WPR16FA182Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95 B55 (T42A) · Broadus, MTThe airplane's departure from cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR16FA170Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Clinton, MTThe sudden right turn on approach to landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR16FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBucker Jungmeister BU 133 · Missoula, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while executing a return to the runway after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Townsend, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR15FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R - 301 · Townsend, MTThe pilot's decision to depart on and to continue a visual flight rules flight over mountainous terrain into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent…NTSB WPR15FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Ronan, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing an intentional, abrupt low-level maneuver.NTSB WPR15FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Alzada, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.NTSB WPR14FA362Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Neihart, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in turbulent conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the mountainous area with the airplane over…NTSB WPR14LA305Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Russian Flat, MTThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his operation of the airplane outside of the manufacturer's specified performance limitations, which resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic…NTSB WPR14FA231Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G 21A · Sula, MTThe pilot's decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions in an airplane not maintained for instrument flight, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR14LA233Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Apache Sport · Polson, MTThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during initial climb due to his experiencing an incapacitating medical event.NTSB WPR13FA368Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E35 · West Yellowstone, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while aligning the airplane with the runway for landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…NTSB WPR13FA343Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Thompson Falls, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while operating in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB WPR13FA288Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Helena, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR13FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Shepherd, MTThe pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering during low-altitude operations due to sudden neurological impairment or incapacitation and the helicopter’s subsequent collision with power lines.NTSB WPR13FA183Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Circle, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue flight into low visibility conditions.NTSB WPR13FA073Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B100 · Libby, MTThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering to land in dark night conditions likely due to his geographic disorientation (lost). Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to fly at night with a…NTSB WPR12FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Brockton, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR11FA390Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Forsyth, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall/mush, loss of control, and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR11FA383Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Silver Bow, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.NTSB WPR11LA317Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-32 · Bigfork, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his excessive control inputs during a simulated rope break while taking off, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR11LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-301 · Hogeland, MTCollision with the ground while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR11FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-802A · Miles City, MTThe pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR11FA170Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310R · Butte, MTThe pilot's loss of airplane control during the missed approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the rapid and unforecast deterioration of the weather conditions to below the landing minimum and the pilot's decision to attempt the…