Fatal NTSB investigations, 2019
180,624 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,602 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
| 1962 | 11 |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 13 |
| 1964 | 539 |
| 1965 | 560 |
| 1966 | 581 |
| 1967 | 625 |
| 1968 | 718 |
| 1969 | 655 |
| 1970 | 643 |
| 1971 | 664 |
| 1972 | 697 |
| 1973 | 731 |
| 1974 | 727 |
| 1975 | 692 |
| 1976 | 707 |
| 1977 | 713 |
| 1978 | 800 |
| 1979 | 691 |
| 1980 | 672 |
| 1981 | 705 |
| 1982 | 638 |
| 1983 | 651 |
| 1984 | 617 |
| 1985 | 555 |
| 1986 | 507 |
| 1987 | 496 |
| 1988 | 502 |
| 1989 | 484 |
| 1990 | 499 |
| 1991 | 482 |
| 1992 | 494 |
| 1993 | 437 |
| 1994 | 445 |
| 1995 | 456 |
| 1996 | 421 |
| 1997 | 402 |
| 1998 | 422 |
| 1999 | 404 |
| 2000 | 443 |
| 2001 | 412 |
| 2002 | 417 |
| 2003 | 440 |
| 2004 | 418 |
| 2005 | 428 |
| 2006 | 408 |
| 2007 | 387 |
| 2008 | 373 |
| 2009 | 359 |
| 2010 | 363 |
| 2011 | 398 |
| 2012 | 389 |
| 2013 | 344 |
| 2014 | 360 |
| 2015 | 365 |
| 2016 | 341 |
| 2017 | 338 |
| 2018 | 361 |
| 2019 | 381 |
| 2020 | 294 |
| 2021 | 321 |
| 2022 | 330 |
| 2023 | 295 |
| 2024 | 292 |
| 2025 | 275 |
| 2026 | 247 |
Where
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2019
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2019 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 CEN20FA049Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20S · Olathe, KSThe pilot’s failure to set the elevator trim properly for takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during climb out, an aerodynamic stall, and the subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20WA061Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-301T · Vereda Cuzama, ColombiaThe government of Colombia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA-32-301T airplane that occurred on December 30, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Colombia's investigation under the…NTSB ERA20FA060Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAmerican AA5 · College Park, MDThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation after entering a climbing turn in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN20MA044Accident · 5 fatalClass 2 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA 31T · Lafayette, LAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the initial climb in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB ANC20MA010Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus AS350B2 · Kekaha, HIThe pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. Contributing to the accident was Safari Aviation Inc.’s lack of safety management processes…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 GAA20WA101Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Rio Branco, Cerro Largo, UruguayThe government of Uruguay has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on December 24, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Uruguay's investigation under the provisions…NTSB WPR20FA049Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Goodyear, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines due to his impairment from cannabis.NTSB GAA20WA104Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCirrus SR22 · Salzburg, Austria, AustriaThe government of Austria has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CIRRUS SR22 airplane that occurred on December 21, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Austria's investigation under the…NTSB CEN20FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Evansville, INThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB ERA20WA066Accident · 9 fatalClass 3 · ForeignBeech A100 · Charallave, VenezuelaNTSB WPR20WA044Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationAngel 44 · Mareeba, AustraliaOn December 14, 2019, at 1115 local time, an Angel Aircraft Corporation 44 twin-engine airplane, registration VH-IAZ, collided with terrain near Mareeba Aerodrome, Mareeba Queensland, Australia. Both pilots were fatally injured, and the airplane was…NTSB GAA20WA103Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 150 · Region del Bio Bio, ChileThe government of Chile has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 150 airplane that occurred on December 13, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Chile's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ANC20WA009Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA60 · Nanaimo, CanadaThe government of Canada has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Piper PA60 airplane that occurred on December 11, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Canada's investigation under the provisions…NTSB CEN20FA032Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 208 · Victoria, TXThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the inoperative attitude indicator and horizontal situation indicator on the pilot’s side of the cockpit, and the pilot’s failure to reference the flight instruments…NTSB CEN20WA210Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA30 · Kaunas, LithuaniaThe government of Lithuania has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA30 airplane that occurred on December 08, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Lithuania's investigation under the…NTSB CEN20FA034Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20C · Flower Pot, AZThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the visual flight rules flight into an area of forecast instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing was…NTSB CEN20FA035Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico)A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine’s Nos. 3 and 4 bearings and the power turbine pinion gear, and subsequent loss of main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the water.NTSB WPR20WA037Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Eschowe, South AfricaThe government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on December 5, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under…NTSB GAA20WA102Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech C90 · Caieiras, SP, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BEECH C90 airplane that occurred on December 02, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB CEN20FA023Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA24 · San Antonio, TXThe loss of engine power for reason that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering to landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin with insufficient altitude to recover.NTSB CEN20FA022Accident · 9 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPilatus PC12 · Chamberlain, SDThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent, low-altitude aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper loading of the airplane, which resulted in reduced static longitudinal stability and his…NTSB ANC20WA008Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Krasnodarsky Krai, RussiaThe government of Russia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R66 helicopter that occurred on November 30, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Russia's investigation under the…NTSB ANC20FA007Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Cooper Landing, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during gusty wind and reduced visibility night conditions.NTSB CEN20WA024Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA32 · Kingston, CanadaNTSB WPR20FA034Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR-22 · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions.NTSB ANC20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech V35 · Blythe, CAA loss of control in flight due to the pilot’s decision to fly into a mountain range, at night, in conditions conducive to high wind, mountain waves, and turbulence.NTSB GAA20WA097Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Near Puffin Island, Anglesey, United KingdomThe government of United Kingdom has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 172 airplane that occurred on November 25, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of United Kingdom's investigation under…NTSB ERA20FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBushby Bushby Mustang M II · Milton, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB DCA20WA019Accident · 29 fatalForeign investigationDornier 228 · Gomo, Congo - KinshasaThe government of Congo has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a DORNIER 228 airplane that occurred on November 24, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Congo's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB WPR20FA031Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Jackpot, NVThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while departing in dark night conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s limited experience flying in night conditions.NTSB CEN20FA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRaytheon A36 · San Marcos, TXThe pilot’s loss of control shortly after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA20WA100Accident · 4 fatalClass 4 · ForeignBeech V35 · Cascavel, BrazilNTSB GAA20WA098Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Los Andes/San Raphael, ChileThe government of Chile has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 172 airplane that occurred on November 17, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Chile's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ERA20WA041Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 550 · Marau, BrazilThe government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Cessna 550 airplane that occurred on November 14, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions…NTSB WPR20WA021Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Tunis, TunisiaThe government of Tunisia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on November 11, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Tunisia's investigation under the…NTSB WPR20LA028Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Metaline, WAImpact with a lake for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR20FA019Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Upland, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.NTSB ERA20FA031Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · New Bedford, MAPilot impairment due to exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of undetected corrosion and holes in the engine’s left exhaust muffler.NTSB ERA20FA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPavel Tango2 · Cedartown, GAThe pilot's loss of control of the gyroplane for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB GAA20WA083Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna F150 · Santa Severa Nord, ItalyThe government of Italy has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA F150 airplane that occurred on November 01, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Italy's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB ERA20FA027Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman OV-1 · Stuart, FLThe pilot’s improper recovery from a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in descent into terrain.NTSB ERA20FA026Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Paducah, KYThe pilot’s failure to fully seat the fuel selector in the proper tank position during the descent for landing, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR20FA018Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150 · Brawley, CAThe pilot’s decision to perform a flight while impaired by the effects of alcohol and cocaine, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the flight.NTSB ERA20FA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV 4 · Middleburg, FLImpact with power lines for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB ERA20FA022Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Ocala, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an acute medical event and/or his use of impairing medications.NTSB ERA20FA021Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments.NTSB ERA20WA032Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationICP Ventura · Gecitkale, TürkiyeThe government of Turkey has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ICP Ventura ultralight that occurred on October 29, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Turkey's investigation under the provisions…NTSB ERA20FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 414 · Colonia, NJThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a circling instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall and spin.NTSB WPR20FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · Missing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA28R · Shelter Cove, CAUndetermined due to lack of available evidence.