Major NTSB investigations
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c.\"investigationClass\" = 'Class 1' OR c.\"caseType\" = 'Major - Launch') 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.board_report_url IS NOT NULL OR c."investigationClass" = 'Class 1' OR c."caseType" = 'Major - Launch') 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 LAX08MA007Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Naches, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's impaired physiological state due to hypoxia, the pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation, and his…NTSB DCA07MA310Accident · No injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) · St. Louis, MOAmerican Airlines’ maintenance personnel’s use of an inappropriate manual engine start procedure, which led to the uncommanded opening of the left engine air turbine starter valve, and a subsequent left engine fire, which was prolonged by the flight crew’s…NTSB ANC07MA083Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKAn inadvertent aerodynamic stall resulting from the pilot's poor decision-making and inadequate planning and execution when he took off toward nearby rising terrain, in strong winds, under circumstances where his options for maneuvering were severely limited…NTSB DEN07MA134Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech E90B · Ruidoso, NMFailure to maintain clearance from terrain due to spatial disorientation.NTSB LAX07MA231Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter AS350-B2 · Phoenix, AZBoth pilots' failure to see and avoid the other helicopter. Contributing to this failure was the pilots' responsibility to perform reporting and visual tracking duties to support their station's ENG operation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of…NTSB NYC07MA162Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 310R · Sanford, FLActions and decisions by National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's corporate aviation division's management and maintenance personnel to allow the accident airplane to be released for flight with a known and unresolved discrepancy, and the accident…NTSB CHI07MA160Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 550 · Milwaukee, WIThe National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilots’ mismanagement of an abnormal flight control situation through improper actions, including failing to control airspeed and to prioritize control of the…NTSB DCA07FA037Accident · No injuriesClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B19 · Traverse City, MIThe pilots' decision to land at Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City, Michigan, without performing a landing distance assessment, which was required by company policy because of runway contamination initially reported by TVC ground operations personnel…NTSB CHI07MA083Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369FF · Haena, HIThe fatigue failure of the tail rotor blade root fitting due to a manufacturing defect which resulted in the separation of the tail rotor system and loss of tail rotor control. A contributing factor to the accident were the trees that the helicopter struck…NTSB NYC07MA073Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · Princeville, HIThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten (torque) the flight control servo lower attachment clevis, and reinstall a functioning lock washer, which resulted in a flight control disconnect and a complete loss of helicopter control. Contributing…NTSB DCA07MA072Accident · No injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer ERJ-170 · Cleveland, OHthe failure of the flight crew to execute a missed approach when visual cues for the runway were not distinct and identifiable. Contributing to the accident were (1) the crew's decision to descend to the ILS decision height instead of the localizer…NTSB LAX07MA069Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 525 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the second pilots inadequate preflight, failure to properly secure the front baggage door, and the front…NTSB DCA07MA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCirrus Design SR-20 · Manhattan, NYC, NYThe pilots' inadequate planning, judgment, and airmanship in the performance of a 180º turn maneuver inside of a limited turning space.NTSB DEN06MA119Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-35 · Argyle, FLthe pilot's inadvertent flight into thunderstorm activity that resulted in the loss of control, design limits of the airplane being exceeded and subsequent in-flight breakup. A contributing factor was the failure of air traffic control to use available radar…NTSB DCA06MA064Accident · 49 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CRJ-100 · Lexington, KYthe flight crewmembers's failure to use available cues and aids to identify the airplane's location on the airport surface during taxi and their failure to cross-check and verify that the airplane was on the correct runway before takeoff. Contributing to the…NTSB NYC06MA208Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-40 · Bunnell, FLThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms.NTSB NYC06MA192Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 110P1 · Pownal, VTThe pilot's misinterpretation of the airplane's position relative to the final approach fix, which resulted in the displacement of the descent profile by 6 nautical miles and the subsequent controlled flight into rising terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB CHI06FA210Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-100 · Sullivan, MOthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of power in the right engine due to the fracturing of compressor turbine blades for undetermined reasons. Contributing to some parachutists' injuries was the lack of a more effective restraint system…NTSB NYC06MA131Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC-135P1 · Washington, DCThe operator's inadequate training program and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter following his inadvertent disabling of the No. 1 and then the No. 2 engine full authority digital engine control system.NTSB CHI06MA121Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportGeneral Atomics Predator B · Nogales, AZThe pilot's failure to use checklist procedures when switching operational control from PPO-1 to PPO-2, which resulted in the fuel valve inadvertently being shut off and the subsequent total loss of engine power, and lack of a flight instructor in the GCS, as…NTSB CHI06MA115Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 210A · Ludville, GAThe pilot's failure to obtain updated en route weather information, which resulted in his continued instrument flight into a widespread area of severe convective activity, and the air traffic controller's failure to provide adverse weather avoidance…NTSB DCA06MA022Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8 · Philadelphia, PAan in-flight cargo fire that initiated from an unknown source, which was most likely located within cargo container 12, 13, or 14. Contributing to the loss of the aircraft were the inadequate certification test requirements for smoke and fire detection…NTSB SEA06MA047Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Carlsbad, CAThe captain's delayed decision to execute a balked landing (go-around) during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident include the captain's improper decision to land with a tailwind, his excessive airspeed on final approach, and his failure to…NTSB DCA06MA010Accident · 20 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGrumman G-73T · Miami, FLThe in-flight failure and separation of the right wing during normal flight, which resulted from (1) the failure of the Chalk's Ocean Airways maintenance program to identify and properly repair fatigue cracks in the right wing and (2) the failure of the…NTSB DCA06MA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-700 · Chicago, ILThe pilots' failure to use available reverse thrust in a timely manner to safely slow or stop the airplane after landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. This failure occurred because the pilots' first experience and lack of familiarity with the…NTSB NYC06MA005Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAugusta 109E · Smethport, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were, night instrument meteorological conditions, pilot workload, and improper air traffic control procedures by the approach controller.NTSB SEA05MA202Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A II · Edmonds, WALoss of control for an undetermined reason during maneuvering flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.NTSB SEA05MA199Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · Haena, HIThe pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to an encounter with a microburst. Contributing to the accident was inadequate Federal Aviation Administration surveillance of Special Federal…NTSB DCA05MA099Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportAirbus A321-231 · Fort Lauderdale, FLFollowing a bounced landing, the pilot in command activated his sidestick controller while the first officer was in control of the airplane, which subsequently resulted in the overcontrol of pitch and a tailstrike. Contributing to the circumstances of this…NTSB DFW05MA230Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S76 · Gulf of Mexico, TXThe pilots' delayed response to the No. 1 engine fire warning and the loss of power to both engines, which occurred for undetermined reasons. The pilots' delayed response was most likely due to stress and fatigue. Contributing to the delay of the initiation…NTSB DCA05MA095Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-200 · Aganathe flight crews' failure to verify that the number of landing gear annunciations on the second officer’s panel was consistent with the number specified in the abnormal/emergency procedures checklist, which led to a landing with the nose gear retracted.NTSB DCA05MA083Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 767-232 · Raleigh-Durham, NCAn inadvertent in-flight encounter with clear air turbulence.NTSB IAD05MA078Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76C · New York, NYAn inadvertent encounter with a left quartering tailwind. Factors in the accident were settling with power, the high gross weight of the helicopter, and the crew's failure to accurately assess the winds in the area.NTSB DCA05MA070Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer 170 · Washington, DCThe inexperience of the driver (fleet service agent) in the operation of a belt loader, which resulted in the belt loader being driven under, and colliding with, the airplane.NTSB DCA05MA071Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2B19 · Chicago O'Hare, ILThe opening of the service door when the airplane was pressurized. Contributing to the accident was the captain's failure to ensure that one of the airplane doors was open while a ground-cooling cart was connected, which resulted in pressurizing the airplane…NTSB NYC05MA083Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 717-200 · Union Star, MOA loss of reliable airspeed indication due to an accumulation of ice on the air data/pitot sensors. Contributing to the incident was the flight crew's improper response to the erroneous airspeed indications, their lack of coordination during the initial…NTSB CHI05MA111Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · Minneapolis, MNthe Captain of the other aircraft's decision to shutdown the left engine during taxi with no hydraulic pressure on the right side hydraulic system to effectively operate the brakes, steering, or thrust reversers. A factor was the fatigue fracture of the…NTSB SEA05MA085Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed P-3B · Chico, CATerrain clearance was not maintained while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. Mountainous terrain was a factor.NTSB DCA05MA037Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 560 · Pueblo, COthe flight crew's failure to effectively monitor and maintain airspeed and comply with procedures for deice boot activation on the approach, which caused an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover. Contributing to the accident was the Federal…NTSB DCA05MA031Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBombardier CL-600-1A11 · Teterboro, NJthe pilots' failure to ensure the airplane was loaded within weight and balance limits and their attempt to takeoff with the center of gravity well forward of the forward takeoff limit, which prevented the airplane from rotating at the intended rotation…NTSB NYC05MA039Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2 · Oxon Hill, MDThe pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions, limited outside visual references, and the lack of an operable radar altimeter…NTSB DEN05MA029Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2A12 · Montrose, COthe flight crew's failure to ensure that the airplane’s wings were free of ice or snow contamination that accumulated while the airplane was on the ground, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with upper wing contamination that induced the subsequent stall…NTSB IAD05FA023Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportCASA 212-200-CC · Bamiyan, Afghanistanthe captain's inappropriate decision to fly a nonstandard route and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in the inflight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the operator's failure to require its flight crews to file…NTSB DCA05MA011Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGulfstream Aerospace G-III · Houston, TXthe flight crew's failure to adequately monitor and cross check the flight instruments during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's failure to select the instrument landing system frequency in a timely manner and to adhere to…NTSB LAX05FA015Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportLearjet 35A · San Diego, CAThe failure of the flight crew to maintain terrain clearance during a VFR departure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain, and the air traffic controller's issuance of a clearance that transferred the responsibility for terrain clearance from the…NTSB IAD05MA006Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 200 · Stuart, VAThe flight crew's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach procedure, including the published missed approach procedure, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the flight crew's…NTSB CHI05MA011Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-132 · Lake MichiganThe number one engine separated from the airplane during climb due to the uncontained separation of a portion of the second stage turbine disk rim after the second stage turbine vanes contacted the disk. The second stage turbine vanes contacted the second…NTSB DCA05MA004Accident · 13 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace Jetstream 32 · Kirksville, MOthe pilots' failure to follow established procedures and properly conduct a nonprecision instrument approach at night in IMC, including their descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) before required visual cues were available (which continued…NTSB DCA05MA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL-600 · Jefferson City, MO(1) the pilots’ unprofessional behavior, deviation from standard operating procedures, and poor airmanship, which resulted in an in-flight emergency from which they were unable to recover, in part because of the pilots’ inadequate training; (2) the pilots’…NTSB LAX04FA329Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · Kalaheo, HIThe pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into an area of turbulent, reduced visibility weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control of the helicopter. Contributing to this accident was…