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 DCA04MA082Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing MD-11 · Memphis, TNThe pilot's over-rotation during a go-around maneuver initiated because of a bounced landing. The go-around maneuver was initiated at a low speed and high pitch angle, and after reverse thrust was selected, contrary to Boeing and FedEx training guidance.NTSB SEA04MA167Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Battle Mountain, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper decision to take the direct route over mountainous terrain, the dark night conditions, and the pressure to complete the mission induced by the…NTSB DCA04MA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportConvair Div. of Gen. Dynamics CV-340 (580) · Florence, KYfuel starvation resulting from the captain's decision not to follow approved fuel crossfeed procedures. Contributing to the accident were the captain's inadequate preflight planning, his subsequent distraction during the flight, and his lateinitiation of the…NTSB DCA04MA061Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 777 · Miami, FLthe in-flight encounter with unforecasted clear air turbulence.NTSB CHI04MA182Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Newberry, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance as a result of fog conditions. A contributing factor was inadequate weather and dispatch information relayed to the pilot.NTSB DCA04MA049Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportRaytheon Corporate Jets 390 Premier I · North Las Vegas, NVThe flight's unstabilized approach and excessive speed. Contributing to the excessive touchdown speed was the presence of a tailwind at landing.NTSB DCA04MA045Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportATR 72 · San Juan, PRthe captain's failure to execute proper techniques to recover from the bounced landings and his subsequent failure to execute a go-around.NTSB DCA04MA030Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSikorsky S76A++ · Gulf of Mexicothe flight crew's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent for undetermined reasons, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB LAX04FA075Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportLearjet 24B · Helendale, CAA loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA04MA011Accident · Minor injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F · Memphis, TN1) the first officer's failure to properly apply crosswind landing techniques to align the airplane with the runway centerline and to properly arrest the airplane's descent rate (flare) before the airplane touched down; and 2) the captain's failure to…NTSB DEN04MA015Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Cody, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to divert to an alternate airport, an inadvertent stall, and the snow and icing conditions.NTSB LAX03MA292Accident · 7 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAerospatiale AS350BA · GrandCanyonWest, AZThe pilot's disregard of safe flying procedures and misjudgment of the helicopter's proximity to terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a canyon wall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of Sundance Helicopters and the Federal…NTSB NYC03MA183Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Yarmouth, MAThe improper replacement of the forward elevator trim cable, and subsequent inadequate functional check of the maintenance performed, which resulted in a reversal of the elevator trim system and a loss of control in-flight. Factors were the flightcrew's…NTSB MIA03FA141Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · FieldFinal reportCessna 402C · Treasure Cay, Bahamasthe in-flight failure of the right engine and the pilot’s failure to adequately manage the airplane’s performance after the engine failed. The right engine failure resulted from inadequate maintenance that was performed by Air Sunshine’s maintenance personnel…NTSB FTW03MA160Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Amarillo, TXthe flight crew's failure to align the airplane's ground track with the runway centerline before touchdown and the flight crew's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's…NTSB IAD03MA049Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSino-Swearingen SJ30-2 · Loma Alta, TXThe manufacturer's incomplete high-Mach design research, which resulted in the airplane becoming unstable and diverging into a lateral upset.NTSB DEN03MA035Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Denver, COBoth pilots' inadequate visual lookout. A contributing factor was the Cheyenne pilot operating the airplane with a known transponder deficiency.NTSB DCA03MA022Accident · 21 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 1900D · Charlotte, NCthe airplane's loss of pitch control during take-off. The loss of pitch control resulted from the incorrect rigging of the elevator system compounded by the airplane's aft center of gravity, which was substaintially aft of the certified aft limit.…NTSB DCA03MA008Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech King Air 100 · Eveleth, MNThe flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.NTSB DCA02MA054Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 727-232 · Tallahassee, FLThe captain's and first officer's failure to establish and maintain a proper glidepath during the night visual approach to landing. Contributing to the accident was a combination of the captain's and first officer's fatigue, the captain's and first officer's…NTSB DCA02MA039Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Subic Bay, PhilippinesThe momentary operation of the airplane outside of the airplane's aerodynamic design stall buffet boundary that resulted from the captain's initiation of a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) escape maneuver. Factor's contributing to the accident were the…NTSB DCA02MA042Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F · Subic Bay, PhilippinesThe failure of the lower outboard nut and bolt assembly of the left inboard flap's outboard hinge that resulted from stress corrosion cracking and fatigue. Factors contributing to the accident were the inadequate materials specification of the bolt, and…NTSB DCA02MA029Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 · int'l watersThe flight attendant's injuries were a result of her unsecured lap belt and shoulder harness for undetermined reasons, and the oscillations of the airplane, which were caused by turbulence and large control column inputs by the first officer. Contributing to…NTSB DCA02MA026Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Dulles Airport, VAthe airplane's collision with two wild turkeys.NTSB DCA02MA001Accident · 265 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus Industrie A300B4-605R · Belle Harbor, NYthe in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the loads beyond ultimate design that were created by the first officer's unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs. Contributing to these rudder pedal inputs were characteristics of the…NTSB DCA02MA003Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Dillingham, AKan in-flight loss of control resulting from upper surface ice contamination that the pilot-in-command failed to detect during his preflight inspection of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a preflight inspection requirement for CE-208…NTSB DCA01MA065Accident · 44 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 757 · Shanksville, PAThe Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided…NTSB DCA01MA064Accident · 64 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-200 · Arlington, VAThe Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided…NTSB DCA01MA063Accident · 65 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 767-200ER · New York City, NYThe Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided…NTSB DCA01MA060Accident · 92 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 767-200ER · New York City, NYThe Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided…NTSB SEA01MA163Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportKawasaki KV-107-II · Emigrant, MTThe loss of control during cruise/climb flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX01MA272Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350-B2 · Meadview, AZThe pilot’s loss of control of the helicopter for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA01MA056Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland Dash 8-100 · Washington, DCThe ramp agent's impaired performance due to his hyperthyroidism, which was exacerbated by the heat and was inadequately controlled by medication, and possibly also due to the use of an antianxiety medication.NTSB CHI01MA163Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 25D · Salina, KSThe PIC's delayed remedial action during the elevator system oscillation, resulting in the failure of the aft elevator sector clevis due to reverse bending fatigue caused by vibration, and subsequent loss of elevator control. Factors contributing to the…NTSB DCA01MA034Accident · 18 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportGrumman Gulfstream III · Aspen, COthe flight crew's operation of the airplane below the minimum descent altitude without an appropriate visual reference for the runway. Contributing to the cause of the accident were the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) unclear wording of the March 27,…NTSB DCA01MA031Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-120 · West Palm Beach, FLthe failure of the flight crew to maintain airspeed during an encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, loss of control, and structural damage to the airplane.NTSB DCA01MA017Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech 200 · Strasburg, COThe pilot’s spatial disorientation resulting from his failure to maintain positive manual control of the airplane with the available flight instrumentation. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the loss of a.c. electrical power during instrument…NTSB DCA01MA005Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-9 · Atlanta, GAthe leakage of lavatory fluid from the airplane's forward lavatory onto electrical connectors, which caused shorting that led to a fire. Contributing to the accident were the inadequate servicing of the lavatory and the failure of maintenance to ensure…NTSB CHI01MA011Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 335 · Hillsboro, MOThe pilot's failure to control the airplane while maneuvering because of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the failure of the airplane's primary attitude indicator and the adverse weather conditions, including turbulence.NTSB CHI01MA006Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCanadair CL600-2B16 · Wichita, KSthe pilot’s excessive takeoff rotation, during an aft center of gravity (c.g.) takeoff, a rearward migration of fuel during acceleration and takeoff and consequent shift in the airplane’s aft c.g. to aft of the aft c.g. limit, which caused the airplane to…NTSB ANC00MA125Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T3 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, his improper aborted landing procedure, and inadvertent stall/mush. Factors in the accident were an improper adjustment of the landing gear warning horn system by company maintenance personnel, and the failure…NTSB CHI00MA256Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportNorth American NA-265-80 · Ironwood, MIthe pilot's improper in-flight decision, the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, the pilot's failure to turn on the continuous ignition in turbulence, and the pilot's failure to follow the procedures for an airstart. Factors included the…NTSB DCA00MA080Accident · 11 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 Navajo · Burlington Twp., NJthe failure of the pilots of the two airplanes to see and avoid each other and maintain proper airspace separation during visual flight rules flight.NTSB DCA00MA079Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-9-32 · Greensboro, NCA phase-to-phase arc in the left heat exchanger cooling fan relay, which ignited the surrounding wire insulation and other combustible materials within the electrical power center panel. Contributing to the left heat exchanger fan relay malfunction was the…NTSB LAX00MA273Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 355F1 · Kahului, Maui, HIThe pilot's inadequate decision by which he continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Also causal was his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in a collision with mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was…NTSB NYC00MA201Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGrumman G-159 · Linneus, METhe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control. Factors in this accident were clouds, and a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, while in cruise flight above the airplane's single engine…NTSB DCA00MA052Accident · 19 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace J-3101 · Bear Creek Town, PAThe flight crew’s failure to ensure an adequate fuel supply for the flight, which led to the stoppage of the right engine due to fuel exhaustion and the intermittent stoppage of the left engine due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident were the…NTSB DCA00MA030Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Burbank, CAthe flight crew's excessive airspeed and flightpath angle during the approach and landing and its failure to abort the approach when stabilized approach criteria were not met. Contributing to the accident was the controller's positioning of the airplane in…NTSB DCA00MA026Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDouglas DC-8-71F · Rancho Cordova, CAA loss of pitch control resulting from the disconnection of the right elevator control tab. The disconnection was caused by the failure to properly secure and inspect the attachment bolt.NTSB CHI00MA066Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMoravan Z242L · Zion, ILClearance not maintained by the pilot of the other airplane. A factor relating to the accident was the airport control tower's local controller's failure to provide effective sequencing.