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 DCA91MA010Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14 · Romulus, MILack of proper crew coordn, including virtual reversal of roles by the DC-9 plts, which led to their failure to stop taxiing & alert gnd ctlr of their positional uncertainty in a timely manner bfr & after intruding onto the active rwy. Contribuing to cause of…NTSB DCA90MA055Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Marana, AZImproper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, and his failure to use a checklist. Factors related to the accident were: the faa's inadequate surveillance of the operation, the faa's insufficient standards/requirements, the pilot's operation of the…NTSB CHI90MA244Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Elkhorn, WIImproper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to attain adequate altitude before flying over rising terrain at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog, haze, rising terrain, and the lack of visual cues that were available to the…NTSB FTW90MA161Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGrumman G-159 · Houston, TXPartial failure of the left engine fuel pump, which resulted in a partial loss of power in the left engine, but not enough of a power loss to trigger and/or complete the autofeathering operation of the left propeller, thus allowing insufficient time for the…NTSB CHI90MA162Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Lakeville, MIThe pilot's failure to use the airplane's ice protection equipment, which resulted in a performance loss due to induction icing, propeller icing, or both, while flying in convective instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at and above the freezing level.…NTSB DCA90MA030Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-2X6C · Unalakleet, AKDeficiencies in flightcrew coordination, their failure to adequately prepare for and properly execute the unk LOC rwy 14 nonprecision approach and their subsequent premature descent.NTSB MKC90MA115Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Naylor, MOThe pilot's failure to activate the pitot heat before flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) above the freezing level, followed by his improper response to erroneous airspeed indications that resulted from blockage of the pitot tube by…NTSB BFO90MA023Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS.125-35 · Columbia, MOInadequate preflight by the pilot(s), water contamination of the fuel, low level of deice fluid (methanol) in the deice tank, and subsequent ice blockage of the fuel filters. Darkness was a related factor.NTSB DCA90MA019Accident · 73 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 707-321B · Cove Neck, NYThe failure of the flightcrew to adequately manage the airplane's fuel load, and their failure to communicate an emergency fuel situation to air traffic control before fuel exhaustion occurred. Contributing to the accident was the flightcrew's failure to use…NTSB MKC90MA049Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGrumman G1159 · Little Rock, ARFailure of the pilot-in-command to follow IFR procedures (maintain an ILS glide path or initiate a missed approach) during an IFR arrival to the airport. Factors related to the accident were: unfavorable weather conditions, an erroneous wind indication from…NTSB DCA90MA017Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech A100 · Atlanta, GA(1) Failure of the federal aviation administration to provide air traffic control procedures that adequately take into consideration human performance factors such as those which resulted in the failure of the north local controller to detect the developing…NTSB ATL90MA051Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 23 · Ansonia, OHThe flight crew became incapacitated for undetermined reasons and lost control of the airplane.NTSB DCA90MA011Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE-3101 · Pasco, WAThe flightcrew's decision to continue an unstabilized instrument landing system (ILS) approach that led to a stall, most likely of the horizontal stabilizer, and loss of control at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's…NTSB DCA90MA010Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2 · Block Island, RIThe aircraft crashed for an undetermined reason, during an overwater flight on a dark (moonless) night under a cloud layer. A SIGMET was in effect warning of moderate to occasionally severe turbulence below 6000 feet and the potential of low level wind shear.NTSB DCA90MA005Accident · 20 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-6-300 · Halawa,Molokai, HIThe airplane's controlled flight into terrain as a result of the decision of the captain to continue flight under visual flight rules at night into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which obscured rising mountainous terrain. Contributing to the…NTSB DCA90MA002Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-232 · Salt Lake City, UTA fire which started in the passenger oxygen system for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the failure of delta airlines to recognize, attend to and correct repeated leaks in the oxygen system.NTSB NYC90MA009Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportAgusta A109A Mkii · Lacey Township, NJIn-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to fatigue failure of the main rotor blade spar, which originated at a manufacturing induced scratch (tool mark) that was the result of inadequate quality control.NTSB DCA89MA076Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-300 · Grand Canyon, AZImproper pilot techniques and crew coordination during the landing attempt, bounce, and attempted go-around.NTSB DCA89MA074Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 737-400 · Flushing, NYThe captain's failure to exercise his command authority in a timely manner to reject the takeoff or take sufficient control to continue the takeoff, which was initiated with a mistrimmed rudder. Also causal was the captain's failure to detect the mistrimmed…NTSB DCA89IA071Incident · No injuriesClass 1 · IncidentFinal reportBoeing 737-200A · Kansas City, MOThe flightcrew's failure to adequately prepare for and execute a nonprecision approach and their subsequent premature descent below minimum descent altitude. Contributing to the cause of the incident was the inadequate and deficient services provided to the…NTSB DCA89MA063Accident · 111 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Sioux City, IAThe inadequate consideration given to human factors limitations in the inspection and quality control procedures used by united airlines' engine overhaul facility which resulted in the failure to detect a fatigue crack originating from a previously…NTSB CHI89MA132Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC8-63F · Vandalia, OHFailure of the left main landing gear, bogie trim cylinder, and malfunction of the emergency airbrake control valve.NTSB DCA89MA058Accident · 11 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Waipio Valley, HIThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to maneuver with insufficient altitude over or in a a canyon area. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain conditions and scenic air tour's lack of specific direction to its pilots concerning safety…NTSB DEN89MA130Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Big Timber, MTFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff, due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Contributing factors were: dark night, pilot's visual perception, inadequate initial training of the pilot…NTSB CHI89MA095Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportDouglas DC3C-S13CG · Waterman, ILThe pilot-in-command (PIC) failed to provide adequate supervision while training the copilot and allowed the aircraft to enter a stall/spin, then did not provide adequate remedial action to properly recover from the spin. Factors related to the accident were:…NTSB ATL89MA123Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Pensacola, FLAn in flight cabin fire of undetermined origin, and smoke (toxic condition) in the crew compartment, which resulted in physical impairment of the flight crew.NTSB DCA89MA035Accident · 2 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-33F · Saginaw, TXThe loss of control of the airplane for undetermined reasons following the inflight opening of the improperly latched cargo door. Contributing to the accident were: inadequate procedures used by evergreen airlines and approved by the FAA for preflight…NTSB DCA89MA034Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Oakland, CAIgnition of puddled fuel from a blocked combustor drain line, and a slow start during which fuel was misted and blown out the tail pipe. An existing tailwind at the gate allowed the fuel to wet the tail surfaces and be ignited during the APU start. The…NTSB CHI89MA057Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportNihon YS-11A-600 · West Lafayette, INA loss of control due to the improper inflight decisions by the crew and the undetected accumulation of ice on the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer, during flight in a forward center of gravity condition and exacerbated by the extension of full…NTSB DCA89MA027Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 747-122 · Honolulu, HIThe sudden opening of the improperly latched forward lobe cargo door in flight and the subsequent explosive decompression. Contributing to the accident was a deficiency in the design of the cargo door locking mechanisms, which made them susceptible to…NTSB DCA89MA026Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Corona, CAThe pilot's failure to properly preflight and plan for flight and his intentional flight into IMC conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the low ceiling conditions in conjunction with the mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW89MA047Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32F · Salt Lake City, UTImproper in-flight planning/decision by the captain (pilot-in-command) and his improper use of the portable oxygen system, which resulted in his incapacitation due to hypoxia. Factors related to the accident were: inadequate maintenance/inspection of the…NTSB CHI89MA047Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportDassault-Breguet Falcon 900 · South Bend, INFailure of the thrust reverser actuator links due to a manufacturing/design problem. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse runway conditions and the crosswind.NTSB CHI89MA046Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-201 · Chicago, ILPrevious damage to the aft cone (engine mounting) bolt, which resulted in mismatched surfaces between the bolt and isolation mount, loss of torque during cyclic loading of the mounting bolt, and subsequent fatigue failure of the bolt.NTSB ATL89MA072Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS.748 Series 2A · Tipp City, OHImproper IFR procedure by the first officer (copilot) during takeoff, his lack of instrument scan (improper use of flight/navigation instruments), his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb or to identify the resultant descent, and the captain's…NTSB ATL89MA070Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSwearingen SX-300 · Wilmington, OHFatigue and resulting failure of the right wing's lower attachment fitting and inadequate quality control by the Swearingen SX-300 production/design personnel.NTSB MIA89MA023Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRockwell 1121A · Oak Grove, PAFailure of the pilot in command to observe the rapid accretion of ice on the airplane due to his attention being diverted.NTSB ATL89MA023Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 210D · Nashville, TNDrg west arr at ngt, plt was vctrd for a VFR, straight-in apch to rwy 2R & adzd of Boeing 727 off his rgt front, passingfm rgt to left. He was cautioned abt wake turbc (w/t) & replied, 'okay I see him.' Ctlr then told plt to turn inbnd & maint 'visual' with…NTSB ATL89MA012Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportAerospatiale ATR-42-300 · Yardley, PABfr tkof, corrected flt plan was put in ATC computer for airforce 1 (AF1) to take nonstandard rte to newark. After tkof,AF1 was vctrd nw with handoff to NY ARTCC (zny), then east via Yardley (ard) to newark; 15 mi west of ard, zny initiatedhandoff to NY…NTSB DEN88MA203Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Denver, COAs the capt was deploying reversers drg lndg, #2 & #3 reversers unlocked & deployed (green lgt cond), but #1 reverser was binding & only moved to the unlocked psn (amber lgt cond). Capt was not warned of this cond, though 2nd officer should have monitored…NTSB DCA88MA072Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBoeing 727-232 · Dallas/Ft Worth, TX(1) The captain and first officer's inadequate cockpit discipline which resulted in the flightcrew's attempt to takeoff without the wing flaps and slats properly configured; and (2) the failure of the takeoff configuration warning system to alert the crew…NTSB MKC88MA134Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · Morristown, NJThe crew was positioning the aircraft in preparation for a revenue flight and executing a non-directional beacon (NDB) apch to rwy 05. The captain reported that the copilot was flying the acft. However, the capt stated that he took controlof the acft during…NTSB DCA88MA059Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-110P · Lawton, OKNone submittedNTSB ATL88MA184Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · West Paterson, NJWitnesses rpted a normal takeoff. Radar indicated the acft turned right as cleared and began cruise at 1900 ft, hdg nw at 235 KTS. 65 secs after calling clear of the control zone the acft's radar track ended. The acft was fragmented by theimpact with all flt…NTSB DCA88MA054Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-297 · Maui, HIThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-89/03. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm Flt…NTSB DCA88MA052Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-8 · Seattle, WAShortly after tkof from Seattle-tacoma intl airport, the crew noted a rt eng power loss and decided to return for a precautionary lndg. After lowering the lndg gear, a massive fire was discovered in the rt eng nacelle. After lndg, directional control and all…NTSB FTW88MA083Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE-3101 · Decatur, TXAirplane's encounter with rought terrain during an attempted forced landing. The forced landing was necessitated after the captain used improper procedures to shutdown the left engine in flight following an unexplained torque fluctuation.NTSB DCA88MA032Accident · 12 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227-AC · Cary, NCThe aircraft departed during low ceiling, low visibility, and night conditions. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft impacted a reservoir. Analysis of radar data indicated the acft was in a 45 degree descending turn. Exam of the acft trim system showed that the…NTSB ATL88MA089Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace 3101 · Springfield, OHA company designated instr and two f/o trainees were conducting a FAR 135 trng flt. The third apch was terminated with ago-around initiated over the rwy threshold at about 50 ft. after climbing to about 150 ft, the acft was observed to oscillate in yaw,…NTSB DCA88MZ002Incident · Minor injuriesFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Nashville, TNAmerican flt 132 was loaded with undeclared & improperly marked haz mtrl (hm) packed in a fiber drum. It contained 5 galof 50% hydrogen peroxide solution (oxidizer) & 25 lbs of textreat s-w (corrosive agent; sodium orthosilicate-based mix),shipped by textile…