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 DCA88MA017Accident · 9 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA-227AC · Bayfield, COThe aircraft was operating as Continental express flight 2286. During the approach in IFR conditions, the aircraft went below the minimum descent altitude then struck the terrain at 7180 feet MSL. Exam of the aircraft did not disclose any pre-impact failures…NTSB FTW88MA048Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley 125-600A · Houston, TXBfr tkof, a plt of xa-kut was briefed that the Houston hobby (hou) wx was IFR with '. . . Indefinite ceiling zero sky obscured visibility's 1/16 of a mile and fog . . .' He was also adzd IFR conds were forecast until 0900 CST, gradually improving to marginal…NTSB FTW88MA047Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 36A · Monroe, LAThe crew was executing the ILS approach and had turned back inbound on the procedure turn to the outer marker when the co-pilot stated they were 5.9 DME in a calm voice with no indication of a problem. Impact with the ground occurred at about 5.9 DME,…NTSB DCA88MA011Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kenai, AKThe pilot had just departed the runway when he reported to the flight service station that he had engine problems. The aircraft was observed by witnesses to be about 300 ft on a descending downwind. The pilot stated that he was circling for runway one.…NTSB DCA88MA008Accident · 43 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE-146-200 · San Luis Obispo, CAA recently discharged usair employee boarded psa flt 1771 after having left a goodbye message with friends. He bypassed security and carried abd a borrowed 44 caliber pistol. A note written by this psgr, found in the wreckage, threatened his former supervisor…NTSB ATL88MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS-125-400A · Lexington, KYWhile en route at FL 370, the plts declared an emerg, rprtd a fire in the rgt eng & reqd vectors to the nearest suitablearpt. They were vectored twd the Lexington bluegrass arpt & clrd to dscnd. Shortly after declaring an emerg, the plts rprtd they secured…NTSB ATL88MA048Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Beaufort, SCAt 0938, while clbg thru 9000', the plt was clrd to clb to FL 210. Aprx 10 min later, the ATC ctlr noted the acft's mode c rtrn wasn't being displayed on his scope. He tried to adz the plt, but couldn't establish radio contact. The acftbroke up in flt & the…NTSB DCA88MA005Accident · 18 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 1900C · Homer, AKDrg arr, the acft (ryan flt 103) crashed short of rwy 3. The fuselage stayed intact drg impact, but the belly structure was compressed & vertical deceleration forces exceeded the design capability of the seats. Rescue psnl had difficulty shutting off the…NTSB CHI88MA026Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Jefferson, WIWhile cruising abv frzg lvl at 12,000', the flt was clrd to dscnd & maint 9000'. Abt 1-1/2 min ltr, the flt declared a mayday (emergency). Radio & radar ctc were lost & the acft crashed in a nr vertical dscnt. Radar data showed that after starting a dscnt,…NTSB DCA88MA004Accident · 28 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14 · Denver, COThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-88/09. 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…NTSB SEA88MA015Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Bellingham, WAThe acft was chartered to take university (wwu) psnl to an alumni dinner. While rtrng at ngt, the plt made a localizer only, ILS rwy 16 apch in marginal VFR conds. Drg the apch, radar svc was terminated & the plt was told to ctc bellinghamradio, but he did…NTSB FTW88MA021Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportConvair 640 (340D) · Bartlesville, OKThe capt was cross-feeding both engines from the right tank while the first officer (f/o) was flying, without informing the f/o. the capt then left the cockpit while cross-feeding. Both tank valves and the right boost pump were on. The right tank ran dry, the…NTSB SEA87MA192Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227-AC · Twin Falls, IDChk plt was conducting capt proficiency chk on another company plt (PIC) under dark ngt condtns. Subsequent to full stop ldg on rwy 25, takeoff chklst was recited. PIC commenced t/o on rwy 07. Chk plt simulated VI eng cut after liftoff. PIC was unable to…NTSB NYC87MA236Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-8-63 · Newburgh, NYThe wx was deteriorating as airborne express flt 124 & rosenbalm flt 074 were on successive arrivals for an ILS rwy 9 apch. Flt 124 was clrd for the apch & lndd. After lndg, the LCL ctlr (l/c) instructed flt 124 to back taxi on the rwy & rprt when clr of the…NTSB DCA87MA046Accident · 156 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Romulus, MIThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-88/05. 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…NTSB DEN87MA168Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Lakeside, MTThe plt borrowed the acft to fly a musical group to kalispell for a pvt engagement at Lakeside, MT, which was aprx 15 mi south of the arpt. That evening, the group boarded the acft for the return flt. After takeoff, the acft was seen flying at low alt in the…NTSB FTW87MA135Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105CBS · Bay City, MIAcft was involved in EMS static demonstration at beaver township fire dept, near Bay City. Following demonstration, shortly after takeoff, the pilot attempted a steep downwind turn at low altitude. Reported winds at the time of the accident were 250 degrees…NTSB FTW87MA133Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna P210R · Arnett, OKThe flt departed baton rouge (btr) for the plts stated dest of alexandria, which was 78 miles on a bearing of 301 deg, at 0836 CDT. After dep the btr local area there was no radio contact with any ATC facility. The transponder continued to transmit a code…NTSB DCA87MA033Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace 3101 · Kenner, LAThe acft overran the dept end of the rwy and came to rest on a hiway barrier after an aborted takeoff following engine torque oscillations. The capt tried reducing the power levers as he had been taught to 'get off' the ttl since he thought the ttl was…NTSB DCA87MA031Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · West Mifflin, PAThe coplt (dual student) was to get a prof check on the 1st leg of the flt with a simulated single eng pwr loss on tkof. According to witnesses, the tkof was normal until lift-off aprx 3200' down the rwy; but after lift-off, the acft clbd only about 50' &…NTSB DCA87MA030Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCASA C-212-CC · Mayaguez, PRAfter several maintenance adjustments of the right propeller and flight idle fuel flow, the aircraft was test flown and released for flight. Several pilots continued to note descrepancies concerning the right propeller system. Adjustments were made and the…NTSB DCA87MA029Accident · 4 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 340A · Orlando, FLThe two acft, a Cessna 340A and a north American SNJ-4, collided in flt at aprx 3000 ft MSL over Orlando FL in VMC with a visibility of 7 miles. Both acft were in contact with and being radar vectored by Orlando approach control. The C-340 was in level flt…NTSB DCA87MA026Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 707-351C · Kansas City, MODrg arr, buffalo airways flt 721 was vectored for an ILS rwy 1 apch. Except for deviations to avoid tstms, dscnt to the terminal area was routine. At 2151:01, the flt was adzd it was 5 mi fm the outer marker (om), was given a final vector to intercept the ILS…NTSB DCA87MA024Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed L-382G · Travis Afb, CACrashed in steep left turn drg go-around after balked landing. Instructor took controls and initiated go-around after student lndd in improper attitude. Engines number 1 & 2 failed to respond when throttles advanced. Both engines decelerated. Airspeed…NTSB ANC87MA057Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · Anchorage, AKThe acft was on the last leg of a scheduled commuter flight, when it crashed in a heavily wooded area while making a VFR approach to merrill field, Anchorage, AK. The capt and his sole passenger were killed in the crash when the airplane struck the ground…NTSB DCA87MA023Accident · 3 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportCessna 172N · Oakland, CAAt 0954:54, plt of Piper PA-32RT, N39614, rprtd 9 mi north for lndg. Twr controller (north ctlr) told him to pln for a rgt entry to rwy 27R. At 0955:32, a student plt & instructor (CFI) in Cessna 172N, N75584, were clrd for tkof on rwy 33 with a 'right turn…NTSB CHI87MA101Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Chicago, ILAfter arriving at the gate in Chicago, fumes & smoke were noted in zone c of the cabin, then the cabin lgtg went out & the emerg lgtg came on. Maint psnl fnd the #2 APU had an auto-shutdown due to a malfunction. The APU was placarded as inop & the acft was…NTSB DCA87MA022Accident · 9 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCASA C-212-CC · Romulus, MIThe capt made a steep, short, fast visual approach to the runway behind a departing DC-9. The evidence indicates the capt placed the power levers into beta mode to slow the aircraft rapidly and make a short field landing. An asymmetric thrust condition…NTSB LAX87MA125Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-224 · Los Angeles, CAAfter a ngt lndg on north side of Los Angeles intl arpt, Cessna 310, N98834, was taxied south (s) to delta cargo area. Bfr rchg s rwys (25L & 25R), the plt stopped short of kilo ramp bhnd another acft (N61C) & contacted s gnd ctlr (GC-1). He was told to hold…NTSB DCA87MA020Accident · 6 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Independence, MOThe two acft, a Beech U-21A and a Piper PA-31-350, collided nearly head on at 7000 ft MSL over Independence, MO. In daylight VMC conditions with a visibility of 20 miles. The U-21 was in level cruise and the PA-31 was climbing eastbound to an undisclosed alt…NTSB DCA87MA018Accident · 10 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportSwearingen SA-226TC · Kearns, UTThe two acft, a Swearingen SA-226TC and a Mooney M-20, collided in flt at aprx 7000 ft MSL in the salt lake city arpt (slc) radar service area over Kearns, UT. The SA-226 was approaching slc for lndg and the M-20 was conducting a local trng flt when the…NTSB ATL87MA057Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pollockville, NCThe emerg med svc (ems/med-evac) helicopter (hel) was on a ngt flt with a 3 month old patient aboard. After rprtg lvl AT3000', the plt transmitted he was going to make an emerg lndg. This was flwd by svrl unreadable transmissions which apchctl psnl thought…NTSB MIA87MA064Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Jasper, FLDrg flt in an area of IFR conditions & rain showers, the plt reqd & recd clnc to dscnd from 9000' to 7000'. Later, he recd clnc for further dscnt to 5000'. After a freq chg at 2237 EST, the plt inquired about radar indcns of adverse wxahead. The ctlr adzd…NTSB LAX87MA068Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Long Beach, CAA Piper PA-28-161, N7646F, and a Mooney M-20K, N231LY, collided near pader intersection abt 16 miles southwest of lgb airport. Both airplanes were conducting instrument flight training and none of the occupants were injured. N231LY had conducted an ILS…NTSB CHI87MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Cross Plaines, INThe plt & observer were on a power line patrol flt. While proceeding southbound, they apchd an area were the lines were about 23 ft AGL & were crossed by another set of power lines, oriented in an east-west direction. The other power lines were about 45 ft…NTSB ATL87MA041Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 100 · Windsor, MADrg arr for a LOC rwy 26 apch, the plt was adzd the abyss fan marker was notamed out-of-svc. With abyss inop, min dscnt alt (mda) was 2200'. After N65TD was clrd for the apch, radar svc was terminated & the flt was clrd to adzy freq. The crew contacted UNICOM…NTSB SEA87MA035Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Jean, NVWhile en route at night on an IFR flt plan, the acft ran out of fuel. Subsequently, the plt was provided vectors toward a hiway for a forced lndg. However, before reaching the area of the hiway, the acft crashed on rising terrain at an elev of about 4000 ft.…NTSB SEA87MA034Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pendleton, ORThe helicopter departed Pendleton on an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) flt to transport a patient to portland. After delivering the patient, the plt took off on the rtn flt with 2 med psnl aboard. Drg arrival at 1658 PST, he requested a special VFR (svfr)…NTSB ATL87MA035Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TNThe helicopter was being used in an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) opn. At 0230, the plt obtained a partial wx briefing. He was advised of flt prctns for IFR wx thru-out the area with low ceilings, fog, precip & mtns obscd. The flt departed nashville at 0245 &…NTSB LAX87MA052Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Bakersfield, CAOn an instructional flt, the student plt & instructor (CFI) made an ILS low apch to rwy 30R. Drg a go-arnd (missed apch)a twr ctlr obsvd a 'light trace of smoke' emanating fm the eng exhaust. Shortly thereafter, the acft 'banked hard to the left and appeared…NTSB ATL87MA028Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cincinnati, OHThe owner/operator (oper) of a flying service provided acft for broadcasting stations in the area. A radio station had contracted with the oper to provide a helicopter (helo, N59610) & a plt to take a news rprtr on a local traffic watch. The oper rprtd that…NTSB DCA87MA012Accident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportLockheed L1011 · Newark, NJOn November 13, 1986, the rear main spar of the right wing failed as delta flt 194 touched down on rwy 29 at Newark airport. The pilots stated that there was moderate turbulence on final approach and initial touchdown was on the right main gear first. The…NTSB BFO87MA007Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A80 · Baltimore, MDDrg clb after tkof, l eng seized. Plt said he atmtd 1 eng restart; prop would not rotate or feather. No emerg declared. Plt stated eng shut-dwn proc was used, scientific bus sws were shut off, r gen was recycled & appeared to oper normally. Plts got imt…NTSB LAX87MA044Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Los Angeles, CAThe captain stated that about 90 min after departure, the acft experienced an abrupt pitch-up, followed by an abrupt pitch-down. Drg the occurrence, one flt attendant was seriously injured; two flt attendants & one passenger received minor injuries. The…NTSB SEA87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Henderson, NVApproximately 5 1/2 minutes after departure and while the aircraft was climbing enroute, an unknown ignition source triggered an explosion of fuel/air vapor which existed within the interior of the left wing. Wing skin from the upper/lower wing surface was…NTSB DCA87MA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Tampa, FLAt aprx 0612 EST, an eastern airline capt (owner of Piper PA-23, N2185P) departed a rwy near his home in VFR conds to commute to work at Tampa, FL. Shortly after takeoff, he contacted a fss & updated the wx info he had obtained on the previous evening. At…NTSB DCA87AA006Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBoeing 737-222 · Charlotte, NCDrg arr, piedmont flt 467 was vectored for an ILS rwy 36R apch. At 2001 CDT (aprx 7 min bfr lndg), all arrg flts were adzd the wx was (in part): 400' ovc, vis 2 mi with lgt rain & fog, wnd fm 090 at 8 KTS. Rwy 5/32 was out-of-svc at that time. Flt 467 was…NTSB NYC87MA024Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28F · Manhattan, NYThe aircraft was contracted by nbc to make daily highway traffic observations in the new york city area. The pilot and passenger, an nbc radio traffic reporter, were flying in a northerly direction along Manhattan's west side at an altitude of about 75 feet.…NTSB LAX87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Altadena, CAWhile rtrng to santa monica (smo) fm a x-country, the plts diverted to van nuys when the rwy at smo was closed due to a disabled acft. After the rwy was reopened, they filed an IFR flt pln to cont at 5000' & tkof at ngt. Drg dep, the AR-3 ctlr provided radar…NTSB DCA87AA002Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLockheed 382G · Kelly Afb, TXAfter the acft landed at Kelly Afb, TX, on 10/2/86, there was a crew chg bfr it depd on the next flt. Drg the next take-off, the acft lifted off near the midpoint of rwy 15 (aprx 5775' fm the apch end). When it was at aprx 100' to 200' AGL,witnesses saw it go…