NTSB investigations
3,929 cases where the first occurrence was “Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction”.
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 130) 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."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130) 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 LAX90LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell-Kitz Kopters 47D1 · Chino, CAA fatigue failure of both the main rotor stabilizer bar tube and the tie rod. In addition, the tie rod nut was loose and did not conform to engineering drawing specifications. Company personnel failed to detect the fatigue cracks during daily inspections.NTSB ANC90LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Quinhagak, AKFatigue failure of the right rudder bar. A factor related to the accident was: rough/uneven terrain beside the runway.NTSB MIA90LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWarren/Keleher/Lark JK-1B · Homestead, FLSeizure of the left main gear wheel. Contributing factors were: the parked aircraft and vehicle (car) near the runway.NTSB LAX90DUJ05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1E · Mesa, AZThe inflight separation of the tail rotor due to improper maintenance procedures and the installation of incorrect attachment hardware on the tail rotor blade pitch change linkages.NTSB BFO90LA004Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Wytheville, VAThe loss of propeller control which resulted in engine shutdown and subsequent forced landing on unsuitable terrain.NTSB NYC90DNE01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportNorth American T-28B · New Braintree, MAThe failure of the nose gear, which failed to retract with the main landing gear after takeoff; the gear was observed to be misaligned, and collapsed during the aircraft's touchdown.NTSB SEA90LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Neah Bay, WAFatigue failure of all four attachment studs of the tailrotor gearbox resulting in separation of the gear box, and inadequate maintenance inspection.NTSB DEN90IA016Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-322 · Rapid City, SDThe inflight failure of the recirculating fan unit and several air duct temperature limiting sensors.NTSB BFO90FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Nokesville, VAImproper installation of the elevator trim actuators, and subsequent jamming of the elevator trim in a nose down trim position.NTSB CHI90LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DH82A · Mascoutah, ILAn undetermined powerplant problem, which resulted in a severe vibration. The soft/uneven terrain was considered to be a contributing factor.NTSB NYC90LA014Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Pittsburgh, PAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision, and diverting of his attention, which resulted in fuel exhaustion to both engines. Darkness and trees in the emergency landing area were related factors.NTSB MKC90LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Omaha, NEFailure of the throttle cable assembly which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with a fence.NTSB DEN90IA012Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9 · Monte Vista, COThe poor inflight planning and decisions made by the flight crew following the failure of the number two generator constant speed drive unit. Contributing factors to the accident were the failure of the no. 2 generator constant speed drive unit and the crew's…NTSB DEN90LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThunder and Colt Clown · Albuquerque, NMStructural failure of the balloon envelope as a result of the manufacturer's quality control oversight.NTSB MIA90LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Jackson, MSThe pilot's misunderstanding of the landing gear emergency extension procedure, which resulted in his inadvertent partial retraction of the gear and failure to land with the gear in the down and locked position. Loss of electrical power was a factor.NTSB LAX90FA008Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Goodyear, AZThe inflight separation of one propeller blade due to a fatigue fracture of undetermined origin, and failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during an attempt to return to the runway. A factor in the accident was the oil covered windsheild,…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 CHI90IA006Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-251 · San Francisco, CAThe extreme wear and eventual failure of a torque tube in the inboard trailing edge flap system. Inspection and lubrication intervals were a factor, as was the physical location of the torque tube with reference to external factors.NTSB ATL90FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Chamblee, GAMalfunction of one or more flight instruments for an undetermined reason, failue of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft with partial panel instruments after becoming spatially disoriented, and his exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft.…NTSB NYC89FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAeronca 65TL · Beaver Falls, PAThe failure of the left wing, rear upper strut attachment. The failure was caused by not installing the retaining bolt and nut.NTSB ATL89DKG06Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Plains, GAImproper modification of the helicopter by the company/operator, and failure of the spray boom, which resulted in mast bumping, and subsequent failure of the main rotor assembly.NTSB CHI89DEM09Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Hudsonville, MIThe fatigue failure of one of the tension-torsion pins.NTSB ATL89FA220Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS 350D · Chamblee, GAFailure of the main rotor swashplate bearing due to lack of lubricant.NTSB MKC89LA198Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 80 · Littlefork, MNTotal failure of the electrical system during IFR operations & the aircraft's collision with a rock fence during the subsequent gear-up precautionary landing.NTSB MIA89LA255Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Lexington, MSFatigue failure of the linear actuator lug. A related factor was: trees in the emergency landing area.NTSB CHI89DEC08Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportWesley Striplin Ranger · Smith Creek, MIThe improper installation of the wingtip fuel tank which resulted in its inflight separation and the subsequent loss of control.NTSB LAX89FA314Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Ontario, CAFailure of the right propeller hub due to metal fatigue which resulted in catastrophic separation of the propeller. Contributing to the accident was damage done to the aircraft airframe in flight by the separating propeller making the aircraft uncontrollable.NTSB ATL89LA212Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky H-34J · Louisville, GAAn undetermined malfunction of the main rotor drive system.NTSB CHI89FA183Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-80 · Chicago, ILA loss of hydraulic system pressure due to the operator's failure to replace a system component that had a known history of failures, and the pilot's improper use powerplant controls resulting in a degradation of rudder effectiveness. A contributing factor…NTSB CHI89LA182Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Newark, ILInadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI) and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors related to the accident were: malfunction of the flap system, which resulted in an improper flap setting for takeoff, and the soft runway condition.NTSB LAX89DVG09Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportClatti FOCKE-WULF-190 · Placerville, CAThe wing failed due to delamination caused by adhesive separation.NTSB FTW89DRD14Accident · No injuriesFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Franklin, LAFatigue failure of the propeller blade, which resulted in separation of the blade's tip and severe engine vibration. The soft terrain was a related factor.NTSB LAX89DUQ05Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportRuppercht Varieze · California City, CAThe wing failed due to the pilot/owners overtorquing the wing bolts and the improper installation of the wing attach plates/cones.NTSB ANC89FA155Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Anchorage, AKOil leak in the oil cooler. Contributing factors were: oil film on the windshield, which obscured the pilot's vision (visual perception) and hampered his ability to attain proper runway alignment, an object (rock), and high vegetation beside the airstrip.NTSB MKC89FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Moose Lake, MNSevere corrosion of the lower forward lift strut for the right wing, inadequate inspection of the lift strut by maintenance personnel, and subsequent failure of the lift strut, which resulted in an overload failure (folding back) of the wing. Related factors…NTSB DEN89FA202Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350D · Blanchard, IDOverheating and seizure of the swashplate bearing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the helicopter and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB DEN89LA199Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · Englewood, COA failure in the hyrdraulic power unit, which prevented operation of either the normal or emergency gear extension systems. The raised runway lip contributed to aircraft damage and pilot injury.NTSB MIA89LA229Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Ponce, PRFailure of the aft tail rotor drive shaft.NTSB SEA89LA153Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Mulino, ORImproper installation and routing of the fuel pressure line and/or electrical wiring, due to improper maintenance, which resulted in mechanical binding of the elevator control column. The fence was considered to be a related factor.NTSB MIA89LA221Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters Tomcat MK6C · Quitman, MSFailure of the tail boom attachment.NTSB LAX89FA277Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Lake Tahoe, CADisablement of the stabilator flight control system. A contributing factor was: inadequate maintenance.NTSB NYC89IA185Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-254 · Boston, MAThe failure of the landing gear drag brace to unlock during landing. Contributing was the failure of pacific southwest airlines to catch the incorrect assembly. An additional factor was the use of faulty information by eastern airlines and their decision to…NTSB LAX89IA315Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-224 · Los Angeles, CAA fatigue crack in the right gear wheel well.NTSB CHI89DEK02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportKeener Rotorway/Exec · Circleville, OHMaterial failure of an oil line allowing oil to escape and ignite as it touched hot exhaust manifold surfaces.NTSB FTW89FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 6B · Baton Rouge, LAThe pilot exceeded the temperature limitations of the Balloon during the climb, which resulted in failure of the frabric. Factors related to the accident were: the previous heat damage to the frabric, and the lack of maintenance by the pilot/owner.NTSB MIA89FA210Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A24R · Sarasota, FLFailure of the propeller hub due to previous damage, which resulted in subsequent fatigue failure of the hub; and failure of the pilot to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground. Inadequate maintenance/inspection…NTSB MKC89LA163Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Cedar Rapids, IAThe failure of the pilot in command to maintain alignment with the runway and excessive aircraft control in close proximity to the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention which resulted from having to shut down the left engine.NTSB LAX89LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Thermal, CAA twisted nose gear uplock due to an elongated bolt hole which prevented the nose gear from extending.NTSB NYC89IA176Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-9-30 · Newark, NJRupture of a flexible high pressure hydraulic line in the 'a' hydraulic system, due to chafing of the steel braid covering, which allowed the system pressure and quantity to be completely depleted.NTSB MIA89LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Greenwood, MSFailure of a main rotor blade pitch change horn and/or attaching bolt(s).