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 FTW89IA067Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-232 · Greenville, TXFalse fire warning, which resulted from (1) contaminants on hardware at one end of the fire detection loop; and (2) an electrical short on both elements of the loop.NTSB ATL89IA104Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Savannah, GAFatigue-induced fracture of the main landing gear actuator rod end.NTSB ATL89LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Steubenville, OHThe rudder control cable failed which rendered the control surface inoperative. The loss of rudder precluded the pilot from maintaining directional control after landing.NTSB SEA89FA053Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Lakeview, ORFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft, which resulted in a spin and an uncontrolled descent. Factors related to the accident were: improper maintenence by the pilot, an autopilot malfunction, the adverse weather conditions, continued flight…NTSB MKC89LA068Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Harrisburg, ARThe failure of the hydraulic line which rendered the brake system inoperative.NTSB NYC89LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-400 · Delmont, NJFailure of the #6 connecting rod.NTSB MKC89FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Jacksonville, ARSevere corrosion of the left forward wing lift strut which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing. A contributing factor was inadequacy of the applicable service bulletin.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 FTW89FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Mount Vernon, TXInadequate maintenance and inspection of the airplane by the mechanics who rebuilt the airplane, in that they failed to detect and/or correct the corroded lift strut which resulted in wing failure.NTSB MIA89LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500U · Daytona Beach, FLControl malfunction of undetermined cause that made further flight inadvisable.NTSB DEN89LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works AX8-24 · Telluride, COIce forming in the fuel tank shut off valve, and the burner blast valve resulting in a loss of control during landing.NTSB NYC89LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Yarmouth, MAA loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing which resulted from binding of the carbuerator throttle shaft. The binding resulted from an improper overhaul of the carbuertor approximately 10 flight hours prior to the accident.NTSB DEN89FA076Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA226TC · Saint George, UTMalfunction of the nosewheel steering system due to improper installation of the nosewheel steering poppet valve & inadequate maintenance instructions.NTSB MIA89LA083Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Fernandina Bch, FLLocking of the left brake, which resulted in a ground swerve and loss of control during the landing roll.NTSB MIA89LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell TH-1L · Greenville, FLInstallation of the improper sprag clutch assembly by the owners maintenance personnel resulting in failure of the sprag clutch and the loss of transmission drive.NTSB LAX89FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSilvaire 8F · Lake Elsinore, CALoss of aircraft control due to improper and/or unapproved modifications to the aircraft's aileron control system by the pilot/owner. A contributing factor was the pilot/owner's overconfidence in his ability to modify the aileron control system without…NTSB CHI89DEP01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna T337G · Green Bay, WIThe pilot's loss of aircraft control, due to the loss of cockpit/instrument panel lighting for an undetermined reason, the inoperative penlight, and subsequent spatial disorientation of the pilot. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the adverse…NTSB SEA89IA042Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportFairchild SA-227-AC · Seattle, WAInoperative nosewheel steering due to improper maintenance. Contributing to the incident was the lack of adequate maintenance information available in the aircraft manuals.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 ATL89IA080Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-225 · Atlanta, GAFailure of operator maintenance personnel to accomplish an applicable service bulletin.NTSB ANC89FA034Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-99 · Fort Yukon, AKThe separation of a single propeller blade which caused the downward and rearward displacement of the number two engine.NTSB DEN89IA060Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-7-102 · Gunnison, COThe fatigue failure of the down lock mechanism resulting from the non-compliance with a service bulletin by company maintenance personnel.NTSB MIA89LA067Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Rose Hill, MSLoss of electrical power for an undetermined reason and fuel starvation from improper use of the fuel selector. Factors related to the accident were: night and adverse weather conditions.NTSB FTW89LA039Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · S. Timbalier 75 (Gulf of Mexico)The loss of control of the helicopter due to an undetermined failure of the tail rotor control system.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 ATL89LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Perdido, ALWhile descending to 6000 feet the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine oil supply. The windscreen was covered with oil and the pilot had to use the side window to gain forward visibility. After completing the emergency landing check the engine seized.…NTSB DCA89IA016Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-25 · Morgantown, WVFuselage skin 'flapped' open between body stations 1090 and 1110 and peeled downward from stringer #4 left to stringer #5 left. A scratch or scribe mark was co-located with the longitudinal crack along stringer #4. The area of damage was located on the aft…NTSB SEA89LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 99A · Spokane, WAAcft was left overnight in heavy precip. Plt failed to ensure fuselage drains were clear and water accumulation drained before departing into below freezing flight temps. On lndg at dest, plt unable to achieve flare, resulting in hard lndg. Investigation…NTSB MIA89LA057Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58B · Kissimmee, FLThe plt stated that he was repositioning the acft for fuel, and during a practice autorotation attempt the engine hydro-mechanical clutch failed. It did not re-engage upon the application of power and the acft was landed hard.NTSB FTW89DPJ02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportErcoupe 415C · Oklahoma City, OKDuring flight, the airplane appeared to go into a steep banked spiral from which it did not recover. It struck a two-car detached garage and then the ground. Inspection revealed that the fabric of both wings had been installed improperly, and part of the…NTSB MKC89LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Jacksonville, ARDuring a local familarization and acceptance flight for the new acft owner, smoke entered the cockpit and oil pressure was lost. A precautionary emergency ldg was attempted on a soft, muddy, plowed farm field, resulting in substantial damage to the acft.…NTSB FTW89LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185H · San Antonio, TXDuring the landing roll, the left wheel brake cylinder failed and the airplane groundlooped. The plt did not file an accident report.NTSB SEA89LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot had planned to taxi the floatplane from one ramp to another for the purpose of obtaining an annual inpn & to dock the plane at better facilities. She found the float rudder pulley to be inoperative. A decision was then made to fly the plane from its…NTSB FTW89LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105 · South Marsh 113Failure and separation of one of the tail rotor blades for undetermined reasons. Thr resulting imbalance and vibration caused the separation of the 90 degree gearbox and a portion of the vertical pylon which necessitated the emergency autorotation to the…NTSB NYC89LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Hanson, MAThe pilot reported that he had just landed when the left brake failed. In order to avoid hitting trucks parked near the runway the pilot elected to ground loop the aircraft. The side loading on the left landing gear during the ground loop caused it to…NTSB FTW89FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Tomball, TXThe airplane was being used for touch and go landings by an instructor and a low time student. It was on a base leg to land to the south when the instructor told the tower she had lost the engine and was going down. There were no witnesses to the accident.…NTSB MIA89LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Crestview, FLWhile in cruise flt near an arpt, the prop separated. Plt was given vectors to arpt & entered pattern for lndg. Downwind leg was extended due to strong tailwind. Strong headwind on final caused acft to land short. During landing roll acft collided with two…NTSB MIA89IA043Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportAirbus Industrie A-300-600 · San Juan, PRCompany maintenance crews replaced the high pressure bleed valve prior to the flight and installed the mounting clamp improperly. After takeoff the valve disconnected and the bleed air discharge activated the fire warning system. The crew discharged both fire…NTSB MIA89LA039Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Holly Springs, MSThe plt stated that after he began a descent from 12,000 ft to 4000 ft, the acft lost all electrical power due to failure of the alternator. While apchg to land at Holly Springs arpt, the acft enctrd unfavorable winds & turbulence. Subsequently, it lost…NTSB FTW89FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Oklahoma City, OKThe plt was briefed on flt prctns for IFR conds, tstms & ocnl mod rime icing. Drg the climb, he told ATC he was having trouble with his vacuum & was disoriented. ATC clrd him for altitudes he could use & bgn providing no-gyro vectors. A wxcheck revealed there…NTSB MKC89LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · St. Louis, MOArriving over his destination airport, the pilot said he had an unsafe right main gear light indication. After circling about two hours to lighten the fuel load, and attempting to lower the gear by emergency procedures, a landing was attempted. After…NTSB MKC89IA024Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC9-31 · Minneapolis, MNThe failure of the left main landing gear tire carcass and the ingestion of the tire debris into the left engine which hindered normal operation.NTSB ATL89LA032Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-A33 · Marietta, GADuring preflt 'run-up' at the end of the active rwy, the right brake failed and the airplane pivoted left while the engine was at a high power setting. The plt rpted that things happened so fast that he may have added power while attempting to reduce power.…NTSB MIA89IA030Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Daytona Beach, FLDuring normal cruise flt, the main rotor drive system failed for undetermined reason(s). Grass was ignited by exhaust gasses after touchdown, resulting in fire, destroying the helicopter. Examination of eng compartment revealed no evidence of catastrophic…NTSB FTW89LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Powderly, TXThe pilot was receiving his biennial flight review and was on approach to the airport when he heard a loud snap and lost elevator control. He was able to put the airplane down on the runway, but could not get the tail down. When he applied the brakes, the…NTSB CHI89IA023Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace JS-3101 · Milwaukee, WILoss of lubrication to the outer wheel bearing, and the subsequent disintegration of the bearing. Contributing to the incident was the failure by maintenance personnel to properly inspect and grease the bearing.NTSB MKC89LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Montezuma, IAWhile on a VFR cross country cargo flight, the commercial plt said his alternator failed and that within eight minutes he lost electrical power and was unable to operate the navigation instruments. He continued toward his destination about 2 more hours when…NTSB SEA89LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 214B-1 · Ketchikan, AKOutbd 5 feet of top skin from one main rotor blade separated in flt. Plt effected lndg with no further damage. Investigation revealed erosion of leading edge protective strip allowed airloads to intrude under skin to cause delamination and separation. Soot…NTSB FTW89FA013Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-355F-1 · W. Cameron 617The loss of control of the aircraft which occurred when the tail rotor drive shaft experienced a fatigue induced material failure and tail rotor thrust was lost. Evidence indicated that the shaft was under designed for the loads that were encountered during…