NTSB investigations
3,485 cases where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with terrain/water”.
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\" = 230) 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" = 230) 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 LAX98FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Novato, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance after initiating a descent over mountainous terrain at night and under marginal VFR conditions. The pilot's self-induced pressure to arrive at class with enough time remaining to take the final…NTSB NYC98FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Presque Isle, METhe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure and his descent below the minimum descent altitude. Contributing factors were the night conditions, low ceilings, and fog.NTSB LAX98FA091Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Sutter, CAThe pilot's in-flight decision(s) to attempt VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude which did not provide for adequate terrain clearance requirements. A factor that contributed to the accident was the pilot's decision to disregard…NTSB FTW98FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportIreneusz Rans S-12 · Rockwall, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance while performing low altitude flight over the water.NTSB FTW98FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Graford, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground. Factors were the dark night, the rising terrain, and the ground fog obscuring the ground.NTSB MIA98LA063Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Valdosta, GAThe failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student.NTSB FTW98LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Laramie, WYThe pilot's improper flare and subsequent improper go-around in that he failed to use compensating elevator control, and his loss of directional control.NTSB CHI98LA083Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNerstrom-Tailwind W-8 · Lodi, WIthe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude due to the whiteout conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the low pass performed by the pilot and the visual illusion created by the whiteout conditions.NTSB FTW98TA099Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Magdalena, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm. A factor was a lack of recent experience in the type of operation being performed.NTSB FTW98LA098Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPoling Keleher Lark KR1B · Georgetown, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A contributing factor was the pilot's physical impairment due to drugs.NTSB CHI98LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30/A · Hastings, NEThe pilot's improper IFR procedure, by which he failed to maintain minimum descent altitude. Fog, a low ceiling, and night condition were a contributing factor.NTSB FTW98FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A100 · Colo Springs, COFailure of the pilot to follow IFR Procedures and maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA). A related factor was fog.NTSB IAD98LA016Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bally, PAThe pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Related factors were tailwind, and lack of total experience.NTSB CHI98LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Waukegan, ILthe pilot's not identifying unsuitable terrain (snowbank) in the landing area, and his not selecting the proper touchdown point. A factor was the snowbank.NTSB NYC98LA039Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · New Salem, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the water due to his impairment by drugs. A factor in this accident was the glassy water condition.NTSB LAX98FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Sedona, AZthe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate terrain clearance during the climb. Contributing factors were dark night conditions, mountainous/hilly terrain, and mountain wave weather conditions.NTSB SEA98LA018Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 112 · Kettle Falls, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Factors include the physiological impairment of the pilot's judgement due to alcohol.NTSB MIA98FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182E · Townsend, TNthe pilot's failure to maintain VFR flight conditions in a mountainous area resulting in inflight collision with rising terrain.NTSB CHI98LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Spencer, IAThe pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.NTSB NYC98FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · St Mary'S, PAwas the pilot's descent below the minimum descent altitude and his failure to comply with published procedures.NTSB CHI98LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E55 · Gardner, KSthe inadvertant landing gear retraction, which occurred due to undetermined reason(s).NTSB LAX98FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · La Jolla, CAthe pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean.NTSB SEA98LA015Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Newberg, ORThe pilots failure to account for the increased drag on the runway during the preflight planning. Factors were the long, wet grass.NTSB MIA98LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Crystal River, FLThe certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left wing of the airplane and the runway, subsequent loss of directional control on landing rollout, and collision…NTSB LAX98GA029Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 182R · Markleeville, CAthe pilot-passenger's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed to avoid collision with terrain, and the pilot-in-command's diverted attention and failure to recognize a deteriorating situation in time to effect a safe recovery.NTSB CHI98GA025Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAerospatiale AS350B · Frankfort, ILthe pilot in command misjudged the clearance with the terrain during a dark night maneuvering approach to a runway. A related factor was the dark night conditions.NTSB LAX98FA031Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206B · Markleeville, CAthe pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the high density altitude, and the…NTSB NYC98FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Elkton, VAThe pilot's intention VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were clouds and mountainous/hilly terrain..NTSB MIA98FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Rabun Gap, GAThe pilot's continued flight under visual flight rules into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude for terrain clearance resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and the ground on the side of a mountain.NTSB LAX98LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Fernley, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident.NTSB CHI98FA022Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Emporia, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude above the minimum descent altitude for the approach. Factors contributing to this accident were the low ceiling, rain, and fog.NTSB SEA98LA007Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185A · Damascus, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, and hilly/mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC98FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA-200 · Radnor, OHThe failure of the pilot to obtain the proper altitude/clearance above the terrain, to perform an aerobatic maneuver. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model.NTSB ATL97LA144Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Belleview, FLthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, and his delay in initiating a go-around, which resulted in a hard touchdown, loss of directional control, and collision with objects (fence and trees).NTSB ANC97FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Twin Hills, AKImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were downdraft conditions, mountainous/hilly terrain, and the use of over-the-counter medications.NTSB ATL97LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Greenville, SCthe pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff.NTSB NYC97FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Normalville, PAthe pilot's inadequate clearance above an unlighted ridgeline in clouds and fog at night, and his decision to not file an IFR flight plan and his VFR flight into IMC conditions.NTSB FTW97LA356Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A · Patterson, LAfailure of the copilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff, which led to an inadvertent descent and collision with a crop of sugar cane and the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate…NTSB ATL97LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohn W. Culp KR-2 · Greenwood, SCThe collision with the ground for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD97LA120Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Danbury, CTThe pilot's improper planning/decision to not use actual occupant weights and compute takeoff data, which resulted in an overweight takeoff towards rising terrain.NTSB LAX97GA325Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Sequim, WAthe pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain.NTSB FTW97FA340Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Montrose, COInadequate preflight and in-flight planning, preparation and decision making. A related factor was the improper use of flaps.NTSB FTW97LA337Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Saratoga, WYThe pilot's failure to consult airplane performance data based upon the weather conditions that prevailed. Factors were terrain induced turbulence and high density altitude.NTSB SEA97LA191Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Wellpinit, WAThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, and his failure to maintain rotor blade clearance from terrain during landing.NTSB SEA97LA190Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLaister LP-49 · North Plains, ORThe pilot's selection of an inadequate landing site, and his failure to adequately plan his return glide back to his home gliderport. A factor contributing to the accident was rough terrain.NTSB CHI97LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bradshaw, NEthe pilot not maintaining clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's diverted attention due to the problems with his global positioning flagger equipment and the other ag- airplane, and the crop.NTSB SEA97LA189Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRotz RAF 2000 GTX SE · Olympia, WAThe pilot's failure to attain adequate rotor rpm prior to takeoff.NTSB MIA97LA231Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman-Schweizer G-164A · Pinehurst, GAThe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the cotton crop while maneuvering to begin a spray pass over a 5 foot-tall cotton crop, resulting in the in-flight collision with the crop and terrain.NTSB MIA97FA232Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Dalton, GAthe pilot's improper IFR procedure, by failing to maintain the minimum descent altitude (MDA) during the ILS localizer approach, until the runway environment was in sight, which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Factors relating to the…NTSB CHI97LA257Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Elwood, NEthe pilot not maintaining clearance from the bushes. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's inadequate preparation prior to the takeoff attempt, his changing flap positions during the takeoff run which degraded the airplane's performance…