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 MKC90DCQ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell UH-1B · Ulysses, KSThe pilot failed to maintain proper rotor RPM, while maneuvering over a high obstruction (power line) at the end of a swath run, which resulted in an inadvertent descent & collision with the terrain. The high obstruction was considered to be a related factor.NTSB ANC90LA066Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Glennallen, AKThe pilot failed to maintain proper altitude and terrain clearance while maneuvering.NTSB LAX90DVG05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportLerstang Long EZE · Willows, CAThe pilots misjudgement of the correct landing spot and allowed the aircraft to descend into the ground without taking proper and timely corrective action.NTSB CHI90DEC01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportMoore Acroduster II SA750 · New Haven, MIThe pilot's the improper execution and/or recovery from an aerobatic maneuver (inverted flat spin), which resulted in a collision with the terrain.NTSB ANC90LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Kotzebue, AKThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain the proper altitude.NTSB ATL90DKJ03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportJolly Bakeng Duce · Brownsboro, ALFailure of the pilot to maintain the reference speed on approach and establish a proper glidepath.NTSB LAX90FA138Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Kneeland, CAThe pilot's improper use of IFR procedures by failing to maintain the minimum descent altitude for the segment of the approach that he was flying. The hilly/mountainous terrain was a related factor.NTSB CHI90LA107Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Franklin, WIInadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain runway alignment during the attempted go-around (aborted landing). The wind conditions and soft terrain were related factors.NTSB LAX90LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · La Verne, CAThe helicopter's rotor system being allowed to underspeed as a result of improper use of flight controls by the dual student; improper supervision by the certified flight instructor; and delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor which allowed…NTSB LAX90FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGardner Pitts S-1 · Eloy, AZThe pilot delayed the recovery from the inverted flat spin maneuver and misjudged his altitude.NTSB ATL90FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · East Ellijay, GAThe non-instrument rated pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB FTW90LA087Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 100 · Uvalde, TXImproper IFR procedure by the pilot by not maintaining the minimum descent altitude (mda) for that segment of the approach. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and rain.NTSB ANC90LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Lake Nikabuno, AKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.NTSB LAX90DUK01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportKolb Twinstar · Halfmoon Bay, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude.NTSB FTW90LA083Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pearland, TXDynamic rollover resultant from improper takeoff techniques used by the rated pilot, and inadequate supervision by the company check pilot.NTSB ATL90LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Beaufort, NCThe pilot's delayed pull up from an intentional descent during an aborted suicide attempt.NTSB CHI90DEV02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-25-150 · Sullivan, ILThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a turn at low altitude, resulting in ground collision. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injury was his failure to use the installed shoulder harness.NTSB BFO90FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bedford, VAThe pilot's decision to fly into known adverse weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance above the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self induced pressure, low ceilings, mountainous terrain and rain.NTSB MIA90LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir & Space 18-A · Brandon, FLImproper preflight planning/decision by the pilot. A factor related to the accident was: wire(s) near the end of the runway.NTSB LAX90FA113Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-161 · Malibu, CAThe pilot's decision to turn into an area of known high terrain after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX90FA111Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Borego Springs, CAImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and altitude, which resulted in a stall/mush into rising mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain and weather conditions, and…NTSB NYC90FA075Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Smithfield, RIImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from a stall. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total experience and excessive gross weight of the airplane.NTSB LAX90LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout.NTSB NYC90LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Orange, MAFailure of the pilot to maintain runway alignment while aborting the takeoff. The crosswind, turbulence, and snowbank were related factors.NTSB LAX90LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Santa Ysabel, CAThe pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Low ceilings and mountainous terrain were factors.NTSB LAX90FA094Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Ojai, CAThe pilot's performing aerobatic maneuvers at a low altitude and failure to maintain altitude.NTSB NYC90LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Sunapee Lake, NHFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude above the lake, which resulted in unplanned contact with its frozen surface.NTSB BFO90FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Norton, VAPilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance over mountainous terrain when continuing to fly into deteriorating weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument experience, low ceilings, fog, and mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC90LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Milford, PAThe loss of directional control by the pilot during a short soft field takeoff on a snow packed runway.NTSB SEA90FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Longmire, WAUndetermined.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 DEN90FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208A · Leadville, CODiversion of the pilot's attention, resulting in an in flight collision with terrain during normal cruise flight.NTSB CHI90FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Appleton, WIThe pilot's decision to continue flight into known adverse weather conditions resulting in a windshear encounter with insufficient altitude for recovery. The existing adverse weather conditions were factors.NTSB DEN90FA042Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227-AC · Elko, NVImproper IFR procedure by the captain, and inadequate monitoring of the approach by the first officer, which resulted in a failure to maintain proper altitude during the approach. Factors related to the accident were: the terrain and weather conditions at the…NTSB LAX90LA271Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors to the accident were the adverse weather conditions, mountainous terrain, and the likely effect of hypoxia on the pilot.NTSB LAX90FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Napa, CAThe failure of the pilot to properly execute the published approach and missed approach which resulted in a collision with mountainious terrain.NTSB ANC90LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Bettles, AKFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude. Factors related to the accident were: the high density altitude, high wind, downdraft, and mountainous terrain.NTSB LAX90LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-181 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a night visual approach.NTSB LAX90LA058Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Byron, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient terrain clearance altitude during a low altitude turn. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor judgement in conducting touch-and-go landings with a 700-foot ceiling.NTSB LAX90LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-223 · Santa Ana, CAThe copilot's overrotation of the aircraft during the flare which allowed the tail to collide with the runway. The failure of the captain to take appropriate corrective action was a factor in the accident.NTSB SEA90FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Nordland, WAUndetermined.NTSB NYC90FA039Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Cairo Township, NYThe pilot's decision to fly into the known adverse weather and his failure to select an altitude that would provide terrain clearance. Factors were: the adverse weather and the pilot's disregard for the forecasted conditions.NTSB LAX90DXQ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBennet Spezio Tuholer · Chilcoot, CAThe pilot's improper inflight decision by failing to maintain proper terrain clearance while maneuvering near the ground to observe some deer.NTSB CHI90LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N II · Middleton, WIThe pilot's improper use of flaps to provide lift on short final approach instead of applying power and the failure to maintain aircraft control.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 DEN90LA024Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Dove Creek, COImproper flare by the student pilot, his failure to maintain runway alignment, and a delay by the flight instructor (CFI) in initiating remedial action, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and a stall/mush after the aircraft drifted over a cultivated field…NTSB CHI90FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Shell Lake, WIThe pilot-in-command's failure to perform a missed approach, his descending below the minimum descent altitude, and his failure to maintain proper altitude to avoid impact with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of total…NTSB LAX90FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Camarillo, CAImproper IFR procedure by the pilot, and his failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude (mda) for that segment of the VOR approach. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, haze, the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience,…NTSB DEN90FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Provo, UTThe Cessna pilot misjudge his altitude above the water. Contributing factors were: the pilot allowing his attention to be diverted and his lack of visual/depth perception over the calm (glassy) water.NTSB CHI90LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Angola, INFailure of the pilot to follow IFR procedures and maintain the minimum descent altitude (mda). Factors related to the accident were: darkness and adverse weather conditions.