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 ANC89FA043Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-3 · Fairbanks, AKFailure of the pilot to remove frost from the aircraft. Contributing factors were: improper weight and balance and snow covered terrain.NTSB ATL89FAMS3Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 310Q · Cleveland, OHAn uncontrolled descent into the water for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA89LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Cottonwood, IDThe pilot misjudging his altitude due to the white out conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilots lack of experience in this aircraft and this type of operation.NTSB DEN89LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Durango, COFailure of the pilot to maintain runway alignment during takeoff. That the pilot attempted flight into known adverse conditions from an airport that was not approved for IMC operations is considered to be a contributing factor.NTSB LAX89FA093Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA5A · Lake View, CAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into a box canyon.NTSB ATL89MA072Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS.748 Series 2A · Tipp City, OHImproper IFR procedure by the first officer (copilot) during takeoff, his lack of instrument scan (improper use of flight/navigation instruments), his failure to maintain a positive rate of climb or to identify the resultant descent, and the captain's…NTSB ANC89LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 500-D · Bell Mountain, AKThe pilot's misjudgment of his clearance above the terrain due to distorted visual perception. Contributing to the accident was the whiteout condition.NTSB LAX89FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Pleasanton, CAFailure of the pilot to properly follow the IFR (instrument flight rules) procedures by not maintaining the minimum descent altitude for that seqment of the approach. The weather conditions and mountainous terrain were considered to be related factors.NTSB FTW89FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B33 · New Braunfels, TXThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC. Contributing factors were the adverse weather conditions and the dark night.NTSB NYC89FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Bridgeport, CTTwice prior to being established on final the pilot was asked if he was getting proper indications for the approach to land. Contact was subsequently lost while the pilot was attempting to make an ILS approach to runway 06 at Bridgeport. The aircraft was…NTSB DEN89FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Elephant Butte, NMDuring a return flight from having maintenance performed on the acft the plt executed a low pass by his home which was located on a point of land overlooking Elephant Butte reservoir, NM. During the maneuver while in a steep turn the left wing struck the…NTSB SEA89FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 335 · Arlington, WADrg a ngt arr, the plt was vectored for a LOC rwy 34 apch. After rchg the final apch fix/outer marker (om), he was clrd for the apch. Abt 5 or 6 min later, the ATC ctlr noticed the acft was aprx 7 mi nw of the arpt, climbing abv 3000' MSL. Missed apch…NTSB ANC89LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot misjudged the approach and failed to maintain a proper descent rate. A related factor was trees.NTSB DEN89FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · Tooele, UTNTSB SEA89LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Murphy, IDWhile making a low pass over a snow-covered airstrip, the plt misjudged his altitude. The aircraft's main gear made contact with six inch deep snow, & after traveling aprx 100 ft, the plane nosed over.NTSB ANC89LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Nenana, AKThe instructor pilot was demonstrating a soft-field landing to his student pilot when he flared the airplane too high, and allowed the crosswind to carry the airplane off the left side of the runway where it hit a runway light and a snow berm, then nosed…NTSB NYC89FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Monoghan, PAEvidence indicates that the airplane flew straight into the side of a 1320 ft mountain at the 1280 ft level. The recommended minimum flight altitude for this designated mountainous area, at night, is 3500 ft. there was no evidence of any mechanical problems.NTSB MKC89LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Linn, MOWhile attempting to land crosswind on a 900 foot long dirt runway, the pilot decided he was too high and had excessive airspeed. He attempted to make a go around. However, he was unable to clear a dirt embankment and struck the nose wheel. Unaware of the…NTSB DEN89DTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJones Christen Eagle II · Parker, COThe plt was performing aerobatics in a homebuilt christen eagle near his girlfriend's house where a birthday party was in progress. Witnesses said the acft executed a roll at low altitude and 'went straight in.' Weather was not a factor and examination of the…NTSB MIA89LA020Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportParsons B-8M · Lake City, FLDuring an airshow, the plt took off to perform a planned 8-spin autorotative landing from an alt of aprx 800 ft. an FAA inspector who observed the accident stated the flt ascended to aprx 650 ft MSL. After closing the throttle, the plt began the maneuver.…NTSB BFO89FA004Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Ocean City, MDThe pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance above the terrain. Contributing factors are inattention to altitude and dark night conditions over illusionary producing featureless water.NTSB MIA89LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Arcadia, FLAfter making an apch to 'the numbers' on rwy 5, the plt decelerated the helicopter & began to air taxi to the refueling area. Subsquently, while decelerating and/or while taxiing, the tail rotor collided with terrain.NTSB LAX89FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31P-350 · Redlands, CAThe pilot's inadvertent selection of an inappropriate altitude for the attempted night special VFR circle to land maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the dark night, restricted visibilities and lack of ground reference lights. Also contributing to the…NTSB LAX89FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Big Pine, CAPilot's failure to maintain proper altitude.NTSB ATL89LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth DISCUS-B · Whitwell, TNThe plt rprtd that thermal lift deteriorated drg the return leg of a x-country flt & he elected to make an off aprt lndg in a hay field. As he was on final apch on a westerly hdg, he saw a previously undetected power line across the field, which reqd a rapid…NTSB CHI89LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Indianapolis, INShortly after liftoff and landing gear retraction, the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft to touch down on the runway. The pilot stated that his attention was distracted by conversation with one of the passengers and he failed to maintain a positive…NTSB BFO89FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Frederick, MDNonsubmittedNTSB LAX89FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR-182 · Paso Robles, CAThe pilot failed to maintain the proper altitude while executing the published instrument approach procedure.NTSB SEA89LA013Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210E · Wenatchee, WAThe acft crashed while the plt was on a x-country flt at dawn. Impact occurred on rising, rocky terrain in a box canyon area at an elev of about 6000 ft. no ground scars were evident, but the acft impacted on a rocky slide area. It came to rest in one area…NTSB ATL89FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Brooklet, GAWitnesses reported the plt began a low altitude, high speed pass over the rwy as he had done on several previous occasions. However, as he initiated the pass, the descent to the rwy was not arrested & the airplane 'pancaked' near the threshold. The airplane…NTSB LAX89FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot failed to follow the correct I.f.r. procedures whereas he descended below the final approach fix altitude.NTSB LAX89FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182R · Salinas, CAThe pilot failed to follow published missed approach procedures. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot lack of recent experience in type of operation, instrument go-around procedures, and the cloud covered mountainous terrain.NTSB MIA89LA005Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRepublic RC-3 · Miami, FLThe pilot stated that he was having problems with the elevator trim and elected to land the amphibious acft in the bay. He acknowledged and witnesses observed him lower the landing gear prior to attempting to land on the water. The aircraft flipped inverted…NTSB LAX89FA006Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A24R · Mt. Baldy, CAPilot's improper in-flight decision and altitude.NTSB SEA89LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · North Fork, IDThe pilot flew the aircraft into a box canyon at dawn. The aircraft was unable to outclimb rising terrain. The aircraft impacted heavily wooded terrain at a slow airspeed at 8,000 feet MSL about 50 yards short of the crest.NTSB MIA89LA001Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Orlando, FLWhile practicing hovering the helicopter began to drift. The instructor plt corrected this & returned control to the student plt. The helicopter then began to descend & the instructor plt attempted to correct this with collective, but the student plt applied…NTSB NYC88LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13-2 · Sodus Bay, NYWhile on a low level pleasure flt over water the plt failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance and the left wing contacted the water. The acft crashed into the water and remained upright. The plt and pax exited the acft and were picked up by a passing…NTSB NYC88LA247Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · New York, NYWhile on a night personal pleasure flt along the hudson river between New York and new jersey, at 300 feet AGL, the plt turned the acft toward an unlighted shore area and lost visual cues. The plt inadvertently flew the acft into the water. The acft sunk and…NTSB MKC88LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEllis Quickie Q2 · Winfield, KSWitnesses said that after takeoff, the plt made one low level pass, then returned for landing. The plt rprtd that he intended to make a go-around, but that he may have pushed the elevator control forward instead of the throttle. Subsequently, the acft was…NTSB NYC88LA241Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Millbrook, NYThe private plt-in-command was seated in the right seat and his commercial plt-pax was seated in the left seat. The plt in command was at the controls. The acft was on final apch. The plt said the wind was from 170 deg. He did not give the wind velocity. He…NTSB CHI88DEP12Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-36-300 · Pulaski, WIThe aircraft descended at a high rate of speed, 75 degrees nosedown, into the terrain. His widow stated that the pilot had left home at approximately 2100 CST on the accident night, in an inebriated condition. After a discussion about his drinking, he…NTSB LAX88LA310Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Fairfield, CAThe pilot performed a soft field takeoff on a grass strip in winds gusting to 34 KTS. The airplane would not accelerate in ground effect, nor would it climb. Feeling that he could not out-climb objects in his path, the pilot turned to the right. As he turned…NTSB LAX88FA314Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · San Luis Obispo, CAPilots erroneous interpretation of his missed approach clearance, and, his performance of the published missed approach procedure for the santa maria ILS instead of the San Luis Obispo localizer.NTSB SEA88FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2A · Sitka, AKThe pilot encountered low ceilings, rain and fog while attempting to fly through a narrow mountain pass and successfully reversed course. He then flew into a small canyon off the main pass that terminated in a small glacier-covered bowl surrounded by steep…NTSB ATL88LA249Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Saluda, SCThe instructor pilot reported that they were conducting autorotation training. During an autorotation the crew delayed initiating the power recovery. The helicopters struck the ground causing substantial damage. The pilots did not report experiencing a system…NTSB FTW88FA160Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · El Paso, TXPilot's impairment due to the influence of alcohol.NTSB CHI88LA228Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Fox Lake, ILThe plt had just completed a course at the Lake acft factory school, but had not yet obtained a seaplane rating. After he flew home, he landed on local lakes. He reported that drg a landing on calm water, he expected to hear a 'slush sound' as the hull…NTSB MIA88FA262Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommens Midget Mustang I · Davie, FLThe private pilot flying the homebuilt aircraft crashed into a swamp, and there were no witnesses. The aircraft was located 4 days later. Friends of the pilot recalled that in the 3 weeks prior to the accident the pilot had bragged to them about the high 'g'…NTSB ATL88DKG14Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAyres Thrush S2R · Ochlocknee, GAShortly after takeoff the pilot allowed the nose to drop resulting in a collision with the ground. The airplane hit the ground, right wing first, and traveled about 500 feet before stopping. The pilot had been spraying methyl parathion all day and stated he…NTSB ANC88LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Rainy Pass, AKThe plt attempted to fly thru Rainy Pass, AK, but said he flew up the wrong valley. As he contd, the acft got into a situation where the plt was unable to turn around or outclimb rising terrain. Subsequently, the acft crash landed on the mountain side at an…