NTSB investigations
3,567 cases where the first occurrence was “In flight encounter with weather”.
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\" = 240) 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" = 240) 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 ATL86FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Anniston, ALThe acft was observed flying through the base of the low level cloud layer prior to its impact on the side of a mountain. The plt was not instrument rated, had not filed a flt plan nor obtained a wx briefing. The impact point was several hundred ft below the…NTSB FTW86LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Spring, TXThe pilot continued VFR flight into IFR weather conditions which he had encountered near his destination during the last few moments of his approximate four hour, night, cross-country flight. He then turned back to houston intercontinental airport to land. He…NTSB CHI86MA071Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Ellendale, MNThe purpose of the flt was to take a news crew to a location to cover a story. The news crew had attempted to hire another helicopter, but that operator refused due to forcast low visibility. This plt, however, agreed to fly. Altho he was certified for…NTSB SEA86LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Ellensburg, WAA gust of wind occurred on short final and a loss of airspeed resulted at about 15 feet a.g.l the pilot failed to add power but raised the aircraft's nose to an attitude where he could no longer see the runway. Landing was accomplished to the left of the…NTSB MKC86FA053Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210H · Fremont, NEThe plt of N5961F received a wx brf about 40 min before the acdt for a VFR flt from Fremont to cheyenne. The 3 reporting stations nearest to Fremont were IFR and local authorities who helped search for the acdt site reported low clouds and haze. There were no…NTSB CHI86LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Mechanicsburg, OHThe plt was on a personal flt when IMC was encountered. The plt elected to climb to a clear area above the IMC when the acft became totally 'socked in.' A 180 deg turn was made, vertigo was experienced and control of the acft was lost. An emergency descent…NTSB ATL86FA058Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310G · Ragland, ALThe acft with sputtering engs was heard circling overhead in low overcast skies. The horizontal tail surfaces separated in-flt and came to rest aprx 450 ft from the main wreckage in mountainous terrain. The student plt had no instrument experience. The acft…NTSB FTW86FA035Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech M-35 · Valley View, TXThe non-instrument rated pvt plt received a wx briefing that called for marginal VFR to IFR conditions throughout his route of flt. Destination wx was briefed as 700' ovc, vis 2 miles in haze and fog and the en route wx was considerably worse. Several…NTSB DEN86MA061Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Granby, CODrg arrival, the plt advised ARTCC that the destination arpt appeared to be covered with fog. She then canceled her IFR flt plan. According to ground witnesses, the acft made several passes over the arpt. Witnesses also rprtd that the horizontal visibility…NTSB DEN86FA060Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Salt Lake City, UTAn instructor with his student plt were returning from a cross-country training flt. Three attempts were made to complete an ILS approach in heavy fog to the arpt. With each approach the instructor partially lost control of the acft and then recovered but on…NTSB NYC86LA066Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Plainville, CTThe purpose of instructional flight was to practice soft field landings and takeoffs, stall series and VOR naviagtion. After airwork, the pilot flew to robertson field for short and soft field landings and takeoffs. During final soft field takeoff, 10 degrees…NTSB SEA86LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Ione, ORThe pilot attempted to fly his newly purchased aircraft a distance of 3 miles from one local airstrip to another for the purpose of hangaring it. A ceiling of 500 feet overcast with 5 miles visibility fog and freezing rain were present. The windscreen iced up…NTSB SEA86FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-151 · Kelso, WAEnroute to dest. Plt diverted to nearby airfield due deteriorating weather. One hr later, telephone weather brief for continued flt to dest was VFR not recommended. Less than 2 hrs. Later, with no further brief, acft departed. A following acft revsd course…NTSB FTW86FRD04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150J · Belle Chasse, LAThe acft nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of power. The flt was begun an hour before the acc with the intention of staying in local area. The wx was minimal VMC at the time of takeoff and suddenly became IMC when fog rolled in. The plt was…NTSB LAX86FA079Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CADrg arrival at an arpt near his home, the plt contacted apch control (ctl) & asked the ctlr for assistance in landing & said that the wx looked a little foggy. The ctlr informed the plt of the acft's position in relation to the arpt. As the acft was dscndg…NTSB MIA86FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · St. Marys, GADrg a ngt x-country flt, the non-instrument rated plt contacted apch control & rprtd he was 'sort of lost in the fog.' He obtained wx info & elected to divert to waycross, GA. Shortly thereafter, the acft collided with trees on uneven terrain & crashed.…NTSB FTW86LQG07Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRaven Rally RX-7 · Lockney, TXThe student pilot stated that he did not checked the wind forecast when he called for a weather briefing about four hours before the accident. The surface winds increased to 30 gusting 40 KTS while he was airborne. He reported that when he landed, he was not…NTSB DEN86LA059Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth VENTUS-B · Alamogordo, NMUpon returning to the arpt, the plt decided to make a fly-by. The plt reported that while on a modified downwind at an alt of aprx 50 ft AGL, the glider which he was piloting encountered adverse winds and downdrafts. Control of the acft was lost and it…NTSB SEA86FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportStinson 108 · Hoquiam, WAThe acft contacted terrain 680 ft north of rwy 06 at bowerman airfield. The acft departed elma arpt, ocean shores, WA, sometime around 2330 PST, on 12-29-85. Prior to the departure the passenger stated to persons they were waiting for the fog to clear for…NTSB FTW86FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B33 · Arlington, TXInspite of an adverse weather forecast, the non-instrument rated pilot took off into pre-dawn fog and low ceilings. The acft impacted the ground in a steep descending turn after being observed maneuvering at a low altitude. No eng, airframe, or instrument…NTSB DEN86FA232Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Salina, UTThe non-instrument rated plt did not obtain a wx briefing nor file a flight plan. He and his wife took off from bullfrog basin airport, glen canyon, UT, en route to heber city, UT, on 12-30-85. Acft did not arrive. Civil air patrol search was conducted from…NTSB DEN86FA056Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · West Valley, UTDuring apch to rwy 34L, the rt horizontal stab, elevators and wings separated in-flt. Investigation revealed the plt was not instr current. Ntap data revealed N2082S at an alt of 7,400 ft and 203 KTS grnd speed at outer marker. The mca at the marker is 6,100…NTSB CHI86MA052Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Brooklyn, MIThe pilot took off with five passengers approximately 170 pounds over maximum allowable gross weight into known moderate icing conditions. His aircraft was not equipped to fly in these conditions. Radio and radar contact were lost at approximately 3500 feet…NTSB MKC86FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Ainsworth, NEThis med-evac helicopter was being positioned to pick up a patient. The plt obtained a wx briefing which included a forecast for a chance of marginal VMC along the planned route, although at the time of the briefing the dest weather was VMC. The flt departed…NTSB DEN86LA049Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Bountiful, UTAccording to the plt, he and three friends were en route to a local ski resort, when the helicopter encountered deteriorating wx. The plt stated he elected to cross the ridge and fly down a ravine to maintain visual reference. The plt said he was aware of…NTSB DEN86LA050Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V-35B · Wibaux, MTThe plt stated that light snow was falling at the arpt at the time of departure. The pax stated after the accident that the plt encountered clouds at their cruise alt of about 6000 ft. he continued to state that the acft made a shallow descent at first…NTSB DEN86LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Logan, UTThe plt stated that shortly after a night departure, the acft entered a fog bank. The plt said he was turning to reverse direction and descending in order to avoid IMC. Prior to completing the turn, the plt encountered IMC and lost all outside visual…NTSB ANC86FA014Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna C-207 · Napaskiak, AKAccording to the pilot-in-command, the weather at his destination was deteriorating so he diverted to Napaskiak where he encountered freezing drizzle rain and fog. While attempting to align himself with the runway for a landing to the south, the windshield…NTSB LAX86LA065Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller H-23A · Madera, CAThe helicopter crashed during a local frost protection flight. After about one hour of light, in dark night time conditions, fog appeared suddenly and the pilot became disoriented and crashed into the ground.NTSB CHI86FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA365N · Adrian, MIThe purpose of this flight was to pick up an injured patient and return him to a medical center. The weather was adequate for a VFR takeoff. However, enroute weather reports indicated fog and probable low ceilings. According to the single survivor of the…NTSB LAX86FA061Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-201T · So. Lake Tahoe, CAPrior to departing on a VFR flt from south lake Tahoe, CA, to tracy, CA, the plt failed to obtain a wx briefing or file a flt plan. Wx at the arpt of departure was reported as scattered clouds at 1500 ft, broken ceiling conditions at an estimated 3000 ft,…NTSB DEN86FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Columbia Falls, MTThe acft contacted snow covered terrain in an uncontrolled descent aprx 3 minutes after takeoff. The plt obtained a wx briefing from kalispell, MT, NWS and updated briefings from missoula and great Falls, MT, fss, for proposed night VFR flt to ogden, UT. VFR…NTSB NYC86LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Mt. Lafayette, NHThe acft, while in cruise flt en route to lyndonville, VT, encountered a severed downdraft and the plt was unable to penetrate or climb out of the descent. The acft continued to descend until impact with a mountain occurred. The acft contacted the terrain at…NTSB DEN86FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182 · Gallup, NMThe plt departed las cruces, NM, on a VFR flt to Gallup,NM. Approx 23 miles from destination, in mountainous terrain, the non-instrument rated plt encountered unforecast snow storm conditons at night. While the plt was maneuvering toward the destination at a…NTSB CHI86FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE 36 · Odell, ILThe plt departed on an IFR flight into known icing conditions after receiving three complete weather briefings clearly indicating the icing conditions with numerous plt reports of icing. Aprx 40 minutes after departure the plt reported he had about an inch of…NTSB LAX86FA048Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · San Bernardino, CAThe instrument rated plt & his family flew from TX to CA. It was night time upon arrival and the plt did not communicate with any FAA facility. Earlier in the flt, during a refueling stop, the plt had telephoned a friend and his parents to arrange to be…NTSB DEN86LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-152 · Franktown, COAccording to the plt, upon initiating a pwr recovery after a simulated forced landing, the acft in which he and his pax were in, encountered turbulence. The plt stated that the acft contacted the ground shortly thereafter. The plt said he allowed the acft to…NTSB DEN86FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Cheyenne Wells, COThe plt obtained a wx briefing prior to departing apa. There was a cold frontal system moving down from the north but wx was forecast to be VFR for the remainder of the day. The plt and a plt-pax flew to jln where the plt-pax disembarked. The plt did not…NTSB LAX86FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-151 · Lebec, CAAfter receiving a preflight wx briefing that forecast strong headwinds, over mountainous terrain, severe turbulence and pireps of severe turbulence on the proposed flt route. The instructor plt and his student instrument plt took off for a night IFR training…NTSB ATL86FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Chester, SCWitnesses at the accident site estimated the ground visibility to be 100 yds or less. The instrument rated plt on the 32 NM flt had not filed a flt plan even though he had obtained a wx briefing from fss. The acft collided with the steel cables atop steel…NTSB NYC86LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C182 · Gardiner, NYThe acft contacted power lines on final apch and descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The plt reported that turbulence was encountered when he entered the traffic pattern. He then proceeded onto final apch at a 'normal altitude'and full flaps were added.…NTSB SEA86LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Idaho Falls, IDDuring initial apch inflight icing was encountered. The windscreen failed to heat due to an inoperative inverter. A small area on the right bottom portion of the windscreen de-iced due to defrost heat. The plt elected to land using the small clear area of the…NTSB ATL86FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Edenton, NCThe aircraft crashed into the abermarle sound and sank in 18 ft of water. The pilot was reportedly on an NDB approach and descended below mda. Witnesses stated that the aircraft circled over head about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses also stated…NTSB NYC86FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Wellsville, NYAfter departure the plt made 3 practice isl apchs at bradford regional arpt located 35 mls away. The acft returned to Wellsville and was cleared for rwy localizer apch. The plt radioed Wellsville UNICOM for advisories and was informed that a fog bank was over…NTSB MKC86FA027Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Baxter Springs, KSAfter lndg at neosho, MO, the plt called the joplin fss at 1132 CST & reqd wx info for a flt to hays, KS. The specialistadvised that his wx computer was out of svc & suggested the plt contact another facility or call back in about 20 min. The plt indicated he…NTSB FTW86FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Pampa, TXDrg arrival, N6843Q was cleared for an NDB rwy 17 apch. The plt's last radio call was at 1949 CST, when he acknowleged radar svc was terminated & freq chg was approved. When the acft did not arrive, a search was initiated. At 2335, after fog had lifted, the…NTSB LAX86FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Avenal, CAThe plt received a weather briefing (twice) and was advised each time that VFR flt along his route was not recommended. A witness observed the acft flying at a low alt below a cloud layer, when it made an abrupt left descending turn and crashed in a field.…NTSB LAX86FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Gold Run, CAThe accident location and the departure airport is located in a mountainous area. The acft departed truckee-tahoe arpt (trk) to the northeast in marginal VFR conditions at sunset. The acft continued on a northeasterly heading for 18 miles and then turned to a…NTSB DEN86LA021Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Buffalo, SDAccording to officials, the plt was searching for hunters when the acft he was flying contacted the ground. Witnesses stated that blowing snow, low overcast clouds & visibility of less than 1/2 mi prevailed at the time of the acdnt. A blood sample was taken…NTSB MIA86FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sorrento, FLThe flt was on a VFR x-country at 9500 ft with ATC flt following. The non-instrument rated plt advised ATC that he was unable to maintain VFR & climbed to 11,000 ft. he again avised he was unable to maintain VFR & was going to descend. The acft was observed…