NTSB investigations, CA
180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.
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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA' 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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 WPR18LA205Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177 · San Diego/El Cajon, CAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, which lead to the airplane's poor climb performance, and a subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA18CA455Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Healdsburg, CAThe pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.NTSB WPR18LA203Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Avalon, CAThe pilot's delayed decision to conduct a go-around following an unstable landing approach and long landing.NTSB WPR18LA206Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH 1H · Oakdale, CAThe pilot's loss of control during a precautionary landing following an abnormal noise in-flight, the source of which could not be determined.NTSB GAA18CA474Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDiamond DA20 · Van Nuys, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a left quartering headwind, which resulted in a ground loop.NTSB WPR18FA198Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Truckee, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR18LA196Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCassutt Iiim · Rosamond, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low-altitude maneuver after a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB WPR18LA189Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman G164B · Colusa, CATotal loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA18CA396Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA18CA395Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 Sierra · San Carlos, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath and crosswind correction during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA18CA500Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 152 · Sacramento, CAThe student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.NTSB ANC18LA079Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Fullerton, CAThe National Transportation Safety Board did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of…NTSB WPR18FA171Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech A35 · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted return to the airport following the separation of the spinner bulkhead during takeoff as a result of fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly…NTSB WPR18CA172Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDornier Alpha JET · Sacramento, CAThe pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the workload.NTSB ANC18LA042Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGippsaero PTY GA10 · Mojave, CAThe flight crew's inappropriate decision, without authorization or consultation from the manufacturer's chief design engineer, to introduce flaps in the landing configuration into the entry spin testing, which resulted in an unrecoverable spin and impact with…NTSB GAA18CA319Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · San Diego, CAThe biplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the stopped airplane.NTSB ANC18LA043Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Ramona, CAThe failure of the engine-driven hydraulic pump due to the installation of improper cap screws, which resulted in a gap in the pump housing, a subsequent hydraulic leak, and the landing gear collapsing.NTSB GAA18CA342Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech D35 · Corona, CAThe pilot’s inadvertent landing gear retraction during the landing roll.NTSB WPR18FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMorrison Marvin E JR RV 6A · Petaluma, CAA partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff due to a loose left magneto, and the pilot's decision to turn back to the airport and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and…NTSB WPR18CA146Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAyres S2R G10 · Marysville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a truck while on final approach after the airplane encountered a downdraft, which resulted in the subsequent failure of the right main landing gear and loss of directional control.NTSB WPR18LA153Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24 · San Jose, CAA landing gear retraction during the landing rollout for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.NTSB GAA18CA309Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402 · Nicolaus, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a power transmission wire.NTSB WPR18TA157Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportCessna 182D · Crescent Mills, CAA total loss of engine power due to the development of carburetor icing.NTSB WPR18FA139Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Julian, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above mountainous terrain while maneuvering during night conditions in an area prone to turbulence, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's…NTSB GAA18CA271Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna P210 · Grass Valley, CAThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and a runway excursion.NTSB WPR18LA133Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CAThe loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.NTSB GAA18CA294Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Palo Alto, CAThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR18LA128Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164C · Maxwell, CAA total loss of engine power due to an uncommanded closing of the fuel shutoff valve, which terminated fuel to the engine. The reason for the fuel shutoff valve’s closure could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA18CA239Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 76 · Vacaville, CAThe pilot under instruction’s failure to extend the landing gear and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and failure to ensure that the landing gear was extended.NTSB WPR18LA129Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGulfstream AM Corp Comm Div 695A · Bishop, CAThe failure of the left main landing gear upper arm forging due to fatigue cracking and subsequent overstress, which resulted in the collapse of the landing gear during the landing roll.NTSB GAA18CA589Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28R · Camarillo, CAThe flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA18CA232Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · San Jose, CAThe student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during the approach to land, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB WPR18TA122Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3Final reportWilhelm Puslar · Salton City, CAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the loss of engine power emergency procedures, which likely would have restored engine…NTSB WPR18LA120Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Stol CH750 · Kernville, CAA total loss of engine power due to air or fuel vapor entering the fuel system, which prevented fuel from reaching the engine cylinders, which necessitated an emergency landing, during which the airplane nosed over.NTSB GAA18CA213Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHawley Richard A1B · Lincoln, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.NTSB GAA18CA210Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Franklin, CAThe pilot receiving instruction’s abrupt cyclic control input during the touch-down autorotation.NTSB GAA18CA207Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA34 · San Diego, CAThe pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the landing gear before landing, which resulted in landing with the landing gear retracted.NTSB GAA18CA209Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna Ector 305A · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB ANC18FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while departing in instrument meteorological conditions, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA18CA201Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Livermore, CAThe student pilot’s failure to maintain runway centerline and flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during landing.NTSB WPR18FA116Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRagle RV6A · Santa Paula, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.NTSB GAA18CA191Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Dorris, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.NTSB GAA18CA190Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180 · Salina, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB WPR18LA113Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Stockton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB GAA18CA183Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGlobe GC 1B · Fullerton, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll resulting impact with PAPI lighting.NTSB WPR18FA112Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Marina, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR18LA107Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · Browns Valley, CAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain a sufficient altitude to avoid power lines.NTSB GAA18CA169Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCubcrafters CC11-160 · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind conditions, which exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind and resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear.NTSB WPR18LA105Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Montague, CAImpact with powerlines and terrain after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.