NTSB investigations, 1989
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 1989 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 year(c."eventDate") = 1989 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 ANC90LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Pilot Point, AKFailure of the non-certificated Pilot to remove ice/frost from the wing(s) prior to flight. His lack of training and qualification were probable contributing factors.NTSB ANC90FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Beluga, AKFailure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude. Darkness and adverse weather conditions were related factors.NTSB SEA90FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Nordland, WAUndetermined.NTSB NYC90FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-602P · Frenchtown, NJThe inadequate maintenance and inspection of the turbocharger tailpipe exhaust stack on the right engine by the mechanic(s). The failure of the tailpipe permitted heat from the exhaust to weaken the main spar of the right wing resulting in a catastrophic…NTSB CHI90LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Grand Rapids, MIThe undetermined engine compartment fire during the initial climbout. A factor was the failure of the pilot to shut off the fuel supply to the engine.NTSB ATL90LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell TH-1 · Creola, ALThe loss of engine power due to a #21 bearing failure. The bearing failed as a result of inadequate maintenance. A factor in the accident was the pilot operating the helicopter within the avoid operating envelope.NTSB LAX90LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Bumble Bee, AZThe failure of the student pilot to apply carburetor heat in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident were the carburetor icing conditions and the desert terrain.NTSB CHI90LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Lacrosse, WIThe student pilot's improper pre-flight planning/preparation, which did not include a plan to refuel the aircraft as necessary. The student pilot's lack of total experience contributed to this accident, as did the cfi's inadequate supervision of the student.NTSB CHI90LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58P · Harrison, OHThe pilot misjudged his distance, speed, and altitude on final approach and failed to attain the proper touchdown. Factors related to the accident were: uneven (rising) terrain near the runway threshold and the runway light.NTSB CHI90DEE04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172RG · Romeoville, ILDual student's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and remedial action not attained by the CFI. A factor related to the accident was: a snow bank adjacent the runway.NTSB MKC90FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Lynch, NEAirspeed was not maintained by the pilot resulting in a stall/spin.NTSB ATL90LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Nashville, NCA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor related to the accident was the ditch the airplane contacted.NTSB ATL90FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Cincinnati, OHFailure of the Cessna pilot to remain clear of the helicopter after experiencing a partial power loss.NTSB SEA90FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCrawford-Gordon Thorp T-18 · Austin, NVAn improper major alteration performed by the pilot. As a result of this modification, the propeller failed in flight.NTSB LAX90LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Placerville, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.NTSB DEN90FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B35-A33 · Castle Rock, COThe pilot's loss of control as a result of spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions.NTSB BFO90FA012Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE 3101 · Staunton, VAThe pilot's failure to properly align the airplane with the runway heading during the takeoff run. Factors related to the accident were: airport personnel's failure to assure that runway marking and edge lights were adequately cleared of snow, adverse…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 MIA90IA039Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727 · Ormond Beach, FLFailure of the pilot in command in the Beech 300 to comply with an ATC clearance in a timely manner, while diverting his attention, and failure of the ATC controller to assure that IFR separation was maintained.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 ANC90FA020Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-400 · Anchorage, AKInadvertent encounter with volcanic ash cloud, which resulted in damage from foreign material (foreign object) and subsequent compressor stalling of all engines. A factor related to the accident was: the lack of available information about the ash cloud to…NTSB LAX90LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Monterey, CAPilot misjudged clearance between the aircraft's wing tip & the fuel truck. A factor related to the accident was: the proximity of the vehicle (fuel truck).NTSB FTW90TL#01Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportHughes 369E · Stroud, OKNTSB CHI90IA044Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · Chicago, ILInadequate snow removal by airport personnel.NTSB MKC90LA039Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 80 · Cape Girardeau, MOAn inoperative landing gear extension system due to failure of an electric motor and a misplaced emergency crank handle.NTSB SEA90LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 600 S-2D · Walla Walla, WAAn engine loss of power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the embankment.NTSB LAX90LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Bullhead City, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient clearance between his aircraft and ground objects during a taxi to the ramp area.NTSB LAX90DJA02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBryce Duster BJ-1B · Haleiwa, Oahu, HIThe separation in flight of the vertical wood fin from the main structure. It was not determined if the separation was due to overload forces or fatigue.NTSB FTW90IA043Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Baton Rouge, LAThe captain's excessive speed during a turn off of the runway, and his failure to maintain directional control. The wet taxiway was a related factor.NTSB ANC90LA018Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · Kotzebue, AKPhysical impairment of the vehicle driver, from consumption of alcohol, which resulted in a collision with the airplane. The vehicle and dark night were considered to be related factors.NTSB CHI90LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · West Chicago, ILFailure of the solo student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind, the student pilot's lack of total inexperience, and the runway lights.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 CHI90DEV01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 210D · Jerseyville, ILA total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was the rough uneven terrain in the forced landing area.NTSB ATL90FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Spindale, NCThe pilot-in-command's improper IFR procedure which resulted in descent below the minimum descent altitude. Contributingfactor(s) was: the fog and low ceiling.NTSB ANC90LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-5 · Becky Lake, AKFatigue failure of the ski attach fitting due to being fabricated locally from the wrong steel which resulted in the airplane nosing over.NTSB NYC90LA037Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Uxbridge, MAIce in the fuel strainer, which restricted fuel flow & resulted in fuel starvation, and the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane, when he abruptly maneuvered it to avoid a transmission wire during a forced landing.NTSB NYC90FA038Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-31 · Newark, NJThermal distress of the first stage turbine blades of the nuber one engine causing a degradation of material properties which resulted in blade fractures. The reason for the thermal distress was not determined.NTSB LAX90LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Waimea, HIThe improper installation of the pc tube by company maintenance personnel, which resulted in fatigue failure of the tube due to induced bending stresses.NTSB CHI90LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Cable, WIThe pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the gusty, crosswind conditions which existed.NTSB CHI90FA040Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Linden, MIThe failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient speed for flight. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above the maximum allowable gross weight.NTSB BFO90LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Morgantown, WVThe pilot's excessive taxi speed. Ice on the ramp and the location of the fence were related factors.NTSB SEA90FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210-5 (205) · Rainier, WAContinued flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from wooded mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and the weather/terrain conditions.NTSB MIA90IA038Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · Tallahassee, FLFailure of the first officer to properly align the aircraft for landing, and the captain's delay in taking remedial action.NTSB ANC90LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Chakachamna Lk, AKInadequate preflight preparation of the takeoff area by the pilot, and his attempt to take off on unsuitable terrain. The soft/snow covered terrain was considered to be a contributing factor.NTSB ANC90LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Alexander Lake, AKSelection of unsuitable terrain by the pilot. The snow covered terrain was a related factor.NTSB MIA90LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The engine seized from oil starvation (lack of oil or oil pressure), which resulted in the aircraft being ditched at sea.NTSB LAX90LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Avalon, CAFailure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point for landing, and his failure to go around when he had too much speed and insufficient distance to stop on the runway. A factor related to the accident was: the uneven terrain beyond the departure end…NTSB LAX90LA049Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150D · Inyokern, CAThe pilot's failure to use carburetor heat when climatic conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB ATL90LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Charlotte, NCThe failure of the airplane engine due to fuel exhaustion over terrain unsuitable for the forced landing.NTSB ATL90LA035Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco HRE · Alexander City, ALAn engine failure due to separation of the magneto as a result of a broken mounting stud. The mounting stud most likely failed due to vibrations induced by an inadequately balanced crankshaft.