NTSB investigations, MT
180,624 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,602 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\" = 'MT' 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" = 'MT' 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 DEN83FA122Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Billings, MTThe helicopter made a hard autorotative landing after takeoff from an off arpt landing stie. The plt was on a personal flt with family and friends when a engine fire/explosion forced him to land. The fire was extinguished by the plt after landing. Post…NTSB DEN83FTI04Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 152 · Hamilton, MTThe acft was flying uphill at low alt when it struck the top of 4 trees and impacted the ground about 40 yards away inverted with power on at low airspeed. The elevation at the crash site was about 6000 ft MSL with the tops of the terrain in the direction of…NTSB DEN83LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Townsend, MTThe acft nosed over in a plowed field off the end of the rwy during an attempted aborted takeoff. The acft had departed one arpt and landed again at a private strip to onload a passenger clothes bag. The landing was uphill into the wind. There was no windsock…NTSB DEN83LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Ft. Smith, MTAfter taking off from ft Smith, the plt leveled at 500 ft AGL & followed a river to look at some property aprx 5 mi away. While en route, the engine began to sputter & run irregularily. He performed a successful precautionary landing in a field where he made…NTSB DEN83LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C65 · Kalispell, MTWhile making an approach to a field on a ranch, the acft hit a power line on short final and crashed upright in the field. The pilot said he did not see the wire across the north approach to the field.NTSB DEN83LA100Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Martinsdale, MTReportedly, the instructor plt was on a personal/business flt with a student plt as a passenger. A landing was made on a road that had been used by crop duster plts. The plt had been informed about the presence of power lines. He saw some power lines & had…NTSB DEN83LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Ashland, MTThe acft lifted off early, stalled, dropped a wing and cartwheeled to a stop. The left main gear was sheared off in the impact. The pilot stated that during the takeoff from his own ranch airstrip a horse ran out on the rwy in front of the acft. He said there…NTSB DEN83LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Plentywood, MTPilot was practicing touch and go landings on runway 30. Pilot stated that on landing roll as he closed the carburetor heat control preparing for another takeoff a gust caught the right wing lifting it up. The pilot corrected by using right aileron and left…NTSB DEN83LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Havre, MTThe plt reported that he was taking off from a dirt strip on his farm to check on some cattle from the air. During the takeoff roll, the left main gear went into some mud & pulled the acft to the left. Subsequently, the acft contacted frozen dirt piles & some…NTSB DEN83LA066Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Cut Bank, MTThe acft nosed over after overrunning the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff. The runway was grass and there was a 90 degree crosswind. During takeoff a downdraft put the acft back on the ground. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and retarded…NTSB DEN83LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Billings, MTThe tailwheel (conventional gear) aircraft was equipped with a robertson stol modification. The pilot reported that with this modification, the plane's stall speed was lowered to 28 to 30 KTS. While in the traffic pattern, tower asked him to keep his speed up…NTSB DEN83FTI03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Galen, MTAccording to witnesses, the plt circled around some ranch building, then began a steep climbing turn. The plt stated that he was momentarily distracted by an outside observation, the climb became too steep, and the plane stalled. The pilot initiated a…NTSB DEN83LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-2 (Soloy) · Great Falls, MTWhile maneuvering at low altitude in search of animals, the pilot experienced a severe vibration through the flight controls. The helicopter began an uncontrolled descent and attempts to stop the descent by using the collective were unsuccessful. The…NTSB DEN83FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B III · Sula, MTThe helicopter crashed tail low and rolled over in an open field during marginal weather. The pilot was flying on an expired student certificate and expired medical. According to a pilot who had worked with him the pilot had no helicopter rating. Witnesses…NTSB DEN83LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Cut Bank, MTThe aircraft experienced a total electrical failure while enroute. On arrival, the pilot selected gear down, however it would not lower. He misidentified the operation of the emergency gear down switch and pushed it up instead of down. The pilot stated that…NTSB DEN83LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Billings, MTAfter power failure pilot landed on a highway and collided with an auto. No evidence of fuel was found in the aircraft.NTSB DEN83LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Miles City, MTAfter executing a missed approach to rwy 22 the acft began accumulating rime ice. An approach was made to rwy 4. The acft had accumulated about 1/4 in ice, & during the flare the acft shuddered & stalled onto the rwy.NTSB DEN83LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Santa Rita, MTAircraft nosed over during landing. Aircraft was swerving left after brake application. More braking was used and aircraft nosed over.NTSB DEN83LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Near Kalispell, MTAcft departed hospital at missoula in good wx to assist highway accident victim 5 mi east of clinton. Victim was placed aboard helicopter on stretcher for emergency flight to hospital. About 5-6 mi east of missoula plt noticed light snow falling & observed a…NTSB DEN83LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · St. Ignatius, MTAccording to the pilot, the passenger door opened before lift off. He attempted to brake the aircraft in wet snow and ice and slid off the end of the runway into a ditch. The investigation revealed the aircraft had a past history of the entry door latch…NTSB DEN83LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Cut Bank, MTThe pilot started to takeoff on runway 31 with a wind from 270 deg at 20 KTS. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered and went off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that after about 400 to 500 ft in the takeoff roll, the "plane veered right…NTSB DEN83FTA02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 177 · Hardin, MTThe aircraft had been fully serviced with fuel (48 gal usable supply) and had been flown 1.8 hrs prior to this flight. Reportedly, the pilot had relied on his fuel log and fuel gauges, and did not visually check the fuel quantity during the preflight. While…NTSB DEN83FTA01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Red Lodge, MTAfter takeoff, the aircraft lost airspeed and started an uninitiated descent. The pilot was unable to power out of it and the aircraft contacted two buildings and a fence before stopping in an open field. The winds were from 200 degrees at 30 KTS, gusting to…NTSB DEN83LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Toston, MTThe pilot elected to practice some landings on a gravel road. He stated that during the first approach, he was high and elected to go around. On the second approach, a landing was made. However, the pilot reported that during touchdown, the airspeed was fast…NTSB DEN83FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe T-8F · Choteau, MTThe PIC was a designated pilot examiner. The purpose of the flt was to give the PIC opportunity to fly the acft from the rear seat as he was planning to give flt instruction in the acft in the near future. As FAR as could be determined, the PIC had never…NTSB DEN83LTI01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportScorpion 133 · Manhattan, MTBattery failed because it had not been charged. No on board charging provision. Electric pump could not operate without electricity. No fuel to engine. During an autorotative landing, the tail rotor was damaged. With no tail rotor control, the helicopter slid…NTSB DEN83LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G3B1 · Malta, MTThe pilot stated that he "was spraying the alfalfa field west to east" and that "there were tall cottonwood trees on three sides. A very sudden wind "came up" and "pushed" him into a tree.NTSB DEN82DA203Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Near Darby, MTSince the shook mountain resort airport was new to the pilot, he called the airport to get further information. He stated that the person who answered reported it was a nice day and the wind sock had blown down. During arrival, he approached from the…NTSB DEN82DA200Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150M · Missoula, MTPilot landing after cross-country in windy conditions. He says nose must have hit too hard because nose gear collapsed..NTSB DEN82FTI18Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 150 · Conrad, MTPilot had engine lose power momentarily on a previous flight but did not concern himself about it. During this flight power was lost at 4100 feet. Pilot tried restart without success. During landing nose was lowered prior to touchdown and it caught on an…NTSB DEN82FA198Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Divide, MTThe acft stalled & crashed on the side of a ridge. The plt was described as an avid outdoorsman, sportsman & hunter. According to local residents near the crash site, the area is well populated with large & small game. Density altitude was computed to be…NTSB DEN82FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Billings, MTThe acft departed laramie at approximately 1600 with a full load of fuel. At 1840 the plt contacted Billings tower & stated he had a low fuel warning light. Several minutes later he radioed that he was going down. A witness observed the acft coming down "real…NTSB DEN82DA183Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAmerican AA1 · Opheim, MTThe pilot tookoff and made a pass over the airport. At about 500 feet the aircraft began to roll and spun to ground impact. Investigation revealed the pilot was apparently maneuvering and wing dipping for his friends on the ground when the stall occurred.NTSB DEN82DA179Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBeech A23-19 · Helena, MTAccording to a witness, the pilot was attempting to land on a dirt road that is also used as a landing strip. The aircraft touched down approximately 1500 feet at the downhill end of the runway, ballooned by a wind gust and moved to the east extreme of the…NTSB DEN82FTI17Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Browning, MTAcft landed with the gear up.NTSB DEN82FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Near Kalispell, MTAfter a flight from vancouver, british columbia to penticton, Canada, the pilot filed a flight plan for a return trip and departed at about 1900 MDT. Later, the aircraft crashed at night in the little bitterroot lake, located about 25 miles west of Kalispell,…NTSB DEN82DA153Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBeech 90 · Billings, MTThe plt misjudged altitude & airspeed resulting in a hard landng. The right main gear assembly broke through the upper surface of the wing. The rwy is about 3-6 inches higher than the preceding terrain.NTSB DEN82DA149Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Marion, MTThe pilot and her husband, who was also a rated pilot, were at the controls. During arrival, the wind sock was checked, but no wind was noticed. Reportedly, the pilot's husband landed the plane from the right front seat. The pilot reported that the flare was…NTSB DEN82DA138Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTThe aircraft crashed during a landing on runway 27R. At the time of the accident, the winds were reported to be from 210 degrees at 11 KTS. The pilot stated that he encountered moderate turbulence during the approach. He believed that he also encountered a…NTSB DEN82AA132Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Billings, MTPlt decided to land enroute due wx. At 0803 he contacted Billings fss & was advised Billings wx was 5,000 ft broken. At 0809 he called Billings approach control (a/c) & advised he was 20 mi for landing. Enroute to arpt he was unable to locate the arpt due wx…NTSB DEN82DA129Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Broadus, MTDuring a landing the aircraft collided with bales of hay along the left side of the runway, collapsing the left landing gear. Later his instructor informed him he had developed a habit of landing on the left side of the runway.NTSB DEN82DA119Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Ronan, MTAfter spraying the field, the pilot was making an "end swath" when the helicopter collided with a power line. The helicopter crashed after a wire wrapped around the swash plate and damaged the controls. The pilot stated that he failed to see the wire.NTSB DEN82DA117Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 188 · 25nm Sw Santa R, MTAfter dispensing his second load, the pilot returned to the airport where he circled to wait for traffic to clear the runway. About 1/2 way through the circle, the engine lost power and the pilot observed that the fuel gauges indicated empty. He landed on a…NTSB DEN82AA115Accident · 6 fatalFinal reportBeech V35B · Near Ringling, MTAlthough IMC existed over mountainous areas, the plt attempted a visual flt direct to salt lake city. The probable flt path of the acft was one which is usually flown by plts on VFR flts. The course taken by plts desiring to cross over themountain ridges west…NTSB DEN82FTI16Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-R-180 · Cameron, MTThe pilot reported that he encountered a downdraft while climbing over rising terrain in an area of foothills near mountains. He reported a loss of airspeed and altitude when the aircraft was about 1000 ft from the crest. At about that time, the gear extended…NTSB DEN82FA106Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA-315B · Dillon, MTThe pilot maneuvered the helicopter close to the ground to "spook" an antelope. After a series of turns, the aircraft touched down on both skids and continued forward 246 ft before stopping.NTSB DEN82DA111Accident · No injuriesFinal reportWeatherly 201C · Near Rapelje, MTWhile landing on a county road, the pilot lost directional control and the aircraft veered to the left and struck a pole. An investigation revealed that an 0-ring, pn 101-00500, on the parking brake valve in the right master cylinder had failed and hydraulic…NTSB DEN82DA123Accident · No injuriesFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Laurel, MTDuring the landing roll, the pilot applied heavy braking and the aircraft nosed over, this occurred after he had landed longer than normal and was slowing to gain access to a taxiway. The temperature was 85 degrees fahrenheit and the asphalt runway was hot,…NTSB DEN82DA107Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Jackson, MTThe pilot stated that he overshot the runway by being too high and that it was his intention to go around for a second pass. He further stated that his airspeed was too low and that he was behind the power curve and was not able to climb out of the valley at…NTSB DEN82DTI15Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAerospatiale SA 315B · White Sulphur S, MTThe pilot landed beside a small building (called a dog house) which contained seismic instruments and recording equipment. He was scheduled to move the building and hooked a long line from it to the helicopter. After waiting about 45 minutes for final…