NTSB investigations, 1997
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\") = 1997 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") = 1997 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 ATL97LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Fajardo, PRa malfunction (jamming) of the elevator flight control system for undetermined reason(s).NTSB ATL97LA099Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Destin, FLa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL97LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Cross City, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning that resulted in loss of power in flight due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB SEA97LA163Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Big Creek, IDThe pilot-in-command's inadequate terrain clearance and failure to maintain directional control. Also, the overload of the aircraft's left main landing gear strut assembly. Factors contributing to the accident were high density altitude conditions, downdrafts…NTSB SEA97LA161Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Bend, ORthe pilot's failure to attain a proper climb rate. High density altitude and the pilot's failure to use all of the available runway were factors.NTSB SEA97LA158Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Roosevelt, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Wind gusts were a factor.NTSB MIA97LA205Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Mooresville, NCThe pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing resulting in a go-around, and a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.NTSB MIA97IA206Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-8-61 · Miami, FLfailure of the right main landing gear cylinder due to stress corrosion.NTSB IAD97LA096Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Hampton, NHThe pilot's poor judgement for intentionally shutting down an engine to perform a practice single engine landing, which led to a single engine go-around due to conflicting traffic.NTSB FTW97LA254Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American NA-265-80 · Ardmore, OKThe failure of maintenance personnel to mask the gear locking pins prior to painting the airplane which resulted in the right main gear locking pin jamming in the unlocked position due to contamination with paint. A factor was the failure of maintenance…NTSB FTW97FA249Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B · Hobbs, NMThe pilot's failure to select an off-field landing site with sufficient time/altitude to perform the landing which led to his failure to maintain airspeed. A factor was the unfavorable wind.NTSB CHI97LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Columbia, MOthe pilot's failure to properly judge the landing approach. The proximity of transmission wires was a related factor.NTSB CHI97LA206Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Mackinac Island, MIthe pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing. Turbulence on short final was a related factor.NTSB CHI97LA202Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNiquette Pietenpol GN-1 · Lake Village, INthe pilot's inability to maintain sufficient airspeed and climb.NTSB CHI97LA194Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Karlin, MIthe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his inadequate visual lookout while buzzing, which resulted in failure to see-and-avoid the top (ground/static) wires of an electrical power line.NTSB CHI97IA195Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 · Flint, MIAn electrical short in the wiring of the left wingtip oscillating position light auto transformer and a failure of the system circuit breaker.NTSB ATL97LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Swansboro, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusting winds.NTSB ATL97LA096Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Spruce Pine, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after turning the wrong way in a traffic pattern.NTSB ANC97FA099Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Skwentna, AKa loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the no.1 exhaust push rod. Factors contributing to the accident were: insufficient information on pushrod inspection and overhaul from the manufacturer, unsuitable terrain available for landing, and the…NTSB NYC97LA134Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMartin Velocity RG · Montauk, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions.NTSB MIA97LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMoran Teenie TWO · Pinehurst, NCThe pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind and improper recovery from a bounced landing. This resulted in a premature lift off, in-flight collision with terrain, on-ground loss of directional control, and subsequent on-ground collision with a taxiway…NTSB LAX97LA268Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Goodyear, AZThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his resultant failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing flare.NTSB LAX97LA239Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Aguiguan Island, MauritiusThe pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment while landing on an undeveloped private dirt strip.NTSB LAX97LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · Prescott, AZThe pilot's improper placement of the unmarked fuel selector valve to off which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience in this model aircraft.NTSB LAX97LA232Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Santa Paula, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/inspection and his failure to ensure that adequate fuel was onboard prior to departure.NTSB LAX97LA231Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P206B · Desert Center, CAThe pilot's unexpected encounter with dust devils during the takeoff ground roll.NTSB IAD97LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1B · Culpeper, VAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning which fail to provide an adequate fuel supplyNTSB FTW97LA256Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLet Blanik L-13 · Pagosa Springs, COThe pilot's improper inflight planning in that he allowed the glider to descend to too low an altitude and stray too far from the airport, exceeding the aircraft's glide capabilities. A factor was his failure to utilize maximum braking action.NTSB FTW97LA253Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Austin, TXthe pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist.NTSB FTW97LA251Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Powderly, TXThe inadvertent stall due to the pilot's diverted attention to an open service door. A factor was the inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot.NTSB FTW97LA250Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ashdown, ARThe inadvertent stall/mush. A factor was the high density altitude.NTSB CHI97LA201Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWeber RV-4 · Hermann, MOthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and encounter with a stall. Related factors were the chafed throttle cable, which became jammed; and failure of the pilot to perform an engine shut down in order to land on the runway.NTSB ANC97FA097Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Skagway, AKjamming/failure of the left magneto impulse coupling, which stopped rotation of the magneto gear, and resulted in subsequent shearing of the accessory intermediate idler gear. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced…NTSB LAX97LA230Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Beaumont, CAthe pilot's inadvertent movement of the propeller controls, instead of the throttle levers, which resulted in an inadvertent dual engine shutdown. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to properly secure the door during preflight, and his…NTSB IAD97FA095Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Penobscot, METhe pilot's flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in the loss of control. Factors relating to the accident were the fog and the pilot's lack of an instrument rating.NTSB FTW97LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Seminole, TXThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. A factor was the prevailing quartering tailwind.NTSB FTW97LA257Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportReiffer RS-15 · Ward, ARThe pilot's inadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, his failure to use the flaps to obtain the proper touchdown point, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type of aircraft.NTSB FTW97LA252Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · New Iberia, LAthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision. A related factor was his failure to follow the company procedure of maintaining visual contact with the external long-line cable, while hovering with it attached.NTSB CHI97LA199Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSnow S2C · Viola, ILthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by failing to ensure there was an inadequate supply of fuel for the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a…NTSB MIA97LA203Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Bay St. Louis, MSThe pilot's improper short field landing procedure and use of full flaps prior to being assured of reaching the proper touchdown point, resulting in an in-flight collision with an embankment, and subsequent nose over. Contributing to the accident was a total…NTSB MIA97LA201Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Altha, FLThe failure of the left main landing gear spring due to a preexisting fatigue crack resulting in the separation of the left main landing gear, and subsequent nose down during taxi.NTSB MIA97LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Clearwater, FLthe student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an on-ground loss of control and subsequent collision with trees and a ditch. The crosswind, trees, and ditch were related factors.NTSB LAX97LA233Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Madera, CAthe student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff.NTSB LAX97LA228Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAviat A-1 · Novato, CAthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.NTSB FTW97LA246Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Kerrville, TXThe disintegration of the #1 cylinder piston resulting from a detonation/pre-ignition condition due to an unknown reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA244Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Fort Worth, TXfuel exhaustion, due to the pilot's failure to refuel before taking off on the remainder of the flight after making a precautionary landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot becoming lost and disoriented, and the lack of suitable terrain for a…NTSB FTW97IA248Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Longview, TXThe failure of the rudder pedal bell crank from the right seat side due to an overload fracture.NTSB CHI97LA193Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Satanta, KSThe pilot did not maintain aircraft control and the reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.NTSB CHI97FA200Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · St. Paul, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. Related factors were the pilot's diverted attention and gusty wind conditions.NTSB ATL97FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman B75N1 · Locust Grove, GAThe inadvertent stall encountered by the pilot after experiencing an in-flight cylinder head separation.