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 SEA97LA138Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Waldport, ORthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation to ensure he could execute a safe departure in the meteorological conditions present at the time. Related factors included: the unfavorable/variable/gusty wind conditions; and a power line near the…NTSB NYC97LA119Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-280C · Sharon, VTThe pilot's improper decision to descend and fly at 100 feet over a river and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with wires.NTSB MIA97LA182Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210F · Waycross, GAthe private pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, while maneuvering in an attempt to reverse direction, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB FTW97LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502A · Chesterville, TXan undetermined malfunction/failure of the propeller reversing system.NTSB FTW97LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 200D · Little Rock, ARa loss of engine power due to fuel starvation from a partially blocked fuel line which was the result of improper maintenance by unknown person(s). A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for landing.NTSB FTW97LA223Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-400A · Black Oak, ARThe loss of engine power due to compressor turbine blade failure. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-G10 · Biggers, ARThe total blockage of a fuel line by a silicone rubber contaminant which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB ATL97LA086Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MDHC-369E · Okahumpka, FLThe failure of the crewmember to use the necessary safety equipment, and his subsequent fall from an elevated platform. A factor was the crewmember's distraction with an animal.NTSB SEA97LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander Callair A-9B · Saint Anthony, IDthe pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to dump the load of chemicals. Related factors were: the high density altitude, and a dirt embankment that was encountered during the landing roll.NTSB LAX97LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-6-235 · Salome, AZthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.NTSB LAX97FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Topanga, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper VFR altitude over mountainous terrain obscured by clouds, and his intentional descent into instrument meteorological weather conditions.NTSB IAD97LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca S15AC · Laconia, NHThe pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind, which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the gusting winds.NTSB IAD97LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Cambridge, MDThe student pilot's failure to properly recover from a bounced landing.NTSB FTW97LA218Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Bridgeport, TXThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as result of the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Weston, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from rising mountainous/hilly terrain. The unfavorable wind condition and low airspeed were related factors.NTSB FTW97LA216Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWsk Pzl Mielec M-18 · Swifton, ARMain landing gear collapse resulting from a failure of the torque link assembly attaching bolt. A factor was the lack of required maintenance (lubrication of the bolt) which resulted in the bolt becoming dry and corroded.NTSB CHI97GA166Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHughes 269A-1 · Cedar Rapids, IAloss of engine power due to undetermined reason(s). Related factors included the obstructions (building, utility pole, and transmission wires); and the lack of a functional windsock, due to inadequate facility maintenance by the operator.NTSB SEA97LA136Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStaudacher S-260-2 · Wallace, IDthe pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate altitude/distance from wooded terrain during a low-altitude course reversal. Related factors include mountainous/hilly terrain, blind canyon, low ceiling, and trees in…NTSB SEA97LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBucker Flugzeugbau 1.131 Jungmann · Cottage Grove, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and gear collapse. The wet runway surface was a related factor.NTSB SEA97LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172C · Fall City, WAthe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. The soft, wet terrain was a related factor.NTSB NYC97LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Frederick, MDThe private pilot's improper flare, and the certificated flight instructor's delayed decision to add power, which resulted in the subsequent hard landing.NTSB MIA97WA186Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationCessna 501 · Berry Island, BahamasNTSB LAX97LA206Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Heron, CApartial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to the accident was that the engine lost power when the helicopter was outside (below) the limits of the height/velocity curve.NTSB IAD97LA086Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe LL-8-A · Annapolis, MDthe pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in accumulation of carburetor ice and subsequent loss of engine power. Related factors were: carburetor icing conditions, and trees in the emergency landing area.NTSB IAD97LA085Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMc Ardle Kolb Mark III · Findlay, OHThe loss of power due to one of two carburetors disconnecting in flight for undetermined reasons, and the subsequent collision with the terrain during forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA245Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-400A · Church Point, LAThe pilot's improperly performed short field takeoff procedures.NTSB FTW97LA215Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-291A · Albuquerque, NMthe sudden encounter with clear air turbulence.NTSB ATL97LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Daytona Beach, FLfailure of the pilot of N7617F to comply with an ATC instruction to hold short of a taxiway, and failure of the pilots in both airplanes to see-and-avoid each other's airplane.NTSB NYC97LA112Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe LL-8-E · Charlottesville, VAThe left main landing gear collapsed due to corrosion.NTSB LAX97GA205Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRockwell OV-10A · Hollister, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate ground clearance altitude while performing a low-level aerobatic maneuver. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.NTSB CHI97LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSiefert 5151RG · Shelbyville, INthe cause of the accident is undetermined.NTSB CHI97IA164Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-10-30F · Chicago, ILthe lack of communications to assure safe operations between aircraft on a non-movement area.NTSB SEA97FA133Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206E · Red Lodge, MTThe pilot-in-command's flight into known adverse weather and the subsequent overload and separation of the right wing-strut fuselage-to-strut attach point. Factors contributing were clouds and obscuration.NTSB NYC97LA121Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobbins Kolb Firestar · Gilbertsville, PAThe noncertificated operator's improper decision to fly low over a congested area, which resulted in an abrupt maneuver to avoid a collision with a tethered blimp, and the subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB LAX97LA203Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Hollister, CAThe pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's application of full power following the loss of directional control, which increased…NTSB CHI97LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · St. Cloud, MNthe pilot's misjudgment of his clearance around the parked vehicle. A factor was the location of the parked vehicle.NTSB ATL97LA083Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Orangeburg, SCThe pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason. The pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed which resulted in a stall and then subsequent collision with the ground. A factor was, conditions were favorable for the formation of…NTSB NYC97LA111Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Jay, MEthe pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB NYC97LA110Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco YMF · Ocean City, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper compensation for the wind conditions. Contributing factors were the lack of recent experience in the airplane, and gusty wind conditions.NTSB NYC97LA108Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 135 · Pepperell, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a turn, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent into water.NTSB LAX97FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Saugus, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while attempting VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB IAD97LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe G · Dalton, NYthe pilot's delay in aborting the landing after allowing the airplane to touchdown long. His failure to attain a proper touchdown point was a related factor.NTSB DCA97RA050Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Nagoya, JapanNTSB CHI97LA162Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Valparaiso, INa delay by the pilot of the other aircraft in turning on his mode C transponder.NTSB SEA97LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Big Creek, IDthe pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector to the 'OFF' position, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power during takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: down-sloping terrain (airstrip) and trees that were encountered…NTSB SEA97LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Hardin, MTthe student's delay in initiating a go-around. A factor relating to the accident was: the sunglare.NTSB SEA97FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLockheed P-38L · Tillamook, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), after loss of power in one engine, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain. Related factors were: the pilot's improper fuel management and failure to change the fuel…NTSB NYC97LA109Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-15 · Easton, PAA failed aileron pulley which resulted in loss of tension and subsequent loss of aileron control. A factor was the failure of the mechanic to detect the failed aileron pulley during the annual inspection.NTSB NYC97LA106Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-17 · Mansfield, MAThe inadequate procedure for hand-prop starting of the engine.NTSB LAX97LA201Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman A75N1 · Lemoore, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent overload failure of the main landing gear. Related factors were a left crosswind and partial loss of the right wheel…