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 FTW90LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34 · Tomball, TXCollapse of the nose gear for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX90LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Van Nuys, CAThe P-51 pilot's failure to see and avoid the standing C-172.NTSB FTW90LA041Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Ardmore, OKPilot's inadequate compensation for existing wind conditions. Contributing to the accident were the gusty tail winds.NTSB FTW90LA039Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Stephenville, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around which resulted in a stall.NTSB MIA90RA034Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationDouglas DC-6B · George Town, BahamasNTSB MIA90LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Zephyrhills, FLThe student pilot not obtaining the current wind information which resulted in selecting the wrong runway for landing; improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factor(s) was: the student pilot's lack of experience and the tailwind conditions.NTSB LAX90LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Rialto, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing factors were the gusty crosswind conditions.NTSB DEN90LA032Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Powderville, MTThe pilot in command left the airplane unattended with the engine running. That the pilot's son did not understand the unsafe condition is considered a contributing factor.NTSB DEN90LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Colorado Spgs, COThe pilot in command attempted a takeoff with the fuel mixture full rich, with a high density altitude, resulting in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.NTSB CHI90LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS-2-33A · Waynesville, OHThe dual student did not maintain proper glidepath and his misjudgment for compensation for wind conditions resulted in a collision with utility wires. The cfi's inadequate supervision during the duel flight operation contributed to the accident.NTSB ATL90LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Jackson, TNLoss of power in both engines (probable fuel starvation) due to improper planning/decision by the pilot(s), and lack of supervision by the instructor. Soft terrain in the emergency landing area was considered to be a factor.NTSB NYC90LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Simsbury, CTThe pilot's misjudgement of airspeed and distance during landing resulting in an overshoot and swerve off the runway. The dusk light conditions, snow, and frozen terrain were contributing factors to the accident.NTSB LAX90LA048Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar RX-7 · Chandler, AZImproper planning/decision by the pilot. Factors related to the accident were: variable and high wind conditions.NTSB LAX90LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-437 · Hayward, CAEngine failure due to water in fuel that was not discovered by the pilot during his preflight inspection of the fuel system.NTSB LAX90LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Concord, CAImproper use of the brakes by the pilot. The crosswind and the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment were contributing factors.NTSB LAX90LA042Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-II · Rialto, CAThe pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent overcontrol while hovering. Contributing to the accident were the gusty wind conditions and the pilot's inexperience.NTSB DEN90LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Grand Forks, NDFailure of the CFI to utilize carburetor heat prior to the induction icing and power loss. Contributing to the accident was the cfi's continued VFR flight into known and forecast instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB DEN90FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F-90 · Lincoln, NMLoss of control due to pilot disorientation while conducting a non precision instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument and multiengine experience, and the existing adverse weather.NTSB CHI90LA280Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Engadine, MIA collision with trees and the terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI90LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Savoy, ILImproper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in his inability to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor related to the accident was: the adverse wind condition.NTSB MIA90FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601P · Orlando, FLLoss of aircraft control during takeoff for an unknown reason which resulted in a collision with the ground.NTSB CHI90LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12D · Millbury, OHFailure of the pilot to properly secure the aircraft and/or adequately brief the passenger (student pilot), and inadvertent bumping of the throttle by the passenger.NTSB CHI90DEP02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRotec Panther 2+ · Holmen, WIInadvertent partial deployment of the emergency ballistic recovery parachute resulting in a loss of engine thrust and aerodynamic control of the aircraft.NTSB CHI90DEE02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportEdward Avid Flyer C · Lansing Arpt, ILPilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment prior to touchdown. A factor in the accident was the builder's improper modification of the carburetors.NTSB MKC90LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSaint Louis YPT-15 · Creve Coeur, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Contribuiting to the accident was the sun glare.NTSB FTW90GA040Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350B · Liberty Hill, TXUndetermined.NTSB CHI90LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Barron, WIImproper use of the carburetor heat by the pilot and subsequent carburetor ice. Contributing factors were: carburetor icing conditions, slick (wet/snow covered) runway, and trees/brush near the departure end of the runway.NTSB ATL90LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 550 · Covington, KYFailure of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to extend the landing gear and inadequate monitoring by the check pilot, which resulted in a wheels-up landing.NTSB SEA90LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Raymond, WALoss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the impeller. The helicopter was substantially damaged as a result of a roll-over on uneven terrain.NTSB SEA90LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A-185-F · Seattle, WAThe pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.NTSB SEA90LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Stayton, ORThe maintenance personnel failed to record the previous flight time for the overrunning clutch on airworthiness certification documents when the assembly was overhauled. Also, causal to the accident was the operation of the aircraft by the operator for 175…NTSB ATL90IA033Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-225 · Atlanta, GAInadequate maintenance and inspection by the operator.NTSB NYC90FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Coventry, CTThe non-instrument rated pilot initiating VFR flight into IMC on a dark night which resulted in spatial disorientation and uncontrolled flight into the ground. Contributing factor(s) was: the adverse weather existing at the time of the accident and the…NTSB DEN90FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA316B · Park City, UTFailure of the pilot to make a vertical takeoff, while departing with a cable attached, and his failure to insure the cable remained clear of the trailer. The trailer (vehicle) was a contributing factor.NTSB DCA90MA010Accident · 8 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritten-Norman BN-2 · Block Island, RIThe aircraft crashed for an undetermined reason, during an overwater flight on a dark (moonless) night under a cloud layer. A SIGMET was in effect warning of moderate to occasionally severe turbulence below 6000 feet and the potential of low level wind shear.NTSB BFO90LA014Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Chesapeake, VAThe pilot misjudged distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach to land. The light condition at dusk was a related factor.NTSB NYC90LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B-23 · Tinton Falls, NJPrecautionary landing in unsuitable terrain following a partial power loss due to a failed exhaust valve.NTSB MIA90LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Cocoa, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors related to the accident were the crosswind condition and ditch.NTSB FTW90LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Cresson, TXThe failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and the cfi's inability to regain control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of brakes on the cfi's side of the airplane.NTSB FTW90LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fort Worth, TXFuel exhaustion due to the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the plt. A factor in this was the improper initial training by the flight instructor.NTSB FTW90DRA01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna A188B · Muldoon, TXA total power loss due to water contamination in the fuel. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB DEN90FA027Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46P-350 · Des Moines, IALoss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The light conditions (dusk) and trees in in the emergency landing area were considered to be contributing factors.NTSB SEA90LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Boulder City, NVThe pilot did not attain proper alignment with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the ditch and the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB NYC90LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Westfield, MALoss of control during landing due to an improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. A factor relating to the accident was the lack of total experience of the student pilot.NTSB MIA90IA036Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportWaco UPF-7 · Key West, FLThe failure of the pilot to adequately watch for parked aircraft after becoming distracted.NTSB MIA90FA031Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Rogersville, TNContinued flight into instrument meteorological conditions by a non-instrument rated pilot resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's overconfidence in his ability to fly in…NTSB LAX90DUG02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportWittman Tailwind W-8 · Chino, CAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI90LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Eau Claire, WIFailure of the 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's lack of total experience, his diversion of too much attention to…NTSB CHI90DEE03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportNelsen-David Sonerai II/EV · Huntley, ILPilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed during a turn at low altitude, resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain, lack of recent total experience and lack of total experience in type of aircraft.NTSB ATL90LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · New Bern, NCThe failure of the instructor pilot to ensure that the engine fuel selector valves were properly positioned prior to takeoff, which led to fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during takeoff.