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 ATL97LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule MXT-7 · Hampton, GAinadequate compensation for the wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. The crosswind, the pilot's lack of experience in crosswind conditions, and the proximity of trees were related factors.NTSB ANC97LA036Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWilliams Kitfox · Wasilla, AKa broken electrical wire, which resulted in an inoperative electrical fuel pump, an overly lean mixture, fuel starvation, and loss of engine power.NTSB MIA97LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB-21C · Hollywood, FLcontinued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and the pilot allowing the aircraft to exceed its design stress limits. Weather associated with the thunderstorm was a related factor.NTSB LAX97LA130Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman B75N1 · Victorville, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout.NTSB LAX97LA129Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Nogales, AZLoss of engine power due to fuel contamination resulting from the pilot's inadequate fuel storage and filtering procedures.NTSB FTW97LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Durango, COthe pilot's improper planning/decision, and failure to ensure there was sufficient fuel aboard for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a successful…NTSB FTW97LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Dilley, TXfailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering over high transmission line(s), which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain. The unfavorable weather condition (with turbulence) and the obstruction (high transmission…NTSB ANC97LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Nome, AKfracture of a propeller blade tip.NTSB SEA97LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American NA-265-40 · Hailey, IDan electrical short in the electrical system, which resulted in a malfunction of the nosewheel steering system and loss of directional control.NTSB MIA97LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26E · Benton, TNThe failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and clearance from the trees on a ridge line.NTSB IAD97GA054Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Cleveland, OHThe engine failure from the rod cap bolt being sheared and the separation of the number two cylinder separating from the crankcase.NTSB FTW97LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Abilene, TXThe unlatching of the front bench seat for an undetermined reason.NTSB FTW97LA134Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502 · Paragould, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees resulting in jammed control surfaces. A factor was that aircraft control was not possible by the pilot.NTSB FTW97FA135Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTeschendorf Cassutt Sport · Stilwell, OKfailure of the right wing spar and/or debonding of the right wing skin, which resulted in separation of the wing skin and a portion of the right wing, during high speed flight. Factors related to the accident were: previous wing damage and inadequate…NTSB FTW97FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421 · League City, TXThe pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in the loss of power to the right engine due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the single engine landing approach which resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB CHI97LA088Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · La Valle, WIthe pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain.NTSB LAX97LA127Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPassadori Norman Breezy · Gilroy, CAThe pilot's delayed decision to reverse course while climbing into rising terrain, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin which resulted in a stall/mush into trees and terrain.NTSB LAX97FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Bagdad, AZfailure of the pilot to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. High density altitude was a related factor.NTSB FTW97LA132Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Broomfield, COthe student pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector which led to fuel starvation and loss of engine power. Factors were the pilot's inadequate fuel management and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA131Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Donna, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during an aerial application flight. A factor was the power lines.NTSB FTW97LA129Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140B · Fort Collins, COa total loss of power for reasons undetermined. A factor was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB LAX97LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHoffman, Wolf, Flugzeugbau Super Dimona HK 36R · Scottsdale, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path.NTSB FTW97LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson L5 · Lancaster, TXFailure of the pilot of the Stinson L5, N57789, to see and avoid the RV-6, N139TX.NTSB FTW97IA128Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 · Houston, TXThe failure of company maintenance personnel to perform a proper inspection of the combustion chamber outer case, thus allowing a detectable crack to grow to a length at which the case ruptured.NTSB LAX97LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Fresno, CAfailure of the right brake to function, due to the installation mechanic's failure to completely bleed all air from the lines. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to fly the unairworthy aircraft before the engine/propeller installation had been…NTSB FTW97LA127Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402 · Pine Bluff, ARfailure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the tower. The proximity of the tower was a related factor.NTSB FTW97LA123Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Manchaca, TXThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the weather condition.NTSB LAX97LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerostar RX7 · Tucson, AZfailure of the pilot to maintain safe altitude/clearance from another balloon, while landing in a crowded area.NTSB IAD97LA055Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Harrison, OHthe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and his improper operation of the throttle for regain control, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with a tree.NTSB FTW97WA133Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28-181 · Tejupilco, MexicoNTSB FTW97LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Hartsel, COThe pilot's misjudging the proper touchdown point on the dirt road due to excessive airspeed and his failure to deploy flaps. Factors were the partial loss of engine lubricating oil due to the oil filler cap separating because some unknown person failed to…NTSB ATL97LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Memphis, TNfailure of maintenance personnel to properly inspect (and repair) the brake assembly, which allowed a subsequent brake fluid leak and eventual fire.NTSB ANC97LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.NTSB MIA97LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Nashville, TNimproper planning/decision by the pilot, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel to reach a suitable landing area, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, a forced landing, and collision with a tree. The faulty fuel indication was a…NTSB MIA97FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Andrews, NCThe pilot's poor in-flight planning in attempting to maintain VFR conditions at night over mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain clearance from the mountain. Contributing to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for not…NTSB LAX97LA128Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Santa Barbara, CAthe pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in loss of engine power, due to fuel exhaustion. His psychological condition was a related factor.NTSB LAX97FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Pacoima, CAimproper maintenance/installation of electrical wiring, the lack of circuit protection, and subsequent in-flight electrical fire.NTSB FTW97RA126Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 205A1 · Lofssjon, SwedenNTSB FTW97LA124Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Fort Collins, COThe pilot's failure to remove completely ice/frost from the wing, impeding the airplane's aerodynamic performance. Factors were wing contamination by frost and ice.NTSB FTW97FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Westminster, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance during an intentional low altitude maneuver. A factor was the transmission line.NTSB CHI97LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Janesville, WIthe pilot inadvertently retracting the landing gear during the takeoff roll.NTSB CHI97FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3C/BT-67R · Newton, WIfailure of the Beech A36 pilot to maintain clearance from the modified Douglas DC-3, while positioning the A36 for photography of the DC-3.NTSB ANC97IA035Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kotzebue, AKthe jammed main landing gear which was caused by a binding main landing gear door with a broken hinge. The fractured, inadequate main landing gear door hinge was also causal.NTSB SEA97LA072Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Glide, ORfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a power transmission line. Factors relating to the accident included ambient light conditions, which made the power line hard to see.NTSB NYC97LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Sanford, MEthe pilot's premature raising of the flaps during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment after lift-off, which allowed the airplane to…NTSB IAD97WA088Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBeech A-36 · Lebury, United KingdomNTSB FTW97FA121Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BO-105S · Lena, LAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the pilot not following company procedures and directives, the low ceiling, and the dark night…NTSB CHI97FA083Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 · Detroit, MIthe captains failure to have the airplane deiced prior to takeoff which resulted in ice ingestion into both engines. Factors associated with the accident were the icing weather conditions, wing ice, an inadequate detection of the ice during the preflight, and…NTSB LAX97LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportColumbia XJ-7 · Camp Pendelton, CAloss of engine power due to an undetermined cause or causes.NTSB CHI97LA082Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Kirksville, MOthe pilot failed to adequately compensate for the wind conditions on the runway during landing roll. Factors included the crosswind and gusts.