NTSB investigations, IA
180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 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\" = 'IA' 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" = 'IA' 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 CEN15LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 4A · Gilbert, IAThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because the available fuel shifted within the tanks due to an abrupt nose-low maneuver to avoid an obstacle, which resulted in a hard forced landing.NTSB GAA15CA193Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Oxford, IAThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff based on the runway and density altitude conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA138Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II Sport · Ute, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent an inadvertent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA137Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 24 · Charles City, IAThe pilot's inadequate pre-flight fuel planning resulting in fuel exhaustion and a collision with terrain.NTSB GAA15CA125Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180B · Waterloo, IAThe incorrect installation of the secondary seat stop reel which resulted in the pilot's loss of control when the seat moved full aft during takeoff.NTSB CEN15CA203Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 195A · Independence, IAThe pilot's attempt to land in strong crosswind conditions, resulting in his on-ground loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind that exceeded the crosswind limits of the airplane.NTSB GAA15LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Garrison, IAThe malfunction of the right brake for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN15FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Dubuque, IAThe pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.NTSB CEN14LA493Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDavis Benny Christen Eagle II · Vinton, IAThe pilot's loss of directional control during landing after the airplane encountered uneven pavement at the intersection with a crossing runway.NTSB CEN14LA472Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportOhlgren Brent E RV-6A · Marshalltown, IAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's misjudgment of the amount of fuel onboard prior to flight.NTSB CEN14LA424Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBarger Steve M RV-7A · Russell, IAThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and the subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN14LA305Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to the in-flight separation of the propeller blades for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN14LA281Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportOffchiss Edward R Avid Flyer · Lamoni, IAThe student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing.NTSB CEN14CA264Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLauritsen Ralph M RV 4 · Rockwell City, IAThe pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN14LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-350P · Marion, IAThe pilot’s failure to attain a touchdown on the runway’s hard surface, which resulted in a loss of directional control.NTSB CEN13LA570Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Algona, IAFuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to ensure he had sufficient fuel on board to complete the planned flight. Contributing to the accident was the incomplete information provided by the airport's AWOS.NTSB CEN13LA533Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Atlantic, IAThe pilot’s delay in releasing product to reduce the airplane’s weight and improve its climb performance, which was reduced because of the high density altitude.NTSB CEN13CA529Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172R · Council Bluff, IAThe student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.NTSB CEN13CA522Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Iowa City, IAThe pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing.NTSB CEN13LA500Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Brooklyn, IAThe improper routing of the seatbelt, which resulted in the inadvertent deployment of the reserve parachute, and the open jump door, which allowed the passenger to be pulled from the airplane.NTSB CEN13LA484Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Larchwood, IAA complete loss of engine power during an agricultural application flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13LA463Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Vinton, IAThe pilot's operation of the helicopter at high gross weight and high density altitude while still in ground effect, which reduced the efficiency of the rotor system and the amount of lift produced, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to…NTSB CEN13CA449Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDean David E Kitfox Classic 4 · Grinnell, IAThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while landing with a crosswind.NTSB CEN13CA337Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStiegelmeyer John R Vans RV-7A · Vinton, IAThe inadvertent collision with a deer during landing.NTSB CEN13LA287Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Oskaloosa, IAThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the engine examination did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN13CA289Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Ankeny, IAThe student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN13CA290Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Pella, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB CEN13CA238Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Lanesboro, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while making an off-airport landing with a gusty tailwind.NTSB CEN13CA133Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAmerican General Acft AG5B · Ankeny, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway in gusty wind conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions during the subsequent go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper interior lighting…NTSB CEN13FA122Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter 407 · Clear Lake, IAThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN13FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Correctionville, IAThe pilot’s failure to perform a go-around after encountering thick fog at night.NTSB CEN13FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Clutier, IAThe pilot’s failure to monitor, recognize, and identify obstacles on approach to landing, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s expectation and assumption that there were no above-ground…NTSB CEN13CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150F · Red Oak, IAThe loss of control while landing due to the solo student pilot's delay to execute a go-around and his improper control inputs during a bounced landing.NTSB CEN12LA667Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Decorah, IAThe pilot's failure to properly manage the helicopter's available fuel supply, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the improper calibration of the fuel gauge and the fuel-low warning light.NTSB CEN12LA629Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVarga 2150A · Clinton, IAThe pilot of the other airplane failing to adequately monitor for other aircraft while landing.NTSB CEN12LA602Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39C · Davenport, IAThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.NTSB CEN12CA607Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportNorth American AT-6F · Council Bluffs, IAAn unlocking of the excessively worn tailwheel lock mechanism, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.NTSB CEN12IA554Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Des Moines, IAA temporary loss of control during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postincident examination of the autopilot, pitch trim systems, and horizontal stabilizer revealed no anomalies consistent with a loss of control.NTSB CEN12CA503Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Keokuk, IAThe pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll in a variable crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB CEN12LA453Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-402B · Britt, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during an agricultural application operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distracted attention due to personal cell phone use during flight operations.NTSB CEN12LA443Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Red Oak, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground-support vehicle during landing.NTSB CEN12LA441Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Elkader, IAThe pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point while landing on the wet grass runway.NTSB CEN12CA435Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-3B-2 · Treynor, IAThe pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN12LA408Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Griswold, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN12CA402Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer TH55A/269A · Grinnell, IAThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind during a hovering maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and directional control.NTSB CEN12LA340Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuicksilver Sport II · Manchester, IAAn inadvertent aerodynamic stall while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB CEN12LA247Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Grinnell, IAThe pilot's improper liftoff technique, which resulted in ground resonance, and the pilot's delayed recognition of the ground resonance.NTSB CEN12LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206B · Winterset, IAThe loss of oil pressure to the No. 4 connecting rod journal and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB CEN12LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalling Vans RV-3 · Larchwood, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing.