NTSB investigations, 2015
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2015 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") = 2015 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 CEN16WA046Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationCessna 172N · Gorliz, SpainOn November 14, 2015, at 1157 UTC, a Cessna 172, Spanish registration EC-HKH, collided with the water in the Astondo Bay off the coast of Gorliz, Spain, following a loss of engine power. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries and a second…NTSB CEN16WA045Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA 46 350P · Taunton, United KingdomNTSB CEN16LA040Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Sugarland, TXThe overspeed of the main rotor system for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR16LA028Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lancaster, CAThe flight instructor's failure to comply with published instrument approach procedures during an instrument approach in dark night, visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the controller's…NTSB GAA16CA053Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSweeney Timothy J Rans S6-ES · Winter Haven, FLThe pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and nose over.NTSB GAA16CA050Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182Q · Bowstring, MNThe pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with a wind sock and terrain.NTSB ERA16LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Jefferson, NCA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident test run of the engine.NTSB CEN16LA039Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Alpine, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a descent from which he was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at or near the helicopter's…NTSB ERA16WA048Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Sirinhaem Municipality, BrazilOn November 11, 2015, about 1755 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R66, Brazilian registration PR-EDL, was substantially damaged during an emergency autorotation near Sirinhaem, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, when the main rotor blades contacted and…NTSB CEN16LA089Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Grand Forks, NDThe pilot's failure to properly calculate the airplane's weight and balance and center of gravity, which resulted in the tail striking the ground.NTSB CEN16FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Richmond, MOThe airplane's impact with trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing in dark night conditions following a partial loss of engine power. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination did…NTSB ERA16WA037Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 650 · Guarda-Mor, BrazilOn November 10, 2015, at 2030 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Cessna 650 Citation VII, Brazilian registration PT-WQH, operated by a private owner, was destroyed following an in-flight loss of control and collision with terrain near Guarda-mor…NTSB CEN16WA041Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 182 · Parry Sound, CanadaOn November 10, 2015, at 0020 universal coordinated time, a Canadian registered Cessna 182H airplane, C-GKNZ, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport (CNK4), Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. The pilot and passenger were…NTSB CEN16MA036Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBritish Aerospace HS 125 700A · Akron, OHThe flight crew's mismanagement of the approach and multiple deviations from company standard operating procedures, which placed the airplane in an unsafe situation and led to an unstabilized approach, a descent below minimum descent altitude without visual…NTSB GAA16CA047Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172M · Miami, FLThe student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA16CA044Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172G · Newfane, NYAn evasive maneuver during landing to avoid deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.NTSB ERA16WA038Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationAir Tractor AT-502B · Balsas, BrazilOn November 11, 2015, about 1930 universal coordinated time, an Air Tractor AT502B, Brazilian registration PR-RSA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Balsas Airport, Balsas Brazil. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was…NTSB ERA16FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Climax, GAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by the combined effects of multiple medications and drugs.NTSB CEN16FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Colorado Springs, COThe pilot's loss of airplane control during the turn back to the airport after takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impaired…NTSB WPR16LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · San Jose, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll at night, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB GAA16LA046Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportU-Fly-It Aerolite 103 · Midland, VAThe pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane’s center of gravity aft of its limit, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR16IA025Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · Paso Robles, CAThe failure of the nose landing gear due to unanticipated fatigue loads.NTSB GAA16CA048Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Mesa, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, resulting in a porpoise, and firewall damage.NTSB DCA16CA021Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 787 · Beaumont, TXAn inadvertent encounter with convective turbulence resulting in serious injury to a flight attendant.NTSB WPR16WA026Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 310 · Mildura, Australia, AustraliaOn November 6, 2015, at 1840 local time, a Cessna 310R, VH-BWZ, operating under the pertinent civil regulation of the Government of Australia, collided with terrain near Mildura, Australia, while on approach. The airplane was destroyed in the post-impact fire…NTSB WPR16LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThorp T 18 · Independence, ORA separation of the canopy mechanism during flight, which resulted in the pilot’s precautionary landing and the airplane’s subsequent collision with a fence post.NTSB WPR16CA022Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportKnox Marion L RV-6A · Lebanon, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an aborted landing which resulted in a collision with trees.NTSB GAA16CA078Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 525 · Monroeville, ALAn inadvertent collision with a bird during takeoff enroute climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.NTSB ERA16LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot's delayed extension of the landing gear and his failure to ensure that the main landing gear (MLG) were down and locked before touchdown, which resulted in the collapse of both MLG. Contributing to the landing gear collapse was the mis-set landing…NTSB ERA16FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith CH701 · Okeechobee, FLAn in-flight structural failure due to a severely corroded wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA16CA060Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · Monongahela, PAThe inadequate securing of the wheeled fire extinguisher's cover which resulted in it being blown off of the fire extinguisher and ingested into the helicopter's fenestron during takeoff, resulting in a loss of directional control.NTSB CEN16LA033Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Gonzales, LAMaintenance personnel’s improper installation of the carburetor during recent maintenance, including the omission of a required cotter pin, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB GAA16CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Alcoa, TNThe pilot's failure to identify the taxiway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain while turning off the runway at night.NTSB ERA16FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-180 · Cornelia, GAThe pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA16FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Queens, NYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, over water with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in a collision with the water.NTSB GAA16CA045Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C 1 · Mount Pocono, PAThe student pilot's failure to remove the tension applied to the cyclic before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control and the tail rotor striking the ground.NTSB CEN16LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican Autogyro Sparrowhawk · Wakeman, OHA loss of engine power/performance for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ANC16LA005Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Haines, AKA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence and the pilot’s decision to continue the flight after realizing the remaining fuel quantity was near 0.NTSB WPR16LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Sedro-Woolley, WAThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of naphthenate fuel contamination, which blocked the fuel flow through the start pump.NTSB DCA16WA020Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Lahore, PakistanThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737-400, registration AP-BJO, which occurred on November 3, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the CAA investigation…NTSB CEN16LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 208B · Chicago, ILThe failure of the driver of the service vehicle to yield to the taxiing airplane, which resulted in a near-collision and tail strike.NTSB CEN16LA035Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlimn Kitfox 2-3 · Escanaba, MIThe airplane owner's inadequate maintenance and servicing of the propeller gearbox, which resulted in oil starvation, failure of the gearbox in flight, and a subsequent loss of propeller thrust. Contributing to the outcome was the airplane's low altitude at…NTSB CEN16LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Tecumseh, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing and his subsequent improper decision to attempt an aborted landing after the airplane had departed the runway.NTSB CEN16LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 407 · San Antonio, TXThe failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a requirement to inspect the tail rotor assembly for security in the helicopter manufacturer's maintenance manual…NTSB CEN16LA026Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · Fayetteville, ARThe fatigue failure of the oil cooler cross fitting, which resulted in engine oil starvation and a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR16LA020Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Dallas, ORA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA16CA067Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12 65 · New Lisbon, WIThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, resulting in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB GAA16CA043Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182 · Douglas Bisbee, AZThe student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion, left main landing gear collapse, and a collision with terrain.NTSB GAA16CA038Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Auburn, PAThe pilot's use of excessive brake pressure during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.NTSB DCA16WA103Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Dublin, IrelandThe Ireland Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Boeing 737-800 that occurred on November 2, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIU investigation under the provisions…