NTSB investigations, 1996
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\") = 1996 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") = 1996 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 LAX97FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310I · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain a climb following initiation of a missed approach in fog due to spatial disorientation, and his inadequate training by company personnel. Potential rescue was delayed due to the FAA radar controller's failure to follow…NTSB NYC97WA017Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-31-310 · Nairobi, KenyaNTSB LAX97LA039Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369D · Hana, HIsubsequent failure of the spur adapter gearshaft (SAG), after 'retaining ring to compressor impeller machining' occurred and allowed the SAG to shift aft. The mechanism which induced the ring to impeller machining was not determined. Mountainous terrain in…NTSB FTW97LA040Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Plainview, TXthe pilot's continued descent below the minimum descent altitude (MDA). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, the adverse weather conditions.NTSB IAD97IA020Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-88 · Cleveland, OHThe pilot's failure to follow checklist procedures and extend the spoilers.NTSB FTW97LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Alamosa, COaircraft damage for undetermined rteasons.NTSB FTW97FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Colorado City, TXthe pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the clouds, low ceilings, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument…NTSB DCA97WA007Accident · 349 fatalForeign investigationBoeing 747-168 · New Delhi, IndiaNTSB CHI97LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Waukegan, ILthe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the pilot's misjudging the flare.NTSB LAX97LA037Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Williams, AZa foreign object in the oil system, which resulted in failure of the oil pump, oil starvation, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing. Rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.NTSB IAD97LA019Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Edgerton, OHthe pilot's Inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. Factors to this accident were the night conditions and snow.NTSB CHI97FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportEnstrom F28F · Gutherie, ILthe pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and not maintaining control of the helicopter during its rearward flight. A factor was the pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability.NTSB ATL97LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30-160 · Cartersville, GAthe flight instructor's (CFI's) inadequate supervision by failing to ensure that directional control of the aircraft was maintained, during a simulated engine failure. The student pilot's delay in performing the appropriate single-engine emergency procedure…NTSB FTW97LA057Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGilbert Rutan Vari EZE · Oklahoma City, OKThe pilot's failure to follow proper starting procedures and set the throttle to idle before hand propping.NTSB FTW97LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Tulsa, OKFuel exhaustion due the student pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB MIA97LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Brunswick, GAa complete loss of engine power as a result of piston failure, oil starvation, and the subsequent forced landing in unsuitable terrain.NTSB MIA97LA022Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Columbiana, ALthe pilot's improper use of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation, and his failure to select a tank with fuel for a restart, which resulted in a failure to restart the engine, a forced landing, and subsequent impact with terrain. High…NTSB MIA97LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Walnut Cove, NCfailure of the pilot/owner (PIC) to either go around while there was sufficient runway remaining or apply adequate braking to stop the aircraft before overrunning the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot/owner's misjudgment of distance and…NTSB MIA97FA020Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-600 · New Bern, NCthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VMC). Contributing to the accident was his lack of total experience in kind of aircraft.NTSB LAX97LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-401 · Calexico, CAthe pilot's premature lift-off from the runway and his failure to attain adequate airspeed.NTSB FTW97LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-125 · Westcliffe, COfailure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing.NTSB MIA97FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU206B · Jasper, GAcontinued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from rising/mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB IAD97IA018Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Dayton, OHFailure of the output drive unit shear pin due to lack of lubrication to the screw actuator assemblies. Contributing to the cause was the aircraft manufacturer's production and inspection personnel failing to lubricate the screw assemblies after initial…NTSB SEA97LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Bruneau, IDthe pilot's failure to perform adequate preflight planning to ensure that the aircraft could complete a takeoff in the distance available. Factors relating to the accident included: a short takeoff area, and a dirt bank at the end of the road from which the…NTSB SEA97LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Hardin, MTthe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft after touched down. Factors relating to the accident included the pilot's abrupt movement of the throttle as he…NTSB NYC97WA016Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206B3 · Dear, South AfricaNTSB NYC97WA015Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationCessna 421 · Donzeil, FranceNTSB NYC97LA014Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Pawtucket, RIfailure of the pilot to comply with the published instrument approach procedure, by continuing the ILS approach below the decision height, rather than performing a missed approach; and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point for the continued landing.…NTSB LAX97LA038Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Elk Grove, CAloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s) after takeoff. The lack of maintenance/annual inspection was a related factor.NTSB NYC97FA013Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Lehman Township, PAThe failure of the forward fuselage nose assembly for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane.NTSB LAX97LA333Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMikoyan MiG MIG 15UTI · Fallon, NVThe pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed. A related factor was his diverted attention.NTSB IAD97LA017Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVanatta KR-2 · Blackstone, VAloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control (stall) and collision with the ground.NTSB DCA97WA005Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationMcDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Buenos Aires, ArgentinaNTSB SEA97LA025Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick TH-1L · Leavenworth, WAFatigue failure of the vertical stabilizer spar cap and subsequent loss of the rotorcraft's vertical stabilizer. Factors include inadequate inspection or trouble-shooting of the aircraft tail cone and vertical stabilizer at and after the time sheet-metal…NTSB IAD97LA016Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1B · Gaithersburg, MDthe pilot's inadequate preflight, and his failure to detect an insufficent fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing after takeoff. Uneven terrain (drop-off in the emergency landing area) was a related factor.NTSB FTW97LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Grand Prairie, TXfailure of the pilot to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to a tank with sufficient fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight, false indication from the…NTSB CHI97FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Chancellor, SDthe pilot's attempted flight with known deficiencies in equipment, his initiating VFR flight into IMC conditions, his spatial disorientation and loss of control of the airplane. Factors were fog, dark night, and inoperative directional gyro.NTSB NYC97LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TB 9 Tampico · Laurens, NYthe student pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for a precautionary landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the student becoming lost, the subsequent low fuel condition, and the embankment in the emergency landing area.NTSB LAX97LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-600 · Flagstaff, AZAn uncommanded main rotor blade to tail boom contact due to a 'blowback' phenomena after a successful preplanned autorotation by the pilot to a high density altitude airport with a test aircraft designed at a maximum gross weight.NTSB IAD97LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres Scorpion Executive · Union Vale, NYthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in a subsequent emergency landing and collision with a fence and a cherry picker (vehicle). A factor relating to the accident was: the student pilot's lack of experience in the type…NTSB SEA97LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185E · Price, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB FTW97LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-3 · Tyler, TXa loss of engine power due to failure of the crankshaft. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB CHI97LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGalaxy AX8 · Columbia, MOthe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the ditch, which was encountered during the landing; and high vegetation, which covered the ditch making it not visible to the pilot.NTSB CHI97LA021Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177A · Kirksville, MOan improper maintenance overhaul by company maintenance personnel which led to a bearing failure. The soft terrain was a factor.NTSB CHI97LA019Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule MX-7-235 · Hubbard Lake, MIthe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and failure to maintain proper alignment with the airstreip during the go-around (aborted landing). The crosswind and proximity of trees were related factors.NTSB NYC97LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Norwood, MAfailure of the pilot to perform a go-around, when an animal obstructed the runway; and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstruction (VASI). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, an animal (deer) on the runway, and the proximity of the…NTSB LAX97LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Lake Havasu, AZcarburetor ice, and failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing conditions, darkness, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB LAX97LA031Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRainey Rans S-12 · Tucson, AZa broken wire in the ignition coil, which resulted in a loss of engine power; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/spin and uncontrolled collision with the terrain.NTSB LAX97FA032Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Halawa, HIthe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance and/or altitude from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and…NTSB FTW97LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Mancos, COfailure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the windsock, during a hover/pedal-turn after lift-off.