NTSB investigations, CA
180,611 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,590 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\" = 'CA' 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" = 'CA' 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 DCA23FA417Accident · No injuriesClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBoeing 737-890 · Santa Ana, CAMaintenance personnel’s excessive grinding of the left main landing gear’s aft trunnion pin during machining, which imparted heat damage to the base metal and led to the fatigue cracking that caused the pin to fracture during landing.NTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA320Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172H · Santa Rosa, CAThe pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB WPR23LA363Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Needles, CAAn encounter with windshear during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a loss of control and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB OPS23FA010IncidentClass 4 · FieldFinal reportBoeing 737-7BD · San Diego, CAThe local control controller’s poor judgment in duty prioritization which distracted them from monitoring arriving and departing traffic and resulted in a runway incursion and loss of same runway separation. Contributing was the operations supervisor’s…NTSB WPR23LA315Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172M · Marysville, CAThe flight instructor’s failure to monitor the airplane’s speed during a high-speed taxi, resulting in a runway excursion.NTSB WPR23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Guernsey, CAThe pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact…NTSB WPR23LA312Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Dixon, CAThe pilot’s loss of directional control after striking an unidentified object during landing on an unimproved runway, and his subsequent use of excessive braking that resulted in a nose-over.NTSB WPR23LA317Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CAThe separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.NTSB WPR23FA302Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 407 · Cabazon, CAThe Skycrane flight crew’s decision to enter the Fire Traffic Area’s 7-nm NOCOM ring at an altitude significantly above their maximum cleared altitude, which resulted in their need for an aggressive descent into congested airspace and subsequent failure to…NTSB WPR23LA305Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Davis, CAAn inflight loss of control during a low altitude operation for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA23LA397Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSupernal SUP83-1 · California City, CAA loss of control in flight due to a loss of electrical power to one of the lift-motors.NTSB WPR23FA299Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCzech Sport SportCruiser · Van Nuys, CAThe misalignment of the carburetor piston slides, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an emergency landing, leading to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA298Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · Long Beach, CAThe flight instructor’s inattention during ground operations, which resulted in unintentional movement of the airplane and ground collision with another airplane.NTSB WPR23FA287Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech P35 · Upland, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall and impact with a building.NTSB WPR23LA270Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSling Sling LSA · Palm Springs, CAFailure of the landing gear strut during takeoff due to a preexisting cracks that were caused by a manufacturing anomaly during the composite fiber layup process.NTSB WPR23LA274Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Long Beach, CAThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the subsequent go-around, which resulted in impact with a hangar.NTSB WPR23LA264Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · La Mesa, CAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · San Rafael, CAThe total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent.NTSB WPR23LA262Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech P35 · Shelter Cove, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not located and recovered.NTSB WPR23FA257Accident · 6 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 550 · Murrieta, CAThe flight crew’s decision to descend below the decision altitude of an instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual reference(s) distinctively identified and with the visibility below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach,…NTSB WPR23FA247Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Murrieta, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps.NTSB WPR23LA249Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Meeks Bay, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR23LA253Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Novato, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll for a touch and go, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB DCA23LA340Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSupernal SUP83-1 · California City, CAErroneous signal processing that resulted in a total loss of propulsion power.NTSB WPR23LA245Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26 E · Williams, CAThe pilot’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR23LA239Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Alturas, CAA loss of engine power due to the failure of the right magneto distributor gear and the pilot’s decision to conduct a test flight with known mechanical issues.NTSB WPR23LA235Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportJohn Topliff PA18-200EXP · Truckee, CAThe pilot’s loss of directional control on landing roll out, during variable wind conditions.NTSB WPR23LA229Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 305C (0-1E) · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.NTSB WPR23LA234Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna P210N · Olivehurst, CAThe pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.NTSB WPR23FA219Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSteen Skybolt · Rio Vista, CAThe pilots’ exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR23LA217Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502B · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot’s improper use of flaps during the takeoff sequence which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.NTSB WPR23LA216Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172R · Santa Monica, CAA failure of the nose wheel upper torque link bolt, which resulted in a loss of steering control. Contributing to the accident were maintenance personnel’s failure to inspect and replace the fractured bolt and the pilot’s oversight of the bolt during his…NTSB WPR23LA212Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Colusa, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.NTSB WPR23LA202Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M-18C 55 · Napa, CAThe pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and a subsequent impact with terrain during a forced landing.NTSB WPR23LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Diego, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.NTSB WPR23LA197Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 210 · Redding, CAA fuel leak caused by an age-degraded fuel pressure sender hose, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.NTSB WPR23LA192Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportViking Air DHC-6-400 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe failure of the ferry fuel tank system to transfer fuel during a trans-Pacific flight for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent ditching into the water.NTSB WPR23LA300Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170B · Tracy, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll after encountering a wind gust.NTSB WPR23FA185Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGates Lear Jet 36A · San Clemente Island, CAThe pilots’ loss of airplane control following a catastrophic fire that started on the left side of the aft equipment bay (tail cone). The fire likely initiated from a leak from the left fuel motive flow line due to a b-nut that loosened for reasons that…NTSB WPR23LA181Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSteven Radenbaugh JA35 Superstol · Moorpark, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight with a possible mechanical malfunction.NTSB WPR23LA176Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAkroTech Giles G-202 · Santa Barbara, CAA fire that resulted from venting fuel coming into contact with hot exhaust surfaces or exhaust gases. Contributing to the fire was the design and location of the main tank fuel vent.NTSB WPR23LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T210N · San Luis Obispo, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB WPR23FA173Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A36 · Big Bear, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed on short final while operating in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB WPR23FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Los Angeles, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport.NTSB WPR23LA170Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR23LA165Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportOneal J R/Oneal R C EDI Express · Tracy, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.NTSB WPR23LA159Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportVashon Ranger R7 · Upland, CAThe pilot's improper selection of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a collision with the airport boundary fence during a forced landing.NTSB WPR23LA156Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Riverside, CAThe pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during an extended ground delay before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice.NTSB WPR23LA154Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T337G · Upland, CAThe pilot’s failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly a nonstandard traffic pattern, which resulted in an unstable approach.