NTSB investigations, 2020
180,624 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,602 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\") = 2020 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") = 2020 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 ERA20LA326Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStearman E75 · Honea Path, SCThe partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of an engine cylinder and the pilot’s subsequent decision to overfly several suitable forced-landing sites while attempting to return to the departure airstrip.NTSB ERA20LA325Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe F 1 · West Kingston, RIThe pilot’s failure to conduct a proper preflight inspection and ensure the fuel was uncontaminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and forced landing.NTSB ERA20LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV 8 · Hilliard, FLA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB ERA20LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28R · Moosic, PAThe inadequate torquing of anchored-thru and free-thru studs during installation of the No. 2 cylinder, resulting in their fatigue fracture and subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the undershoot landing was the pilot’s failure to divert to…NTSB CEN20LA407Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuicksilver MX II · Marengo, INA loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in conditions conducive to carburetor icing without a carburetor heating system, contrary to the engine manufacturer’s guidance.NTSB CEN20CA416Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 172RG · Lafayette, INThe separation failure of a landing gear system hydraulic line and its compression fitting during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial gear up landing.NTSB ANC20LA098Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · King Salmon, AKThe fatigue fracture failure of the left main landing gear U-bolt during landing, which resulted in the collapse and separation of the left main landing gear spring.NTSB WPR20LA311Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportNorth American B25N · Stockton, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the erroneous fuel gauge indications and inadequate preflight planning and inspectionNTSB WPR20CA313Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402 · Somerton, AZThe pilot’s failure to use full power during takeoff and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA344Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B19 · Laconia, NHThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing.NTSB CEN20WA409Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPitts S1 · Kulmbach, GermanyNTSB CEN20LA415Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions while landing, which resulted a loss of lateral control and impact with a fence.NTSB CEN20LA412Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith CH 750 · Montrose, MOA total loss of engine power due to an electrical overload in the engine control unit wiring system; the electrical overload occurred as a result of improper installation by the airplane builder.NTSB CEN20LA402Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA46 · Hilltop Lakes, TXThe loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to establish and maintain a…NTSB CEN20LA401Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Kokomo, INThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole and the subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB WPR20WA329Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Rooibok-Kraal, South AfricaNTSB WPR20WA327IncidentClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · Criterion, South AfricaNTSB WPR20LA310Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV4 · Clovis, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during initial climb due to distraction, which resulted in an in-flight upset and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA331Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA31 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue to the destination following the loss of engine power to the first engine.NTSB DCA21WA017IncidentClass 5 · ForeignBombardier CL600 2C10 · Chihuahua City, MexicoNTSB CEN20WA408Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRaven Aircraft Corppration Raven · Moosburg an der Isar, GermanyNTSB CEN20LA413Accident · FatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCosmos Phase 3 · Wayne, OKA loss of control while taxiing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN20LA400Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSafari S · Red Bud, ILA loss of control for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN20LA399Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Zeeland, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a visual approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience at night.NTSB CEN20CA406Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPik PIK-20D · Union, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff that resulted in a collision with another glider that was parked close to the departure runway, and the pilot’s improper decision to attempt a takeoff without ensuring he had safe clearance…NTSB CEN20CA405Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Huntley, ILThe pilot’s decision to land at night without runway lighting, which resulted in a collision with an object.NTSB WPR20LA333Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportUltramagic N500 · Peoria, AZThe balloon's encounter with unexpected windshear, which resulted in a hard landing and serious passenger injuries.NTSB ERA20LA323Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 182 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind takeoff, which resulted in a collision with airport lights and a sign.NTSB CEN20CA404Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCubcrafters CC11 · Larkspur, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in gusting quartering tailwind conditions.NTSB ERA20LA320Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Newport, PAA total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a disconnected carburetor mixture control cable which allowed the carburetor mixture lever to migrate to the cut-off position during flight.NTSB CEN20LA403Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177RG · Palatine, ILThe loss of partial engine power due to fuel starvation during departure which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a utility pole.NTSB CEN20CA411Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna R182 · Marksville, LAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to ensure the landing gear handle in the “down” position which resulted in the landing gear retracting during takeoff, a loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.NTSB CEN21WA036Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna TU206G · Los Laureles, MexicoNTSB CEN20LA397Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith CH 750 · Montgomery City, MOThe pilot’s inadequate fuel management and flight planning, which led to a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing into rough terrain.NTSB CEN20CA396Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA46 · Jacksonville, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing approach and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack at low altitude resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the instructor pilot’s failure to…NTSB ANC20CA097Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Arctic Village, AKThe pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a rock damaging the empennage.NTSB WPR20LA324Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPilatus PC-12/47E · Lake Abert, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during the takeoff ground roll due to inadequate monitoring of the environment.NTSB CEN20CA395Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 407 · Fort Worth, TXThe flight instructor’s delay in rolling the throttle to the fly position during a practice autorotation maneuver that resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN20CA394Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportPiper PA46 · Englewood, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting winds.NTSB ANC20LA093Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Homer, AKThe total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the fuel tank filler necks, which resulted in water intrusion into the fuel tanks.NTSB WPR20LA330Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Stanley, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB WPR20LA304Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Seeley Lake, MTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during a night visual approach due to wildfire smoke, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA20WA137Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S6 · Lasne, BelgiumThe government of Belgium has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a RANS S6 airplane that occurred on September 13, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Belgium's investigation under the provisions…NTSB ERA20LA315Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Steinhatchee, FLThe failure of the air traffic controller to provide hazardous weather information to the pilot, resulting in the flight’s encounter with strong updraft conditions, an inflight loss of airplane control, and an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s…NTSB DCA27WA007Incident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignFairchild SA227-AC · Gyor, HungaryNTSB CEN20LA392Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Cottage Grove, MNA steep descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN20LA389Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportChampion 8KCAB · Groton, SDThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.NTSB CEN20CA393Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Houston, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control upon landing.NTSB ANC20CA094Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 170 · Kiana, AKThe pilot’s improper decision to perform a takeoff from an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a loss of control and nose over.NTSB WPR20LA314Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA30 · Homer, AKThe pilot’s improper flare which resulted in a hard bounced landing and runway excursion.