NTSB investigations, 2015
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 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 ERA15LA365Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportClark 1000 · Warehouse Point, CTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to…NTSB ERA15LA363Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Gettysburg, PAThe total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach speed during the forced landing, which resulted in impact with trees.NTSB ERA15CA364Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269B · Hartford, ALThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his subsequent failure to attain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a wire fence.NTSB CEN15LA444Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · New Orleans, LAThe collapse of the landing gear for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ANC15LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AKThe separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom attachment point due to overstress loads imposed by a tail rotor blade imbalance as the result of impact with an undetermined object during low-level flight operations.NTSB WPR15LA261Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Forest Grove, ORA partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB GAA15CA268Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHelio H 395 · Bethel, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate during takeoff initial climb, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees and terrain.NTSB GAA15CA264Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAviat A1 · Rock Springs, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.NTSB ERA15FA361Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206 · Spring Hill, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized instrument approach, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR15LA264Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas A4N · Phoenix, AZThe pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s distraction during the downwind leg and his difficulty seeing the landing gear indicators due to the sun angle and shadows.NTSB GAA15CA299Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 Twin Astir · Wellington, OHThe pilot's failure to level the wings during the landing flare, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway.NTSB CEN15LA416Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172 · College Station, TXThe total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the No. 1 connecting rod. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer’s exclusion of the accident engine (by serial number) in a revision of a service bulletin.NTSB GAA15CA274Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Herington, KSThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, which resulted in a porpoise.NTSB GAA15CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Paxton, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA15FA359Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoatright Waylon RV10 · Alma, GAThe noncertificated pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in his overweight, improperly-loaded airplane in dark night conditions at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident…NTSB DCA15WA198Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 777 · Miami, FLThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has delegated the investigation of an incident involving a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300, that occurred on September 15, 2015, to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Qatar. The NTSB has appointed a U.S.…NTSB CEN15LA414Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Nutwood, ILA partial loss of engine power due to the undetected loosening of the four carburetor bolts that connect the throttle body to the bowl assembly.NTSB ERA15LA360Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJ. Schilling S-19 · East Falmouth, MAThe experimental airplane builder's failure to properly secure the stabilator trim tab push-pull tube’s connection, which resulted in the tube’s separation and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to detect the…NTSB ANC15FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC 3T · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's decision to depart in dark night, visual meteorological conditions over water, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to determine the airplane's…NTSB GAA15LA281Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC 2 MK.I · Nikolai, AKA loss of directional control during a water takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined due to the remote accident location.NTSB ERA15LA358Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7KCAB · Manteo, NCThe inadvertent lodging of the banner-tow cable between the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer after the pilot threw the grapple hook out the window, which resulted in the loss of pitch control and the airplane’s subsequent impact with water.NTSB DCA15WA197Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Frankfort, GermanyThe German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Boeing 737-800 that occurred on September 14, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the BFU investigation…NTSB CEN15LA439Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Alice, TXA loss of engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR15WA271Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationBell 407 · Chong Qing, China, ChinaOn September 13, 2015, at 0600 local time, a Bell 407 GX, B-7702, operated by Chong Qing General Aviation Corporation, collided with terrain during an aerial photo operation near Chong Qing, P. R. China. The helicopter was being operated under the pertinent…NTSB GAA15CA267Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 180H · Delta Junction, AKThe pilot's failure to attain and maintain yaw control during the approach and attempted go around, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB GAA15CA261Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Lexington, NEThe pilot's improper fuel planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and loss of engine power. Additionally, the pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the emergency landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ERA15LA354Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Moneta, VAThe pilot's premature retraction of the wing flaps and his subsequent failure to maintain pitch control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident…NTSB ANC15LA070Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H 295 · Delta Junction, AKA partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB GAA15CA257Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGlenn Timothy C Skystar Series 5 · Green River, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch attitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB ERA15FA353Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Vodochody L39 · Oneida, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined due to extensive postimpact damage.NTSB ERA15FA352Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Atco, NJThe student pilot's improper decision to intentionally maneuver at low altitude while waving to people on the ground, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.NTSB DCA15WA203Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationAirbus A320 · Perth, AustraliaThe Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a AIRBUS A320 airplane, which occurred on September 12, 2015. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's…NTSB CEN15LA412Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGuisinger Gary G Baby Belle · Stuart, IAThe failure of the tail rotor driveshaft for reasons that could not be determined due to the mechanically and thermally deformed fracture surface.NTSB GAA15CA297Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCzech Sport Piper Sport · Spartanburg, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing which resulted in a bounced landing, and an aerodynamic stall during the attempted recovery.NTSB GAA15CA260Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRocci Martignoni JA30 Superstol · Santa Rosa, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop.NTSB ERA15WA355Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationSmith AEROSTAR600 · Santa Fé de Antioquia, ColombiaNTSB ERA15FA351Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Riegelwood, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN15LA415Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Gary, INThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was down while on short final, his subsequent failure to conduct a go-around, and his loss of situational awareness of the airplane’s altitude above the runway while landing.NTSB CEN15LA407Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAlon A2 · Laramie, WYThe pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in cruise flight while operating in an area conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power and an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to…NTSB GAA15CA269Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMooney M20TN · Myakka City, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in windy conditions, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.NTSB ERA15LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20TN · Atlantic City (Atlantic Ocean)A loose oxygen line, which was not detected by maintenance personnel during a recent annual inspection, that allowed oxygen to escape and drain the oxygen canister more quickly than the pilot expected. This reduced the pilot's availability of supplemental…NTSB CEN15WA406Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBeech Beech C 24R · Könnern, GermanyOn September 10, 2015 about 0830 UTC, a Beech C24R Sierra airplane, German registration D-EHZK, crashed into a field under unknown circumstances near Könnern, Germany. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight departed from the…NTSB GAA15CA258Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Draper, UTThe ground recovery team member's failure to secure a rescue rope during the helicopter loading process in steep terrain, resulting in the rope fouling the helicopter's main rotor system.NTSB ERA15FA348Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Somerset, NJThe pilot's attempted 180-degree return to the runway immediately after takeoff in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with…NTSB CEN15WA454Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Foleyet, CanadaOn September 9, 2015, about 0015 Universal Time Coordinated, a Robinson R-44, C-GZFX, owned and operated by Apex Helicopters Inc. was found in a heavily wooded area about 17 nautical miles south of Foleyet, Ontario. The pilot and one passenger were fatally…NTSB CEN15LA411Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBrown Mark Space Walker · Cahokia, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the attempted landing and the flight instructor's delayed attempt to execute a go-around, which resulted in a hard landing, failure of the left main landing gear, and subsequent loss of directional…NTSB CEN15LA405Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Elmwood, NEThe pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane near its maximum gross weight from a runway that did not have sufficient length for the airplane to achieve a normal takeoff and positive climb rate after liftoff.NTSB CEN15CA410Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-17 · Delphi, INThe pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.NTSB WPR15WA259Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · Ballarat, Australia, AustraliaOn September 8, 2015, at 1542 local time, a Cessna 172S, VH-ZEW, collided with terrain near Ballarat, Australia. The airplane was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the Government of Australia. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot,…NTSB DCA15FA185Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing Boeing 777-236 · Las Vegas, NVThe failure of the left engine high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 8-10 spool, which caused the main fuel supply line to become detached from the engine main fuel pump and release fuel, resulting in a fire on the left side of the airplane. The HPC stage 8-10…