The whole record, reshaped by a question.
Every count below is the Board's own coding across the cases in scope — findings, occurrences, phases, recommendations, the evidence held. Click any bar to make it the filter. No fleet-exposure data exists here, so these are cases, never rates.
The record over time
cases per year by cohort, and the lives lost — click a year to focus on itWhy accidents happen
93 coded casesthe Board's findings taxonomy — causal findings in the probable cause, contributing factors beside them; occurrences and the phase of flight the defining event sat in- Task performance — Use of equip/info, Planning/preparation53
- Action/decision — Info processing/decision, Action48
- Psychological — Perception/orientation/illusion, Attention/monitoring18
- Physical — Alertness/Fatigue, Impairment/incapacitation12
- Experience/knowledge — Experience/qualifications, Training7
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability — Performance/control parameters, Aircraft capability43
- Aircraft systems — Hydraulic power system, Electrical power system16
- Aircraft power plant — Engine (turbine/turboprop), Engine (reciprocating)9
- Aircraft structures — Empennage structure, Wing structure6
- Aircraft handling/service — Maintenance/inspections, Towing and taxiing5
- Fluids/misc hardware — Fluids, Misc hardware3
- Aircraft propeller/rotor — Main rotor system, Rotorcraft flight control3
- Conditions/weather/phenomena — Ceiling/visibility/precip, Light condition26
- Physical environment — Object/animal/substance, Terrain17
- Operating environment — Airport facilities/design5
- Task environment — Physical workspace2
- Support/oversight/monitoring — Oversight, Training20
- Management — Policy/procedure, Culture13
- Development — Design, Selection/certification/testing6
- Not determined — (general)9
Solid = cited in the probable cause · outlined = contributing factor · hover a row for the most-cited specifics.
- Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) · 6 defining96
- Loss of control in flight · 29 defining43
- Aerodynamic stall/spin · 7 defining12
- Loss of engine power (total) · 4 defining9
- Loss of engine power (partial) · 2 defining7
- VFR encounter with IMC · 4 defining5
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) · 3 defining5
- Low altitude operation/event · 4 defining5
- Part(s) separation from AC · 1 defining4
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) · 3 defining4
- Enroute26
- Approach26
- InitialClimb16
- Maneuvering11
- Takeoff8
- Landing7
- Taxi3
- Standing2
Aircraft and operators
by manufacturer family and operating rule — counts of cases, with no fleet-size denominator, so a busy family simply flies more- Airbus · 16 fatal18
- Bell · 14 fatal14
- Cessna · 12 fatal12
- Other · 10 fatal10
- Beechcraft · 10 fatal10
- Piper · 9 fatal9
- Boeing / McDonnell Douglas · 2 fatal9
- Bombardier / De Havilland · 8 fatal8
- Robinson · 2 fatal2
- Embraer · 1 fatal2
- Cirrus · 1 fatal1
- Sikorsky · 1 fatal1
- Air Methods · 18 lives5
- Air Evac Ems · 6 lives2
- Delta Air Lines2
- Era Helicopters · 5 lives2
- Aar Airlift · 3 lives1
- Aerovías Del Continente Americano Avianca1
- Aerowest Aviation · 1 lives1
- Air America · 1 lives1
- Air America Flight Services · 2 lives1
- Air Angels · 4 lives1
- Air Charter Inc Dba · 1 lives1
- Aircap Management Co · 1 lives1
What changed because of them
84 recommendations · 24 opensafety recommendations issued from these cases, by the NTSB's status of the response- Closed · acceptable 35
- Closed · unacceptable 21
- Closed · superseded or reconsidered 4
- Open · acceptable response 14
- Open · unacceptable response 8
- Open · awaiting response 2
- A-13-013reiterated ×8Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all existing turbine-powered, nonexperimental, nonrestricted-category aircraft that are not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder and are operating…
- A-16-035reiterated ×7Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: After the action in Safety Recommendation A-16-34 is completed, require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish a structured flight data monitoring progr…
- A-16-036reiterated ×7Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish safety management system programs.
- A-16-034reiterated ×6Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to install flight data recording devices capable of supporting a flight data monitoring program.
- A-13-012reiterated ×5Open - Unacceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require the installation of a crash-resistant flight recorder system on all newly manufactured turbine-powered, nonexperimental, nonrestricted-category aircraft that are not equipp…
- A-21-005reiterated ×1Open - Acceptable Response
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require the use of appropriate simulation devices during initial and recurrent pilot training for Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 helicopter operations to provide sce…
Evidence held
what the corpus can show for this slice, year by year — a docket, decoded flight data, a transcript, photographs, controller audioWhat the record says for this slice
a pattern, not a findingthe causal findings the Board cited most often across the 93 coded cases here- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters · Aircraft · 43%40 cases
- Task performance › Use of equip/info · Personnel issues · 39%36 cases
- Action/decision › Info processing/decision · Personnel issues · 33%31 cases
- Action/decision › Action · Personnel issues · 25%23 cases
- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip · Environmental issues · 12%11 cases
- Task performance › Planning/preparation · Personnel issues · 11%10 cases
- Support/oversight/monitoring › Oversight · Organizational issues · 10%9 cases
- Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion · Personnel issues · 10%9 cases
- Not determined › (general) · Not determined · 10%9 cases
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability · Aircraft · 9%8 cases
- Management › Policy/procedure · Organizational issues · 9%8 cases
- Physical environment › Object/animal/substance · Environmental issues · 8%7 cases
The cases
96 of 96newest first — open any case for its recorders, transcript, photographs and analyst| Date | Case | Aircraft | Operator | Where | Outcome | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-05 | WPR25FA240 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 300 | CSI AVIATION INC | Chinle, AZ | Fatal · 4 | no docket · open |
| 2025-02-06 | ANC25MA018 Major investigation | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | BERING AIR INC | Nome, AK | Fatal · 10 | 80 docs |
| 2024-10-07 | ERA25FA005 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206L-3 | Owenton, KY | Fatal · 3 | no docket · open | |
| 2024-02-10 | CEN24MA111 Major investigation | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC 130 | ORBIC AIR LLC | Halloran Springs, CA | Fatal · 6 | 39 docs |
| 2024-01-21 | CEN24FA094 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206 | AIR EVAC EMS INC | Hydro, OK | Fatal · 3 | 12 docs |
| 2023-09-13 | ANC23FA074 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-18-150 | NEITZ AVIATION INC | St. Mary's, AK | Fatal · 1 | 25 docs |
| 2023-08-28 | ERA23FA352 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER EC135 | BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE | Pompano Beach, FL | Fatal · 1 | 25 docs |
| 2022-01-14 | CEN22FA100 Part 135 fatal | BELL 407 | Rotorcraft Leasing Company, LLC | Houma, LA | Fatal · 2 | 9 docs |
| 2021-12-11 | ERA22FA086 Part 135 fatal | SWEARINGEN SA226 | CASTLE AVIATION INC | Bedford, NH | Fatal · 1 | 24 docs · recorder reports |
| 2021-10-05 | ERA22FA004 Part 135 fatal | DASSAULT Falcon 20 | Pak West Airlines Inc. | Thomson, GA | Fatal · 2 | no docket |
| 2021-09-16 | ERA21FA362 Part 135 fatal | ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 | Atlanta Helicopters LLC | Monticello, GA | Fatal · 3 | 20 docs |
| 2021-08-28 | WPR21FA330 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA TU206F | McCall Aviation Inc. | Bernard, ID | Fatal · 2 | 21 docs |
| 2021-03-28 | WPR21FA143 Part 135 fatal | Airbus Helicopters AS350-B3 | Soloy Helicopters LLC | Palmer, AK | Fatal · 5 | 32 docs |
| 2020-12-31 | DCA21WA063 Part 121 airline | AIRBUS A319-115 | Aerovías del Continente Americano AVIANCA | Bogata | — | no docket · open |
| 2020-08-27 | ANC20LA085 Part 135 fatal | Cessna A185 | Fairbanks, AK | Fatal · 2 | no docket | |
| 2020-01-26 | DCA20MA059 Major investigation | Sikorsky S76 | Island Express | Calabasas, CA | Fatal · 9 | 53 docs |
| 2019-12-28 | CEN20MA044 Major investigation | Piper PA 31T | Cheyenne Partners LLC | LAFAYETTE, LA | Fatal · 5 | 37 docs |
| 2019-12-25 | ERA20FA056 Part 135 fatal | Bell 407 | Survival Flight, LLC | Headland, AL | Fatal · 1 | 14 docs |
| 2019-11-30 | ANC20FA007 Part 135 fatal | Piper PA-31-350 | Fly 4 You Inc | Cooper Landing, AK | Fatal · 3 | 25 docs |
| 2019-10-02 | ERA20MA001 Major investigation | Boeing B17 | Collings Foundation | Windsor Locks, CT | Fatal · 7 | 58 docs |
| 2019-09-11 | CEN19MA312 Major investigation | Convair 440 | Ferreteria E Implementos San Francisco | Monclova, OH | Fatal · 2 | 42 docs |
| 2019-07-19 | ANC19FA035 Part 135 fatal | De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 | Rusts Flying Service | Seldovia, AK | Fatal · 1 | 9 docs |
| 2019-06-22 | WPR19MA177 Major investigation | Beech 65-A90 | Oahu Parachute Center | Mokuleia, HI | Fatal · 11 | 43 docs |
| 2019-04-05 | DCA19CA146 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD88 | Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, GA | — | 5 docs |
| 2018-09-27 | ERA18FA264 Part 135 fatal | Dassault FALCON 50 | Air America Flight Services INC | Greenville, SC | Fatal · 2 | 15 docs · recorder reports |
| 2018-07-19 | ANC18FA055 Part 135 fatal | De Havilland DHC-2 | Alaska Skyways, Inc. | Willow, AK | Fatal · 1 | 28 docs |
| 2018-06-09 | CEN18FA215 Part 135 fatal | ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 | MF HELICOPTERS LLC | Oshkosh, WI | Fatal · 1 | 8 docs |
| 2018-02-11 | WPR18MA087 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER EC130 | Papillon Airways, Inc. | Peach Springs, AZ | Fatal · 5 | 54 docs |
| 2017-09-08 | ERA17MA316 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH MBB BK 117 | Air Methods Corporation | Hertford, NC | Fatal · 4 | 43 docs |
| 2017-06-03 | ERA17FA195 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA23 | AIR AMERICA INC | San Juan, PR | Fatal · 1 | 27 docs |
| 2017-05-15 | CEN17MA183 Major investigation | LEARJET 35A | Trans-Pacific Jets | Teterboro, NJ | Fatal · 2 | no docket |
| 2016-12-12 | WPR17FA035 Part 135 fatal | QUEST AIRCRAFT COMPANY LLC KODIAK 100 | Aerowest Aviation | Moab, UT | Fatal · 1 | 8 docs |
| 2016-07-29 | WPR16FA153 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-31T | Cal-Ore Life Flight | McKinleyville, CA | Fatal · 4 | 20 docs |
| 2016-03-26 | ERA16FA140 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 | Metro Aviation Inc. | Enterprise, AL | Fatal · 4 | 29 docs |
| 2015-12-16 | WPR16FA040 Part 135 fatal | AIRBUS Helicopters AS350 | AIR METHODS CORP | Superior, AZ | Fatal · 2 | 34 docs |
| 2015-12-15 | DCA16LA032 Part 121 airline | BOEING 737 3H4 | Southwest Airlines | Nashville, TN | No injury | 27 docs · FDR tables |
| 2015-12-11 | WPR16FA037 Part 135 fatal | BELL 407 | Rogers Helicopters | McFarland, CA | Fatal · 4 | 34 docs |
| 2015-11-10 | CEN16MA036 Major investigation | BRITISH AEROSPACE HS 125 700A | Execuflight | Akron, OH | Fatal · 9 | no docket |
| 2015-08-16 | ERA15FA313 Part 135 fatal | BEECH C35 | Hicksville, NY | Fatal · 1 | 22 docs | |
| 2015-07-03 | CEN15MA290 Major investigation | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3E | AIR METHODS CORP | Frisco, CO | Fatal · 1 | 53 docs |
| 2015-03-05 | DCA15FA085 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD 88 | Delta Air Lines | New York, NY | No injury | 81 docs · FDR tables |
| 2014-12-08 | DCA15MA029 Major investigation | EMBRAER EMB-500 | SAGE AVIATION LLC | Gaithersburg, MD | Fatal · 3 | 39 docs · FDR tables |
| 2014-11-18 | CEN15FA048 Part 135 fatal | AERO COMMANDER 500 B | Central Air Southwest Inc. | Chicago, IL | Fatal · 1 | 28 docs |
| 2014-10-04 | CEN15FA003 Part 135 fatal | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L 1 | AIR EVAC EMS INC | Wichita Falls, TX | Fatal · 3 | 18 docs |
| 2014-08-28 | CEN14FA462 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 421C | AMIGOS AVIATION INC | Las Cruces, NM | Fatal · 4 | 24 docs |
| 2014-06-11 | CEN14FA286 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206 L4 | Westwind Helicopter LLC | South Timbalier Platform | Fatal · 2 | 8 docs |
| 2014-02-15 | ERA14FA120 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 210L | SOUTHERN SEAPLANE INC | Clay, AL | Fatal · 2 | 45 docs |
| 2014-01-27 | CEN14FA122 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206L 3 | DELTA BRAVO SIERRA INC | Silt, CO | Fatal · 3 | 23 docs |
| 2013-10-09 | CEN14FA004 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206L 3 | PANTHER HELICOPTERS INC | Venice, LA | Fatal · 1 | 20 docs |
| 2013-10-06 | ERA14LA007 Part 135 fatal | BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2A-8 | AIR CHARTER INC DBA | Culebra, PR | Fatal · 1 | 8 docs |
| 2013-07-07 | DCA13MA121 Major investigation | DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 | REDISKE FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | Soldotna, AK | Fatal · 10 | 31 docs |
| 2013-06-11 | CEN13FA344 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS350B2 | EAGLEMED LLC | Talihina, OK | Fatal · 1 | 18 docs |
| 2013-06-04 | ANC13FA054 Part 135 fatal | DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 | Pacific Wings LLC | Petersburg, AK | Fatal · 1 | 5 docs |
| 2013-02-21 | ERA13MA139 Major investigation | BEECH 390 | Richard Z. Trammell | Thomson, GA | Fatal · 5 | 60 docs · recorder reports |
| 2013-01-16 | CEN13FA135 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 208B | Martinaire Aviation, L.L.C. | Pellston, MI | Fatal · 1 | 10 docs |
| 2012-12-26 | DCA13CA035 Part 121 airline | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-11F | FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP | Memphis, TN | Minor injury | 9 docs |
| 2012-11-18 | WPR13LA045 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-32 | Star Marianas Air, Inc | Obyan | Fatal · 1 | 54 docs |
| 2012-11-06 | CEN13FA049 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 208B | Baron Aviation Services, Incorporated | Wichita, KS | Fatal · 1 | 24 docs |
| 2012-08-08 | ANC12FA084 Part 135 fatal | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 600N | Aurora Aviation Services Inc. | Delta Junction, AK | Fatal · 1 | 8 docs |
| 2012-05-28 | CEN12FA321 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206-L4 | GM | Fatal · 1 | 16 docs | |
| 2012-01-16 | DCA12FA024 Part 135 fatal | BELL 214 | AAR Airlift | Camp Bastion | Fatal · 3 | 25 docs · recorder reports |
| 2011-12-09 | CEN12FA100 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 421C | Quest Aviation Inc. | Sioux Falls, SD | Fatal · 4 | 43 docs |
| 2011-12-08 | DCA12MA020 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2 | SUNDANCE HELICOPTERS INC | Las Vegas, NV | Fatal · 5 | 94 docs |
| 2011-12-04 | CEN12FA097 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-32-260 | GREAT LAKES AIR INC | St. Ignace, MI | Fatal · 2 | 31 docs |
| 2011-11-29 | CEN12FA086 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-31-350 | TRANS NORTH AVIATION LTD | Riverwoods, IL | Fatal · 3 | 47 docs |
| 2011-11-10 | WPR12MA034 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 | Blue Hawaiian Helicopters | Pukoo, HI | Fatal · 5 | 55 docs |
| 2011-10-30 | ANC12FA006 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 | ERA HELICOPTERS LLC | Iliamna, AK | Fatal · 1 | 16 docs |
| 2011-10-05 | ERA12FA007 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 207A | WATERS AERO-MARINE, INC. | Matinicus Island, ME | Fatal · 1 | 20 docs |
| 2011-10-04 | ERA12MA005 Major investigation | BELL 206B | DUDLEY PAUL P | New York, NY | Fatal · 2 | 29 docs |
| 2011-09-02 | ANC11FA091 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 208B | Grant Aviation | Nightmute, AK | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2011-08-26 | CEN11FA599 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS-350-B2 | Air Methods Corporation | Mosby, MO | Fatal · 4 | 125 docs |
| 2011-05-25 | ERA11FA312 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 58 | FRIENDSHIP FLYING SERVICE INC | Murphy, NC | Fatal · 4 | 57 docs |
| 2011-05-02 | ERA11FA274 Part 135 fatal | BEECH E18S | AIRCAP MANAGEMENT CO INC | Miami Gardens, FL | Fatal · 1 | 23 docs |
| 2011-02-01 | OPS11IA271 Part 121 airline | EMBRAER EMB-145LR | EXPRESSJET AIRLINES INC | Dayton, OH | No injury | 12 docs · recorder reports |
| 2010-07-23 | ANC10FA064 Part 135 fatal | DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 | Pacific Airways, Inc. | Ketchikan, AK | Fatal · 1 | 20 docs |
| 2010-03-25 | ERA10MA188 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER AS-350-B3 | MEMPHIS MEDICAL CENTER AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE | Brownsville, TN | Fatal · 3 | 34 docs |
| 2010-01-22 | ANC10FA014 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 1900C | Alaska Central Express, Inc. | Sand Point, AK | Fatal · 2 | 22 docs |
| 2010-01-05 | CEN10MA088 Major investigation | GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A | ROYAL AIR FREIGHT INC | Prospect Heights, IL | Fatal · 2 | 28 docs · recorder reports |
| 2009-02-08 | ERA09MA157 Major investigation | CESSNA 206H | Jorge Bringuier-Alfaro | Quebradillas, PR | Fatal · 6 | 30 docs |
| 2009-01-27 | CEN09MA142 Major investigation | AEROSPATIALE ALENIA ATR 42-320 | Empire Airlines | Lubbock, TX | Serious injury | 140 docs · FDR tables |
| 2008-10-16 | CEN09MA019 Major investigation | BELL 222 | AIR ANGELS INC | Aurora, IL | Fatal · 4 | 19 docs |
| 2008-09-22 | CHI08IA292 Part 121 airline | BOEING 757-223 | American Airlines, Inc. | Chicago, IL | No injury | 38 docs · FDR tables |
| 2008-09-12 | CHI08FA282 Part 135 fatal | Cirrus Design Corporation SR22 | Woodruff, WI | Fatal · 3 | 58 docs | |
| 2008-09-01 | CHI08MA270 Major investigation | CONVAIR CV-580 | Columbus, OH | Fatal · 3 | 53 docs · recorder reports | |
| 2008-08-22 | LAX08MA277 Major investigation | BEECH A100 | Leavitt Group Wings LLC | Moab, UT | Fatal · 10 | 42 docs |
| 2008-06-29 | DEN08MA116 Major investigation | BELL 407 | Air Methods Corp. | Flagstaff, AZ | Fatal · 7 | no docket |
| 2008-06-18 | NYC08FA218 Part 135 fatal | DEHAVILLAND DHC6 | WIGGINS AIRWAYS INC | Hyannis, MA | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2008-05-30 | SEA08FA146 Part 135 fatal | CESSNA 172R | Redtail Aviation Inc | Monticello, UT | Fatal · 2 | 16 docs |
| 2008-05-24 | SEA08MA136 Major investigation | AEROSPATIALE AS-350-D | Island Express Helicopters | Avalon, CA | Fatal · 3 | 73 docs |
| 2008-05-23 | SEA08FA135 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 1900C | ALPINE AVIATION INC | Billings, MT | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2008-04-15 | ANC08FA053 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 | ERA HELICOPTERS LLC | Chickaloon, AK | Fatal · 4 | 39 docs |
| 2008-02-18 | DFW08IA073 Part 121 airline | McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | Austin, TX | No injury | no docket | |
| 2008-02-01 | NYC08MA090 Major investigation | RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY C90A | BLUE SKY AIRWAYS INC | Mount Airy, NC | Fatal · 6 | 28 docs · recorder reports |
| 2008-02-01 | MIA08MA051 Major investigation | CESSNA 525 | Jeanette A. Symons | West Gardiner, ME | Fatal · 2 | 29 docs |
| 2008-01-08 | CHI08IA065 Part 121 airline | Boeing 737-2H4 | Ameristar Air Cargo, Inc. | Lincoln, NE | No injury | no docket |
| 2008-01-05 | ANC08MA038 Major investigation | PIPER PA-31-350 | Servant Air, Inc. | Kodiak, AK | Fatal · 6 | 23 docs |