Research
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.
AircraftAllBoeing / McDonnell DouglasAirbusEmbraerBombardier / De HavillandBellSikorskyRobinsonCessnaPiperBeechcraft
OccurrenceAllTurbulence encounterCollision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Loss of control in flightGround collisionFire/smoke (non-impact)Cabin safety eventPowerplant sys/comp malf/failSys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)TailstrikeControlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)Air traffic eventRunway excursion
Showing 71 cases · Loss of control in flight
71
cases in this slice
70
fatal accidents
258
lives lost
68
with a probable cause
68
with coded findings
124
safety recommendations
The record over time
cases per year by cohort, and the lives lost — click a year to focus on itCases per year
Major investigationPart 121 airlinePart 135 fatal
Fatalities per year
Fatalities
Why accidents happen
68 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 inPersonnel issues62 cases · 115 causal · 18 contributing
- Task performance — Use of equip/info, Planning/preparation45
- Action/decision — Action, Info processing/decision28
- Psychological — Perception/orientation/illusion, Personality/attitude19
- Experience/knowledge — Experience/qualifications, (general)8
- Physical — Impairment/incapacitation6
Aircraft49 cases · 76 causal · 15 contributing
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability — Performance/control parameters, Aircraft capability36
- Aircraft systems — Auto flight system, Flight control system16
- Aircraft structures — Wing structure, Empennage structure7
- Aircraft power plant — Engine (turbine/turboprop), (general)2
- Aircraft propeller/rotor — Main rotor system2
- Aircraft handling/service — Placards and markings2
- Fluids/misc hardware — Fluids1
Environmental issues35 cases · 45 causal · 14 contributing
- Conditions/weather/phenomena — Ceiling/visibility/precip, Light condition29
- Physical environment — Object/animal/substance, Terrain6
- Operating environment — Airport facilities/design3
- Task environment — Pressures/demands1
Organizational issues19 cases · 28 causal · 11 contributing
- Support/oversight/monitoring — Oversight, Safety programs17
- Management — Policy/procedure, Culture9
- Development — Design5
Not determined6 cases · 6 causal · 0 contributing
- Not determined — (general)6
Solid = cited in the probable cause · outlined = contributing factor · hover a row for the most-cited specifics.
Occurrences coded
- Loss of control in flight · 50 defining71
- Aerodynamic stall/spin · 3 defining8
- Aircraft structural failure · 3 defining6
- VFR encounter with IMC · 4 defining5
- Medical event · 3 defining3
- Turbulence encounter · 1 defining3
Phase of flight of the defining event
- Enroute24
- Approach17
- InitialClimb14
- Maneuvering9
- Takeoff5
- Landing1
- Unknown1
Aircraft and operators
by manufacturer family and operating rule — counts of cases, with no fleet-size denominator, so a busy family simply flies moreAircraft family
- Other · 16 fatal16
- Bell · 11 fatal11
- Airbus · 10 fatal10
- Bombardier / De Havilland · 8 fatal8
- Cessna · 7 fatal7
- Piper · 6 fatal6
- Beechcraft · 4 fatal4
- Boeing / McDonnell Douglas · 2 fatal2
- Embraer · 1 fatal2
- Sikorsky · 2 fatal2
- Cirrus · 1 fatal1
- Agusta / Leonardo · 1 fatal1
Operators with the most cases
- Air Methods · 7 lives4
- Air Evac Ems · 6 lives2
- Central Air Southwest · 2 lives2
- Aar Airlift · 3 lives1
- Aerowest Aviation · 1 lives1
- Air America · 1 lives1
- Air Cargo Carriers · 2 lives1
- Air Charter Inc Dba · 1 lives1
- Aircap Management Co · 1 lives1
- Alaska Central Express · 2 lives1
- Alaska Skyways · 1 lives1
- Alpine Aviation · 1 lives1
What changed because of them
124 recommendations · 20 opensafety recommendations issued from these cases, by the NTSB's status of the response- Closed · acceptable 62
- Closed · unacceptable 38
- Closed · superseded or reconsidered 4
- Open · acceptable response 14
- Open · unacceptable response 4
- Open · awaiting response 2
Issued per year
Recommendations
Reiterated most often
- 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…
- A-21-006reiterated ×1Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Convene a multidisciplinary panel of aircraft performance, human factors, and aircraft operations specialists to evaluate spatial disorientation simulation technologies to determin…
- A-10-013reiterated ×1Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Issue an advisory circular with guidance on leadership training for upgrading captains at 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91K operators, including methods and tec…
- A-10-014reiterated ×1Closed - Unacceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91K operators to provide a specific course on leadership training to their upgrading captains that is consistent with …
- A-10-017reiterated ×1Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91K operators to document and retain electronic and/or paper records of pilot training and checking events in sufficient d…
- A-10-019reiterated ×1Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91K operators to provide the training records requested in Safety Recommendation A-10-17 to hiring employers to fulfill th…
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 67 coded cases here- Task performance › Use of equip/info · Personnel issues · 55%37 cases
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters · Aircraft · 51%34 cases
- Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion · Personnel issues · 25%17 cases
- Action/decision › Info processing/decision · Personnel issues · 21%14 cases
- Action/decision › Action · Personnel issues · 21%14 cases
- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip · Environmental issues · 18%12 cases
- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition · Environmental issues · 12%8 cases
- Management › Policy/procedure · Organizational issues · 9%6 cases
- Not determined › (general) · Not determined · 9%6 cases
- Support/oversight/monitoring › Oversight · Organizational issues · 7%5 cases
- Task performance › Planning/preparation · Personnel issues · 7%5 cases
- Support/oversight/monitoring › Safety programs · Organizational issues · 6%4 cases
The cases
71 of 71newest first — open any case for its recorders, transcript, photographs and analyst| Date | Case | Aircraft | Operator | Where | Outcome | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-08 | ERA26FA035 Part 135 fatal | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC 130 T2 | AIR METHODS LLC | Lebanon, TN | Fatal · 1 | 12 docs · open |
| 2025-08-05 | WPR25FA240 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 300 | CSI AVIATION INC | Chinle, AZ | Fatal · 4 | no docket · open |
| 2025-04-10 | ERA25MA171 Major investigation | BELL 206L-4 | NY Helicopter | Jersey City, NJ | Fatal · 6 | 45 docs · recorder reports · open |
| 2025-02-06 | ANC25MA018 Major investigation | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | BERING AIR INC | Nome, AK | Fatal · 10 | 80 docs |
| 2024-09-07 | ANC24FA089 Part 135 fatal | BELL 206B | EGLI AIR HAUL INC | King Salmon, AK | Fatal · 1 | 7 docs |
| 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 |
| 2023-04-02 | ERA23FA175 Part 135 fatal | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC 130 T2 | AIR METHODS CORP | Chelsea, AL | Fatal · 2 | 15 docs |
| 2023-02-25 | WPR23MA113 Major investigation | PILATUS PC-12/45 | GUARDIAN FLIGHT LLC | Stagecoach, NV | Fatal · 5 | 58 docs · recorder reports |
| 2022-09-04 | DCA22MA193 Major investigation | DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 | West Isle Air | Freeland, WA | Fatal · 10 | 66 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 |
| 2020-03-17 | CEN20LA122 Part 135 fatal | Cessna 208 | Planemasters Ltd | LaCrosse, KS | Fatal · 1 | 10 docs |
| 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 |
| 2019-12-10 | CEN20FA032 Part 135 fatal | Cessna 208 | Martinaire Aviation | Victoria, TX | Fatal · 1 | 23 docs |
| 2019-11-07 | DCA20IA014 Part 121 airline | Embraer ERJ170 | Republic Airline Inc | Atlanta, GA | No injury | 17 docs · FDR tables |
| 2019-06-30 | CEN19MA190 Major investigation | Textron Aviation B-300 | S&H Aircraft | Addison, TX | Fatal · 10 | no docket |
| 2019-06-28 | CEN19FA185 Part 135 fatal | AGUSTA A109 | North Memorial Healthcare | Brainerd, MN | Fatal · 2 | 21 docs |
| 2019-04-29 | WPR19FA123 Part 135 fatal | ROBINSON R44 | Novictor Aviation LLC | Kailua, HI | Fatal · 3 | 23 docs |
| 2019-03-10 | CEN19FA095 Part 135 fatal | BELL 407 | BRISTOW US LLC | Galliano, LA | Fatal · 2 | 22 docs |
| 2019-02-23 | DCA19MA086 Major investigation | Boeing 767 | Atlas Air | Trinity Bay, TX | Fatal · 3 | 78 docs · FDR tables |
| 2018-07-19 | ANC18FA055 Part 135 fatal | De Havilland DHC-2 | Alaska Skyways, Inc. | Willow, AK | Fatal · 1 | 28 docs |
| 2018-02-11 | WPR18MA087 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER EC130 | Papillon Airways, Inc. | Peach Springs, AZ | Fatal · 5 | 54 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 |
| 2017-05-05 | DCA17FA109 Part 135 fatal | SHORT BROS. & HARLAND SD3 30 | Air Cargo Carriers | Charleston, WV | Fatal · 2 | 34 docs |
| 2017-04-29 | CEN17FA168 Part 135 fatal | PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD PC 12 | RICO AVIATION LLC | Amarillo, TX | Fatal · 3 | 44 docs |
| 2016-12-12 | WPR17FA035 Part 135 fatal | QUEST AIRCRAFT COMPANY LLC KODIAK 100 | Aerowest Aviation | Moab, UT | Fatal · 1 | 8 docs |
| 2016-12-06 | ERA17FA066 Part 135 fatal | FAIRCHILD SA227 | Key Lime Air | Camilla, GA | Fatal · 1 | 43 docs · recorder reports |
| 2016-03-26 | ERA16FA140 Part 135 fatal | EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 | Metro Aviation Inc. | Enterprise, AL | Fatal · 4 | 29 docs |
| 2015-12-11 | WPR16FA037 Part 135 fatal | BELL 407 | Rogers Helicopters | McFarland, CA | Fatal · 4 | 34 docs |
| 2015-07-03 | CEN15MA290 Major investigation | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B3E | AIR METHODS CORP | Frisco, CO | Fatal · 1 | 53 docs |
| 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 |
| 2014-10-31 | DCA15MA019 Major investigation | SCALED COMPOSITES 339 | Scaled Composites LLC | Koehn Dry Lake, CA | Fatal · 1 | 103 docs |
| 2014-10-04 | CEN15FA003 Part 135 fatal | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L 1 | AIR EVAC EMS INC | Wichita Falls, TX | Fatal · 3 | 18 docs |
| 2014-06-11 | 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 |
| 2013-12-03 | ERA14MA060 Major investigation | FAIRCHILD SA227-AC | IBC AIRWAYS INC | La Alianza, PR | Fatal · 2 | 29 docs |
| 2013-10-06 | ERA14LA007 Part 135 fatal | BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2A-8 | AIR CHARTER INC DBA | Culebra, PR | Fatal · 1 | 8 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 |
| 2013-04-29 | DCA13MA081 Major investigation | BOEING 747-400 BCF | National Air Cargo | Bagram | Fatal · 7 | 81 docs · FDR tables |
| 2012-12-19 | WPR13FA072 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-31-350 | Ameriflight | Payson, AZ | Fatal · 1 | 60 docs |
| 2012-12-11 | CEN13FA096 Part 135 fatal | MBB BK 117 A-3 | Air Methods Corporation | Compton, IL | Fatal · 3 | 30 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 |
| 2011-12-04 | CEN12FA097 Part 135 fatal | PIPER PA-32-260 | GREAT LAKES AIR INC | St. Ignace, MI | Fatal · 2 | 31 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 |
| 2011-09-16 | WPR11MA454 Major investigation | NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D | James K Leeward | Reno, NV | Fatal · 1 | 59 docs |
| 2011-05-02 | ERA11FA274 Part 135 fatal | BEECH E18S | AIRCAP MANAGEMENT CO INC | Miami Gardens, FL | Fatal · 1 | 23 docs |
| 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 |
| 2010-02-06 | CEN10FA113 Part 135 fatal | AEROSPATIALE AS350 | ENCHANTMENT AVIATION INC | El Paso, TX | Fatal · 3 | 15 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 |
| 2009-03-22 | WPR09MA159 Major investigation | PILATUS PC-12/45 | Eagle Cap Leasing, Inc. | Butte, MT | Fatal · 14 | 78 docs |
| 2009-02-13 | DCA09MA027 Major investigation | BOMBARDIER INC DHC-8-402 | COLGAN AIR INC | Clarence Center, NY | Fatal · 49 | 2 docs · recorder reports |
| 2009-02-08 | ERA09MA157 Major investigation | CESSNA 206H | Jorge Bringuier-Alfaro | Quebradillas, PR | Fatal · 6 | 30 docs |
| 2009-01-04 | CEN09MA117 Major investigation | SIKORSKY S-76C | PHI INC | Morgan City, LA | Fatal · 8 | 29 docs · FDR tables |
| 2008-09-12 | CHI08FA282 Part 135 fatal | Cirrus Design Corporation SR22 | Woodruff, WI | Fatal · 3 | 58 docs | |
| 2008-06-18 | NYC08FA218 Part 135 fatal | DEHAVILLAND DHC6 | WIGGINS AIRWAYS INC | Hyannis, MA | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2008-05-23 | SEA08FA135 Part 135 fatal | BEECH 1900C | ALPINE AVIATION INC | Billings, MT | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2008-02-01 | MIA08MA051 Major investigation | CESSNA 525 | Jeanette A. Symons | West Gardiner, ME | Fatal · 2 | 29 docs |
| 2008-01-17 | DFW08FA056 Part 135 fatal | AERO COMMANDER 500B | Central Air Southwest | Tulsa, OK | Fatal · 1 | 20 docs |
| 2008-01-05 | ANC08MA038 Major investigation | PIPER PA-31-350 | Servant Air, Inc. | Kodiak, AK | Fatal · 6 | 23 docs |