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 61 cases · Part 091
61
cases in this slice
57
fatal accidents
270
lives lost
58
with a probable cause
29
with coded findings
125
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
29 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 issues24 cases · 79 causal · 6 contributing
- Task performance — Use of equip/info, Planning/preparation18
- Action/decision — Action, Info processing/decision15
- Psychological — Attention/monitoring, Perception/orientation/illusion8
- Physical — Sensory ability/limitation, Impairment/incapacitation6
- Experience/knowledge — Training, Knowledge2
Aircraft21 cases · 38 causal · 10 contributing
- Aircraft oper/perf/capability — Performance/control parameters, Aircraft capability14
- Aircraft systems — Flight control system, Equipment/furnishings9
- Aircraft handling/service — Maintenance/inspections, Placards and markings4
- Aircraft structures — Empennage structure, Wing structure4
- Aircraft power plant — Engine (turbine/turboprop)1
- Fluids/misc hardware — Fluids1
Environmental issues15 cases · 10 causal · 10 contributing
- Conditions/weather/phenomena — Ceiling/visibility/precip, Wind8
- Physical environment — Object/animal/substance4
- Operating environment — 3
- Task environment — Pressures/demands1
Organizational issues12 cases · 32 causal · 12 contributing
- Support/oversight/monitoring — Oversight, Safety programs11
- Management — Policy/procedure, Culture8
- Development — Selection/certification/testing, Design3
Not determined3 cases · 3 causal · 0 contributing
- Not determined — (general)3
Solid = cited in the probable cause · outlined = contributing factor · hover a row for the most-cited specifics.
Occurrences coded
- Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) · 1 defining14
- Loss of control in flight · 6 defining11
- Midair collision · 8 defining4
- Aerodynamic stall/spin · 3 defining4
- Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · 4 defining4
- Aircraft structural failure · 3 defining3
- Runway excursion · 1 defining2
- Flight control sys malf/fail · 2 defining2
- Landing area undershoot · 2 defining2
- Unknown or undetermined · 1 defining2
- Miscellaneous/other · 1 defining2
Phase of flight of the defining event
- Enroute10
- Approach9
- InitialClimb6
- Maneuvering4
- Takeoff4
- Landing2
- Standing1
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
- Cessna · 13 fatal13
- Other · 11 fatal11
- Bombardier / De Havilland · 8 fatal9
- Beechcraft · 7 fatal8
- Airbus · 4 fatal4
- Gulfstream · 3 fatal3
- Piper · 3 fatal3
- Boeing / McDonnell Douglas · 2 fatal3
- Bell · 2 fatal2
- Embraer · 2 fatal2
- Cirrus · 1 fatal1
- Agusta / Leonardo · 1 fatal1
Operating rule
- Part 091 · 57 fatal61
Operators with the most cases
- 3901
- 987 Investments1
- Arizin Ventures · 7 lives1
- Avcon Industries1
- Berg Steel Pipe · 1 lives1
- Blue Sky Airways · 6 lives1
- Business Air · 1 lives1
- Cheyenne Partners · 5 lives1
- Cj Systems Aviation Group · 3 lives1
- Colgan Air · 2 lives1
- Collings Foundation · 7 lives1
- Columbia Helicopters · 3 lives1
What changed because of them
125 recommendations · 22 opensafety recommendations issued from these cases, by the NTSB's status of the response- Closed · acceptable 70
- Closed · unacceptable 31
- Closed · superseded or reconsidered 2
- Open · acceptable response 11
- Open · unacceptable response 7
- Open · awaiting response 4
Issued per year
Recommendations
Reiterated most often
- A-07-013reiterated ×2Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require that all pilot training programs be modified to contain modules that teach and emphasize monitoring skills and workload management and include opportunities to practice and…
- A-19-028reiterated ×1Closed - Acceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all commercial air tour operators, regardless of their operating rule, to implement a safety management system.
- A-19-030reiterated ×1Closed - Unacceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Revise Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System, to include guidance for inspectors who oversee Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 operations co…
- A-19-031reiterated ×1Closed - Unacceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Develop and implement national standards within Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135, or equivalent regulations, for all air tour operations with powered airplanes a…
- A-17-045reiterated ×1Closed - Unacceptable Action
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Analyze your current policies, procedures, and tools for conducting oversight of commercial balloon operations in accordance with your Integrated Oversight Philosophy, taking into …
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 29 coded cases here- Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters · Aircraft · 45%13 cases
- Task performance › Use of equip/info · Personnel issues · 38%11 cases
- Action/decision › Action · Personnel issues · 34%10 cases
- Support/oversight/monitoring › Oversight · Organizational issues · 24%7 cases
- Action/decision › Info processing/decision · Personnel issues · 21%6 cases
- Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion · Personnel issues · 17%5 cases
- Management › Policy/procedure · Organizational issues · 17%5 cases
- Task performance › Planning/preparation · Personnel issues · 14%4 cases
- Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip · Environmental issues · 10%3 cases
- Not determined › (general) · Not determined · 10%3 cases
- Psychological › Personality/attitude · Personnel issues · 10%3 cases
- Task performance › Inspection · Personnel issues · 10%3 cases
The cases
61 of 61newest first — open any case for its recorders, transcript, photographs and analyst| Date | Case | Aircraft | Operator | Where | Outcome | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-18 | WPR26MA063 Major investigation | CESSNA 550 | GB AVIATION LEASING LLC | Statesville, NC | Fatal · 7 | no docket · open |
| 2025-04-12 | WPR25MA128 Major investigation | MITSUBISHI MU-2B-40 | Copake, NY | Fatal · 6 | no docket · open | |
| 2025-04-10 | ERA25MA171 Major investigation | BELL 206L-4 | NY Helicopter | Jersey City, NJ | Fatal · 6 | 45 docs · recorder reports · open |
| 2022-11-12 | CEN23MA034 Major investigation | BOEING B17 | Commemorative Air Force | Dallas, TX | Fatal · 6 | 53 docs |
| 2021-10-19 | DCA22MA009 Major investigation | MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-87 (MD-87) | 987 Investments, LLC | Brookshire, TX | Serious injury | 56 docs · FDR tables |
| 2019-12-28 | CEN20MA044 Major investigation | Piper PA 31T | Cheyenne Partners LLC | LAFAYETTE, LA | Fatal · 5 | 37 docs |
| 2019-10-02 | ERA20MA001 Major investigation | Boeing B17 | Collings Foundation | Windsor Locks, CT | Fatal · 7 | 58 docs |
| 2019-06-30 | CEN19MA190 Major investigation | Textron Aviation B-300 | S&H Aircraft | Addison, TX | Fatal · 10 | no docket |
| 2019-06-22 | WPR19MA177 Major investigation | Beech 65-A90 | Oahu Parachute Center | Mokuleia, HI | Fatal · 11 | 43 docs |
| 2018-03-11 | ERA18MA099 Major investigation | AMERICAN EUROCOPTER CORP AS350B2 | LIBERTY HELICOPTERS INC | New York, NY | Fatal · 5 | 79 docs |
| 2017-05-15 | CEN17MA183 Major investigation | LEARJET 35A | Trans-Pacific Jets | Teterboro, NJ | Fatal · 2 | no docket |
| 2016-07-30 | DCA16MA204 Major investigation | KUBICEK BB85 | Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides | Lockhart, TX | Fatal · 16 | 83 docs |
| 2015-08-16 | WPR15MA243 Major investigation | CESSNA 172M | San Diego, CA | Fatal · 5 | no docket | |
| 2015-07-07 | ERA15MA259 Major investigation | CESSNA 150M | Moncks Corner, SC | Fatal · 2 | no docket | |
| 2014-12-08 | DCA15MA029 Major investigation | EMBRAER EMB-500 | SAGE AVIATION LLC | Gaithersburg, MD | Fatal · 3 | 39 docs · FDR tables |
| 2014-06-01 | ERA14MA271 Major investigation | GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE G IV | Arizin Ventures, LLC | Bedford, MA | Fatal · 7 | 91 docs · FDR tables |
| 2013-02-21 | ERA13MA139 Major investigation | BEECH 390 | Richard Z. Trammell | Thomson, GA | Fatal · 5 | 60 docs · recorder reports |
| 2011-11-24 | WPR12MA046 Major investigation | ROCKWELL 690 | Ponderosa Aviation | Apache Junction, AZ | Fatal · 6 | 71 docs |
| 2011-10-04 | ERA12MA005 Major investigation | BELL 206B | DUDLEY PAUL P | New York, NY | Fatal · 2 | 29 docs |
| 2011-09-16 | WPR11MA454 Major investigation | NORTH AMERICAN/AERO CLASSICS P-51D | James K Leeward | Reno, NV | Fatal · 1 | 59 docs |
| 2011-04-02 | DCA11MA076 Major investigation | GULFSTREAM GVI | GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION | Roswell, NM | Fatal · 4 | 87 docs · FDR tables |
| 2010-08-09 | ANC10MA068 Major investigation | DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 | General Communication Corporation (GCI) | Aleknagik, AK | Fatal · 5 | 51 docs |
| 2010-03-25 | ERA10MA188 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER AS-350-B3 | MEMPHIS MEDICAL CENTER AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE | Brownsville, TN | Fatal · 3 | 34 docs |
| 2010-01-05 | CEN10MA088 Major investigation | GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A | ROYAL AIR FREIGHT INC | Prospect Heights, IL | Fatal · 2 | 28 docs · recorder reports |
| 2009-08-08 | ERA09MA447 Major investigation | PIPER PA-32R-300 | STEVEN M ALTMAN | Hoboken, NJ | Fatal · 9 | no docket |
| 2009-03-22 | WPR09MA159 Major investigation | PILATUS PC-12/45 | Eagle Cap Leasing, Inc. | Butte, MT | Fatal · 14 | 78 docs |
| 2009-02-08 | ERA09MA157 Major investigation | CESSNA 206H | Jorge Bringuier-Alfaro | Quebradillas, PR | Fatal · 6 | 30 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 |
| 2008-03-04 | DFW08MA076 Major investigation | CESSNA 500 | Interstate Helicopters Inc | Oklahoma City, OK | Fatal · 5 | 42 docs · recorder reports |
| 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 |
| 2007-10-08 | LAX08MA007 Major investigation | CESSNA 208B | Kapowsin Air Sports Ltd | Naches, WA | Fatal · 10 | 17 docs |
| 2007-07-27 | LAX07MA231 Major investigation | EUROCOPTER AS350-B2 | Phoenix, AZ | Fatal · 4 | no docket | |
| 2007-07-10 | NYC07MA162 Major investigation | CESSNA 310R | National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing | Sanford, FL | Fatal · 2 | 12 docs |
| 2007-01-12 | LAX07MA069 Major investigation | Cessna 525 | Sunquest Executive Air Charter | Van Nuys, CA | Fatal · 2 | no docket |
| 2006-10-11 | DCA07MA003 Major investigation | Cirrus Design Corp. SR-20 | Manhattan, NYC, NY | Fatal · 2 | 24 docs | |
| 2006-09-01 | DEN06MA119 Major investigation | Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 | Berg Steel Pipe Corp. | Argyle, FL | Fatal · 1 | no docket |
| 2006-08-25 | NYC06MA208 Major investigation | Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 | Ward T. Walter | Bunnell, FL | Fatal · 2 | no docket |
| 2006-08-04 | NYC06MA192 Major investigation | Embraer 110P1 | Business Air, Inc. | Pownal, VT | Fatal · 1 | 14 docs |
| 2006-04-19 | CHI06MA115 Major investigation | Cessna 210A | Ludville, GA | Fatal · 1 | 36 docs | |
| 2006-01-24 | SEA06MA047 Major investigation | Cessna 560 | GOSHIP AIR LLC | Carlsbad, CA | Fatal · 4 | 25 docs · recorder reports |
| 2005-10-08 | NYC06MA005 Major investigation | Augusta 109E | Lifestar | Smethport, PA | Fatal · 1 | 16 docs |
| 2005-09-30 | SEA05MA202 Major investigation | Agusta A109A II | CJ Systems Aviation Group | Edmonds, WA | Fatal · 3 | 30 docs |
| 2005-06-17 | IAD05MA078 Major investigation | Sikorsky S-76C | New York, NY | Serious injury | no docket | |
| 2005-02-16 | DCA05MA037 Major investigation | Cessna 560 | Pueblo, CO | Fatal · 8 | no docket | |
| 2005-01-11 | NYC05MA039 Major investigation | Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2 | Life Net Inc. | Oxon Hill, MD | Fatal · 2 | 45 docs |
| 2004-11-22 | DCA05MA011 Major investigation | Gulfstream Aerospace G-III | The Jet Place, Inc. | Houston, TX | Fatal · 3 | no docket |
| 2004-10-24 | IAD05MA006 Major investigation | Beech 200 | Stuart, VA | Fatal · 10 | 26 docs | |
| 2004-10-14 | DCA05MA003 Major investigation | Canadair CL-600 | PINNACLE AIR INC | Jefferson City, MO | Fatal · 2 | 1 docs · recorder reports |
| 2004-05-27 | DCA04MA049 Major investigation | Raytheon Corporate Jets 390 Premier I | 390 LLC | North Las Vegas, NV | No injury | no docket |
| 2003-08-26 | NYC03MA183 Major investigation | Beech 1900D | Colgan Air Inc. | Yarmouth, MA | Fatal · 2 | 51 docs · recorder reports |
| 2003-04-26 | IAD03MA049 Major investigation | Sino-Swearingen SJ30-2 | Loma Alta, TX | Fatal · 1 | no docket | |
| 2003-01-25 | DEN03MA035 Major investigation | Piper PA-31T | Lee Larson Aircraft Sales | Denver, CO | Fatal · 5 | no docket |
| 2001-08-31 | SEA01MA163 Major investigation | Kawasaki KV-107-II | Columbia Helicopters, Inc. | Emigrant, MT | Fatal · 3 | 45 docs |
| 2001-06-12 | CHI01MA163 Major investigation | Learjet 25D | Avcon Industries, Inc. | Salina, KS | Serious injury | no docket |
| 2001-01-27 | DCA01MA017 Major investigation | Beech 200 | Strasburg, CO | Fatal · 10 | no docket | |
| 2000-10-17 | CHI01MA011 Major investigation | Cessna 335 | Roger Carnahan | HILLSBORO, MO | Fatal · 3 | 296 docs |
| 2000-10-10 | CHI01MA006 Major investigation | Canadair CL600-2B16 | Wichita, KS | Fatal · 2 | 69 docs · recorder reports | |
| 2000-08-14 | CHI00MA256 Major investigation | North American NA-265-80 | IRONWOOD, MI | Fatal · 2 | no docket | |
| 2000-02-08 | CHI00MA066 Major investigation | Moravan Z242L | ZION, IL | Fatal · 3 | no docket |