# Fatal NTSB investigations, 1985

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 12 · 555 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DCA86AA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA86AA012.md): Douglas DC-3 · Dekalb, TX · Accident · 7 fatal · Final report · Dec 31, 1985 · N711Y · Destroyed
  > At 1708:48, while cruising at 6000', a pilot of N711Y advised ATC, 'I think I'd like to turn around, head for texarkana here, I've got a little problem.' He was provided a vector & advised of closest airports. Shortly after, he stated he would be unable to…
- [NTSB SEA86FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA034.md): Stinson 108 · Hoquiam, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1985 · N40199 · Destroyed
  > The acft contacted terrain 680 ft north of rwy 06 at bowerman airfield. The acft departed elma arpt, ocean shores, WA, sometime around 2330 PST, on 12-29-85. Prior to the departure the passenger stated to persons they were waiting for the fog to clear for…
- [NTSB SEA86FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA033.md): Mooney M20K · Des Moines, WA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1985 · N1152T · Destroyed
  > The weather briefer informed the pilot that VFR was not recommended due to current/forecast condtions. The non instrument rated pilot then filed a VFR flight plan responding that he was IFR rated and would file inflight if necessary. Witnesses reported…
- [NTSB FTW86FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA028.md): Beech B33 · Arlington, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1985 · N8948M · Destroyed
  > Inspite of an adverse weather forecast, the non-instrument rated pilot took off into pre-dawn fog and low ceilings. The acft impacted the ground in a steep descending turn after being observed maneuvering at a low altitude. No eng, airframe, or instrument…
- [NTSB DEN86FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA232.md): Cessna T210L · Salina, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1985 · N27CF · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated plt did not obtain a wx briefing nor file a flight plan. He and his wife took off from bullfrog basin airport, glen canyon, UT, en route to heber city, UT, on 12-30-85. Acft did not arrive. Civil air patrol search was conducted from…
- [NTSB LAX86FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA077.md): Cessna T210N · Hyder, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1985 · N4592Y · Destroyed
  > Witnesses observed the acft depart the ranch airstrip, level off at about 200 ft AGL & make a turn back over the ranch house. The acft occupants were seen to wave to the people on the ground as the acft began an abrupt climbing turn. The witnesses then saw…
- [NTSB DEN86FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA056.md): Cessna T210L · West Valley, UT · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1985 · N2082S · Destroyed
  > During apch to rwy 34L, the rt horizontal stab, elevators and wings separated in-flt. Investigation revealed the plt was not instr current. Ntap data revealed N2082S at an alt of 7,400 ft and 203 KTS grnd speed at outer marker. The mca at the marker is 6,100…
- [NTSB FTW86FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA027.md): Cessna 172B · Caddo Mills, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 1985 · N6876X · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Mid-air occurred at uncontrolled arpt with the S-2B executing rt traffic, as published, and the C-172 executing a long final or an arcing lft turn to final. Both acft were attempting to land on rwy 17R. Acdt occurred during late afternoon and there was…
- [NTSB DEN86FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA054.md): Bell 206-L3 · Monument Valley, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1985 · N10UB · Destroyed
  > The helicopter contacted power lines and the terrain during an attempted takeoff from a hospital after a cancelled med-evac flt. The hospital is located in a box canyon surrounded by high terrain and power lines. The plt was aware of the power line that…
- [NTSB LAX86MA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86MA074.md): Beech 95-A55 · Concord, CA · Accident · 7 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1985 · N1494G · Destroyed
  > Drg arr, the acft was vectored for an lda rwy 19R apch. After being clrd for the apch, the plt was advised that radar svc was terminated & told to contact the twr. At 2033 PST, he rprtd inbnd at the final apch fix & was clrd for the apch. Aprx 2 min later, he…
- [NTSB ANC86FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA020.md): Cessna 182 · Lake Clark Pass, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1985 · N5009D · Destroyed
  > The acft collided with rising terrain while maneuvering in a mountain Pass. Low ceilings, 40 to 50 kt winds and rain showers were reported in the area at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB CHI86MA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86MA052.md): Cessna 177B · Brooklyn, MI · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1985 · N34046 · Destroyed
  > The pilot took off with five passengers approximately 170 pounds over maximum allowable gross weight into known moderate icing conditions. His aircraft was not equipped to fly in these conditions. Radio and radar contact were lost at approximately 3500 feet…
- [NTSB MKC86FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA037.md): Bell 206L · Ainsworth, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1985 · N110LG · Destroyed
  > This med-evac helicopter was being positioned to pick up a patient. The plt obtained a wx briefing which included a forecast for a chance of marginal VMC along the planned route, although at the time of the briefing the dest weather was VMC. The flt departed…
- [NTSB FTW86FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA026.md): Cessna 150E · Shawnee, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1985 · N4066U · Destroyed
  > The unlicensed plt was conducting an unauthorized flt when the accident occurred. The plt took off from a sod fld adjacent to a closed rwy at Shawnee, OK. Witnesses stated that the acft assumed an excessively nose high attitude immediately after takeoff and…
- [NTSB MKC86FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA036.md): Cessna T210M · Kansas City, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1985 · N761YS · No damage
  > The plt was seen to enter the acft for a short time and then get out, go to the front of the acft and pull down on the prop. The eng fired and the prop struck the pilot's head. A plt who approached the acft moments after the acdt looked into the cockpit and…
- [NTSB CHI86FEM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM03.md): Robinson R22A · Grand Rapids, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 20, 1985 · N8488H · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported he flew into the wolverine power plant for the purpose of picking up a passenger to whom he was to demonstrate the helicopter's ability to survey power lines. He continued to report, shortly after landing during normal engine shut down…
- [NTSB LAX86FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA069.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1985 · N9044P · Destroyed
  > The plt contacted coast TRACON (terminal radar control) & requested VFR traffic advisories to torrence. At aprx 0747 psthe declared an emergency, said the eng had quit & requested vectors to the john wayne/orange county arpt. The controllerprovided a hdg to…
- [NTSB ATL86FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA041.md): Mooney M20K · Langhorne, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1985 · N231A · Substantial damage
  > Acft collided with marked but unlighted transmission lines 670 ft fm rwy threshold. The lines are 81 ft above the threshold elevation and are marked but unlighted. They are also 1193 ft from the displaced threshold. The pilot did not have a current medical or…
- [NTSB ATL86FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA040.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Springfield, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1985 · N2697Z · Destroyed
  > The acft collided with the ground inverted. Witnesses stated that the acft was performing loops prior to the accident. Reportedly, the plt was giving a female companion a 'joy ride'. The plt had recently received his commercial cert. Instrument rating & CFI…
- [NTSB MIA86FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA044.md): Beech BE-23 · Pensacola, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1985 · N6636B · Destroyed
  > Shortly after takeoff on initial climb the aircraft was seen to crash back on the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right stabilator attach/hinge bolt was not installed, and the left stabilator attach/hinge bolt was found partially…
- [NTSB CHI86MA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86MA047.md): Beech B-60 · Carp Lake, MI · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1985 · N24RT · Destroyed
  > Drg arrival, the plt reported a problem with his #1 nav, but said he would try to make an ILS apch. He said he would return to pontiac, if his ILS did not work. ARTCC cleared him for the ILS rwy 32 apch & instructed him to contact pellston radio (fss). At…
- [NTSB LAX86FVA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVA01.md): Robert D. Campbell KR-1 · Oakdale, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 13, 1985 · N12YC · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed in a cow pasture in VMC wx. The acft left wing struck the ground in a steep angle of bank and the acft nosed in throwing the eng 450 ft farther across the field. The canopy & canopy latch were found prior to the impact point of the left wing.…
- [NTSB LAX86FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA066.md): Cessna 150 · Oxnard, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1985 · N7310X · Destroyed
  > The acft took off, pitched up steeply, stalled, nosed over to the right and crashed, nose down into the grass south of the rwy. Post accident inspection of the acft disclosed that the 2 inch bolt the plt used as a control gust lock for the elevator and…
- [NTSB FTW86FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA025.md): Gates Learjet 35A · College Station, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1985 · N723GL · Destroyed
  > The acft rolled to the right and crashed after a catastrophic (uncontained) failure of the rt eng during takeoff for a night flt. The rt eng fan rotor disc separated from the hub which damaged the cowling and some disc fragments buried in the fuselage but…
- [NTSB DCA86RA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA86RA010.md): Douglas DC-8-63 · Gander, Canada · Accident · 256 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 12, 1985 · N950JW
- [NTSB ATL86FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA039.md): Piper PA-30 · Corning, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1985 · N7770Y · Destroyed
  > During ILS runway 6 approach acft hit high terrain short of the outer marker. When on downwind for approach pilot said he was not receiving the localizer and asked for a surveillance approach. Controller said he could not provide. When cleared for the ILS…
- [NTSB LAX86FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA063.md): Cessna TR182 · Independence, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1985 · N737SG · Destroyed
  > While en route, the acft collided with moutainous terrain (trrn) at an aprx elev of 13,500 ft. previously, the plt had requested & was rcvg traffic advisories fm ARTCC. Bfr the acdnt, the acft's psn & alt (mode c reply) were noted by the controller (ctlr). No…
- [NTSB CHI86FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA046.md): Aerospatiale SA365N · Adrian, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1985 · N5800H · Destroyed
  > The purpose of this flight was to pick up an injured patient and return him to a medical center. The weather was adequate for a VFR takeoff. However, enroute weather reports indicated fog and probable low ceilings. According to the single survivor of the…
- [NTSB LAX86FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA061.md): Piper PA-28-201T · So. Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1985 · N2854R · Destroyed
  > Prior to departing on a VFR flt from south lake Tahoe, CA, to tracy, CA, the plt failed to obtain a wx briefing or file a flt plan. Wx at the arpt of departure was reported as scattered clouds at 1500 ft, broken ceiling conditions at an estimated 3000 ft,…
- [NTSB NYC86FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA049.md): Cessna 340A · Peru, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1985 · N36888 · Destroyed
  > During IFR flight at 12000 feet both aircraft vacuum pumps failed. Aircraft descended in right turn off radar. Witnesses observed aircraft at low altitude above trees, circle, make steep left turn, climb and descend to ground.
- [NTSB CHI86FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA042.md): Learjet 35A · Rochester, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1985 · N15TW · Destroyed
  > The aircraft had just successfully completed a series of practice approaches to a full stop. The training flight was being conducted to give refresher training to the pilot who had not flown a lear jet in over a year and had never flown a lear model 35. The…
- [NTSB DEN86FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA039.md): Beech 35-B33 · Columbia Falls, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1985 · N5637K · Destroyed
  > The acft contacted snow covered terrain in an uncontrolled descent aprx 3 minutes after takeoff. The plt obtained a wx briefing from kalispell, MT, NWS and updated briefings from missoula and great Falls, MT, fss, for proposed night VFR flt to ogden, UT. VFR…
- [NTSB CHI86FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA041.md): Cessna 320 · Ada, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1985 · N5755X · Destroyed
  > The pilot overflew a planned intermediate stop before running low on fuel. He was unable to find the airport he was being vectored to & attempted to land in a plowed field during dark conditions. As the aircraft passed over powerlines the aircraft was…
- [NTSB NYC86FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA048.md): Piper PA-28 · Selinsgrove, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1985 · N652FL · Destroyed
  > The afct was seen flying at low alt before it collided with unmarked transmission lines at a height of 170 ft AGL. The acft pitched up and then descended to the ground. The top of the rudder and vertical stabilator were severed from the acft. The collision…
- [NTSB LAX86FUJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUJ02.md): Cessna 182G · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Dec 5, 1985 · N3205S · Destroyed
  > On December 4, 1985, at 1928 MST, a Cessna 182, N3205S, collided with a power utility pole near paloma, AZ. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the two people on board the…
- [NTSB LAX86FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA057.md): Beech F33A · Sacramento, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1985 · N6541A · Destroyed
  > On December 4, 1985 at 2230 PST, a Beech F33A, operated by the owner, collided with trees during a missed approach at Sacramento metropolitan airport, Sacramento, California, while on a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the…
- [NTSB LAX86FVD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVD03.md): Aero Commander 680T · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 3, 1985 · N17690 · Destroyed
  > On 12/3/85 at aprx 0830, the acft was fnd lying inverted in a canal adjacent to the arpt where it had been on 24 hr standby for medical flts. Twelve days later, the plt's body was also fnd in the canal. An investigation revealed the acft had been taken…
- [NTSB ATL86FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA034.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dacula, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1985 · N9289J · Destroyed
  > The acft collided with trees 3.5 miles from the arpt during an instrument approach in dense fog. The approach required an adf receiver and the acft did not have one. The mda on the approach was 1600 ft. the acft impacted the trees at 1200 ft MSL. The acft was…
- [NTSB LAX86MA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86MA050.md): Bell 206L-1 · San Pedro, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1985 · N3913Z · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Two Bell 206L'S (N3913Z oprd by helitrans, N5759Y oprd by island express) deptd avalon 2 min apart on flts to San Pedro. Arr route at destn was ovr a RVR with angling fnl acph arnd a floating restaurant (fr). Heliport (HP) was in congested area nr bridge,…
- [NTSB BFO86FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA008.md): Beech D95A · Millville, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1985 · N26FM · Destroyed
  > The plt & his wife deptd sarasota FL for a 5HR and 10MIN planned flt to Millville, NJ. 5HRS and 8MIN ltr the acft crashed in woods abt 2 miles short of miv. Fuel calculations indicated the acft should have had ovr 11GALS left in the tanks. Witnesses located…
- [NTSB DEN86FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA038.md): Cessna C-182 · Gallup, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1985 · N52599 · Destroyed
  > The plt departed las cruces, NM, on a VFR flt to Gallup,NM. Approx 23 miles from destination, in mountainous terrain, the non-instrument rated plt encountered unforecast snow storm conditons at night. While the plt was maneuvering toward the destination at a…
- [NTSB CHI86FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA035.md): Beech BE 36 · Odell, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1985 · N3807Z · Destroyed
  > The plt departed on an IFR flight into known icing conditions after receiving three complete weather briefings clearly indicating the icing conditions with numerous plt reports of icing. Aprx 40 minutes after departure the plt reported he had about an inch of…
- [NTSB LAX86FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA048.md): Cessna 177RG · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1985 · N7541V · Destroyed
  > The instrument rated plt & his family flew from TX to CA. It was night time upon arrival and the plt did not communicate with any FAA facility. Earlier in the flt, during a refueling stop, the plt had telephoned a friend and his parents to arrange to be…
- [NTSB CHI86FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA033.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Duluth, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1985 · N8082B · Destroyed
  > The pilot departed crystal lake for a flight to visit relatives for thanksgiving. He did not obtain a preflight weather briefing nor did he contact any ground facility during the flight. He was qualified to fly in VFR conditions only. The aircraft impacted…
- [NTSB ATL86FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA032.md): Beech C90 · East Greenwich, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1985 · N220F · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed about nine miles short of the rwy during an ILS approach to warwick, RI in IMC wx. The acft had been cleared to descend from 13000 to 3000 ft. the acft crashed outside the outer marker. The co-plt had reported the acft as inside the outer…
- [NTSB SEA86FVW01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FVW01.md): Griffin, Thomas Modified KR-Z · Panaca, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 26, 1985 · N999TG · Destroyed
  > A witness to the accident observed the aircraft climb straight ahead and make a shallow left 90 degree turn. The aircraft was then observed to resume level flight. The aircraft then slowly wen into a bank and fell off into a dive striking the ground. This was…
- [NTSB MKC86MA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86MA031.md): Rockwell 500-S · Des Moines, IA · Accident · 7 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1985 · N81589 · Destroyed
  > N81589 was flwg a Boeing 727 on ILS apch in IFR conds. Aprx 2.5 mi fm rwy, N81589 suddenly deviated left nrly 90 deg. 39 sec later, plt rprtd he enctrd svr turbc, then said he was trying to clb. N81589 subsequently flew thru tree tops on rising trrn for aprx…
- [NTSB MKC86FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA030.md): Cessna P210N · Tontitown, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1985 · N86JB · Destroyed
  > After completing two erratic 360 deg turns in a holding pattern west of the razorback VORTAC station, the plt was instructed to proceed via the 218 deg radial of the razorback VORTAC until reaching the elmie intersection and to hold. A couple of minutes later…
- [NTSB MIA86FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA034.md): Mooney M20J · Sarasota, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1985 · N201QN · Destroyed
  > Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff from a touch and go landing the aircrafts engine sputtered and quit completely. As the pilot was attempting a forced landing the aircraft struck a tree causing the pilot to lose control. The aircraft struck the…
- [NTSB MIA86MA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86MA032.md): Beech 58 · Boca Raton, FL · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1985 · N3862Y · Destroyed
  > According to witnesses, the plt took off on rwy 4, then turned left toward the southwest & flew parallel with the rwy at a distance of about 1/4 to 1/2 mi. He leveled the acft at aprx 200' AGL, just below the clouds, until aprx abeam of midfield, then he…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&year=1985&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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") = 1985
  AND c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&year=1985

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
