# Fatal NTSB investigations, 1986 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 11 · 507 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB NYC87FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FAMS1.md): Cessna 310 · Hamburg, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Dec 31, 1986 · N5462J · Destroyed > The Cessna 310R departed the airport on a svfr departure. The pilot cancelled his clearance a few minutes later and reported in VFR conditions. The aircraft failed to arrive at its destination. Radar tracking showed the aircraft heading toward lake erie. The… - [NTSB FTW87FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA041.md): American AA-1A · Robertson, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1986 · N9493L · Destroyed > Witnesses stated that the aircraft was circling the top of a 94 ft tall oil well makeover rig when it descended below their line of sight. Another witness a mile away stated that the aircraft began spinning before ground impact. No evidence of any malfunction… - [NTSB CHI87FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA060.md): Cessna 150L · Lakeview, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1986 · N6965G · Destroyed > Witnesses observed the aircraft buzzing a farm where a friend of the pilot resided. Following a low pass, the aircraft pulled up into a steep, left climbing turn. At the top of the climb, the nose dropped and the aircraft spiraled into the ground. - [NTSB CHI87FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA058.md): Piper PA-31T · Merrillville, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1986 · N74NL · Destroyed > The acft was enroute to the chicago midway arpt. While letting down to 16000 ft the pilot reported he was shutting down the right eng. ARTCC cleared the acft to 5000 ft. ten minutes later ARTCC lost radio transponder and mode c contact. 15 minutes later the… - [NTSB DEN87FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA036.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rawlins, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1986 · N4388X · Destroyed > The plt took off on a 7000 ft long runway with a heavy coat of frost on the acft. The acft became airborne and flew in ground effect until it impacted a 30 ft high pile of sand 200 yards beyond the end of the runway. - [NTSB ATL87FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA051.md): Beech 35-33 · Blountville, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 1986 · N210M · Substantial damage > Drg vectors for a ILS rwy 23 apch, the plt allowed the acft to get 400' below the assigned alt of 3700'. The controller (ctlr) queried the plt about his alt & the plt replied he had gotten a little low, but was returning to the assigned alt. After… - [NTSB MIA87FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA062.md): Piper PA-34 · Ft. Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 1986 · N84136 · Destroyed > The pvt plt had been cleared for 27R ILS apch and was on the localizer at 1,600 ft when the controller noticed the acft north of the localizer course and in a right turn headed east. The controller querried the plt as to his heading and the plt replied,… - [NTSB LAX87FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA071.md): Piper PA-28R-201 · Gorman, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 1986 · N50U · Destroyed > The aircraft descended into mountainous terrain during a night cross-country flight. The surviving pilot stated that he was attending to paperwork and when he looked up he turned on the landing light in time to see trees just prior to impact. He further… - [NTSB LAX87FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA069.md): Beech E-55 · East Palo Alto, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 1986 · N111FC · Destroyed > The pilot and 5 passengers departed for a planned vacation in Mexico in dark night conditions. The aircraft was observedto depart from runway 30, turn from the crosswind to the downwind leg and the aircraft 'lost altitude rapidly' and impacted in the san… - [NTSB DEN87FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA035.md): Piper PA-12-150 · Gilcrest, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 1986 · N78475 · Destroyed > The plt made a low pass at aprx 200 ft AGL & waved at TW0 friends who were duck hunting. He then made a 2nd pass at aprx 150 ft & left the area. About 10 min later, the acft returned & was seen flying down a river at tree top level. The acft struck 3 of 4… - [NTSB FTW87FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA037.md): Cessna 150L · Altus, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 1986 · N18227 · Destroyed > The pilot was circling about 40-50 feet above the ground at a slow rate of airspeed while searching for a lost dog. He was using 10 degrees of flaps and most probably operating at a reduced power setting. Carburetor icing conditions were present and… - [NTSB DEN87FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA037.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Lewistown, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 1986 · N6712L · Substantial damage > On the morning of the day of the accident the private plt/owner and his friend took off on an all day coyote hunting flt. When the acft failed to return that evening an air and ground search was begun. The burned wreckage of the acft was found 3 days later… - [NTSB MIA87FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA056.md): Cessna 172N · Middleburg, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1986 · N739SV · Destroyed > The flt was receiving flt following services from jacksonville apch control. Radar and radio contact was lost shortly after the plt reported to apch control he was descending out of 4,500 ft in preparation for his landing at st. augustine, FL. A witness… - [NTSB CHI87FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA054.md): Bellanca 14-19-3A · West Chicago, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1986 · N1253R · Destroyed > At 0850 CST, the plt got a wx briefing for a flt to the dupage arpt. At that time, the current dupage wx was in part: partial obscn, 2 mi vis with fog; also, the plt was given svrl pireps for lgt to mod icing in southern Wisconsin. At 1231, he got a wx… - [NTSB NYC87FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA049.md): Cessna 172M · Kingston, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1986 · N64342 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Cessna 172M, N64342, was on his initial climb after taking off on runway 33 at the uncontrolled Kingston-ulster airport when the pilot failed to see Cessna 177, N2981X, or hear, on the UNICOM frequency, the transmissions by N2981X who was on his final… - [NTSB MKC87FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA033.md): Champion 7ECA · Cambridge, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1986 · N2674G · Substantial damage > The low time PIC had been flying his acft over the farm land in search of coyotes. Several of the grd crew had flown as psngrs with him during the time period of this search. Witnesses stated that they saw the acft turn left and right as it was spotting the… - [NTSB DEN87FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA039.md): Cessna 172E · Crossroads, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1986 · N7821U · Destroyed > The student plt with no simulated or actual instrument and a total of 9 hours night flt time called the amarillo FAA fss, who briefed him on wx for a flt from borger, Texas, to big spring, Texas, located 210 NM south. He was briefed on marginal VFR wx en… - [NTSB LAX87FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA066.md): Mooney M20K · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1986 · N4004H · Substantial damage > The pilot encountered clouds and temperatures below freezing during a cross country flight at 17,500 feet above mean sea level. The engine failed shortly after the encounter with the weather. The pilot was unable to restart the engine during the forced… - [NTSB FTW87DQA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DQA01.md): Beggs Pitts S-1 · El Paso, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 20, 1986 · N16GB · Substantial damage > Commercial pilot practicing aerobatics in pitts S1 experimental homebuilt aircraft entered spin. Pilot failed to recover control of aircraft during descent. Aircraft impacted terrain approximately 1/2 mile south of west Texas airport near El Paso, TX. - [NTSB ATL87FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA045.md): Cessna 170B · Asheville, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1986 · N8062A · Destroyed > During initial climb from a private grass airstrip, witnesses described the aircraft perform a 'wing-over' aerobatic maneuver at low altitude and impact the ground at a near vertical attitude. A ground fire consumed the wreckage. The pilot held a student… - [NTSB LAX87FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA065.md): Rockwell 112TC · Gardena, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1986 · N112DM · Substantial damage > The pilot elected to return and land at his home airport when the aircraft's landing gear failed to retract after a night takeoff. After reentering the traffic pattern the pilot changed his fuel selector to the left tank for landing. As the aircraft turned… - [NTSB FTW87FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA032.md): Cessna 340A · Tomball, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1986 · N8CD · Destroyed > The pilot took off in fog and light rain and climbed into clouds at about 300-400 feet above the ground while both landing lights were extended and illuminated. Also the airport's rotating beacon (located aobut a mile from the accident site) was flashing on… - [NTSB FTW87FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA031.md): Cessna 172K · El Reno, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1986 · N736XP · Destroyed > Private pilot of Cessna 172K attempted VFR flight in IFR flight conditions. Contacted okc approach control and requested special VFR approach during hours of darkness. Approach denied special VFR due to lack of instrument qualification of pilot. Pilot was… - [NTSB CHI87FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA050.md): Cessna 182P · Durand, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1986 · N21016 · Destroyed > Student pilot collided with terrain while attempting to remain in visual contact with the ground during very low light and in very heavy ground fog during a cross country flight. The pilot rushed his departure in an attempt to get home before dark and there… - [NTSB NYC87LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA012.md): Enstrom 280C · Newport, RI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1986 · N647H · Substantial damage > Aircraft descended and collided with water when the pilot attempted to regain visual ground reference when weather deteriorated. No plt acc report was received. Plt time was not reported or available. - [NTSB CHI87FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA048.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · N. Manitou Isl., MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1986 · N32693 · Substantial damage > The plt had recvd an unfavorable wx brief that included a SIGMET on flt icing. Enroute during flt over a large body of water he experienced power loss and was at too low a altitude to glide to shore. The plt attempted to ld on a island but crashed in a lake. - [NTSB MIA87FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA047.md): Beech C-55 · Ivel, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1986 · N7975M · Destroyed > The plt who was originally scheduled to make the charter flt to pick up the pax was reluctant to do so due to low ceilings in the mountainous area at the destination. The owner of the company took the flt & the flt was observed by witnesses near the… - [NTSB CHI87MA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87MA053.md): Hughes 269B · Cross Plaines, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1986 · N8982F · Destroyed > The plt & observer were on a power line patrol flt. While proceeding southbound, they apchd an area were the lines were about 23 ft AGL & were crossed by another set of power lines, oriented in an east-west direction. The other power lines were about 45 ft… - [NTSB ATL87MA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87MA041.md): Beech 100 · Windsor, MA · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1986 · N65TD · Destroyed > Drg arr for a LOC rwy 26 apch, the plt was adzd the abyss fan marker was notamed out-of-svc. With abyss inop, min dscnt alt (mda) was 2200'. After N65TD was clrd for the apch, radar svc was terminated & the flt was clrd to adzy freq. The crew contacted UNICOM… - [NTSB MIA87FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA046.md): Hughes 369HS · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1986 · N8390F · Destroyed > A witness stated that she heard the eng on the helicopter quit. She looked out her window and watched the helicopter hit the ground, bounce, hit again, flip over and the tail broke off. The helicopter then burst into flames and exploded. Exam of the eng… - [NTSB ATL87FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA039.md): Cessna 170B · Madison, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1986 · N2464D · Substantial damage > Although there were no witnesses to the crash, one witness did observe the acft taxiing at a very slow speed toward the dept end of the rwy. Abt 30 mins later the wreckage was fd in a fld east of the airstrip. Exam indicated it collided w the gd in a near… - [NTSB SEA87MA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87MA035.md): Cessna TU206G · Jean, NV · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1986 · N732ZF · Destroyed > While en route at night on an IFR flt plan, the acft ran out of fuel. Subsequently, the plt was provided vectors toward a hiway for a forced lndg. However, before reaching the area of the hiway, the acft crashed on rising terrain at an elev of about 4000 ft.… - [NTSB MIA87FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA045.md): North American Rockwell 112 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1986 · N1142J · Destroyed > The acft, being flown by a non-instrument rated plt, appeared over the arpt without making contact with the tower while the arpt was under instrument flt conditions and the control zone was in operation. After making several erratic passes the plt contacted… - [NTSB FTW87FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA029.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Petersburg, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1986 · N4475F · Destroyed > Acft impacted in a 95 deg nose down attitude following a loss of control in IMC conditions while the non-instrument rated pvt plt was being vectored to the final app crs. Plt had filed IFR and had experienced difficulties thru out the flt. As he was given… - [NTSB ATL87FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA038.md): Cessna 185D · Hammonton, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1986 · N5878T · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The mid-air collision occurred while the Cessna 185 was attempting a steep climbout during takeoff from rwy 21 and the Mooney was making a landing to the same runway. Another aircraft attemped to warn both aircraft over the UNICOM freq. Neither aircraft… - [NTSB NYC87FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA045.md): Cessna 152 · Carlisle, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1986 · N69123 · Destroyed > The student pilot flying a Cessna 152 scheduled his flight period so it coincided with another student pilot flying a Cessna 172. The pilot of the Cessna 172 reported seeing the Cessna 152 enter a two turn spin and recover. He then said he lost sight of the… - [NTSB SEA87MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87MA034.md): Bell 206L-1 · Pendleton, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 1986 · N7EC · Destroyed > The helicopter departed Pendleton on an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) flt to transport a patient to portland. After delivering the patient, the plt took off on the rtn flt with 2 med psnl aboard. Drg arrival at 1658 PST, he requested a special VFR (svfr)… - [NTSB FTW87FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA025.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Baytown, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1986 · N43302 · Destroyed > The plt took off from a decommissioned, unlighted arpt at night after telling friends in a bar that he was going to new orleans. Later, witnesses observed the acft as the plt made several low passes over an interstate highway near the departure arpt. While… - [NTSB ATL87MA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87MA035.md): Bell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TN · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1986 · N3898U · Destroyed > The helicopter was being used in an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) opn. At 0230, the plt obtained a partial wx briefing. He was advised of flt prctns for IFR wx thru-out the area with low ceilings, fog, precip & mtns obscd. The flt departed nashville at 0245 &… - [NTSB CHI87FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA040.md): Mooney M20E · Hanna City, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1986 · N9210M · Destroyed > The aircraft struck power lines and crashed two miles from the end of the runway on final approach ground track after being cleared for an ILS approach. The accident occurred at the end of a three leg cross-country flight from the Bahamas which began aprx 8… - [NTSB MKC87FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA027.md): Cessna 177RG · Colby, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1986 · N7692U · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot filed an IFR flight plan after being briefed. There was freezing drizzle to the west that was moving toward the departure area. The airplane took off into a low ceiling with near freezing temperature. Pilot attempted to climb to… - [NTSB LAX87LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA058.md): Cessna 182L · Oceano, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1986 · N66CF · Destroyed > Witnesses stated that while the acft was climbing after takeoff, it appeared to be lower than normal. One witness rprtd that the eng sounded as if it was running rough. Another witness stated that the acft had begun making a left turn when he saw flames… - [NTSB DEN87FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA024.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Stugis, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1986 · N2161B · Destroyed > The plt agreed to ferry the acft for another plt who was not IFR rated & who had been forced to land at kadoka on the previous evening due to low fuel & apchg darkness. IMC prevailed thru-out the area. The commercial/ifr rated plt did not obtain a wx briefing… - [NTSB DEN87FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA023.md): Beech A36TC · Steamboat Sprgs, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1986 · N36TS · Destroyed > Plt and four paxs were returning home from a ski vacation. A witness at the arpt observed a normal takeoff and saw the acft turn towards an area of high terrain located approximately 1.5 miles from the Steamboat arpt. The witness observed N36TS continue on a… - [NTSB LAX87FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA055.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Eloy, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1986 · N5814P · Destroyed > In cavu weather conditions, the acft crashed into open, level desert terrain at a 30 deg, nose low and near wings level attitude. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were found with the aircraft. There were no witnesses to the accident. - [NTSB FTW87LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA023.md): North American Navion A · Springtown, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1986 · N91548 · Substantial damage > The pilot told rescue personnel that he had taken off with empty tanks selected. The engine quit, and the aircraft impacted the ground before he could restart. Initial reports of serious injury only, but both occupants expired two weeks later. - [NTSB LAX87MA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87MA052.md): Beech A36TC · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1986 · N6750L · Destroyed > On an instructional flt, the student plt & instructor (CFI) made an ILS low apch to rwy 30R. Drg a go-arnd (missed apch)a twr ctlr obsvd a 'light trace of smoke' emanating fm the eng exhaust. Shortly thereafter, the acft 'banked hard to the left and appeared… - [NTSB LAX87DVM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVM01.md): Moore-Van RV-3 · Carmel, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 27, 1986 · N135RV · Destroyed > The experimental homebuilt acft was performing aerobatics consisting of loops, rolls and high speed climbs from pull-outs. The acft limitations allowed for the performance of aerobatics, which included the maneuvers the plt was performing at the time of the… - [NTSB CHI87DEX03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX03.md): Cessna 172N · Raymond, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Nov 27, 1986 · N4767E · Destroyed > The accident aircraft impacted in an open field shortly after a predawn departure from an unattended airport. IMC prevailed an no flight plan was in effect. In a conversaton held the day before with a local pilot the pilot of the accident aircraft stated his… - [NTSB NYC87FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA038.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Glen Mawr, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1986 · N8130A · Destroyed > Drg arrival, the acft was vectored to intercept the ILS rwy 27 localizer (LOC) bfr reaching the munci initial apch fix (iaf), which was 21.5 mi fm the rwy. The ATC controller (ctlr) told the plt to maint 4000' until on the LOC, then clrd him for the apch.… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&year=1986&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") = 1986 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=1986 --- 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.