# Fatal NTSB investigations, 1987 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 10 · 496 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB NYC88FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA062.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Burlington, VT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1987 · N2243J · Destroyed > Drg flt fm wilmington, de to rutland, VT, the plt diverted to binghamton after recg the albany wx & learning rutland wx was not available. After lndg, he told fss psnl he phoned rutland & was told the wx was good. He got 2 wx briefings bfr contg the flt & was… - [NTSB SEA88FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA034.md): Cessna 182J · Molalla, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1987 · N2758F · Destroyed > The recently certificated, non-instrument rated, pvt plt flew into the an area of low ceilings, low vis, rain & snw w/o filing a flt plan. No record of a wx briefing was fnd. A surviving pax rprtd that drg flt, the plt flew into clds that were initially… - [NTSB SEA88LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA033.md): Cessna 182C · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1987 · N8819T · Destroyed > The aircraft bounced on landing touchdown, swerved off the side of the runway and impacted a concrete culvert in a drainage ditch. Witnesses observed the acft bounce and stated that no application of power for recovery was heard nor any apparent attempt to… - [NTSB DCA88RA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88RA019.md): Cessna 402 · St. Barthelemy, WN · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 27, 1987 · N8209Q - [NTSB BFO88FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA011.md): Champion 7ECA · Keymar, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1987 · N11089 · Destroyed > Witnesses heard and observed the aircraft takeoff, bank to the left, and nose down into the adjoining dirt field with no change in engine sound. Exam of the wreckage revealed that an elevator cable had separated at a point where grounding strap was found to… - [NTSB ATL88FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA068.md): Piper PA-28RT-201 · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1987 · N2869C · Destroyed > The pilot was cleared for the adf approach. The aircraft was last observed on radar about one mile inside the rbn. The aircraft was located on December 27 about 4 NM NE of the airport. The aircraft impacted the trees at about the 2270-foot level of carson Mt.… - [NTSB MIA88FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA071.md): Cessna 150H · Destin, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1987 · N7005S · Destroyed > Witnesses stated that they observed the acft flying in the fog in a southeasterly direction and turn hard right just before it struck the 19th floor of a condominium. The fog according to residents of the bldg was so thick that the ground could not be seen… - [NTSB LAX88FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA075.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Maunaloa, HI · Accident · 8 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1987 · N712AN · Destroyed > The flight was to be flown across a 22 mile channel between islands on an overcast night with no moon and no ground reference lights. The aircraft disappeared from radar and, after extensive searches, could not be found. A three dimensional flight track was… - [NTSB LAX88DUM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUM02.md): Bede BD-5 · Chula Vista, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 24, 1987 · N29DT · Destroyed - [NTSB ATL88FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA067.md): Beech B23 · Crossville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1987 · N6571R · Destroyed > N6571R crashed into trees near the VOR on top on hinch mtn at about 3000 feet MSL. Trees at the crash site indicated wings level with a descent angle of about 10 degrees. Weather in the area was IMC, characterized by low ceilings (lower than the mtn top… - [NTSB MKC88FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA032.md): Cessna 402C · Chadron, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1987 · N105GP · Destroyed > The acft was on a flt to Chadron via Chadron VOR. Abt 30 mi sse of the VOR, the plt reqd & was clrd to fly drct to ackmeiaf for an NDB rwy 2 apch. The acft contd twd the VOR which was in the same general drctn, but 11.9 mi south of ackme. The NDB was at the… - [NTSB DCA88MA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA011.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Kenai, AK · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1987 · N496SC · Destroyed > The pilot had just departed the runway when he reported to the flight service station that he had engine problems. The aircraft was observed by witnesses to be about 300 ft on a descending downwind. The pilot stated that he was circling for runway one.… - [NTSB NYC88LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA059.md): Cessna 170A · Sandwich, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1987 · N5571C · Destroyed > The Cessna 170A was on an aerial photography flt. Witnesses rprtd the acft was flying slow at about 200 ft AGL when it began to settle. The witnesses then heard an increase in eng power & saw the acft pitch up. Subsequently, it 'fell off on a wing,' crashed… - [NTSB MIA88LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA073.md): Cessna 152 · Missing · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1987 · N757EQ · Destroyed > According to the operator the acft departed san juan, PR on a cross country flight to la romana. The acft arrived there & dropped the student off & the plt departed at about 1400 ast on his return trip to san juan. The acft did not arrive at it's destination… - [NTSB FTW88FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA039.md): Aerospatiale SA-330J · Eugene Island · Accident · 15 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1987 · N3596N · Destroyed > The helicopter, with 2 plts & 13 passengers, was on an IFR flt to a psn in the gulf of Mexico. From that psn, they proceeded under VFR to an off-shore oil drilling rig (EI-190). As the helicopter was arriving from the se, there was a strong wind from the NE.… - [NTSB SEA88FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA032.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Eastsound, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1987 · N4306J · Destroyed > The plt depd south from an unattended island arpt at sea level & flew into marginal VFR conds with moderate snowfall. Acquaintances at the arpt rprtd the plt expressed an urgent need to return to snohomish, WA, despite the wx conds. When the acft did not… - [NTSB LAX88FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA071.md): Beech A35 · Chino Hills, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1987 · N675B · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other and thus avert the collision. - [NTSB FTW88FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA038.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Burnet, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1987 · N33007 · Destroyed > The pilot arrived in the area of his planned destination and completed the outbound and inbound procedure turns for the NDB runway 17 approach without reported incident. Almost immediately thereafter, the aircraft impacted a large oak tree about 15 feet AGL… - [NTSB FTW88DRG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG04.md): MBB 109 · Harlingen, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 19, 1987 · N8575 · Destroyed > The set of floats which allows a high fuel flow in this carburetor for high power settings used for takeoff, climb, etc., had cracked and swollen to such an extent that they were rubbing against the float chamber walls and float chamber shroud tubes. This… - [NTSB CHI88FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA035.md): Beech 58 · Wedron, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1987 · N3702K · Destroyed > The airplane struck trees and descended uncontrolled into a river while attempting a night forced landing after running out of fuel during a cargo flight. The airplane was found under water on the fifth day of a search conducted by the cap after two boys… - [NTSB ATL88FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA066.md): Fairchild M-62A-3 · Monroe, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1987 · N9132H · Destroyed > Reptdly, the flt purpose was to administer a bfr to the plt/owner of the acft. The first takeoff was aborted. The acft deptd again without an apparent problem. After about 30 minutes, the apt mgr heard and saw the acft in a vertical descent and rotating about… - [NTSB SEA88FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA031.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Lakeport, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1987 · N400LA · Destroyed > Although weather conditions were marginally VFR at his departure point, and the pilot had access to a vehicle which could have been used to drive to his dest, he departed novato, CA, enroute to Lakeport, CA, without obtaining a wx briefing nor filing a flt… - [NTSB DEN88FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA037.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Draper, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1987 · N2138J · Destroyed > Drg a ngt flt to reposition the acft to its home base, the eng lost pwr as the plt was cruising at about 1000' AGL. He transmitted a 'mayday' call & maneuvered the acft to make a forced lndg on an interstate hiway. While apchg to lnd, the acft struck the top… - [NTSB MIA88FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA063.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Geneva, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1987 · N3512A · Destroyed > Prior to the acdnt, a witness saw the acft flying across an open field at a very low alt. Subsequently, it collided with the tops of several pine trees at about 90 to 95 ft AGL, then it crashed to the ground. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was… - [NTSB ATL88FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA060.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Moultrie, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 1987 · N3632W · Destroyed > The plt was on a personal VFR flt with his wife and son. During the course of the flt, he entered deteriorating weather conditions. He was advised that there were scattered rain showers ahead. He continued on his track and advised apch control that he had… - [NTSB ATL88FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA059.md): Cessna 421A · Hilton Head Isl, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1987 · N777RC · Destroyed > Acft depted coastal arpt at night with 400 ft partial obscuration in patchy fog. Ground witnesses who heard acft depicted a circling flt path to the right after takeoff. Eng, prop & turbo teardowns demonstrated both engs were operating at high power & no… - [NTSB ANC88FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA020.md): Cessna 207A · Ambler, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1987 · N9979M · Substantial damage > The plt of the air taxi cargo flt was operg at night in marginal VFR conds when the acft struck rising terrain. The acft was fnd the next day at aprx 1000 ast, some 15 mi off the intended route. The plt was unconscious & suffering fm hypothermia & other… - [NTSB DEN88FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA128.md): Cessna 177RG · Afton, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1987 · N1868Q · Destroyed > The acft was not certified nor equipped for flt into icing conditions. The plt elected to depart even though he was advised by the crew of a C-182 that had just lndd to stay below the clouds because of icing. After tkof the acft cleared an 11000 ft mtn range… - [NTSB DEN88FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA036.md): Cessna A152 · Benson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1987 · N234ZN · Destroyed > Abt 20 min after tkof, the acft crashed in VMC conds, aprx 26 mi along the route fm tucson to las cruces. Initial impactoccurred with the l wing hitting the top of a yucca plant as the acft was in a slgt nose down, l wing low attitude. Justbyd this point, the… - [NTSB DCA88MA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA008.md): British Aerospace BAE-146-200 · San Luis Obispo, CA · Accident · 43 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1987 · N350PS · Destroyed > A recently discharged usair employee boarded psa flt 1771 after having left a goodbye message with friends. He bypassed security and carried abd a borrowed 44 caliber pistol. A note written by this psgr, found in the wreckage, threatened his former supervisor… - [NTSB NYC88FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA051.md): Cessna 310R · Hector, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1987 · N5052J · Destroyed > The pilot made a routine IFR position report 12 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses observed an 'orange ball' before the crash. Evidence at the crash site showed inflight jettison of the pilot's emergency window, positive aerodydnamic overload separation… - [NTSB MKC88FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA023.md): Cessna 180 · Springfield, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1987 · N46TD · Destroyed > According to witnesses on the ground, the aircraft was flying low, under the overcast, when the left wing struck the guy wires of a tv tower and the plane crashed out of control. It was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Weather stations in the… - [NTSB ATL88FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA055.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Lagrange, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1987 · N5587J · Destroyed > Plt lost power in cruise, in day, VMC. Made apch to interstate hwy I85. Hit overpass support column at 15 feet AGL. Engine overhauled 51 hours before accident. Overhaul records indicated magneto repair. Annual insp records indicated compliance with AD… - [NTSB MIA88WA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88WA056.md): Cessna 402B · Cat Island, Bahamas · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 5, 1987 · N422TA · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN88FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA033.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · San Jose, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1987 · N9309N · Destroyed > Several min after takeoff, the plt noted a loss of oil pressure & elected to return to the arpt. As he was returning, the eng began to overspeed, but he controlled the RPM by retarding the throttle. The wind was from 150 deg at 10 KTS. The plt was clrd to… - [NTSB CHI88DEV01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEV01.md): Cessna 150L · Marion, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 5, 1987 · N7533G · Substantial damage > Pilot in command suffered a fatal heart attack. His wife, a private pilot, attempted to land the aircraft, lost control on landing roll and struck a runway light. - [NTSB ATL88MA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88MA053.md): Hawker Siddeley HS-125-400A · Lexington, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1987 · N400PH · Destroyed > While en route at FL 370, the plts declared an emerg, rprtd a fire in the rgt eng & reqd vectors to the nearest suitablearpt. They were vectored twd the Lexington bluegrass arpt & clrd to dscnd. Shortly after declaring an emerg, the plts rprtd they secured… - [NTSB MIA88FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA049.md): Beech K-35 · Crescent City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1987 · N125LE · Destroyed > The pilot experienced a partial engine failure at lift off with 1/2 of the runway remaining in front of him. The pilot then attempted to do a 180 degree teardrop back to the runway, stalled and crashed. Investigation revealed water contamination of the fuel… - [NTSB LAX88FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA060.md): Piper PA-46 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1987 · N4369V · Destroyed > Pilot's failure to land the aircraft after experiencing the pilot's faulty decision was his previous experience with a gear up landing a couple of years before. - [NTSB BFO88FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA009.md): Cessna 182D · South Hill, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1987 · N8886X · Destroyed > The plt was on the third leg of a trip between tampa, FL and sussex, NJ. The previous two stops were made because of adverse wx conditions. Before this flight he was advised by fss that VFR flight was not recommended. He filed a VFR flight plan but did not… - [NTSB ATL88MA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88MA048.md): Beech C90 · Beaufort, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1987 · N4463W · Destroyed > At 0938, while clbg thru 9000', the plt was clrd to clb to FL 210. Aprx 10 min later, the ATC ctlr noted the acft's mode c rtrn wasn't being displayed on his scope. He tried to adz the plt, but couldn't establish radio contact. The acftbroke up in flt & the… - [NTSB LAX88FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA061.md): Piper PA-11 · San Marcos, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1987 · N4767H · Destroyed > The 2 plts took off on an instructional flt which was to be a biennial flt review for the acft owner. During the flt, the plts flew to a dirt strip on a saddleback between 2 mtn peaks near San Marcos. Subsequently, the acft struck a boulder & crashed near the… - [NTSB FTW88FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA033.md): Beech 95-B55 · Commerce, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1987 · N5934S · Destroyed > The purpose of the flight was to satisfy an insurance requirement that the owner receive 10 hours of dual instruction in this aircraft. The dual controls had been removed and the single control was on the left side. The aircraft was observed in a clockwise… - [NTSB BFO88FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA008.md): Piper PA-32-260B · Willis, VA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1987 · N4832S · Destroyed > The acft was on a night IFR flight at 7000 ft MSL in IMC when the plt reported the directional gyro was inoperative. The acft was outbound from the pulaski VOR on V45 headed southeast. The plt further reported the turn&bank and the mag compass were operative.… - [NTSB ATL88FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA046.md): Cessna 152 · Oliver Springs, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1987 · N98BS · Destroyed > The plt had deptd from a small airport nr kingston, TN mid afternoon and had landed at another about 30 nmi to the NE. He remained on the ground 30-45 min departing between 1530-1545. According to info gathered, the aircraft was observed to fly over the oak… - [NTSB ANC88FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA021.md): Cessna 185 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1987 · N4056Y · Destroyed > The pilot and his two passengers were returning from a hunting trip when the airplane crashed 7 miles from the Fairbanks international airport. The airplane struck the ground in a vertical attitude at a high rate of speed. Evidence at the scene suggests that… - [NTSB NYC88FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA045.md): Cessna T210N · Skaneateles, NY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1987 · N5136Y · Destroyed > Prior to departure from holland, mi the pilot received a briefing which included flight precautions for IFR conditions over his entire route of flight and occasional light to moderate rime and/or mixed icing in clouds below 18,000 feet. The pilot elected to… - [NTSB DEN88FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA030.md): Beech J35 · Knolls, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1987 · N2EE · Destroyed > The last comm with the flt was when the plt contacted elko radio and requested the salt lake city wx. He reported that he was at 11500 ft and VFR on top. The specialist on duty was unable to provide the wx info due to a computer sys outage but recommended… - [NTSB FTW88FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA032.md): Beech H35 · Port Mansfield, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1987 · N5568D · Destroyed > The plt rcvd svrl wx briefings bfr tkof & was adzd of convective activity along the initial route of flt north of the arpt. The planned dep route was twd the wx. While discussing altn routing possibilities, the plt indcd he would ask ATC for deviation arnd… - [NTSB MIA88FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA044.md): Cessna 172N · Palm Coast, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1987 · N246ER · Destroyed > The student plt was flying the acft on a solo instructional flt in the north practice area & was assigned to practice landings, takeoffs, stalls & slow flt. Witnesses stated they observed the acft flying at a very low altitude just before it collided with a… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&year=1987&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") = 1987 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=1987 --- 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.