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Fatal NTSB investigations: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series

134 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Pratt & Whitney R-985 series. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

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Aircraft model

Cases, newest first

Query with 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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('52008')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "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 c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('52008'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('52008'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ANC98LA112Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Nondalton, AKThe pilot's inadequate procedures/directives when he allowed a passenger to exit the cabin area while the propeller was still turning, and the passenger's failure to follow the pilot's instructions to stay away from the propeller. A factor associated with the…Jul 30, 1998 · N123EF · No damage NTSB FTW98FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Cee Vee, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during an aerial application flight.Oct 22, 1997 · N46278 · Destroyed NTSB CHI97LA278Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Larimore, NDthe pilot delaying the swath run turnaround maneuver at the end of the field boundary, and his failure to maintain clearance between the airplane and the high tension wires. A factor was the pilot's inattentiveness regarding the time to begin the swath run…Sep 3, 1997 · N8326K · Destroyed NTSB ANC96FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Elfin Cove, AKThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the rising terrain and clouds.Jul 19, 1996 · N54LA · Destroyed NTSB MIA95LA215Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-18S · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)Undetermined.Aug 28, 1995 · N171LG · Destroyed NTSB SEA95FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Butte, MTThe pilot's failure to follow the IFR procedure by not maintaining the proper altitude prior to the initial appraoch fix. Factors to the accident were dark night conditions and a low ceiling.Jan 27, 1995 · N250RP · Substantial damage NTSB CHI95LA053Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Kansas City, MOFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) conditions, the accumulation of airframe/wing ice, the pilot's improper use of…Dec 9, 1994 · N5647D · Destroyed NTSB FTW94LA270Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack.Aug 12, 1994 · N48664 · Destroyed NTSB ANC94FA105Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportDe Havilland DHC-2 · Port Alsworth, AKImproper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to remain clear of mountainous terrain. The box/blind canyon and proximity of mountainous terrain were related factors.Aug 12, 1994 · N17394 · Destroyed NTSB FTW93LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C-45H · Fentress, TXInadvertent deployment of the skydiver's reserve parachute for undetermined reasons.Sep 5, 1993 · N125MB · Minor damage NTSB CHI93DCQ01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Liberal, KSthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. A factor related to the accident were the powerlines which were contacted during the aerial application operation.May 30, 1993 · N8385 · Destroyed NTSB CHI93FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-18S · North Branch, MNexcessive use of brakes by the pilot-in-command.May 22, 1993 · N67E · Destroyed NTSB DCA92MA048Accident · 12 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech C-45H · Hinckley, ILInadequate maintenance and inspection by the operator which resulted in an engine power loss during the critical takeoff phase of flight. In addition, the pilot did not, or was unable to, attain a full-feather position on the left engine propeller, which…Sep 7, 1992 · N3657G · Destroyed NTSB LAX92MA184Accident · 9 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportBeech E18S · Mount Haleakala, HIThe captain's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions that obscured rising mountainous terrain and his failure to properly use available navigational information to remain clear of the island of maui. Contributing to the…Apr 23, 1992 · N342E · Destroyed NTSB FTW90DRD14Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Sommerset, LAThe pilot's failure to attain adequate clearance above crops at the end of the runway.Jul 25, 1990 · N7854 · Destroyed NTSB MIA89FA176Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A-75 · Daytona Beach, FLThe biplane pilot failed to see and avoid the collision with the banner being towed by the other airplane.Jun 15, 1989 · N57946 · Destroyed NTSB SEA89FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Kasaan, AKThe plt planned to land at a seaplane base that was located in a bowl-shaped cove. Drg the landing, the acft touched down long on water swells & the plt elected to go around. Witnesses rprtd that drg the go-around, the plt initiated a steep turn while still…Dec 14, 1988 · N89U · Destroyed NTSB DEN88FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D-17S · Wheatland, WYThe witnesses said they saw the acft fly a pattern indicative of a base to final approach to rwy 35. The airstrip has a second runway oriented east and west. The wind was blowing from the east at 20 knots. The acft wreckage was found approximately 3/4 miles…May 28, 1988 · N1038M · Destroyed NTSB MKC88FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Kansas City, MOThe cargo flt dptd cincinnati enrt to wichita, KS with an intermediate stop at Kansas City dtwn arpt. The flt progressed nrmly to a VOR rwy 03 instrument apch, circling to rwy 01. The PIC had been clrd to commence the apch. Twr pers subsequently advised the…Apr 1, 1988 · N989B · Destroyed NTSB CHI87FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H-18 · Rockford, ILThe commercial pilot was on a repositioning flight from kenosha, Wisconsin to atlanta, Georgia, after having been without sleep for about 20 hours. Witnesses observed the aircraft circling a subdivision near Rockford, Illinois at a low altitude, just above…Sep 22, 1987 · N5850S · Destroyed NTSB DEN87MA168Accident · 10 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Lakeside, MTThe plt borrowed the acft to fly a musical group to kalispell for a pvt engagement at Lakeside, MT, which was aprx 15 mi south of the arpt. That evening, the group boarded the acft for the return flt. After takeoff, the acft was seen flying at low alt in the…Jul 5, 1987 · N132E · Destroyed NTSB FTW86FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G164A · Hankamer, TXTwo Grumman ag cats operated by the same air service collided in mid air. The accident occurred as one was departing and the other was returning to a temporary air strip adjacent to the fields they were fertilizing. Witnesses indicated that both pilot…Apr 15, 1986 · N8751H · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB FTW86FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Oklahoma City, OKAtr plt departing arpt under VMC experienced failure of the right eng shortly after lift-off. The acft yawed right followed by a steep right roll, contacting power lines with the right wing and subsequently impacted the ground. A post-crash fire destoyed the…Nov 5, 1985 · N1461G · Destroyed NTSB LAX86FA014Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · Schellville, CAThe acft crashed while attempting a slow roll immediately after departing from rwy 34 at the sonoma valley arpt. The plt stated to witnesses that he liked to roll his acft after takeoff. Witnesses indicated the acft became airborne after a 300 to 400 ft…Oct 13, 1985 · N46871 · Destroyed NTSB DCA85AA026Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech E18S · Birmingham, ALAt 2045 the military flt, dixie 06, contacted Birmingham apch & obtained clearance for a low apch followed by a full-stop lndg on rwy 05. At 2053, dixie 06 reported a 4 mile final for a low apch to the local controller. At 2054:19, the local controller…Jun 21, 1985 · N19T · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB FTW84FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Brownsville, TXThe plt had just taken off at night on a flt to Mexico when he declared an intent to return & land with some unspecified emergency. While he was using his radio, the sound of both engs, running at hi power, was audible. When asked if he required assistance,…Dec 6, 1983 · N44609 · Destroyed NTSB FTW82FRA19Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBoeing A75 · Chapell Hill, TXDuring a pull-up from a swath run, the right wing of the aircraft struck the top of a 45 ft pecan tree. The lower right wing tip separated, and the aircraft rolled inverted and crashed.Apr 27, 1982 · N1774B · Destroyed NTSB FTW82DA093Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech C-45H · Mcallen, TXAbout 18 minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that the no. 2 engine had lost power and that he was returning to land at Mcallen, TX. While approaching to land, the aircraft crashed in an open field about 400 yards short of the runway and 115 feet right of…Mar 15, 1982 · N9846Z · Destroyed NTSB LAX82FA024Accident · 11 fatalClosedBeech C-45H · Honolulu, HIDec 5, 1981 · N8185H · Destroyed NTSB CHI82FA001Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech D-18S · Fraser, MIOct 4, 1981 · N6675 · Destroyed NTSB ANC81FA089Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech C-45H · Livengood, AKAug 1, 1981 · N9826Z · Destroyed NTSB ANC81FA028Accident · 1 fatalClosedDehavnd Can DHC-2 · Kenai, AKMar 14, 1981 · N6473 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX81FA126Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech TC-45J · San Clement Is, CAFeb 2, 1981 · N68392 · Destroyed NTSB LAX81FA042Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech H18 · Newhall, CAJan 28, 1981 · N787Q · Destroyed NTSB NYC81FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech H18 · Troxelville, PANov 18, 1980 · N701CC · Destroyed NTSB LAX80FA033Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D18S · Honolulu, HIJan 8, 1980 · N641E · Destroyed NTSB MIA80FA022Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech E18S · Orlando, FLDec 22, 1979 · N198B · Destroyed NTSB LAX80FVM06Accident · 1 fatalClosedBoeing A75N1 · Paicines, CANov 8, 1979 · N686W · Destroyed NTSB MIA79FA127Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech D18S · Miramar, FLSep 23, 1979 · N516PA · Destroyed NTSB NYC79FA103Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech E18S · Suffield, CTSep 19, 1979 · N705M · Destroyed NTSB LAX79FA084Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrumman G-21A · Avalon, CASep 17, 1979 · N22932 · Substantial damage NTSB FTW79FA015Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech H18 · Brownsville, TXNov 20, 1978 · N204CC · Destroyed NTSB DCA78AA021Accident · 4 fatalClosedGrumman G-21A · St Thomas, VISep 2, 1978 · N7777V · Destroyed NTSB SEA78FYM39Accident · 1 fatalClosedBoeing E75N1 · John Day, ORJun 16, 1978 · N4769V · Destroyed NTSB LAX78FA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedVolpar C-45H · Lake Elsinore, CAMay 11, 1978 · N63H · Destroyed NTSB MIA78FA076Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D-18S · Ocala, FLApr 30, 1978 · N800WM · Destroyed NTSB MKC78FA035Accident · 2 fatalClosedVultee BT-13 · Augusta, KSApr 29, 1978 · N64470 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB LAX77FA065Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech E18S · Catalina Is, CAAug 22, 1977 · N979SB · Destroyed NTSB MIA76AM109Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C-45H · W Palm Beach, FLSep 15, 1976 · N3505G · Destroyed NTSB FTW76FPD57Accident · 1 fatalClosedBoeing B75N1 · Goldthwaite, TXSep 11, 1976 · N73621 · Destroyed