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NTSB investigations: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series, MN

27 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

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19682026

Where

Latest cases

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MN' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'MN' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'MN' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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 CEN25LA286Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Rushmore, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during low-level maneuvering.Jul 23, 2025 · N2032J · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09FA518Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Eden Prairie, MNThe pilot’s lack of experience flying the accident make and model of airplane, which led to a loss of control while maneuvering to return to the airport. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Aug 12, 2009 · N3038C · Substantial damage NTSB CHI06LA147Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAllied Ag Cat Productions G-164A · Gonvick, MNThe aborted takeoff not performed by the pilot. A contributing factor is the reported loss of takeoff performance.Jun 2, 2006 · N600T · Substantial damage NTSB CHI04CA244Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech BE-18 · Lakeville, MNThe pilot's inadequate flare, the improper recovery from a bounced landing, the loss of directional control, and inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.Aug 29, 2004 · N5180V · Substantial damage NTSB CHI04CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Hutchinson, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the low altitude turn after takeoff. A factor to the accident was the low altitude and the swampy terrain condition.Jun 23, 2004 · N5339 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI99LA254Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Minneapolis, MNthe premature gear retraction and proper runway alignment not maintained during takeoff by the pilot. An additional cause was the proper descent rate not maintained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the carburetor icing conditionsJul 23, 1999 · N621KE · Substantial damage NTSB CHI98LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Lake Elmo, MNthe pilot's failure identify the unsafe condition (vortex turbulence) which existed due to departing airplane and his subsequent inability to control the airplane once encountering the turbulence.Oct 2, 1997 · N916TM · Substantial damage NTSB CHI97LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 201C · Stephen, MNthe pilot's exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft. A factor was the crosswind.Jul 18, 1997 · N9054W · Substantial damage NTSB CHI96LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman-Schweizer G-164B · Crookston, MNcatastrophic engine failure.May 25, 1996 · N48518 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI95LA272Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Wadena, MNthe pilot's inattentiveness during the reversal turn, the pilot not maintaining control of the airplane, and the stall/mush encountered by the pilot.Aug 13, 1995 · N48611 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI94LA320Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 201C · Stephen, MNimproper rigging of the parking brake control cable resulting in inadvertent application of the left wheel brake.Sep 11, 1994 · N9054W · Substantial damage NTSB CHI93LA303Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G167B · Borup, MNthe loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder head.Jul 27, 1993 · N6637Q · Substantial damage NTSB CHI93LA254Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G164B · Eldred, MNthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.Jul 13, 1993 · N48518 · Substantial damage 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 CHI92LA235Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · St. Paul, MNThe pilot's inattentiveness and improper use of the airplanes brakes. A factor which contributed to this accident was the incorrect brake system installed on the airplane.Aug 8, 1992 · N55982 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI91LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-18 · Minneapolis, MNFailure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll.Oct 5, 1990 · N703M · Substantial damage NTSB CHI88LA136Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC2-MK I · Warroad, MNThe pilot decided to land in the lake approximately 1000 yds from the sea plane base and was attempting a step-taxi back to the base when the acft struck a sand bar. The pilot stated that he was taxiing near tall grass where he thought the water was deep…Jun 20, 1988 · N49771 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI86LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Minneapolis, MNThe aircraft collided with a snowbank while goundlooping after landing at the completion of a cargo flight from chicago ill. The winds were calm. The pilot stated that he needed to take timely and sufficient action.Dec 29, 1985 · N100VE · Substantial damage NTSB CHI84LA357Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Rice, MNPilot stated that during the takeoff roll the acft suddenly began to pull to the left. The pilot reduced power and applied right brake and rudder to correct but the left wing struck corn stalks. Examination of the acft after the accident revealed the left…Aug 18, 1984 · N600T · Substantial damage NTSB CHI83LER03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBoeing A75N1 · Sabin, MNAcft collided with power lines.Aug 14, 1983 · N51125 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI83LA288Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Morris, MNThe plt reported that while he was waiting for the flagman, circling the field to be sprayed, & talking to the flagman, the acft began to sink & struck trees. The load was dumped, but the plane continued to sink to the ground. During the landing, the acft…Jul 1, 1983 · N8379 · Substantial damage NTSB MKC80DER05Accident · No injuriesClosedGrumman G-164 · Campbell, MNAug 15, 1979 · N10214 · Substantial damage NTSB MKC76FER90Accident · No injuriesClosedWeatherly 201C · Hollandale, MNAug 22, 1976 · N1244W · Substantial damage NTSB MKC71AK034Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech C-45H · Minneapolis, MNDec 12, 1970 · N5043K · Substantial damage NTSB MKC71FDM26Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech C-45H · Rochester, MNSep 19, 1970 · N5043K · Substantial damage NTSB MKC69A0028Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech D18S · Alexandria, MNNov 4, 1968 · N203W · Substantial damage NTSB MKC69D0047Accident · No injuriesClosedBoeing A75 · Waseca, MNJun 27, 1968 · N49997 · Substantial damage