Fatal NTSB investigations, 1984

180,641 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,620 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.

Cases per year

19622026
Fatal NTSB investigations, 1984 per year, 1962–2026: 30,844 cases
196211
196313
1964539
1965560
1966581
1967625
1968718
1969655
1970643
1971664
1972697
1973731
1974727
1975692
1976707
1977713
1978800
1979691
1980672
1981705
1982638
1983651
1984617
1985555
1986507
1987496
1988502
1989484
1990499
1991482
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1993437
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1995456
1996421
1997402
1998422
1999404
2000443
2001412
2002417
2003440
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2005428
2006408
2007387
2008373
2009359
2010363
2011398
2012389
2013344
2014360
2015365
2016341
2017338
2018361
2019381
2020294
2021321
2022330
2023295
2024292
2025275
2026256

Latest cases

Query with SQL
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 1984
    AND c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
  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.

NTSB FTW85FA090Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Galveston, TXA recently certificated private pilot with no known instrument training was given a 'VFR not recommended' weather briefing for a return trip on a pleasure flight. Weather conditions were predicted to, and did, deteriorate rapidly. He took off and turned on…Dec 30, 1984 · N2823Q · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Dublin, VAAfter dropping the parachutist, the acft was observed to fly eastward over the dz, make a left 180 turn, line up on the parked van on an easterly heading and descend to a low altiude. Witnesses estimated the altitude at from 10 T0 30 ft AGL. The van was…Dec 30, 1984 · N4963D · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Moundsville, WVThe helicopter crashed aprx 1/2 mi from the marshall county arpt while on a personal flt. Investigaton revealed that the plt, a doctor who specialized in emergency room procedures, commuted between hospitals located in three different cities. The plt had been…Dec 30, 1984 · N9030B · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA093Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Big Bear City, CAThe acft crashed in a mountainous area while on a VFR personal flt to long beach, CA. The non-instrument rated private plt & 4 minor children aboard the acft were killed. By low clouds & there were extensive snow showers in the arearea the plt's log book…Dec 28, 1984 · N5948J · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G3B · San Diego, CAThe helicopter landed on the morred tuna boat. After toudhdown the helicopter appeared to be repositioning itself when the main rotor blades contacted the boom portion of a crane which was being utilized to load bags of salt aboard the boat.Dec 28, 1984 · N474MP · Substantial damageNTSB LAX85FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Upland, CAThe instrument rated plt & 3 pax departed palo alto for an intended 3-hour long day VFR flt to santa ana, CA. The final destination was to be mx. The plt had not flown at night or on instruments in over 6 yrs. He elected to delay departing pao until 1611 PST…Dec 28, 1984 · N735MJ · DestroyedNTSB MKC85FA040Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Hot Springs, ARThe acft collided with trees & crashed on the east side of west mountain after the plt had made an ILS rwy 5 apch & overflew the arpt. The last wx observation before the accident was: partial obscuration, ceiling 300 ft, visibility 1 mi. The decision height…Dec 27, 1984 · N69WF · DestroyedNTSB MIA85MA064Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Bradley, FLThe plt completed a 30 min insurance check flt, then loaded the acft with baggage/pax & departed decauter, IL on a flt to naples, FL. A refueling stop was made at columbus, GA. At 1750 the acft departed columbus & cruised uneventfully until sometime after…Dec 27, 1984 · N8227J · DestroyedNTSB MIA85FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Homestead, FLWhile cruising northerly at a low altitude during a dark night, the acft struck a row of trees appx 50 ft tall about 8 ft from the tops, it then hit a large tree at about 6 ft AGL, 670 ft from the initial impact point, & came to rest in a dirt road. An exam…Dec 27, 1984 · N8920C · DestroyedNTSB MIA85FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · La Belle, FLThe helicopter was observed flying at a low alt & lost all eng power, banked sharpley to the left, lost complete control & dove into the ground. The acft was destroyed by impact forces along with the post crash fire. No evidence to suggest a malfunction of…Dec 27, 1984 · N8126H · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGyrocopter B-8M · Madisonville, TNStudent pilot attempting flight in Gyrocopter loss control cusing main rotor system to contact the rudder system. Pilot was not qualified to conduct this flight. A/c was not assigned an identification number.Dec 27, 1984 · UNREG · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Livermore, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot departed the arpt on a special VFR clearance. Wx at the time was 1,000 overcast, 2.5 miles in light rain and fog. Acft turned eastbound following a highway toward a pass in the hills to the east and collided with the rising…Dec 26, 1984 · N5184D · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA088Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · San Antonio, TXThe non-instrument rated plt obtained a wx briefing & filed an IFR flt plan although poor wx conditions existed (200 ft ceiling & one-half mi visibility) at San Antonio. The tower instructions to N5681K were to fly rwy heading (120 deg) after departure,…Dec 26, 1984 · N5681K · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA087Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Brackettville, TXThe plt had filed an instrument flt plan from how to dht and had received a wx briefing for the route. The flt proceededto dht where radar contact was lost and the acft was cleared for an apch. The plt canceled IFR. The plt then proceeded to Brackettville,…Dec 26, 1984 · N6578Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Marble Falls, TXThe acft crashed aprx 1.5 miles south of the departure end of rwy 17 during an attempted rwy 17 NDB apch. The acft was cleared for the apch at 2012 CST and the plt canceled IFR reporting the arpt in sight at 2014. A witness located aprx 1 mile south of the…Dec 26, 1984 · N441CM · DestroyedNTSB SEA85FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Imlay, NVPlt was reportedly engaged in aerial coyote hunting, witnesses observed acft of this description flying low and slow in vicinity but there were no eyewitnesses to the crash. Investigation revealed acft impacted ground upright with high vertical descent rate.…Dec 25, 1984 · N9659P · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Alpha · Huntsville, ALA popping sound then a loud noise and a puff of smoke preceded the helicopter's fall to the ground, stated a 12 year old boy who said he saw the accident. Examination of the helicopter failed to disclose any trace of fire. However one main rotor blade…Dec 25, 1984 · N8475K · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA084Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lake Charles, LAThe acft crashed 3 miles short of the Lake Charles airport while on an ILS approach. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an IFR flight plan was filed by the non-instrument rated pilot. A review of the radio…Dec 24, 1984 · N2049G · DestroyedNTSB MIA85LAMS1Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAeronca 7ACAcft was reported overdue 3 days after it departed cross city, FL, on a VFR x-country. Search and rescue operations began on 12/26/84 and were suspended on 01/07/84. Plt and acft were not found.Dec 23, 1984 · N81947 · DestroyedNTSB DEN85FA048Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Billings, MTOn dec 23, 1984, a non instrument rated pvt plt crashed into the ground near the arpt at Billings, MT killing all three occupants onboard. Wx conditions at the time were indefinite ceiling 100 ft sky obscured, 1/2 vis with snow and fog. Theplt received prior…Dec 23, 1984 · N2024M · DestroyedNTSB NYC85FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22-A · Ellington, CTThe non-inst rated plt continued flt into IMC conditions in a helicopter which was not equipped for flt on instruments. There is no record or witnesses of the plt having received a formal wx briefing but it is reported that the plt was informed of fog moving…Dec 22, 1984 · N84958 · DestroyedNTSB NYC85FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Rochester, NYPrior to tkf the plt was informed of wind shear as centerfield winds as 270 deg at 25 KTS gust to 46 KTS & nw boundary winds as 280 deg at 13 KTS. During tkf the plt reported an opened door & requested to return to land. The acft turned left and descended to…Dec 22, 1984 · N8064Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC85FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 690A · Pea Ridge, ARPlt was cleared for vor/dme approach to rogers arpt by fayetteville apch control; fayetteville altimeter setting of 29.85 (confirmed by recorded transcript) furnished. Plt did not read back. During apch, acft impacted trees 25 ft AGL at aprx 1320 ft MSL, 3…Dec 21, 1984 · N9229Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC85FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310L · Kaiser, MOThe acft was observed departing the airport to the south climbing. IFR flt conditions prevailed in the area. The plt rptd VFR at 2000 ft. the acft was noted by passengers of an earlier flight to have malfunctioning autopilot altitude andguidance…Dec 20, 1984 · N3325X · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 35 · Waco, TXNo evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was noted during wreckage examination. The FAA operations inspector who was on board at the time of the accident stated there were no aircraft problems involved. The PIC, who wasin the process of…Dec 20, 1984 · N95TC · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA061Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Glasgow, KYThe acft crashed one mi short of rwy 07 at Glasgow municipal airport while on sdf rwy 07 inst app. There were no witnesses to the actual accident other then the surviving passenger who stated that the plt had asked her to look for the rwy lights. She stated…Dec 20, 1984 · N6077H · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hamilton, ALInitiated night flt into area of forecast and observed marginal VFR conditions. Expected to encounter 1200 ft ceiling. Plt stated to fss briefer he would go as FAR as he could. Encountered area of patchy grnd fog, reduced visibility, no horizon ahead. Elected…Dec 20, 1984 · N4093F · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Laredo, TXThe acft was observed to enter a downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a low alt (estimated 100 ft AGL). The witness looked away for a moment. When he looked back, he did not see the acft. A search was intiated & the acft was found where it had crashed in a…Dec 19, 1984 · N9249T · DestroyedNTSB NYC85FA044Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Bainbridge, NYVFR conditions prevailed when the flt departed binghamton, NY. The destination was reported as clear until just prior to the estimated time of arrival, then fog began to form. Witnesses who heard the acft, just prior to the accident, reported heavy fog. After…Dec 18, 1984 · N6099Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA078Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Midlothian, TXN7460N, operating as mid-america flt 401, crashed while on an IFR flt plan enroute to corpus christi, TX. After having been vectored around a heavy thunderstorm & cleared direct to waco, TX. The plt contacted fort worth center & stated that he had 'lost my…Dec 18, 1984 · N7460N · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe acft tookoff from an arpt whose rwys had been closed for snow removal. A NOTAM had been filed with the fresno fss by the Mammoth lake arpt mgr at 0900 hrs for taxi and rwy snow removal. The plt was aware of the NOTAM because the mgr and a lineman both…Dec 17, 1984 · N601FP · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Petaluma, CAThe acft departed on a local primary dual instructional flt at about 1030 hrs. The student was in a pre-solo phase & the lesson was to consist of a review of high airwork. The instructor (CFI) had recently become interested in & was working on aerobatics. At…Dec 16, 1984 · N95337 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA073Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Grand Canyon, AZThe plt received a wx briefing and was advised of moderate rime and mixed icing in clouds. He filed an IFR flt plan and departed. While at 12000 ft, he reported encountering severe rime ice and requested a lower altitude. He stated thathe was trying to fling…Dec 16, 1984 · N4812H · DestroyedNTSB DEN85FA043Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30-160 · Albuquerque, NMThe flt was en route from forth worth, TX, to santa fe, new Mexico, when the plt decided to divert to Albuquerque. The a/c crashed while being vectored for an ILS approach to rwy 8. The plt received his instrument rating slightly more than 6 mos before the…Dec 15, 1984 · N7329Y · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C23 · Athens, ALThe acft was observed doing training stall type maneuvers in the area shortly before the accident. It was then observed in a steep right descending turn, crossing a paved road at low alt and striking the ground with the right wing tip. The bottom of the acft…Dec 15, 1984 · N2074X · DestroyedNTSB MKC85FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Ft.Smith, ARWitnesses along the Arkansas river observed the acft flying low over the river, in a northeasterly direction. As the acft approached a set of high voltage power lines that crossed the river aprx 85 ft above the water, it banked left and the rt wing struck the…Dec 14, 1984 · N64011 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA070Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Desert Center, CAThe flight departed on an IFR flight after receiving a weather briefing which included flight precautions for light to moderate icing in clouds and in precipitation from 7,000 ft to 20,000 ft. the pilot reported picking up ice and that he was unable to climb…Dec 14, 1984 · N7310K · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA055Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Burlington, KYAcft ferried VFR by owner. Radios repaired before departure, glide slope receiver found inop. At fuel stop wx was forecast IFR for destination. An IFR instructor was then hired for the remaining flt. Owner showed work order to CFI who incorrectly concluded…Dec 14, 1984 · N5211S · DestroyedNTSB SEA85FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601A · Genoa, NVThe plt had flown from carson city, NV to shreveport, la on 12/10/84 for business. At 1530 on 12/12/84, he departed on aflt to corona,CA with refueling stops at albuquerque, NM & phoenix, AZ. He departed phoenix at 2100, but encountered wx & returned to…Dec 13, 1984 · N9781Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5A · Gorman, CAThe plt was on a night x-country flt. When the acft did not arrive at its destination, a search was initiated. On 12/12/84, the plane was found where it had impacted an area of rising terrain while approaching the tehachapi mountains. Impact occurred on a…Dec 13, 1984 · N26131 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA069Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rosamond, CAAcft crashed in mountainous area while on a VFR flight. No record of the plt obtaining a wx briefing was found. Local residents 3-4 miles from accident site reported clouds, fog, rain, snow and hail obscured the mountains on the afternoon of 12/12/84 on…Dec 13, 1984 · N49806 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA068Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHart-Thorp T-18 Tiger · Tulare, CAAcft departed arpt & about 5 mins later was seen 'descending vertically' out of 'dark rain cloud' at about 1,000 ft AGL. During attempted recovery at about 300 ft AGL, acft broke up & crashed in a field. Plt did not obtain wx briefing prior to flt and did not…Dec 13, 1984 · N3WB · DestroyedNTSB DEN85LTE03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportKenneth Roebuck Varieze · Antonio, COPlt had filed a VFR flt plan from espanola, NM, to durango, CO, with a proposed departure time of 1500 MST and as en route flt time of 1 hr 10 mins. The flt plan was not activated. A search for the acft began on 12/13/84 and ended on 12/24/84. On 6/10/85 the…Dec 12, 1984 · N572KE · DestroyedNTSB CHI85FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31 · Pontiac, MIThe aircraft departed the airport with one dry air pump inoperative and the other pump reading low. Aircraft control was lost during an instrument approach in IMC approximately 2.5 hours later. Both pump driveshafts were found sheared in the wreckage and both…Dec 12, 1984 · N9011Y · DestroyedNTSB SEA85FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-152 · Port Orchard, WALow ceilings, rain, fog were reported in area pt the time of the accident. The student pilot was on a solo x-c, flt plan was filed with help of instru. Wx VFR nr. Acft dep 1104 PST acft crashed abt 1317 no rcrd of des reached or where acft was for 2 hrs. Acft…Dec 11, 1984 · N80061 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBarry Zielinski SNS 8 Hiperlt · Corona, CAN5303U, owned & operated by the amateur acft builder sustained an inflt structual failure of the lt bottom wing & crashed 6 mi east of Corona, CA. The ultralight type acft was destroyed and the plt fatally injured. Investigation revealed that wing spar…Dec 11, 1984 · N5303U · DestroyedNTSB SEA85FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Gig Harbor, WAThe plt departed in the early morning hours from salem, OR, destined for Gig Harbor. Upon arrival in the destination area the plt was in radio contact with seattle apcon. The plt reported he was unable to aquire visual contact with the arpt. Vectors were…Dec 9, 1984 · N2104D · DestroyedNTSB DEN85FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T-210G · Meeker, COThe a/c dept larami, WY on an IFR flt to grand junction, CO.in the vicinity of Meeker, CO, the plt experienced an apparent instrument gyro problem. He flew off course once but with the help of ARTCC he was vectored back on course, only to again go off crse,…Dec 9, 1984 · N6805R · DestroyedNTSB CHI85FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Albion, INCarburetor icing conditions existed on the day of the accident. The plt stated that after takeoff, he stayed in the traffic pattern to ensure he would not experience carburetor icing problems. He then departed the traffic pattern & overflew a wooded area…Dec 9, 1984 · N5219M · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Dayton, OHAircraft missing on a flight from Dayton, OH to gallipolis, OH two persons on board.Dec 9, 1984 · N9627U · Destroyed