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Fatal NTSB investigations, 1986

180,611 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,590 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.

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19622026

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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\") = 1986
    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 NYC87FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 310 · Hamburg, NYThe 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…Dec 31, 1986 · N5462J · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA041Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Robertson, TXWitnesses 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…Dec 30, 1986 · N9493L · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lakeview, MIWitnesses 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.Dec 30, 1986 · N6965G · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Merrillville, INThe 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…Dec 30, 1986 · N74NL · DestroyedNTSB DEN87FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Rawlins, WYThe 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.Dec 29, 1986 · N4388X · DestroyedNTSB ATL87FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-33 · Blountville, TNDrg 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…Dec 28, 1986 · N210M · Substantial damageNTSB MIA87FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34 · Ft. Lauderdale, FLThe 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,…Dec 27, 1986 · N84136 · DestroyedNTSB LAX87FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Gorman, CAThe 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…Dec 27, 1986 · N50U · DestroyedNTSB LAX87FA069Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-55 · East Palo Alto, CAThe 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…Dec 27, 1986 · N111FC · DestroyedNTSB DEN87FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12-150 · Gilcrest, COThe 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…Dec 27, 1986 · N78475 · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Altus, OKThe 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…Dec 26, 1986 · N18227 · DestroyedNTSB DEN87FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Lewistown, MTOn 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…Dec 26, 1986 · N6712L · Substantial damageNTSB MIA87FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Middleburg, FLThe 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…Dec 22, 1986 · N739SV · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA054Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-19-3A · West Chicago, ILAt 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…Dec 22, 1986 · N1253R · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Kingston, NYCessna 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…Dec 21, 1986 · N64342 · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB MKC87FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Cambridge, NEThe 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…Dec 21, 1986 · N2674G · Substantial damageNTSB DEN87FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Crossroads, NMThe 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…Dec 21, 1986 · N7821U · DestroyedNTSB LAX87FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Flagstaff, AZThe 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…Dec 20, 1986 · N4004H · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87DQA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeggs Pitts S-1 · El Paso, TXCommercial 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.Dec 20, 1986 · N16GB · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Asheville, NCDuring 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…Dec 19, 1986 · N8062A · DestroyedNTSB LAX87FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112TC · Gardena, CAThe 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…Dec 18, 1986 · N112DM · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Tomball, TXThe 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…Dec 18, 1986 · N8CD · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA031Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · El Reno, OKPrivate 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…Dec 15, 1986 · N736XP · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Durand, ILStudent 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…Dec 15, 1986 · N21016 · DestroyedNTSB NYC87LA012Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Newport, RIAircraft 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.Dec 11, 1986 · N647H · Substantial damageNTSB CHI87FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · N. Manitou Isl., MIThe 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.Dec 11, 1986 · N32693 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA87FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-55 · Ivel, KYThe 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…Dec 10, 1986 · N7975M · DestroyedNTSB CHI87MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Cross Plaines, INThe 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…Dec 10, 1986 · N8982F · DestroyedNTSB ATL87MA041Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 100 · Windsor, MADrg 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…Dec 10, 1986 · N65TD · DestroyedNTSB MIA87FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Zephyrhills, FLA 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…Dec 9, 1986 · N8390F · DestroyedNTSB ATL87FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Madison, GAAlthough 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…Dec 9, 1986 · N2464D · Substantial damageNTSB SEA87MA035Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Jean, NVWhile 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.…Dec 7, 1986 · N732ZF · DestroyedNTSB MIA87FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American Rockwell 112 · Jacksonville, FLThe 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…Dec 7, 1986 · N1142J · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA029Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Petersburg, TXAcft 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…Dec 7, 1986 · N4475F · DestroyedNTSB ATL87FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185D · Hammonton, NJThe 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…Dec 7, 1986 · N5878T · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Carlisle, PAThe 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…Dec 6, 1986 · N69123 · DestroyedNTSB SEA87MA034Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pendleton, ORThe 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)…Dec 4, 1986 · N7EC · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Baytown, TXThe 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…Dec 3, 1986 · N43302 · DestroyedNTSB ATL87MA035Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TNThe 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 &…Dec 3, 1986 · N3898U · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA040Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Hanna City, ILThe 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…Dec 2, 1986 · N9210M · DestroyedNTSB MKC87FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Colby, KSThe 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…Nov 30, 1986 · N7692U · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA058Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Oceano, CAWitnesses 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…Nov 30, 1986 · N66CF · DestroyedNTSB DEN87FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Stugis, SDThe 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…Nov 29, 1986 · N2161B · DestroyedNTSB DEN87FA023Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Steamboat Sprgs, COPlt 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…Nov 29, 1986 · N36TS · DestroyedNTSB LAX87FA055Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Eloy, AZIn 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.Nov 28, 1986 · N5814P · DestroyedNTSB FTW87LA023Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion A · Springtown, TXThe 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.Nov 28, 1986 · N91548 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87MA052Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Bakersfield, CAOn 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…Nov 27, 1986 · N6750L · DestroyedNTSB LAX87DVM01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMoore-Van RV-3 · Carmel, CAThe 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…Nov 27, 1986 · N135RV · DestroyedNTSB CHI87DEX03Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Raymond, OHThe 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…Nov 27, 1986 · N4767E · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Glen Mawr, PADrg 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.…Nov 26, 1986 · N8130A · Destroyed