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Fatal NTSB investigations, 1987

180,630 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,609 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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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\") = 1987
    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 NYC88FA062Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Burlington, VTDrg 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…Dec 31, 1987 · N2243J · DestroyedNTSB SEA88FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Molalla, ORThe 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…Dec 30, 1987 · N2758F · DestroyedNTSB SEA88LA033Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Las Vegas, NVThe 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…Dec 29, 1987 · N8819T · DestroyedNTSB DCA88RA019Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402 · St. Barthelemy, WNDec 27, 1987 · N8209QNTSB BFO88FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Keymar, MDWitnesses 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…Dec 25, 1987 · N11089 · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA068Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Rutherfordton, NCThe 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.…Dec 25, 1987 · N2869C · DestroyedNTSB MIA88FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Destin, FLWitnesses 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…Dec 24, 1987 · N7005S · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA075Accident · 8 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Maunaloa, HIThe 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…Dec 24, 1987 · N712AN · DestroyedNTSB LAX88DUM02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBede BD-5 · Chula Vista, CADec 24, 1987 · N29DT · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B23 · Crossville, TNN6571R 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…Dec 24, 1987 · N6571R · DestroyedNTSB MKC88FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Chadron, NEThe 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…Dec 23, 1987 · N105GP · DestroyedNTSB DCA88MA011Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Kenai, AKThe 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.…Dec 23, 1987 · N496SC · DestroyedNTSB NYC88LA059Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Sandwich, MAThe 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…Dec 22, 1987 · N5571C · DestroyedNTSB MIA88LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · MissingAccording 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…Dec 21, 1987 · N757EQ · DestroyedNTSB FTW88FA039Accident · 15 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA-330J · Eugene IslandThe 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.…Dec 21, 1987 · N3596N · DestroyedNTSB SEA88FA032Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Eastsound, WAThe 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…Dec 20, 1987 · N4306J · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A35 · Chino Hills, CAFailure of both pilots to see and avoid each other and thus avert the collision.Dec 19, 1987 · N675B · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB FTW88FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Burnet, TXThe 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…Dec 19, 1987 · N33007 · DestroyedNTSB FTW88DRG04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportMBB 109 · Harlingen, TXThe 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…Dec 19, 1987 · N8575 · DestroyedNTSB CHI88FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Wedron, ILThe 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…Dec 18, 1987 · N3702K · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild M-62A-3 · Monroe, NCReptdly, 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…Dec 17, 1987 · N9132H · DestroyedNTSB SEA88FA031Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Lakeport, CAAlthough 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…Dec 15, 1987 · N400LA · DestroyedNTSB DEN88FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Draper, UTDrg 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…Dec 15, 1987 · N2138J · DestroyedNTSB MIA88FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-135 · Geneva, ALPrior 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…Dec 13, 1987 · N3512A · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA060Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Moultrie, GAThe 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…Dec 12, 1987 · N3632W · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421A · Hilton Head Isl, SCAcft 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…Dec 11, 1987 · N777RC · DestroyedNTSB ANC88FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Ambler, AKThe 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…Dec 11, 1987 · N9979M · Substantial damageNTSB DEN88FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Afton, WYThe 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…Dec 10, 1987 · N1868Q · DestroyedNTSB DEN88FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A152 · Benson, AZAbt 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…Dec 8, 1987 · N234ZN · DestroyedNTSB DCA88MA008Accident · 43 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE-146-200 · San Luis Obispo, CAA 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…Dec 8, 1987 · N350PS · DestroyedNTSB NYC88FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Hector, NYThe 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…Dec 7, 1987 · N5052J · DestroyedNTSB MKC88FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Springfield, NEAccording 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…Dec 6, 1987 · N46TD · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA055Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lagrange, GAPlt 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…Dec 6, 1987 · N5587J · DestroyedNTSB MIA88WA056Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Cat Island, BahamasDec 5, 1987 · N422TA · DestroyedNTSB DEN88FA033Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · San Jose, CASeveral 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…Dec 5, 1987 · N9309N · DestroyedNTSB CHI88DEV01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150L · Marion, ILPilot 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.Dec 5, 1987 · N7533G · Substantial damageNTSB ATL88MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS-125-400A · Lexington, KYWhile 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…Dec 5, 1987 · N400PH · DestroyedNTSB MIA88FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K-35 · Crescent City, FLThe 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…Dec 1, 1987 · N125LE · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46 · Long Beach, CAPilot'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.Nov 30, 1987 · N4369V · DestroyedNTSB BFO88FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · South Hill, VAThe 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…Nov 30, 1987 · N8886X · DestroyedNTSB ATL88MA048Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Beaufort, SCAt 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…Nov 30, 1987 · N4463W · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA061Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-11 · San Marcos, CAThe 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…Nov 28, 1987 · N4767H · DestroyedNTSB FTW88FA033Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Commerce, TXThe 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…Nov 28, 1987 · N5934S · DestroyedNTSB BFO88FA008Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260B · Willis, VAThe 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.…Nov 27, 1987 · N4832S · DestroyedNTSB ATL88FA046Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Oliver Springs, TNThe 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…Nov 27, 1987 · N98BS · DestroyedNTSB ANC88FA021Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Fairbanks, AKThe 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…Nov 27, 1987 · N4056Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC88FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Skaneateles, NYPrior 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…Nov 26, 1987 · N5136Y · DestroyedNTSB DEN88FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Knolls, UTThe 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…Nov 26, 1987 · N2EE · DestroyedNTSB FTW88FA032Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H35 · Port Mansfield, TXThe 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…Nov 25, 1987 · N5568D · DestroyedNTSB MIA88FA044Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Palm Coast, FLThe 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…Nov 24, 1987 · N246ER · Destroyed