NTSB investigations, 1985
180,624 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,602 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, newest first
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\") = 1985 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 year(c."eventDate") = 1985 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 NYC86LA008Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco UPF-7 · Norwood, MAAccording to the pilot, during the takeoff climb the aircraft did not develop sufficient power to maintain altitude. The pilot turned the aircraft to the right in an attempt to return to the airport. During the approach to the airport, the aircraft collided…NTSB LAX86LA015Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Concord, CAThe plt was landing at night at the conclusion of a cross country flt. On entry to the downwind for fwy 19R, the plt asked that the approach lights be turned up full bright. On short final, the plt said she encounted excessive glare in her contact lenses from…NTSB FTW86LA012Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Killeen, TXThe pilot stopped enroute to refuel. Fuel service at the airport and already closed for the night so the pilot drained about 10 gallons of fuel into his airplane from a parked Cessna airplane and departed for his destination. However, this amount of fuel was…NTSB FTW86FA011Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Cisco, TXNon-instrument rated pvt pilot proceeded into instrument weather conditions. Control was lost and the aircraft impacted steep nose down in city limits. No record of a wx briefing being received by the pilot was found. No evidence of pre- impact failure or…NTSB DEN86LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S60A · Albuquerque, NMDuring landing, while the basket of a Raven balloon was being pulled by the wind driven envelope, it struck a fence and a mobile home trailer. Of the four passengers aboard, one received minor injuries and one received serious injuries. The pilot stated that…NTSB CHI86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-4C · Blue Earth, MNThe acft nosed over after departing the rwy following a loss of directional control during landing. The CFI stated that as the tailwheel touched the rwy the acft began veering to the right. He applied brakes and full left rudder causing theleft wheel rim to…NTSB CHI86LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · New Lisbon, WIAccording to the plt, acft preflight, engine runup and warm up were normal. Takeoff and initial climb up to approx 300 ft AGL were normal also. At this point the engine quit and the plt performed a forced landing in a clover field below him. The acft was…NTSB ATL86LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Atlanta, GADuring a practice autorotation the acft experienced a hard ldg when the plt failed to arrest the sink rate prior to contacting the ground.NTSB ANC86LA003Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Nelson Island, AKThe pilot stated that he lost 90 percent of aircraft control and an alarming rate of lost of altitude. At the time of the accident the wind was reported as 140 degrees at 30 knots with gust 40 knots. Chief pilot stated crossing the Island at a higher altitude…NTSB SEA86LA009Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney 231 · Ione, WAThe aircraft touched down about 500 feet past the runway threshold of the 2550 foot runway. The aircraft floated and then began to porpoise. A go-around was initiated and while the pilot was attempting to clear trees an inadvertent departure stall occurred.…NTSB SEA86LA008Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Panaca, NVA forced landing onto rough terrain was made due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB LAX86LA013Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Vacaville, CAThe acft collided with the ground during an attempted landing. The plt used full flaps in a x-wind of 16-21 KTS. Two attempts were made to align the acft with the rwy before a pull-up in a 45 degree climb bank to the rt resulted in a stall & crash.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…NTSB LAX86FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKen Brock Mfg. KB-2 · Tracy, CAThe inexperienced student pilot applied excessive main rotorcontrol inputs while flying on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the pushing propeller and empennage. The gyroplane pitched forward and…NTSB DEN86LA011Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Kalispell, MTThe plt stated that while on a return flt to calgary, alberta, Canada, over the mountainous terrain of glacier national park, he encountered a severe downdraft which forced the acft to the ground. The flt originated at kaispell, Montana.NTSB CHI86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Troy, MIThe pilot reported a partial loss of power on takeoff. Altitude could not be maintained. During an attempt to return to the airport, the aircraft descended and landed on railroad tracks. The engine was test run at all power settings without discrepancies.NTSB SEA86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ontario, ORA forced landing occurred due to a total loss of power. Landing was accomplished onto a freshly plowed potato field where substantial damage occurred. No reason for the loss of power could be determined.NTSB SEA86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lebanon, ORA loss of directional control occurred during landing roll. The acft veered to the right, struck a ditch and then nosed over. A helicopter was hovering to the left of the landing rwy, probably causing enough wake turbulence to cause the loss of directional…NTSB NYC86LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Ocean City, NJThe acft collided with a bird while descending for an apch to landing at Ocean City. Substantial damage resulted to the right horizontal stabilizer. The plt was able to maintain control of the acft with difficulty. A successful landing was accomlished. .NTSB NYC86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule MX 7-235 · Westerly, RIThe acft groundlooped during lndg. The plt reported that a sudden gust of wind was the cause. The sind was reported as calm.NTSB NYC86FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6 · Homer City, PAThe acft was observed flying at low altitude along about a 5 mile distance. Some witnesses described the acft altitude as just above treetops. Witness heard engine sounds and saw lights on the acft. The acft flight was on a southeast direction before it…NTSB NYC86DNC01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBurkhart Grob 103 · Franconia, NHThe pilot flying a grob 103 was engaged in ridge soaring when the aircraft encountered down or sinking air. The aircraft was unable to recover prior to striking trees. The aircraft received substantial damage and the pilot received serious injuries while the…NTSB MKC86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140A · Pacific, MOThe airplane had rolled for 100 feet when the left wheel hit a mound of dirt left by a pocked gopher. The wheelpant bracket contacted the tire and acted as a brake. Airplane nosed forward to the inverted position.NTSB MKC86LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Chesterfield, MOThe pilot was on an IFR flight plan flight when the engine alternator failed and the aircraft battery became so depleted that the nav and com equipment failed. Pilot was able to descend to VFR conditions. He stated he used the checklist to manually extend the…NTSB MIA86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 65A-80 · Ochopee, FLWhile on a night pleasure flt, both engs surged and lost pwr and an emergency landing was made. The plt stated that he had a total of 3 hrs flt time in this type of acft. He later recanted his statement & stated that he had never flown this type acft before.…NTSB MIA86LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · West Palm Beach, FLThe plt experienced nose wheel shimmy during the landing roll. He then applied back pressure and the acft ballooned back into the air. The acft landed on the nose wheel damaging the prop & nose gear.NTSB LAX86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B19 · Ruth, CAThe 117 hr pvt plt completed a 50 min flt at dusk & prepared for ldg on rwy 31. The plt had never landed on that rwy before & stated that he was unaware of the remarks contained in the arpt/facility directory indicating that the threshold for rwy 31 had been…NTSB FTW86LA022Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Houston, TXThe student was instructed to follow through with his left hand on the controls during the takeoff. After liftoff the CFI felt that the acft was climbting too steeply. He told the student to get off the controls, thinking that he was applying too much back…NTSB BFO86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Stevensville, MDAccording to the student plt, approximately one-third down the rwy he flared too high, and the acft bounced and became airborne again. The plt decided to not attempt a go-around, and the acft contacted the rwy again. On the final bounce, the nose gear…NTSB ANC86LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArtic S-1B2 · Anchorage, AKThe engine failure was due to a line cap loose in the baffled portion of the tank near the outlet lines. The pilot stated the aircraft engine quit at 1000 feet he then attempted an emergency landing in a school yard.NTSB NYC86LA007Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Sterling, MAThe acft contacted trees while making an apch to rwy 34 at Sterling, Massachusetts. The acft crashed about 100 ft short of the rwy. The plt stated that a severe downdraft was encountered and then a rapid rate of descent followed. The left main gear struck…NTSB NYC86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-99 · Albany, NYA Beech BE-99 N336PL experienced a landing gear collapse while landing on runway 01 at Albany county airport and was substantially damaged. On initial approach to the airport the gear selector was put in the down position, only two green gear lights were…NTSB MKC86FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Salina, KSAfter departing the airport under very poor IFR weather conditions, the plt rpt autopilot problems of an unspecified nature. This was followed by reports of instrument troubles. Radar controllers gave the plt a no-gyro turn to the left. After the instructions…NTSB FTW86LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Houston, TXThe passengers stated that the pilot was unable to obtain higher power settings on a go-around from a low approach to an airport, and elected to land on a rural street. An examination of the engine revealed insect nests in the intake manifold and water in the…NTSB FTW86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185E · Intracoastalcty, LAThe plt was spraying for mosquito control during the hours of darkness. He turned to reverse course and then turned on the acft's landing light to check his altitude. He observed power lines but it was too late for evasive action. After the prop impacted the…NTSB DEN86FA009Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Eagle, COThe plt departed Eagle arpt with 3 pax to fly them to the white owl lake area for the reported purpose of looking for a possible camping site for hunting activities. The plt encountered IMC and lost control of the acft. He was not instrument rated. All…NTSB DEN86FA008Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 175A · Jal, NMA witness watched the acft takeoff and disappear in the darkness. The plt had intended to make 3 takeoffs and landings to regain currency for night flying. The acft never returned. The wreckage was found 2 miles north of the arpt the following morning. Wx was…NTSB CHI86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wooster, OHThe plt stated that the right eng manifold pressure decreased to 22 inches just after liftoff. He aborted the takeoff and put the acft back on the rwy. The acft ran off the end of the rwy, crossed a road and hit a ditch shearing the landing gear. Post…NTSB NYC86FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182N · Winterport, METhe acft departed bangor under special VFR dur to low ceilings. A witness saw the acft fly under powerlines that crossed a river and disappear behind trees. There was no indication of an accident. 22 day later, the acft was located 150 ft south from the…NTSB FTW86LA014Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Rosharon, TXThe plt stated he was on a local flt and at about 200 ft above the surface the acft stalled and collided with the surface before recovery could be accomplished. He said he failed to maintain flying speed.NTSB FTW86FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Pecos, TXThe non-instrument rated pvt plt departed on a night flt with wx reported as 300 and 2 in fog and drizzle. Acft impacted terrain shortly thereafter in a 60 degree nose down attitude. The plt had told a friend that after depature he would acquire and then…NTSB DEN86LA007Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell BH 206BII · Kremmling, COWhile maneuvering to observe wildlife, the pilot attempted to hover out of gnd effect in steep mtns terrain at 9800 ft MSL at 2550 lbs gw with a 7-10KT tailwind. According to acft hoge charts in the POH, the acft was not capable of hoge in the conditions of…NTSB CHI86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream 690A · Cadillac, MIThe acft was cleared for an NDB approach to Cadillac. The wkwas 300 ft ovcst, 1 mile vis. Shortly after cancelling IFR the acft crashed on the opposite side of the arpt from the approach end of the rwy. The pilot activated rwy lights were never turned on…NTSB ATL86LA005Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Chapman, ALDuring an attempted takeoff from a field adjacent to a grove of trees the aircraft was unable to climb over the trees and crashed into them. The engine was test run and although it ran rough during initial start up it later operated normally and the reason…NTSB ATL86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305A(0-1A) · Marietta, GAAircraft was on touch and go landing. Pilot allowed aircraft to become airborne prematurely. Flaps were not raised during go around and pilot stated he lost it. Aircraft veered to left after initial lift off for go around touched down repeatedly,with second…NTSB SEA86FA007Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Callville Bay, NVNew pvt plt with two pax on board was observed making several low level passes over road in a canyon in dark. On last pass acft wing tip hit power pole below cross-bar, rolled inverted, crashed and burned.NTSB DEN86LA005Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Fillmore, UTThe plt departed delta, UT on a VFR x-c flt after being advised by fss that VFR was not recommended due to IMC conditions on the proposed route of flt. He flew into an area of rising terrain, encountered IMC wx conditions, attempted to reverse course and…NTSB ATL86LLT01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150 · Livingston, TNThe plt made a forced landing in rugged tree covered terrain following a loss of pwr due to fuel exhaustion while on a x-country flt. The plt decame lost near Livingston, TN, and contacted the crossville and london fss for assistance. The acft was located 5…NTSB ATL86FA003Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-172M · Luxora, ARAfter a day of work,the plt and two friends made a LCL flt around he area. Near the end of the flt,a fire was spotted on the west bank of a miss. River channel. The plt decided to go down and take a look at the fire. After passing over the fire, flt down the…NTSB LAX86LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Paradise, CAThe acft touched dwn tail first during lndging to the rt of the rwy. The plt indicated he was lndging in a gusting x-wind which drifted him during a nose high hard lndg. No mechanical difficulties were reported by the plt.