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 LAX86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Payson, AZThe passenger had a 10:00 medical appointment at the destination arot on the day of the accident. The non-instrument rated, recently certificated pvt plt, requested and received a weather briefing for a proposed VFR flt at 7500 ft MSL from mesa to holbrook,…NTSB CHI86FEX02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportHodson Midget Mustang · Evansville, INWitnesses reported seeing the plt performing aerobatics and flying low in an area near his parent's home. The acft was then seen to enter a steep right bank during which, witnesses stated, the eng sputtered and quit. The acft then pitched down and impacted…NTSB ANC86LAG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMaule M5-235C · King Salmon, AKThe plt stated he misjudged the x-wind and water current during landing. The acft floats dug into the water and the acft nosed over and sank.NTSB ANC86LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Port Heiden, AKThe acft cartwheeled after dragging the right wing during an attempted takeoff from a gravel strip. The plt reported the takeoff was attempted to the west with a 10 to 15 mph left x-wind. Another person in the area when the accident occurred stated the wind…NTSB SEA86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Burton Lake, ORThe acft failed to become airborne on the soft, short, rough cinder covered airstrip probably due to a combination of density altitude and poor plt technique. The acft struck a berm at the end of the runway where it nosed over. The plt was also departing…NTSB NYC86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Newport, NHAcft collided with trees while executing a go-around. The acft lost power, the plt lowered the nose in an attempt to restart the eng while turning right in an effort to return to the rwy. The acft stalled and collided with trees.NTSB MKC86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Salina, KSThe pilot did not top off the fuel tanks before departing lincoln, NE for pratt, KS. Enroute winds necessitated a fuel stop at Salina, KS. These same winds flipped over the airplane as it was turning off the runway to taxi in.NTSB MIA86LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Opa Locka, FLThe plt stated that on final apch after lowering the landing gear he got an unsafe gear light. He then flew by the twr & the controller stated that the gear appeared to be down. He then recycled the landing gear & received a normal gear down indication. Upon…NTSB FTW86LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild F-27 · Houston, TXAcft veered left off the runway shortly after touchdown, collapsing the nose gear. Winds at the time would have resulted in direct crosswind of 9 kns. The crew that was contracted to ferry the acft noted, when they picked it up, that there were several open…NTSB FTW86FA007Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Tomball, TXAcft was substantially damaged as a result of a hard landing during an emergency autorotation following a complete power loss. The power loss occurred as a result of an uncontained failure of the no. 1 turbine wheel. The wheel burst as a result of a fatigue…NTSB CHI86FA006Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Grayslake, ILDuring descent the engine stopped running. The aircraft was landed in a soft field & nosed over. Only 4 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel system with no evidence of leakage. The pilot only used the left system during the 2 hour flight. Fuel tanks…NTSB SEA86LA005Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Medford, ORThe acft collided with rocky terrain during an attempted forced landing following a loss of pwr. A witness reported seeing the acft in a steep descending left turn at an alt of aprx 100 ft AGL. The descent continued until the left wing contacted the terrain.…NTSB SEA86FA004Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Oakley, IDLow time private pilot had borrowed aircraft for personal trip to nearby airport. On arrival, pilot made fly by of friend's ranch to signal for pick up at airport. Friend got into auto and headed for airport,stated he was driving 60 mph and saw aircraft in…NTSB NYC86LA003Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C206 · West Dover, VTCessna aircraft, N9861Z overran runway 1, at West Dover, Vermont and landed on a golf course. The pilot stated that when the flight was about 50 feet above the runway and about 100 ft down the runway windshear was encountered, pulling the aircraft to the left…NTSB MIA86LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-182P · Lake City, FLThe plt stated that while on a VFR flt from west palm beach FL to atlnata ga the acft lost power. While making forced landing on interstate 75 the left main wheel struck a car, & on landing rollout the right wing struck a utility pole. Investigation revealed…NTSB MIA86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · St.Petersburg, FLThe plt stated that while attempting a landing he realized his rate of descent was too high. He then applied power, the nose pitched up and the acft stalled, resulting in a hard landing.NTSB LAX86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Palm Springs, CADuring arrival, the plt entered the traffic pattern behind other acft to land on rwy 12. At that time, a Boeing 727 was waiting to takeoff on the same rwy. At 1914:52, the plt (of N92259) was instructed to start a left turn to the base leg. At 1915:04, the…NTSB LAX86LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLeslie Quickie II · Porterville, CAThe acft received substantial damage during a landing at Porterville while on a local pleasure flt. According to the plt, he bounced the acft several times and it began to porpoise. During the porpoise motion, the propeller and left canard contacted the rwy.…NTSB LAX86FA004Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Lebec, CAThe acft contacted trees and the terrain in an uncontrolled descent and was destroyed by impact and an ensuing fire. The acft's left elevator was not located during the post accident inspection. Witnesses reported seeing the acft flying low (50 ft AGL) and…NTSB LAX86FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream AA-5B · Orinda, CAThe acft collided with rising terrain on a southerly heading. A VFR flt plan was filed. A witness near the accident site reported low ceilings and a forward ground visibility of 50 ft. aprx 15 minutes prior to the accident the acft was seen flying southeast…NTSB LAX86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Paradise, CAAfter takeoff, for an aflight orentation, the high time (over 2 4000 flt hours) pilot descended to an altitude of approx. 300 over a lake. The pilot was then flying up a twisting arm of the lake, in mountainous terrain into unmarked electrical transmission…NTSB DEN86LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSkypower GBN-41-100 · Pecos, NMFlt was participation in the 1985 balloon fiesta, a night helium-filled balloon race from albuquerque, new Mexico, to elkhart, Kansas. One hr after launch plt encountered small wind shear, causing loss of altitude, ballast, and helium. Plt then encountered…NTSB DEN86LA004Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Aspen, COAfter departure from glenwood springs county arpt the plt initiated a cruise climb to fly over a 12,093 ft high mountain pass. He entered the narrow pass at an alt lower than the summit, encountered downdraft wind currents and was unable to climb fast enough…NTSB DEN86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Sawyer, NDThe plt allowed the airspeed to decrease to the extent of activating the acft stall warning system on final apch at 100 ft above the ground and 200 ft from the end of the rwy. He corrected the low airspeed condition by lowering the nose, resulting in a high…NTSB CHI86LA008Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Lake Geneva, WIAfter touchdown & about 600 ft from the approach end of runway 23 the aircraft collided with a moped crossing the runway. The 11 yr old operator of the moped was seriously injured.NTSB CHI86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTodd Pitts · Hartford, WIN2032 had taken off, remained in the traffic pattern, & landed. N14JK had taken off, obtained a radio check at altitude,descended and entered the traffic pattern. Immediately afterlanding N14JK ran into N2032. N14JK reportedly made two radio calls in the…NTSB ATL86FKG04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportMooney M20J · Americus, GAThe acft contacted a tree and came to rest inverted during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. The loss of pwr occurred aprx 5 miles west of the destination arpt. Post accident inspection of the airframe and powerplant failed to disclose any mechanical…NTSB ATL86FKG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Pell City, ALThe acft nosed over following a loss of control during a x-wind landing. The student plt stated he crabbed the acft intothe wind to compensate for the x-wind during the apch. The acft touched down still in the crabbed position and traveled off the right side…NTSB SEA86LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Emmett, IDWhile landing in calm wind conditions on a 2400 ft rwy, the left brake failed & the acft contd off the departure end, then hit a fence. An exam revealed the left brake pads were worn & the left actuator cylinder was losing fluid. The brake backing plate & the…NTSB SEA86LA002Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Fall City, WADuring an attempted go around the acft struck trees and bushes. The plt stated he could not remember if carb heat was removed during the go around. He continued to state, sufficient alt and airspeed could not be gained. An eng examination revealed several…NTSB NYC86FA002Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-377A · Breakabeen, NYThe plt was advised by several sources that bad wx was located along the intended route of flt. The plt stated that he intended to fly over the bad wx since wx at the destination was good. A mayday call from 24J was broadcasted over the emer. Freq. Witnesses…NTSB MKC86LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Dumas, AROn landing at a pvt sod strip near Dumas, the plt stated he encountered a strong crosswind. The crosswind forced his acft to veer off the side of the rwy. After veering off the rwy the right wing struck the ground sustaining substantial damage to the wing…NTSB MKC86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportQuickie Q2 · Willard, MOClimbing to cruise the plt rptd a loss of eng pwr an turned to head back to the airport of departure, the ensuing forced landing substantially damaged the acft. Inspection into the eng failure revealed a contaminated inline fuel filter restricting fuel flow…NTSB MKC86LA003Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Guilford, MOThe plt reports that he landed hard, bounced and came down on the nose gear. The nose gear broke and the acft went over on its back.NTSB MKC86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRockwell 112A · Gravois Mills, MOThe acft was observed on final with the gear down, flying along a ridge that was beside a lake. Witnesses stated that it was below the elevation of the arpt that was on top of the hill. Two witnesses also stated that the eng was running but not at full pwr.…NTSB MIA86LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Tallahassee, FLThe plt stated that while doing touch-and-go landings at quincy, FL, the left main strut fell off the acft. He then returned to Tallahassee and made an intentional gear-up landing. Examination of the main landing gear scissor ass'y revealed that it failed due…NTSB MIA86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Islamorada, FLAircraft was ditched in the atlantic ocean after loss of engine power. Post crash inspection of the engine after recovery from the ocean revealed thje pc or compressor pressure air line had failed at a 'b' nut at the compressor schroll. With this line failed…NTSB LAX86LA005Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWillie II · Blythe, CAOn oct 5, 1985 a Willie ii homebuilt crashed on takeoff after its left main landing gear collapsed. VMC existed at the time and no flt plan was filed. The ac sustained substantial damage and the two occupants received minor injuries. The winds were from 050.…NTSB FTW86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · El Paso, TXThe plt stated his straight-in landing final apch was smooth. The airspeed had decreased from 80 to 65 KTS & the acft's wheels were only inches above the rwy when the right wing suddenly lifted and caused the acft to veer left and touch down on the dirt…NTSB DEN86FTE01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportSkurich FOCKE-WULF 190 · Falcon, COThe acft groundlooped to the rt during an attempted go-around after landing. The plt was landing at a arpt with watch he was unfamilar. He thought he saw wires at the approach end of the rwy so he landed long and then attempted a go-around. The acft…NTSB ATL86FKG01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Perry, GAThe acft landed short of the rwy during a forced landing following loss of pwr during a x-country flt of 2 hrs. 3 witnesses saw the acft bring refueled but the only one who mentioned the amount of fuel added was the refueler who said he'topped off' all 4…NTSB ANC86LA001Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion Citabria 7GCBC · Ptarmigan Pass, AKThe pilot-in-command stated that just after departure. He spotted a moose and made a low circle above the moose. He leveled off and attempted to pull the aircraft up. The nose of the aircraft pitched down and the airplane crashed to the ground.NTSB MIA86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 414 · Sarasota, FLThe plt stated that his right main gear would not extend, so he circled the arpt for about 1/2 hour to burn off excess fuel, retracted the remaining gear & intentionally landed gear up on rwy 32. Examination of the right main landing it to extend beyond it's…NTSB MIA86LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-375 · Pahokee, FLThe plt stated that upon takeoff from hickory farms airstirp, the aircraft began losing power. He then dumped his load of chemicals and on descent, struck sugar cane and cartwheeled into a canal. No determination could be made as to the nature of the loss of…NTSB MIA86IA001Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Jacksonville, FLAfter departure flight experienced loss of engine power and visible smoke coming from the windshield exhaust ducts. The engine subsequently failed but the pilot was able to regain power and return to the airport for a normal landing. Post landing inspection…NTSB LAX86LA008Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Santa Barbara, CAOn oct. 3, 1985, pipter PA-23-250 crashed into the pacific ocean while on an air sampling flt near Santa Barbara, CA. The ac was destroyed and the two plts were fatally injured. The flt was to be flown along a predermined route utilizing loran navaids. The ac…NTSB CHI86LA004Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Troy, MIThe plt landed on rwy 27 with winds from 185 degs at 20 KTS gusting to 30 KTS. The acft ballooned on short final. The plt added pwr but the right wing dropped and hit the rwy. The acft cartwheeled.NTSB CHI86FEM01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportLeone Sonerai II · Traverse City, MIThe acft contacted a tree and impacted the terrain in a nose down attitude during a forced landing following a loss of pwr which resulted from fuel exhaustion.NTSB BFO86LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Annapolis, MDThe plt crossed mid-field, and entered a left down wind for rwy 30. He then checked wind direction, completed a base leg, and entered final apch. After reducing his airspeed, the acft 'floated' prior to touching down aprx 600 ft short of mid-fld. The plt…NTSB BFO86FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Gaithersburg, MDThe plt was clrd for a VOR rwy 14 apch. On apch, he rprtd at the sleet intxn (a fix on the NDB apch). The acft was then seen flying ovr the arpt on an easterly hdg. UNICOM operator said he then heard the plt call "turning final." However, bfr lndg, the acft…