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 ANC86LAG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 140 · Beluga, AKThe student plt attempted takeoff from am unimproved, overgrown river bed. He stated he paced off the distance availablefor takeoff and it was too short, however, he decided to takeoff anyway. The acft impacted alders and a stream bank just as it was lifting…NTSB NYC86FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Robbinsville, NJDuring IFR departure from an uncontrolled arpt, the acft was instructed to squawk the discrete freq that had been issued in pre-flt clearance. The plt acknowledged the freq. The acft disappeared from radar. Ground witnesses saw the acft descend out of the low…NTSB MKC86LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Kansas City, MOThe Piper PA-28-140 was departing the Kansas City, MO area for a VFR, no flight-plan flight to warrensburg, MO. Witnesses stated that the airplane appeared to lift off prematurely and remained effectively stalled until impact two min later in a…NTSB FTW86MA010Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Bridger, MTDrg a preflt wx briefing, the plt was advised that VFR flt was not recommended due to forecast frontal activity moving southbound along his route. Severe turbulence & icing had been reported just to the north of his course. He filed a VFR flt plan & took off…NTSB FTW86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Odessa, TXDuring touch-&-go landing practice on her second solo training flight, the student plt made a hard landing. The nose gear strut was driven upward through the firewall and the prop was damaged. The acft bounced/porpoised three times & came to rest off the left…NTSB FTW86LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lake Charles, LAThe acft experienced eng failure as a result of fuel exhaustion and the plt made a forced landing in a lake near the departure arpt while towing a banner. FAA stated the plt did not obtain a waiver to tow the banner.NTSB DEN86FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Chamberlain, SDThe plt and his passenger friend were looking for stray cattle when aprx at 142 ft above the ground their acft struck an antennae mounted on a microwave tower. The acft descended and was destroyed on ground impact.NTSB CHI86LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Canton, OHThe acft overran the rwy and collided with wires and a pole during landing. The student plt stated that he was too fast and landed long during the calm wind landing. He also stated he should have used more flaps.NTSB ATL86LLQ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · London, KYThe acft crashed during a forced landing after fuel exhaustion during a x-country flt. The plt had encountered wx and in attempting to reach an alternate arpt the acft ran out of fuel. The plt was not instrument rated and the wx at London was 600 ft overcast…NTSB ATL86FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Hurricane, WVN9629U crashed in a wooded area near Hurricane, west Virginia while conducting a visual flight from millwood, WV to grundy, Virginia. The pilot and aircraft were certificated in accordance with current FARS. The pilot received a weather briefing for the…NTSB ANC86LAG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-18A-150 · Homer, AKThe landing gear axle failure was due to the oversize tires that were installed on the aircraft.NTSB LAX86LA001Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Van Nuys, CAThe plt stated that after takeoff he climbed to 1800 ft MSL (aprx 1000 ft above ground level) and entered a left turn. The eng failed in the turn an he selected a dry flood control basin on which to land. The acft's airspeed was slow on landing and the…NTSB CHI86LA002Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Crivitz, WIThe plt lost directional control of the acft during the landing roll in x-wind conditions. As the acft veered to the left side of the rwy it struck a rwy light. The arpt owner stated the acft touched down in a crabbed position and the local winds were from…NTSB CHI86FEX01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Terre Haute, INThe acft rt main & nose gear collapsed during a forced landing after a power loss during takeoff. The student plt was at the controls when the eng quit at about 300 ft AGL. The CFI took the controls and turned left toward a taxiway for the landing. The acft…NTSB SEA86LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Winnemucca, NVDirectional control was lost during takeoff roll due to a flat nose wheel tire. The aircraft continued to veer to the left of the runway despite the student pilots attempts to correct to the right. The aircraft departed the runway where it nosed over.NTSB FTW86MA001Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Dallas, TXA student plt in a Cessna 152, N5522L, had deptd redbird arpt at Dallas. He was practicing solo maneuvers in a privatelydesignated practice area that overlapped the extended inbnd course to rwys 31L & r at love field. At the same time, a Cessna 441, N400BG,…NTSB DEN86LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Cortez, COAfter 3.9 hrs flt time on a x-country flt from cheyenne, WY, to Cortez, CO, the plt experienced an eng failure due to fuel exahustion. He executed a forced landing in a mountain meadow that was not adequate in length for the landing. The acft impacted trees…NTSB CHI86LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Ravenna, OHAccording to the initial solo stufent pilot, he landed uneventfully, applied takeoff power and reached down to retract the flaps. As the aircraft began to accelerate it began to drift to the left. The student pilot applied right rudder but the aircraft…NTSB ATL86FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Chapel Hill, NCN2765U crashed shortly after making a low pass over a private air strip near Chapel Hill. The aircraft was seen in a nose high attitude prior to impacting a tree about 40 above the ground. The aircraft also collided with a power transmission line. The…NTSB SEA85LA231Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMitchell U2 · Prineville, ORPlt was on second flt in newly completed, registered ultralight. Craft had not been issued a certificate of airworthiness. After takeoff, acft was observed to circle airport, then descend out of sight behind trees. Investigation showed steeep, nosedown…NTSB NYC85FHJ04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · Montauk, NYThe Cessna 172 was cruising 3000 ft off shore at 600 ft AGL over the ocean. The engine was at 1900 RPM with the carburator heat on when the aircraft experienced a power failure. The flight instructor made an emergency landing on a beach. Upon touch down the…NTSB MKC85LA224Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca Citabria 7ECA · Council Bluffs, IAOn climbout fm the Council Bluffs airport the plt reported a loss of engine power and the engine quitting. The plt attempted an air restart but was too low to the grnd to continue. The plt weaved in and out of trees during his descent finally impacting the…NTSB LAX85LA404Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Huntington Bch, CAThe plt acknowledged that on short final approach to the 2330 ft-long rwy, the acft's speed was 'a little hot', & during ldg flare the acft 'floated in ground effect'. After the acft bounced 3 times the plt decided to go around & he applied full pwr. The plt…NTSB DEN85IA250Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-100 · Denver, CODuring gear extn for lndg, the flt crew noted a 'loud & very noticeable jolting of the acft.' Shortly thereafter, they also noticed that a portion of the right main gear had punctured the upper surface of the rgt wing. The crew then declared an emergency &…NTSB ATL86LMG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 310R · Rocky Mount, NCThe acft touched down 150 ft short of rwy 04 at the Rocky mountain-wilson arpt. The acft contacted two rows of apch lights and a ground drop off which sheared all three landing gears. The flt departed wilson municipal arpt and upon reaching 3700 ft the plt…NTSB SEA85LA232Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Lopez Island, WAShortly after takeoff the acft's eng ceased operating for unknown reasons. During the landing rollout, the acft struck a fence and nosed over.NTSB SEA85FA228Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTeratorn Tierra II · Post Falls, IDThe acft contacted the terrain in an uncontrolled descent following an inflt separation of the left wing. A witness stated the left wing separated as the acft was being maneuvered in a race track pattern using bank angles of 45 degs. The wife of the acft…NTSB NYC85LA255Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Dansville, NYCessna 152,N6135P,on flight plan batavia, new york, landed hard at Dansville county airport and collapsed the nose gear. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, the pilot and one passenger were unjured.NTSB NYC85LA254Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Preble, NYA Schweizer N33920, collided with a utility pole while executing a go around at Preble airport, NY. The acft was destroyed. The plt and passenger received minor injuries. The plt stated that the first two flights were uneventful, but noticed the stall speed…NTSB NYC85LA252Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Wexford, PAAircraft was landing on private grass strip and during landing roll struck a deer with the right wing tip. The grass was wet and the pilot lost directional control. The aircraft impacted trees that bordered the airstrip and was destroyed.NTSB NYC85LA251Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Pittstown, NJDuring an attempted takeoff on a 2439 ft rwy, the plt was unable to apply back elevator pressure thus the acft was prevented from becoming airborne. The acft traveled off the end of the rwy where it contacted a fence and trees. Inspection of the acft…NTSB NYC85LA250Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Galway, NYStudent plt was practicing maneuvers at 3000 ft when acft eng failed. The plt made a forced landing in a field. The tallgrass in field caused the landing gear to fail and substantially damaged the acft during the landing roll. NTSB metallurgist report shows…NTSB FTW85LA360Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · North Padre 967The helicoter was attempting to take off with a rope still attached to the forward fuselage tiedown. A witness stated that the nose of the aircraft rotated down as the tail lifted to a near vertical attitude. The pilot inflated the floatsbut the aircraft…NTSB FTW85LA359Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-R · Mount Vernon, TXThe pilot reported he ran out of gas maneuvering under an overcast to find a suitable landing site. He had attempted to circumnavigate a large area of severe weather but exhausted his fuel supply. He stated that the engine quit and he stalled the aircraft at…NTSB CHI85LA389Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas Maselink XTC · Caledonia, MIThe acft struck power lines while on apch for landing. The plt stated that he did not see the power lines; however, witnesses reported they warned the plt of the electrical lines prior to the accident.NTSB CHI85LA388Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Delta, OHThe plt was performing a soft fld landing. When the nose wheel settled onto the airstrip it dug into the soft terrain, collapsed and the acft nosed over.NTSB ATL85MA286Accident · 17 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Jenkinsburg, GAAs the plt & 16 jumpers deptd on a skydiving flt, the eng lost pwr at aprx 300' AGL. The acft then banked steeply left, spiraled in a steep nose dwn attitude & crashed. An exam revealed fuel in the tanks was contaminated with wtr & foreign material with the…NTSB ANC85LA185Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180A · Glennallen, AKThe pilot stated the aircraft left wing was raised by a gust of wind. The aircraft accelerated rapidly in a si deways attitude to the right. The wind gust encountered and the fact the landing roll was almost completed CA used a situation that was beyond the…NTSB NYC85LA253Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-170A · Marathon, NYDuring an approach to land on a 1600 ft private grass airstrip the plt noticed the acft was too high. The landing attempt was continued until the plt thought there would not be sufficient runway to stop the acft. A go around was initiated and the tail wheel…NTSB NYC85LA249Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Manchester, MAPlt stated that during cruise flight at an altitude of 1200 ft the engine RPM decreaseed from cruise setting to between 900-1100 RPM. The acft was overwater and 2 miles from the coastline. He was unable to maintain altitude and he started a descent toward…NTSB FTW85LA361Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182G · Maypearl, TXPlt stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine failed completely without warning. He set up for and executed a forced landing in a field. During the flare, one wing tip struck the top of a tree and during the landing roll the acft crossed several terraces,…NTSB CHI85LA387Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Hastings, MIThe pilot was competing in a spot landing contest. The aircraft was reportedly observed about 4 to 5 feet AGL and slow just before it contacted the grass runway. The nosegear failed, dug into the ground, resulting in a nose over.NTSB ATL85LA287Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Winchester, KYThe accident occurred as the student pilot was attempting to takeoff for hover training. As the pilot was applying collective torque, the student said, he lost control and crashed. There were no system malfunctions or failures reported.NTSB ATL85FLT14Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 150H · Lebanon, TNThe acft crashed during a forced lndg after a power loss during takeoff. According to reports the plt took off on a check ride with an instructor. At 150 ft AGL pwr dropped to 2000 RPM. The CFI took over and shortly thereafter the pwr dropped to 1800 RPM. In…NTSB ANC85LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Port Alsworth, AKThe pilot took off in turbulent wind conditions and lost control of the airplane; striking ground and upending.NTSB SEA85LA229Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · San Juan Island, WAThe pilot was attempting to depart his private airstrip to the north with trees bordering the north end of the airstrip. The wind was from 360 at 20 knots gusting to 30 knots. The pilot was unable to arrest his rate of sink and made a right turn to avoid…NTSB FTW85FA358Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Ennis, TXThe plt could not lower the landing gear through use of the normal gear extension system. He was able to partially lower it through the use of the emergency extension system. Next he made an emergency landing at the departure airport during the hours of…NTSB DEN85LA249Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Evanston, WYThe plt said the eng quit as he was turning from base leg to final apch for rwy 24 at Evanston (WY) arpt. The acft crashed as the plt maneuvered for an emerg landing. Disassembly and examination of the eng disclosed no reason on why the engine failed. The…NTSB ATL85FLQ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bowling Green, KYThe acft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a corn field following a loss of pwr 5 miles from the destination arpt. The plt reported to Bowling Green fss that he was 'out of gas' at an alt of 3000 ft. post accident examination disclosed a…NTSB ATL85FA285Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Lafayette, GAThe acft crashed in a trailer parking lot after a steep left turn & uncontrolled descent. The acft impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. The rt wing had struck a parked trailer prior to the nose striking the ground. The acc occurred about 1/4 mile from…