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
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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\") = 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 SEA85LA227Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech J35 · Ontario, ORThe plt was flying the acft at a low alt for the purpose of spotting game. The eng ceased operating shortly after switching fuel tanks. The plt stated during a telephone interview that he inadvertently switched the fuel selector to the off position. The acft…NTSB LAX85FA402Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS350D · Kula, HIThe helicopter collided with terrain while on a sightseeing tour. The plt stated that the helicopter lost alt as he attempted to cross power lines. Directional control was lost during the ensuing down wind emergency landing. The helicopter contacted the…NTSB ATL85LA284Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Holly Springs, MSThe stu plt on his fourth solo flt elected to make a touch-and-go lng prior to going to the practice area. After turning base on the closed VFR traffic pattern, he states that he could not find the runway and allosed the airspeed to decrease too low. When he…NTSB ATL85FLT13Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Springfield, TNThe acft was substantially damaged after contacting thres during a landing following a loss of pwr on takeoff. Post accident inspection revealed the carburetor valve ass'y had separated from the lever ass'y allowing the valve to seat flat against the…NTSB ANC85FA184Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Merrill Pass, AKThe acft collided with terrain in a mountain Pass at an elevation of 3600 ft MSL. The plt obtained a wx briefing at 1329 gmt on 9/26/86 at which time Merrill Pass was forecast to be closed by 1100 adt due to deteriorating wx. The last radio communication with…NTSB SEA85LA226Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Fernly, NVThe acft's windscreen was struck by a bird and was blown out injuring the plt. The plt had difficulty keeping the acft airborne and a forced landing was made. The acft nosed over during the landing rollout on soft terrain.NTSB NYC85LA257Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Canada Falls Lk, MECessna 172, a floatplane encountered a wind gust while landing on water. In an attempt to compensate for the wind. One of the wings contacted the water surface.NTSB NYC85LA248Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1B · Hamburg, NYThe plt stated that he started a maneuver at 2700 ft. the maneuver was a dive after reducing pwr followed by a climb with a left turn at the top followed by a descending left turn. The turn 'at the top' was uncoordinated and g forces occurred. Throttle…NTSB LAX85LA406Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Concord, CAThe acft was observed to turn to the left during the takoeff ground roll on rwy 32R at buchanan airport, Concord, California and exit the rwy environment. The certificated private plt reported that shortly after applying full power the acft 'swerved' to the…NTSB LAX85LA403Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Porterville, CAAfter climbing to a cruise alt of 13500 ft MSL to cross the sierra Nevada mountains, south of mt whitney, the plt entered cruise flt at an indicated airspeed of aprx 120 to 130 KTS. The plt's flt manual lists 110 KTS as the velocity velocity to never exceed…NTSB FTW85LA356Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Sanderson, TXOn landing, the plt noticed a quantity of brush on the rwy, however, he did not think it would be an obstacle to his intended takeoff and therefore did not remove it. During takeoff, the left main gear struck the brush causing the plt to lose control of the…NTSB ATL85FA283Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D18S · Huntington, WVThe acft contacted the terrain with the left wing tip, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted during an ILS rwy 12 apch at Huntington (hts). Minimum apch visibility for the ILS is 3/4 of a mile. While en route the plt was informed the hts visibility was 1/8 of…NTSB ANC85MA183Accident · Minor injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-2X6C · Unalaska, AKAcft was dispatched to rstrctd arpt with a 3900' rwy & notamed: 3' stndg wtr on north end of rwy. SIGMET was in effect for mod to svr turbc blo 10,000' due to strong low lvl wnd & assoc wndshear. Capt made a shallow ovrwtr apch to rwy 12, which had a nr vert…NTSB SEA85LA230Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Burlington, WADuring initial climb, the plt smelled smoke & heard a backfire, then the eng lost power. A forced landing was made in a field on rough/uneven terrain. During the landing roll, the acft struck a ditch & was damaged. A visual inspection revealed that the left…NTSB MIA85LA263Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Pahokee, FLThe plt stated that he was flaring for landing when a gust of wind raised the acft causing it to crash into the rwy.NTSB MIA85LA262Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Hollywood, FLThe plt stated that shortly after takeoff from ft. lauderdale, he felt a severe vibration and shut down the eng and made a emerg landing in an open field. Post crash investigation revealed that one propeller blade separated aprx one foot from the hub.…NTSB LAX85LA401Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech P60 · San Jose, CADuring the landing roll, the acft veered off the right side of the rnwy and made contact with a taxiway marker which was then thrown against the acft, puncturing the pressure bulkhead compartment. Examination of the left brake assembly revealed evidence of…NTSB FTW85LA357Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300 · Ruston, LAThis 110 hour private pilot lost directional control of the aircraft while landing in a 90 degree cross wind and veered into a pickup truck spraying herbicide on the runway edge lights. Two city employees saw the aircraft coming towards them and escaped…NTSB DEN85LA248Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Deming, NMWhile practicing touch and go landings the plt added pwr for takeoff and the eng quit. The plt veered the acft to the left to avoid hitting farm machinery and collided with a tree stump. Post accident exam of the eng revealed the eng mostlikely failed as a…NTSB CHI85FEV04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12D · Breese, ILThe plt reported that the eng began losing power while he was en route at an alt of aprx 200 ft AGL. He turned & initiated an autorotation to a road construction site. The helicopter landed tail low. Subsequently, the tail boom was chopped off & the…NTSB SEA85LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Eastsound, WADuring takeoff roll the acft veered right and the plt overcorrected to the left. The acft then departed the rwy to the left striking VASI lights.NTSB NYC85LA247Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Marlboro, NJThe plt made a VOR apch to the arpt and circled to land while simultaneously determining wind condition. It was raining at the time. A landing was made on rwy 27. On touchdown, the plt stated, his brakes were ineffective. He described the rwy as wet. Since it…NTSB MIA85FA261Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Medley, FLThe non seaplane rated plt whose airman certificate was under suspension. Attempted a downwind take-off from an intermediate point on the lake's surface. The plt stated he thought the non seaplane rated plt/pax attempted to abort the take-off by closing the…NTSB MIA85FA260Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Fort Lauderdale, FLPilot ditched aircraft in atlantic ocean after losing power in both engines. The three occupants escaped ininjuried and were picked up by a nearby boat. The aircraft sank in approximately 800 feet of water about 5 minutes after ditching. Post accident…NTSB DCA85AA037Accident · 14 fatalFinal reportBeech B99 · Grottoes, VAAcft arr fm the NE, crossed ovr the arpt in IMC conds & contd twd the sw to the initial apch fix (iaf) for an ILS rwy 4 apch. The iaf was ovr the outer marker (om), 4.2 mi sw of the arpt. As the acft deptd the iaf, it contd outbnd twd the sw on an imprecise…NTSB CHI85FA385Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportDassault-Breguet 10 · West Chicago, ILThe falcon 10 touched down long and fst on a wet runway, experienced hydroplanning and went off the end of the runway,struck a drainage ditch and collapsed the landing gear. The nose gear came back and bent the throttle quadrant bracket, pulled the fuel…NTSB ATL85FAMS2Accident · 3 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Gulfport, MSPlt contacted apch control for advisories. Asked about wx onroute of ELT. Was told that lines of showers existed across path. Plt advised he thought he had found a gap and that he thought he could get over wx. Later radioed that ride was bouncy and he was in…NTSB ANC85LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Feather River, AKWhile landing in gusty surface wind conditions the pilot lost control of he airplane and turned over.NTSB SEA85LA222Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Klamath Falls, ORThe plt lost directional control of the acft following a bounced landing. The acft veered off the right side of the rwy where it contacted an area of tall grass and nosed over.NTSB SEA85LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Vancouver, WAThe plt was unable to land at his intended destination due to the rwy edge and end lights being inoperative. The plt diverted to a nearby arpt but fuel exhaustion occurred and a forced landing was made. The acft was landed on an overpass and during the…NTSB SEA85LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Ridgefield, WAThe acft stalled at an alt of aprx 15 AGL and contacted the terrain hard during a landing at a pvt airstrip. The acft does not have a stall warning system. The plt stated that he should have maintained a proper airspeed.NTSB SEA85FA225Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177BII · Lolo Pass, IDThe plt failed to visually check the fuel tanks during preflt and departed with 3.4 hours flown on the pre-existing fuel supply. Fuel exhaustion occurred 1.2 hours into the flt. The plt overflew a suitable forced landing site and attempted a last minute turn…NTSB NYC85FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Chalkhill, PAThe helicopter was being used on an external load operation with a 100 ft cable attached. When a 618 lb load was ready to be moved, the plt started the eng, lifted off & moved the helicopter to a hover over the load. The loaders hooked the load to the cable &…NTSB DEN85LA247Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Troy, MTThe plt said that as he approached his destination he reduced engine pwr to begin descent. The engine quit forcing the pilot to land on unsuitable terrain. Contaminated fuel was found in the fuel system.NTSB DEN85FA246Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Santa Rosa, NMThe student plt was on his first x-country. His last solo flt was approx two months prior to accident. Witnesses saw acft on a rt downwind for rwy 26. The plt was told a left traffic patter was in use. The acft was observed to be flying slow at a low alt, on…NTSB CHI85FER03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportUnivair 108-1 · Mcgregor, MNThe acft contacted trees off the departure end of rwy 18 during a forced landing following a loss of pwr on takeoff. Post accident inspection revealed the fuel selector was positioned for the left tank and the left tank contained no fuel. The carburetor did…NTSB CHI85FEC01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 182K · Monroe, MIThe acft collided with trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. The plt reported the pwr loss occurred during a descent from 5500 ft to 2500 ft MSL. During the forced landing descent, the plt reported, he pushed the nose of the acft…NTSB CHI85FA383Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Hillsboro, OHThe acft was being flown by a plt who's company takes low alt photos of farms for later resale. This is accomplished with hand-held 35MM cameras from the right seat. According to the single witness to the accident, the acft was first sighted flying 'low and…NTSB ATL85MA282Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · Auburn, ALDrg arrival, the aircrew of a Gates lear jet 35A, N873LP, canceled their IFR clearance & contacted the Auburn UNICOM, then entered the traffic pattern to land on rwy 18. The UNICOM operator rprtd that the lear jet crew had rprtd their position on each portion…NTSB ATL85FKG12Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172P · Birmingham, ALDuring arrival, the plt noted that the wind was from about 150 degs. Due to the terrain & obstructions near the northeast end of the rwy, he elected to land on rwy 4. During the landing, the acft floated before touching about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way down the…NTSB ATL85FIJ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportStarduster SA-100 · Point Pleasant, WVThe plt stated that she made a normal preflt. She reported that the float type fuel gage indicated that the main fuel tank, which had a capacity of 12 gal, was half full. While climbing thru about 500 ft AGL after takeoff, the eng sputtered & lost power. The…NTSB SEA85LA224Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172PII · Brinnon, WAAcft collided with vertical rock face in mountainous terrain 32 mins after takeoff on night VFR instrument instruction flt, 31 mi west of point of departure. Radar trk shows acft proceeded nw for 14 mins, reversed course for 4 mins, then headed due west into…NTSB SEA85LA221Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Winnemucca, NVThe plt was attmepting to depart rwy 02 and the wind was from 300 degs at 15 KTS gusting to 20 KTS. Directional control of the acft was not maintained and it veered off the side of the rwy during the takeoff ground run.NTSB NYC85LA246Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Bayport, NYAccording to the CFI, the student raised the nose of the acft too early during takeoff. This resulted in the acft becoming airborne prematurely. The student was unable to climb out of ground effect and the decision to abort the takeoff was made. The acft…NTSB NYC85FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Warwick, RIWhile en route at 5000' MSL, the plt transmitted that he had an eng problem & requested clearance to land at the providence/theodore francis green state arpt, which was aprx 12 mi away. The plt then asked the controller if that was the closest arpt; however,…NTSB MKC85LA222Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Cameron, MOThe pilot stated that he was aware of the IFR conditions enroute but was not expecting them so soon. When he was within four minutes of his landing airport, the weather turned very bad but he decided to continue. Visibility was so bad that he had to turn to…NTSB MKC85LA221Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLon J. Mcknight Flybaby 1A · Lebanon, MOAfter washing his aircraft the plt dptd the airport for a LCL flight. The flight lasted for approx. 30 min. When the plt stated the end began running rough. A precautionary landing was made to the airport. The acft stalled impacting the ground short of the…NTSB LAX85LA400Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Watsonville, CADuring an ag flt, at abt 5 ft AGL, the plt heard a loud bang, the eng oversped, & all pwr to the rotor blades was lost. The plt attempted to immediately land in the underlying field, but had insufficient altitude/airspeed to autorotate. The acft touched down,…NTSB LAX85LA399Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Selma, CAThe pilot reptd the acft experienced a total loss of power during the descent to Selma arpt. The pilot did not apply carb heat before begining the descent. During the subsequent forced landing the acft left wing struck a telephone pole. The engine operated…NTSB LAX85LA398Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Huntington Bch, CAThe plt stated that he aborted his first takeoff because of reduced acceleration. He taxied back, via a parallel taxiwayand made run-on type takeoff. He said that as the acft climbed to an alt of aprx 50 to 60 ft above the rwy he heard a thud and the airspeed…