NTSB investigations, 1985
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.
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 MIA85LA255Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Wesley Chapel, FLThe rated private plt was received a check out in the acft by a CFI. The plt was having difficulty on the rwy as the winds were reported as 070 degs at 13 knts. The rwy being used was rwy 32. A 20 deg right x-wind tailwind condition existed. On the 4th touch…NTSB LAX85LA391Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Rosamond, CAWhile enroute to van nuys arpt at about 9500 ft, the plt reported to edwards afb apch control that he was experiencing a rough running eng. The plt requested and received a radar vector to wm j. fox arpt, lancaster, CA. Shortly thereafter the eng sustained a…NTSB CHI85LA377Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWippler Cassut III M · Randall, MNThe engine lost power when the pilot attempted to add power at the completion of a descent. The pilot did not use carburetor heat in the descent. The relative humidity was approximately 60%.NTSB BFO85LA076Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Cheswold, DEAfter landing on runway 27, the pilot slowed the aircraft to approximately 30 mph. The aircraft had rolled out about 1000 feet when the gear horn sounded and all three landing gear collapsed. The pilot reached for the gear switch, which was in the up…NTSB ATL85LA277Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-125 · Shinnston, WVThe plt reported that he initiated a normal apch to land on rwy 27. However, when he flared, he failed to stop the descent. Subsequently, the acft landed hard just short of the rwy. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed & the acft nosed over.NTSB ANC85LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Tutna Lake, AKThe plt elected to takeoff from a lake that was aprx 1/2 mi long & oriented on an east/west heading. During a x-wind takeoff, the plt had difficulty getting the acft to lift off, but elected to continue the takeoff. The acft finally lifted off, but failed to…NTSB ANC85LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Cordova, AKThe plt stated that prior to landing, the acft's right brake had no pressure. He reported that after he landed, the tail wheel began to shimmy & the acft pulled to the left. He applied full right rudder, but was unable to prevent the acft from ground looping…NTSB SEA85LA214Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206BII · Atlanta, IDA loss of pwr occurred shortly before touchdown. The left skid struck a rock during touchdown causing the acft to roll onto its right side. Twenty-five flt hrs prior to this flt an identical situation occurred and a loose air line to the fuel control was…NTSB SEA85LA213Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTodd KR-II · Boise, IDThe acft settled back onto the rwy shortly after takeoff pushing both main gear up through the wings. The plt did not have any previous experience in this type acft.NTSB SEA85FA212Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Renton, WAThe inexperienced, low time student pilot reported a gradual loss of power while operating his luscobe 8A aircraft on a personal, local flight. The aircraft was equipped with a stromberg carburetor whose mixture was permanently wired full open and power was…NTSB NYC85FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Block Island, RIThe acft departed long Island on a VFR flt plan for Block Island. The plt did not close the flt plan after arrival at Block Island and departed Block Island without refiling a flt plan. The flt departed Block Island at night to the east over the ocean and has…NTSB NYC85FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Hamburg, NJThe acft contacted trees during an uncontrolled descent aprx 17 minutes after takeoff. One witness reported hearing the eng running at a high RPM. The acft wreckage was not discovered until 9-18-85. The airspeed indicator found at the accident site indicated…NTSB MIA85LLD03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBrokaw Bullet · Eustis, FLThe acft contacted a ditch during an attempted takeoff on a taxiway. The plt reportedly decided to use the taxiway for takeoff rather than the rwy because of the soft rwy conditions which resulted from recent rains. During takeoff the leftmain gear contacted…NTSB MIA85FA254Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Aripeka, FLThe student plt stated that after dinner, which included a small amount of wine, he went to the arpt to clean his acft, then elected to go for a short flt. He intended to stay within 25 mi of the arpt, but found himself over lakeland. He landed at a strip to…NTSB LAX85LA392Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Reno, NVThe plt had completed a heat race as a participant in the Reno national championship air races and was landing in a gusty x-wind when the acft's left wing was lifted by the wind and the acft cartwheeled, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and to the…NTSB FTW85LRG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHomebuilt Tiger Bird · Kerrville, TXThe acft nosed over on landing following a loss of directional control. The plt reported touchdown was made on the first 100 ft of the rwy and as the acft slowed to aprx 10 mph directional control was lost. The acft traveled off the left side of the airstrip…NTSB FTW85LA349Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRyan Navion · Midland, TXThe plt experienced eng failure during climbout from sky ranch arpt at Midland, TX. He then turned into the wind and made a forced landing in a pasture. Subsequent investigation revealed a connecting rod had broken, however, the cause of the rod failure was…NTSB FTW85FA346Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPitts SPL. S-1 · Mclean, TXThe plt had landed the Pitts special on the highway due to low fuel. After the fuel service the acft took off and the plt performed low altitude acrobatics then departed making slow rolls below a low overcast. A witness observed the acft flying low over the…NTSB DEN85FA241Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA315B · Craig, COThe helicopter was long-lining a 1280-pound air compressor to an 8500-foot MSL mountain drilling site. Witnesses heard a squealing sound and bang. They observed gray-white smoke and orange-blue flame emitting from the exhaust. The plt released the load and…NTSB CHI85LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-235C · Bloomington, INThe piloted landed with an 80' left crosswind at 8 knots. During landing roll the wind picked up the left wing. The acft weathervaned into the wind & the right gear collapsed. The right wing was also damaged during the swerve.NTSB CHI85LA378Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 134 · Hampshire, ILThe pilot reportedly failed to use spoilers on final. The approach was high so he attempted a 180 degree turn at the departure end of the runway. The glider stalled and collided with the ground.NTSB CHI85FET03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportVanbenthuysen John Bede BD-5B · Elkhart, INThe acft rolled inverted & collided with the ground after an overtemperature reading, an RPM loss and loss of airspeed were recognized by the plt during the recording of the takeoff. The plt had a portable recorder on board and was using it during the…NTSB BFO85LA075Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Williamsburg, VAThe plt contacted the field on UNICOM frequency of 122.8 and was informed that the active rwy was 31, with wind from 040 degrees at 13 knots. The final approach was made with crab and power, but just prior to touchdown, the right wing lifted and the acft…NTSB ATL85FA276Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLaux Pitts S-1S · Paducah, KYThe aircraft was observed in the local area for several minutes. It was perfoming aerobatic maneuvers. One witness reported that it was lower than it usually was when it was perfoming these maneuvers. It was observed to do an inside loop, roll inverted and…NTSB ANC85LA176Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Togiak, AKAcft crashed on mountainside after wx worsened. Marginal wx had been forecast & PIREP advised plt that VFR flt was not recommended.NTSB MKC85LA215Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Olathe, KSDuring the takeoff roll on an IFR flt, the right eng lost pwr and the plt aborted the takeoff. The acft ran off the end of the rwy, across two ditches, one road, through a fence and struck a post in a fld. During post accident tests, the right eng would run…NTSB MIA85FA253Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Panama City, FLThe plt of 757 hm stated that he understood he was second to land so he processed to turn final unknowningly cutting off threeother acft on final apch to twy 05. The tower told him 'break left there is two acft on final', he applied power to go around and…NTSB FTW85LA348Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Catahoula, LAThe plt took off from a bayou with inadequate distance to climb above the trees growing along each side before the bayou made an aprx 120-DEG right turn. In order to avoid collision with the trees the plt entered a steep banked right turn to follow the bayou.…NTSB CHI85LA376Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Eden Prairie, MNThe student landed on rwy 9R with tower winds reported from 150 degrees at 15 knots. During the landing roll in the tailwheel equipped acft, control was lost and the acft tipped up on its left wing and nose.NTSB CHI85LA374Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Minocqua, WIThe PIC attempted to start the engine. The engine started but in about 3 seconds stopped. During a second start attempt a fire started in the engine compartment. The PIC thought he had extinguished the fire when flames were seen in the copilot pedal area. The…NTSB ATL85MA275Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Eva, ALDrg an IFR arrival/dscnt, the plt stated he 'had to feather 1 eng, I have an oil leak & I'm just trying to dscnd . . .' He then said he was dscndg thru 5300'. As he contd the apch, he informed the controller he would be unable to go around since the hydr sys…NTSB NYC85LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · East Swanzey, NHThe acft was preflighted & determined to have 10 qts of oil in the eng. While climbing thru about 1000 ft MSL after takeoff, the propeller RPM began rising to the redline. The plt reduced power & proceeded to make an emerg landing. During a turn toward the…NTSB MKC85LA214Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Olathe, KSThe student plt lost directional control of the acft while practicing touch & go landings. Winds in the local area were reported by fss as being from 110 degs at 12 KTS, gusting to 17 KTS. The plt lost control of the acft during a landing roll, ran off the…NTSB LAX85IA396Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportNorth American SNJ-4 · Reno, NVThe pilot experienced a 'severe vibration' and made an emergency landing during a heat race at the national championship air races. Subsequent examination revealed that a propeller blade pitch change bolt, p/n 53546, had failed, allowing one propeller blade…NTSB DEN85FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680FL · Fort Collins, COThe plt was operating his acft under the rules of 14 CFR 135, I.e., a scheduled domestic cargo flt. He made a normal departure and climb en route to salt lake city, Utah. Normal communications and radar flt following was established with denver ARTCC.…NTSB MKC85FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Hoskins, NEThis accident occurred on a telephone cable patrl flt. The acft would normally fly along the route of the buried cable at 200 to 300 ft AGL. When construction activity was sighted the plt would first record the sighting on a portable tape recorder and then…NTSB MIA85FA251Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJodel D-9 · Okeechobee, FLThe plt had flown only 4 has in the last 6 months in a Cessna 150 type acft & had never flown a Jodel 09 before. The plt boarded the acft, declined a cockpit check by the owner & made an immediate take off. The plt took off from the grass strip without…NTSB LAX85LA390Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell S-2R · Coalinga, CAThe pilot stated that he turned onto the final approach for landing on rwy 36 as the sun set on his unlighted ag strip. He said that he lost sight of the strip during the landing flare, and driftd of the right side of the runway into high vegetation. The drag…NTSB LAX85LA389Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150E · Apple Valley, CAWhile practicing stop and go takeoffs and landings, the solo student plt flared too high on the second landing and lost directional control. The plt applied power to negotiate a go around. The nose ptiched up and the acft stalled. The acft contacted the gnd…NTSB FTW85LA347Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Angleton, TXThe plt had descended to very low alt (10-15 feet above ground level) during VFR weather conditions while still several miles from his destination arpt and impacted an electrical power line. He made a precautionary landing and rendered first aid to his…NTSB DEN85LA239Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · Gallup, NMThe student plt was returning from a solo x-country flt. Prior to landing, he called the fss & was advised that the wind was from 190 deg & was gusty. As he landed on rwy 6, the acft veered to the left, went off the rwy, hit a rwy light & was damaged.NTSB CHI85LA373Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164A · Irwin, OHAt an alt of aprx 20 ft AGL after takeoff, the #1 cylinder failed. A straight ahead landing was made in a corn field during which the acft was destroyed. The eng had under gone a major overhaul 197 hrs prior to this accident.NTSB ATL85LA274Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Dalton, GADuring arrival, the student plt elected to land on a taxiway since the rwy was closed for constuction. He stated that he made a normal pattern, but was a little high on final apch. He reported that he flared about 20 ft above the taxiway, then the acft landed…NTSB ATL85LA273Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 404 · Hayesville, NCFisherman heard an aircraft overhead but did not see any sign of it in the night sky. Shortly thereafter they saw a flash and fire on the side of a mountain, then they heard the explosion. The sheriff was called and an investigation revealed a crashed…NTSB ANC85LAA05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportde Havilland DHC-3 · Cape Douglas, AKThe acft nosed over during a forced landing on a tundra following a loss of pwr. The plt reported he made a low pass over a downed acft on a beach and as he advanced the throttle, a rapid decrease in pwr occurred. The acft and eng were not recovered from the…NTSB SEA85LA210Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Winnemucca, NVThe student had recently purchased the acft. On 9/5/85, an instructor plt, who had delivered the acft to the Winnemucca arpt, gave the student a total of 0.4 hr dual instruction, which included 2 landings. The instructor then indorsed the student's log book…NTSB SEA85LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Issaquah, WAThe acft landed nose down short of the rwy during a forced landing following fuel starvation. Investigation disclosed the main fuel line was blocked by pieces of the primer valve piston 'o' ring which had deteriorated due to the continuouuse of automotive…NTSB MIA85LKG06Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna A188B · Bascom, FLThe acft collided with a pecan tree during a spray operation the plt said he should have been more attentive to the operation of the acft and the environment.NTSB LAX85LA388Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Modesto, CAThe student plt reptd the final approach angle was too shallow. He added power and as the acft arrived over the threshold he reduced the power. The acft landed hard and bounced. When the acft became airborne the plt added power to execute a go-around. The…NTSB FTW85LA344Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Kraemer, LAAcft was descending from cruise alt when it entered a radar lvl 3 thunderstorm and control was lost during a night VFR flt. The acft impacted a swamp in a vertical attitude with the rt wing leading slightly. The lft wing was found about 10' south of the main…