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 ANC85LA174Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-206 · Big River, AKThe pilot-in-command was attempting to taxi through shallow water to reach the takeoff point. As the airplane's floats came up on step a gust of wind from the left rear caused the airplane to weather vance and struck the streams bank. The stream was very…NTSB SEA85FA211Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Emmett, IDNewly-licensed plt departed into mountainous terrain in thunderstrom conditions despite warnings from friends. The acft wreckagewas located two days later in rising terrain below power 11 miles from pt of departure. Investigation revealed high speed vertical…NTSB MKC85LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Greenfield, MOThe plt reports that he extended the landing gear and wing flaps at the same time and the landing gear circuit breaker tripped. The plt was not aware that the gear had not extended and the acft landed with the gear retracted.NTSB MIA85LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Opa Locka, FLThe plt stated that while attempting a touch & go landing he lost control of the acft & landed in a muddy area on the north side of the rwy.NTSB MIA85LA249Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Key West, FLThe acft failed to arrive at its intended destination on a flt plan from ft. lauderdale FL. To Key West FL. Navy Key West apch was providing VFR flt following, radar & radiocontact was lost with the acft 20 NE of Key West. The whereabouts of the occupants are…NTSB MIA85FA248Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 100 · Oak Hill, FLThe plt was making his first flt in his recently purchased acft. The plt stated that both fuel tanks were full prior to take-off. Approximately 20 mins after take-off, an attempt was made to switch from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. Seconds…NTSB FTW85LA345Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Caddo Mills, TXThe CFI PIC stated the eng lost power with the acft about 400 to 500 ft AGL. He couldn't return to the arpt due to lack of altitude. He elected to land in the plowed field. The acft touched down and flipped inverted. The air induction duct was found…NTSB CHI85IA369Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportFokker F27-500 · Chicago, ILAt about the time full power was obtained the heard a loud bang followed by a fire warning for the left engine. The takeoff was aborted and the crew shut down the engine. The passengers were deplaned on the taxiway after it was determined the fire was out &…NTSB ATL85FA272Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportMBB BK-117A-1 · Aiken, SCPlt was maneuvering helicopter at low alt and into rising terrain. On 3rd right turn racetrack pattern, witnesses observed acft descend slightly, roll into a 45 deg or greater bank and contact trees. The acft started a yawing rotation to the right and…NTSB ANC85LA175Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Farewell, AKAcft failed to gain alt & crashed on takeoff from gravel bar weight & balance. CG, & winds were questionable.NTSB ANC85LA173Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BL-65 · Rainey Pass, AKThe plt was taking off on a strip of tundra about 1000 ft long in calm wind conditions. During the takeoff roll, he lost directional control & the acft ground looped & was damaged. No mechanical problems were reported.NTSB NYC85LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVolksplane VP-1 · Sharpsville, PAThe plt experienced a loss of eng RPM during cruise flt. He applied carb heat and lowered the nose of the acft in an attempt to regain eng RPM however, the eng continued to loose speed. The eng was below 2000 RPM and dropping when the plt elected to make a…NTSB MKC85LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Lincoln, NEShortly after takeoff in an acft with amphibious landing gear. The plt cancelled his flt plan and had the twr check the landing gear. He then made a precautionary landing in a lake with the wheels retracted. One wheel was not fully retracted at touchdown and…NTSB MKC85LA212Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · St. Charles, MOStudent plt on first solo takeoff experienced left yaw after liftoff. While plt attempted to correct for the yaw the acft touched down beside the rwy, traveled a short distance, collided with a dirt bank and nosed over. The plt said there was a left crosswind…NTSB MKC85LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bridgeport, NEN2920E was taking off on a 2,800 ft long, turf rwy. There was a lt crosswind of 12 KTS and the density alt was 5,000 ft. the plt said the acft encountered a dip in the rwy and swerved to the lt momentarily. He said he regained directional control but then…NTSB MKC85LA210Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Bee Branch, ARThe airplane was on a local flight when the engine failed. During the forced landing, the airplane ran through a fence row of trees. Inspection revelaed that the rocker arm bosses on the number one cylinder had failed. Cylinder had been installed 50 hours…NTSB MKC85FCD02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 M · Emmetsburg, IAThe acft crashed in a turkey farm field after losing alt during takeoff. A witness said the acft settled as though the plt was raising the flaps after takeoff. The acft lost alt in a rt turn, and landed 1 mile south of the arpt post acc investigation showed…NTSB MIA85IA246Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-8-71 · West Palm Bch, FLDuring take off roll the #4 engine failed causing catostrophic destruction of the engine. During subsequent examination the left vgv actuator pin was found to be missing. Without this pin the vgv ARM8 are aysemetrically driven. The vgv arms were found broken…NTSB LAX85LA386Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPeterson J-4 · Tucson, AZThe student pilot stated that he observed a tow airplane and a glider on the runway as he turned onto the final aproach to land. He said that he continued his approach and when the tow aircraft and glider failed to take off he attempted to turn off the…NTSB LAX85FA385Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportJonas Humming Bird · Tucson, AZThe experimental homebuilt acft was designed by the plt and incorporated a lifting body symetrical airfoil shaped fuselage. Pitch control was to be accomplished with a narrow chord canard. Witnesses saw the acft lift off briefly to about 10 ft AGL during the…NTSB FTW85LA354Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26C · Rockdale, TXThe pilot observed and cleared serveral obstructions in the approach path of his intended landing area. However, he did not see one small and unmarked electrical power line until too late to take evasive action. This line was about 30 feet above ground level…NTSB CHI85FEV03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172 · Sweetwater, ILThe acft was observed flying at low alt parallel to a hiway before colliding with a tree before impacting the ground. The plts wife said that the plt had been under extreme stress for a few months and had not been to bed for 2 days preceding the accident. She…NTSB BFO85IA074Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Washington, DCNorthwest flight 78 (NW78), a B-757, was parked at gate 17 facing east with mobile passenger lounge (mpl) docked at L1 door. United 52, a DC-10, taxied in easterly direction by left side of NW78, then turned right to southeasterly heading to follow lead-in…NTSB ANC85LAG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportTaylorcraft 19 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot stated that after he recovered from the spiral theaircraft struck the tree tops. At the time of the accident the weather was below VFR.NTSB SEA85FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Wenatchee, WAAfter two application runs, plt apparently attempted to shorten the race-track pattern by initiating the inbound turn into a canyon. Acft was observed to climb clear of the canyon wall near completion of turn, but load was jettisoned at this point and the…NTSB MKC85LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Morrilton, ARThe airplane was on a night flight when the engine failed. During the forced landing, the airplane struck and remained attached to high voltage powerlines. Inspection of the engine revealed number three cylinder cracked and the top compression ring on number…NTSB MKC85LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Oxford, IAThe eng quit abruptly while the acft was cruising at 3,500 feet. The acft collided with standing corn during the night forced landing. After the acdt the fuel selector was found on the lt fuel tank, the lt tank was empty and the rt fuel tank was full. The plt…NTSB MIA85FA247Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Pensacola, FLThe commercial plt & CFI departed from gulfport, ms on a night VFR x-country flt to gulf shores. Al. The flt landed at foley, al after the plt mistook foley for gulfshores 10 mi south. The flt departed again & was advised by ATC to fly a heading of 170 deg…NTSB CHI85LA371Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Ann Arbor, MIThe right main tire blew and the left main landing gear was damaged during a hard landing. Aprx 1 foot of the lower half of the firewall was wrinkled.NTSB CHI85FA370Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlobe GC-1B · Romeoville, ILThe pilot was reportly departing on a xcountry flt. During climbout, in the traffic pattern, upon reaching base leg area the acft was observed to turn back towards the arpt descend and strike the ground. Witnesses reported no sound of engine was heard. The…NTSB ATL85LMG07Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172N · Anderson, SCThe plt reported that the acft encountered a gust of wind as he was landing & the nose went up. Subsequently, the acft landed hard & was damaged.NTSB ATL85LA271Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305A · Star, NCDuring landing roll the aircraft ground looped and the rightlanding gear separated from the aircraft. The pilot stated that the right brake locked causing the aircraft to veer to the right. No evidence of brake malfunction was found.NTSB ANC85LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180-J · Egegik, AKAcft nosed over while taxiing for takeoff from a dry lake bed. He was taxiing with a 35 to 40 kt tailwind.NTSB LAX85LA383Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Huntington Beac, CAAcft lost power on takeoff from Huntington beach, CA, and crashed landed on the arpt. The acft was destroyed and the plt was not hurt. Examination of the fuel system revealed only 1.6 gals of fuel present.NTSB LAX85FA384Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Carson, CAThe acft lost pwr at 1500 ft shortly after departure from compton, CA. The plt performed an emergency landing on a dirt road and the acft contacted a concrete curb. The eng had a Beech mandatory service bulletin no. 2033 completed the day before the accident…NTSB DEN85FTK03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Tea, SDThe student & instructor plt (CFI) were practicing landings. After making 3 touch-&-go landings, the eng lost power at aprx 200 ft AGL as they were on their 4th takeoff. The CFI reported that he turned the acft about 25 deg in an attempt to glide to a bean…NTSB DEN85FTE08Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 182N · Alamosa, COThe acft contacted trees, a fence and a ditch during a precautionary landing on a dirt road. The plt stated that when approaching his destination, the eng began running rough and he was unable to correct the problem. He then decided to land on the road and…NTSB DCA85AA036Accident · 31 fatalFinal reportDouglas DC-9-14 · Milwaukee, WIThe Safety Board's full report on this investigation is provided as Aviation Accident Report number AAR-87/01. To obtain a copy of this report, or to view the executive summary online, please see the Web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/publictn.htm Drg…NTSB CHI85LA372Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Washington, ILThe plt attempted to takeoff on the 1800 ft long grass airstrip with 3 passengers on board. A 90 deg, 12 kt x-wind was present and the OAT was 91 deg f. after liftoff, the acft settled back on the airstrip and continued off the end into a bean fld where the…NTSB CHI85FEM02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 170A · Fruitport, MIThe acft was destroyed during a precautionary landing after the left side of the eng cowling opened shortly after takeoff. The plt reported the cowling opened at an alt of aprx 50 ft AGL. A climb to 300 ft was made and the acft was turned onto downwind. The…NTSB CHI85FA368Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28R-200 · Ravenna, OHThe non-instrument rated pilot continued VMC into IMC. The pilot contracted youngstown ATCT for assistance. Within a few minutes radar contact was lost. Prior to ground impact portions of the aircraft separated. There was no record of a wx briefing being…NTSB ATL85LA270Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-26AT · Columbia, SCThe pilot stated that during landing roll, after slowing the aircraft to approx 40 KTS the aircraft swerved off of the runway following activation of the nose wheel steering. The pilot related that the nose wheel steering system malfunctioned on two previous…NTSB ATL85LA269Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Tunica, MSThe plt stated that during aerial application maneuver he allowed the airspeed to get too low and the acft settled into a soy bean field. The left wing contacted the crop and the acft cartwheeled.NTSB ATL85FMG08Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Shuffletown, NCThe acft contacted a fence during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. The flt orginated at grand ledge, MI, at 1100 EST and an unscheduled landing was made at adrian, MI, because of wx. The flt departed adrian, MI, at 1320 EDT. The plt reported that…NTSB ATL85FLT10Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Mcewen, TNThe plt stated the acft stalled during a turn at an alt between 200 and 300 ft AGL. Recovery was not accomplished prior to the acft impacting the terrain.NTSB ANC85IA172Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna C-172P · Scammon Bay, AKThe pilot elected to takeoff from the taxiway because it aligned into the wind. After takeoff and accelerating to climb airspeed, the airplane's controls felt mushy and the pilot elected to land on the road/taxiway. Prior to touchdown, a gust of wind forced…NTSB LAX85LA387Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Buckeye, AZThe plt attempted to depart on soft silt & sand. During the takeoff roll the acft wheels sank into the soft terrain necessatating differential braking to maintain directional control. As the acft approached a ditch the plt forced the acft airborne. The acft…NTSB LAX85LA382Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180B · Placerville, CAAcft ran off the rwy after landing. Plt reported acft veered to the left off the rwy and was able to correct back after application of power. Winds were variable at 7 KTS gusting to 12 KTS.NTSB FTW85LA342Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Port Sulphur, LAThe plt stated he initiated his water takeoff run on a canal which had a left bend. When he rounded the bend he observed a 15-20 foot high piling (post) in the middle of the canal and a peninsula of land about 300 yards beyond the piling. He steered to the…NTSB DEN85LTG08Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Underwood, NDThe acft nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. The plt stated he was practicing slow flt on the return flt from picking the acft up after an annual inspection. As the acft slowed to 90 mph during slow flt, the plt attempted to increase…