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 DEN85LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182D · Monument Valley, UTThe pilot said that during app to ldg he encountered unfavorable winds in sheer or wind direction change causing the a/c to drop 4-5 ft onto the r/w resulting in substantial damage to the a/c.NTSB DEN85LA232Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Hayden, COPlt said eng began surging during descent from curise alt. After adjusting boost pump, throttle, and mixture, surging ceased. Plt said he dropped flaps and lowered landing gear at 2000 ft AGL and 5 mi from arpt. Eng began to surge again. Adjustment of…NTSB DEN85LA231Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Englewood, COThe pilot stated after the accident that he had approximately 1/2 full tanks of fuel when he departed the airport on a local night flight. He stated that he flew burning fuel from the left fuel tank. The pilot was returning to the airport after a flight of…NTSB DEN85FA229Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Peyton, COThe two experienced pilots took off from high alt airstrip under high density alt conditions. Witnesses said acft entered a 60-degree left banking turn. When acft had completed 120-degrees of turn, the nose dropped. Witnesses said the acft side-slipped to the…NTSB CHI85LA364Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThornhill Replica TS-1 · Marengo, ILThis aircraft is powered by a rotary engine. Thrust is varied by shorting out one magneto and varying the firing order of the cylinders via an electrical cam arrangement. The mixture control is limited to only a few settings. One of which is level flight.…NTSB CHI85LA361Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Wabash, INThe student plt was on a planned 3 leg x-country. On the second leg, he became ill and was lost for about one hour. He did not refuel as he though enough fuel remained to return to Wabash. The eng stopped about 7 miles from Wabash. The acft nosed down in a…NTSB CHI85FEP04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPZL-Bielsko SZD-45A Ogar · Ft. Atkinson, WIWitnesses reported seeing the acft shortly after takeoff at an alt of aprx 40 to 50 ft AGL. At this time, according to witnesses, the eng slowed down, the acft turned left and dove into the terrain. No mechanical failure/malfunction was discovered during an…NTSB ANC85LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Cape Yakataga, AKThe plt elected to land on a sandy/gravel area about 600 ft long & 100 ft wide which was located between hills that were 100 to 150 ft high. During a x-wind apch, the acft's rate of descent began increasing. The plt applied full power to arrest the descent,…NTSB ANC85LA165Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Gold King Creek, AKThe plt stated that when he landed, the acft was rolling out on its main gear in a tail low attitude, when he applied braking action. A moment later, the acft began to pitch nose down. He compensated with full up elevator, but the acft nosed over.NTSB SEA85LA205Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210-M · Camano Island, WAThe plt failed to visually verify the fuel on board prior to takeoff and he was aware that one fuel gage was inaccurate.a total loss of pwr occurred over water aprx 30 miles from the intended destination arpt. The plt was able to reach land during the…NTSB NYC85LA256Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen 226T · Hamilton, NYThe aircraft was on approach for landing at Hamilton, new york when the cross power levers were pulled back to flight idle. The left prop went into beta mode stalling the left wing at about 8 feet above the runway. The aircraft rolled about 20 degrees to the…NTSB MKC85LA198Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Camdenton, MOThe pilot and son were on a personal cross-country flight when the engine quit. The airplane nosed forward to the inverted position during the landing roll. The reason for the engine failure could not be determined.NTSB MIA85IA242Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar PA-600 · Sarasota, FLWhile on takeoff initial climb the right engine hydraulic pump shaft failed and the pilot did not receive a positive uplock. The pilot then selected gear down and did obtain a gear down indication. On landing the nose gear collapsed. Nose gear down locks were…NTSB LAX85LA375Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Bishop, CAThe plt reptd the landing gear collapsed during the landing roll and that the lnd gear down light was illuminated while on final approach. Examination of the aircraft disclosed the lnd gear doors were damaged by the side loads and that both main lnd gears…NTSB FTW85LRA04Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportRockwell S2R-600 · Rosharon, TXThe plt reported the acft contacted the ground after the left boom caught weeds during a spray run.NTSB FTW85LA340Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna L-19E · Palo Pinto, TXThe acft was reported by witnesses to have been flying very low over a lake just prior to accident. The acft collided with pwr lines after passing over a dam and was destroyed on ground impact. The plt reported a loss pwr was experienced. The eng was test run…NTSB DEN85LQA05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150M · Santa Fe, NMThe plt experienced a hard landing while on a solo x-country flt. The plt reported the flt had been delayed until mid-afternoon because of mechanical problems at by that time the winds had picked up. The student plt also reported having little dual experience…NTSB CHI85LA363Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCallair A-9 · Hollandale, MNDuring a maneuvering turn while crop dusting the pilot experienced a muffler failure and engine fire. He landed successfully and abandoned the aircraft. Subsequent investigation revealed that the bracket that holds the muffler/ exhaust pipe to the aircraft…NTSB ATL85FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Proctor, WVThe acft was artd msg and was the object of a search from 9-1-85 to 9-12-85. Acft found in remote area of mtns and dense woods by man on foot hunting ginseng on 9-16-85.ND witnesses found. Residents in area reported rain all day on 8-30-85 and it was heavy at…NTSB NYC85LA229Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Danville, PADuring an apch, the acft was configured with full flaps & was trimmed for 65 KTS. At about 150 feet from the desired touchdown point, the plt reduced power to land. Momentarily after that, the stall warning horn sounded & the acft fell 10 to 20 ft, impacting…NTSB NYC85LA228Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Blairstown, NJDuring a normal night landing, a deer darted onto the runway and struck the tail section of the aircraft causing major structural damage. The deer was not located.NTSB MKC85LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Cotton Plant, ARDuring the landing roll at an airstrip, the plt allowed the acft to drift. The drift continued until the acft struck a ditch bordering the rwy. The ensuing impact with the ditch substantially damaged the acft. The pilot stated the wind conditions were light &…NTSB MKC85LA196Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Gravois Mills, MOThe plt reports that he began his takeoff on rwy 07 which is 2550 ft long, has an asphalt surface and a downhill slope. Plt said the rwy is rough. He said the acft did not achieve the speed desired and he reduced power to abort. He then decided to attempt the…NTSB MIA85LA240Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310B · Hawthorne, FLWhile on a x-country flt the plt stated that the autoplt was erratic, hot and smoking. The plt further stated that he continued to use the autoplt. At about 1000 ft on final apch the autoplt failed for unknown reasons and the acft nosed down. The acft crashed…NTSB MIA85FA241Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-1B · Daytona Beach, FLPilot did not know how to turn on the instrument panel lights nor did he have a flash light available. He continued flight into darkness of night at which time he became disoriented and lost. He continued to fly until he exhausted all fuel on the aircraft and…NTSB FTW85FQG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Morton, TXAfter the plt completed a swath run, the acft entered a rgt climbing maneuver, then rolled wings level. After that, it reportedly began an abrupt climb for aprx 50 to 60 ft, then nosed down & crashed in a steep descent. After impact, the acft was destroyed by…NTSB CHI85LA366Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Germantown, OHOn return to the airfield, the acft lost pwr in the turn to final apch. The plt turned to an unprepared fld in order to avoid obstacles. During the landing roll the acft struck a fence post and fence. The plt stated the accident could have been avoided by…NTSB CHI85LA360Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G164A "450" · Constantine, MIThe acft nosed over during a forced landing in a corn fld. The plt stated that at 30 ft AGL during his second swath run the eng backfired and lost pwr. He attempted to dump the load however, the acft continued to loose alt and the forced landing resulted.…NTSB CHI85IA359Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAC 1-11-201AC · Green Bay, WIThe airplane landed & touched down in the first 1/3 of the runway. It veered to the left, then back to the center & went off the end the runway showed signs of steam cleaning where the tires were & the tires showed signs of rubber inversion. The pilot elected…NTSB ATL85IA263Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-225 · Charleston, SCThe flight was level at 330 when it encountered turbulance and the arcraft moved an estimated 200 feet down then up before the crew could regain altitude control. Two flight attendents and several passengers initially complained of injuries. No documentation…NTSB ANC85LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7AC · Chetaslina Rvr, AKThe pilot stated that he run out of runway and he did not reach min flying speed for lift off. The tundra run way created more drag than the pilot had anticipated. The pilot then departed thr tundra runway lost directional control of the aircraft crusing a…NTSB SEA85LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWelch Avid Flyer · Bonner'S Ferry, IDThe plt reported that during takeoff, the eng seized as the acft was climbing thru about 350 ft AGL over the end of the rwy. He stated that the acft was in a maximum climb when the eng seized & immediately went into a power off stall. He recovered from the…NTSB NYC85LA233Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-1C · Wheatland, NYAcft departed leroy, NY, on an instructional flt to rochester, NY. Fifteen minutes after departure the flt made a forced landing in a bean field. Examination of the acft showed no useable fuel remained.NTSB NYC85LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P · Wrightstown, NJDuring an enroute climb the pilot noticed a manifold pressure loss on the left engine. Oil pressure and temp gauges went off and the left engine was secured by the piilot. During shutdown a passenger informed the pilot that the left wing was turning brown.…NTSB NYC85LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Newark, NJWhile taking off with a left x-wind, the acft began to veer to the left. The plt corrected by using differential power & right brake, but the acft continued to veer left & went off the rwy. Subsequently, the right main gear collapsed & the acft was…NTSB NYC85LA224Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Central Square, NYThe plt stated the acft would not climb out of ground effect during takeoff. He flew the acft between trees at the end of the rwy and severed the wings from the fuselage. The acft was found to be 317 lbs over gross weight.NTSB FTW85LA338Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Crystal Beach, TXThe plt reportedly was delivering the acft to Crystal Beach, TX, from its home base at orange county airport, TX. The pilot reportedly call the owner and told him he had bent the acft upon landing at Crystal Beach. He was told by the owner to wait at the acft…NTSB FTW85LA336Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Conroe, TXAcft was substantially damaged during an off-arpt emergency landing following an eng failure. During landing roll acft collided with a fence and the gear collapsed. Investigation revealed about 13 gallons of fuel in right fuel tank and none in the left tank.…NTSB FTW85FA335Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth American British Harvard Mkii · Ada, OKTwo fully qualified single engine plts were in the acft at the time of the accidnet. The acft was observed making low passes near the airport after takeoff. One plt's mother lived near the accident site. The acft was in a steep banked right turn when the…NTSB ATL85LA262Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 404 · Huntington, WVSeveral men who were in a building at the airport reported that they could hear the aircraft on the approach and then a loud noise. They could not see the runway or the aircraft due to the fog. They got in the fire and rescue vehicles and had a hard time…NTSB ATL85FA261Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C-99 · Conover, NCAcft was on trng flt for initial copilot qual for commuter air carrier. Instructor and two trainees were on board. The acft departed charlotte at about 2314EDT for the hickoryarea for trng. At about 0015EDT,it was reported that the crew visited the hickory…NTSB SEA85FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Bridge, IDAt 1445 MDT, the 60 yr old plt departed on a routine, VFR, repositioning flt which he had frequently flown before. After takeoff, he leveled the acft at 9500 ft on a direct course toward the destination. While en route at about 1515, the acft began a shallow…NTSB NYC85LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Reading, PADuring a descent for landing, the eng lost power & the plt made a forced landing in a grass field. However, the grass was damp & the plt was unable to stop the acft before it hit a cyclone fence. According to the local township police, the plt stated the acft…NTSB NYC85FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Carlisle, PADuring the second takeoff attempt from a pvt grass strip witnesses heard the eng sputter then quit soon after liftoff. The acft then descended to ground impact and burned. The acft had not been flown adn was kept out of doors for several months while the…NTSB MKC85LA194Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182RG · Mountain Home, ARThe acft hard landed on a soft sod rwy separating the nose wheel from the nose gear strut. The acft bounced back into the air and descended with the nose strut digging into the runway. The acft flipped inverted sustaining substantial damage. The plt stated…NTSB LAX85LVA04Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 204-B · East Clovis, CAThe acft was being flown for a maintenance ck. While climbing at about 50 ft AGL a bang was heard and eng RPM decreased. Plt initiated autorotation and attempted a flare at about 20 ft AGL. The tail rotor hit and the acft became airborne after hitting on the…NTSB LAX85LA374Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT301 · Williams Afb, AZAfter making his first swath run,during the hours of darkness,the pilot became disorented and flew into an area with tall electrical transmission lines. He descended into trees beneath the lines in his attempt to miss them.NTSB LAX85LA371Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Santa Paula, CAWitnesses stated that the acft was observed in a nose high attitude followed by an apparent stall and subsequent impact into a river bed.NTSB LAX85FA373Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA226TC Metro II · Fresno, CAWhile in cruise flight at 16,000 feet one of the three propeller blades separated at the shank. The unbalanced condition twisted the eng from its mounts and into the fuselage. The cabin was punctured and rapid decompression followed. The crew was able to…NTSB FTW85LRD04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna A188B · Rayville, LAThe acft contacted the terrain in a cotton fld during an uncontrolled descent which occurred on takeoff. The plt was test flying the acft in anticipation of possibly purchasing it. The plt reported that when aprx 1/2 the way down the rwy the acft did not…