NTSB investigations, 1985
180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 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 ANC86LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Anchorage, AKThe pilot stated that during the touch and to landing, the aircraft stalled approximately 20 feet in the air. The pilot was trying the slow the aircraft down for a short field landing when it stalled.NTSB NYC86LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Rochester, NYThe acft contacted the terrain following a loss of control during an attempted go-around.NTSB NYC86LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Bristol, CTThe acft was on a return flight back to teterboro when an eng failure occurred for unknown reasons. The plt requested vectors to the nearest arpt which was robertson but he was not able to reach it. A forced landing resulted in an open fld during which the…NTSB MKC86LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Coy, ARThe pilot reports that the engine of N3587V was run at idle for an extended time before the takeoff was attempted. After several minutes, the engine died. It was restarted and the takeoff was commenced immediately. According to the pilot, the engine was…NTSB MKC86FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Ainsworth, NEThis med-evac helicopter was being positioned to pick up a patient. The plt obtained a wx briefing which included a forecast for a chance of marginal VMC along the planned route, although at the time of the briefing the dest weather was VMC. The flt departed…NTSB FTW86LRG08Accident · No injuriesFinal reportRobinson R-22HP · Pflugerville, TXThe helicopter rolled over when the right skid contacted the ground during a hover. The plt stated he had landed to and opened the door to check the skid position. After takeoff while in a hover at 2 ft AGL, the door popped open. The right skid contacted the…NTSB FTW86FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150E · Shawnee, OKThe unlicensed plt was conducting an unauthorized flt when the accident occurred. The plt took off from a sod fld adjacent to a closed rwy at Shawnee, OK. Witnesses stated that the acft assumed an excessively nose high attitude immediately after takeoff and…NTSB ATL86LA046Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Mendenhall, MSThe plt stated that the acft collided with a tree while he was making a low pass over his father's home. The plt said his attention was diverted while making a left turn and the acft descended into the tree.NTSB MKC86FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Kansas City, MOThe plt was seen to enter the acft for a short time and then get out, go to the front of the acft and pull down on the prop. The eng fired and the prop struck the pilot's head. A plt who approached the acft moments after the acdt looked into the cockpit and…NTSB FTW86FPA10Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell BH206L-1 · Hurst, TXThe instructor plt was demonstrating an autorotation from the 'top of the height-velocity' curve. The CFI zeroed the airspeed and entered the autorotation at an alt of aprx 400 ft AGL. The acft touched down hard, spreading the skids, severing the tail boom…NTSB DEN86LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Longmont, COAccording to the student plt he made a normal apch to landing. The runway had not been cleared of snow to its full width. The acft's left wheel touched the snow pulling the acft off the rwy and the acft flipped over.NTSB CHI86LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild SA226TC · Cleveland, OHThe crew obtained visual contact with the rw evironment 100 ft above dh. During the landing roll the a/c traveled along the left edge of the runway until it collided with a snow bank. The runway was covered with patches of ice and packed snow.NTSB CHI86FEM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobinson R22A · Grand Rapids, MIThe plt reported he flew into the wolverine power plant for the purpose of picking up a passenger to whom he was to demonstrate the helicopter's ability to survey power lines. He continued to report, shortly after landing during normal engine shut down…NTSB ATL86LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-172M · Andalusia, ALThe acft battery power was depleted. The plt hand propped the engine with his wife at the controls. The engine started with the throttle advanced and acft taxied into trees and over an embankment. The wife was not a rated pilot.NTSB ANC86LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Aleknagik, AKThe pilot stated that on landing at a frozen lake he lost control of the aircraft causing the plane to ground loop. The aircraft then struck a snow bank on the beach.NTSB MIA86LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C-18S · Deland, FLThe pilot in the right seat was making his first landing in that make and model of aircraft. During the landing roll he tried to raise the wing flaps lever. Instead, he raised the landing gear lever causing the landing gear to retract.NTSB LAX86LA072Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Tucson, AZAfter about a 45 min wait as the number one acft for departure, the controller informed the plt that he could expect an additional 3 min wait because of wake turbulence from a (large) EC-130 acft which was approaching for a touch & go landing. The plt elected…NTSB LAX86LA071Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Arbuckle, CAThe 35-HR student plt was authorized to fly on a solo instructional flight to the colusa county arpt. But, for 'personal reasons' the student disobeyed his CFI & landed at an uncharted, gravel, private airstrip. During landing roll out the student failed to…NTSB LAX86LA070Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G2 · Moss, CAAfter starting a left climbing turn at the end of a spray run the plt said he felt a 'shudder in the airframe' as the engine 'went to full RPM.' The plt stated that he thought 'the clutch had slipped' and added collective to compensate. The helicopter began…NTSB LAX86FVM01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPitts Special G-1 · Salinas, CAOn December 19, 1985, an experimental Pitts-special, N14JD, owned and operated by the owner crashed under unknown circumstances near Salinas, California. The pilot survived but the aircraft was not recovered. The pilot stated that he had an unknown flight…NTSB LAX86FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Newport Beach, CAThe plt contacted coast TRACON (terminal radar control) & requested VFR traffic advisories to torrence. At aprx 0747 psthe declared an emergency, said the eng had quit & requested vectors to the john wayne/orange county arpt. The controllerprovided a hdg to…NTSB DEN86LA049Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH-1100 · Bountiful, UTAccording to the plt, he and three friends were en route to a local ski resort, when the helicopter encountered deteriorating wx. The plt stated he elected to cross the ridge and fly down a ravine to maintain visual reference. The plt said he was aware of…NTSB MIA86LA045Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lake City, FLThe plt stated that after a forced landing in a field due to a stuck fuel selector valve, the fuel selector was repaired and a takeoff was attempted from county road 240. At an alt of aprx 3 ft the eng sputtered & the plt lost control of the acft, veered left…NTSB LAX86LA068Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Canoga Park, CAWhile the plt was cruisin in his own acft, an eng oil leak developed, oil pressure decreased & eng power was lost, the plt attempted to make an emergency ldg on a city street, on approach the acft collided with power lines & a fence, & the acft came to rest…NTSB DEN86LA050Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V-35B · Wibaux, MTThe plt stated that light snow was falling at the arpt at the time of departure. The pax stated after the accident that the plt encountered clouds at their cruise alt of about 6000 ft. he continued to state that the acft made a shallow descent at first…NTSB DEN86LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU-206G · Denver, COWhile gnd taxiing to a general aviation terminal after ldg, the pilot taxied behind and turned downwind into jet thrust from a B737 acft as it was being taxied from a passenger terminal enroute to rwy for takeoff. The acft was blown onto its nose and right…NTSB ATL86LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Stone Mountain, GADuring ground refueling of the aircraft the fuel tank was over- filled and the fuel spilled over onto the ramp. The fuel was ignited and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.NTSB ANC86LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C-177RG · Big Lake, AKWhile performing slow flight maneuvers, the student applied power with no response. Various combinations of controls produced no further response from the engine. The instructor and student completed a forced landing in a furrowed clearing at night.NTSB MKC86LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Aurora, MOThe pilot stated there was patches of snow and ice on the runway surface a snow on the sides and as he pulled up the flaps, the airplane veered right, off the runway. He said that after he got the airplane back on the runway, it ground- looped to the left and…NTSB DEN86LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Logan, UTThe plt stated that shortly after a night departure, the acft entered a fog bank. The plt said he was turning to reverse direction and descending in order to avoid IMC. Prior to completing the turn, the plt encountered IMC and lost all outside visual…NTSB ATL86LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T · Spartanburg, SCDuring landing roll the landing gear collapsed and the acft skidded to a stop on the rwy. The acft was substantially damaged and the plt was not injured. A witness stated that he observed the landing gear in the down position while the acft was in the traffic…NTSB ANC86LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3C · Dillingham, AKNTSB NYC86LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Mt. Joy, PAPiper aircraft was in cruise flight from lancaster, PA to mt joy, PA. When an oil line apparently fractured. An emergecny landing was made in a field. During landing, the nose collapsed and the aircraft was substantially damaged.NTSB MIA86LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA4-200 · Homestead, FLThe plt stated that while on a flight from marco island FL, to ocean reef FL, he heard a loud bang and elected to land at Homestead general arpt. Upon landing he found the left muffler had seperated from the acft, struck the propeller and was driven through…NTSB FTW86FRG05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAdams William C Quickie Q1 · Beeville, TXThe acft crashed during a forced lndg after a power loss at 200 ft AGL during takeoff. The acft crashed on the arpt in a run-up area adjacent to the rwy. The only discrepancy noted during post acc exam was a very weak spark produced by the battery coil…NTSB DEN86LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Aurora, COAccording to the CFI, during a touch & go landing, the student allowed the acft to drift to the left side of the rwy where it contacted a snow bank. The CFI stated she failed to correct for the drift soon enough to prevent the accident. The landing was being…NTSB DCA86AA011Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBoeing 747-136 · Boston, MAAprx 16 ft of the left inboard trailing edge flap separated while the acft was on final apch to land. The apch and landing were completed without further incident. Investigation revealed 5 of the 8 bolts which hold the no. 3 flap trackforward attach fitting…NTSB CHI86LA049Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Dodgeville, WIAfter a x-country flt and during the landing roll the acft started to drift left on the snow covered rwy. The left main gear then encountered deeper snow causing the acft to swing to the left and run into a six-ft snowbank.NTSB BFO86LA009Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Edgewater, MDUpon returning to lee arpt, Edgewater, MD, from a x-country flt to lancaster, PA, the student plt applied full flaps during the final apch for rwy 12. During the landing flare, the acft ballooned and the plt applied full pwr in order to execute a go-around.…NTSB ATL86LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Manning, SCDuring takeoff ground run on the wet grass runway the aircraft hit a soft spot in the runway and nosed over to an inverted attitude. Both the private pilot and passenger escaped without injury.NTSB ATL86FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Langhorne, PAAcft collided with marked but unlighted transmission lines 670 ft fm rwy threshold. The lines are 81 ft above the threshold elevation and are marked but unlighted. They are also 1193 ft from the displaced threshold. The pilot did not have a current medical or…NTSB ATL86FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Springfield, TNThe acft collided with the ground inverted. Witnesses stated that the acft was performing loops prior to the accident. Reportedly, the plt was giving a female companion a 'joy ride'. The plt had recently received his commercial cert. Instrument rating & CFI…NTSB ANC86LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Wasilla, AKAircraft lost control during landing and crashed into another private aircraft. Witness reported seeing aircraft make a fast appraoch, land long, ground loop and slide side ways into parked Aeronca. Witness stated that aircraft landed with a tailwind,while…NTSB ANC86FA014Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna C-207 · Napaskiak, AKAccording to the pilot-in-command, the weather at his destination was deteriorating so he diverted to Napaskiak where he encountered freezing drizzle rain and fog. While attempting to align himself with the runway for a landing to the south, the windshield…NTSB MIA86FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-23 · Pensacola, FLShortly after takeoff on initial climb the aircraft was seen to crash back on the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right stabilator attach/hinge bolt was not installed, and the left stabilator attach/hinge bolt was found partially…NTSB LAX86LA067Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Glendale, AZAfter completing a LCL flight the plt returned to his home base arpt & proceeded to land on the 2400 ft long rwy. The plt reported that he was unable to stop at its end and collided with barricades and a fence. A witness reported that the acft skidded on the…NTSB FTW86LRG07Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150G · Donna, TXThe acft was damaged during a forced landing after a loss of power. The CFI said that ground reference maneuvers were being demonstrated to a student plt at 900 ft AGL and the engine sputtered. The CFI said that he applied carburetor heat and the eng quit.…NTSB DEN86LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Hardin, MTAfter ldg to the east on a snow covered dirt rwy, the pilot elected to t/o on an intersecting rwy to the south. He could not see the entire rwy surface from the position due to dwn slope from center of rwy. The acft impacted snowdrifts 40-50 mph on t/o gnd…NTSB CHI86MA047Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech B-60 · Carp Lake, MIDrg arrival, the plt reported a problem with his #1 nav, but said he would try to make an ILS apch. He said he would return to pontiac, if his ILS did not work. ARTCC cleared him for the ILS rwy 32 apch & instructed him to contact pellston radio (fss). At…NTSB CHI86LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 II · Aurora, ILDuring initial climbout the student plt saw his IAS drop 10 KTS. He aborted the takeoff and land hard on the nose gear. Gear collapsed.