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 SEA85LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-23-5B · American Falls, IDWhile departing into bright morning sun from a road to spray crops, the pilot pulled up to avoid power lines. A departure stall was then entered into. The pilot dumped his chemical prior to striking the ground hard.NTSB NYC85LA218Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-95 · Millinocket, METhe plt reported that he was departing from south twin lake in winds that were from 270 deg at 12 gusting 20 KTS. After the acft lifted off the water, he started a slight turn. He stated that at about that time, a gust of wind simultaneously lifted the nose &…NTSB LAX85LA360Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Tolleson, AZAccording to the pilot,the engine lost partial power while in cruise flt. He selected a cotton field in which to make a precautionary lng. The aircraft over shot the intended landing area and impacted a utility pole. The collision ruptured the fuel system and…NTSB LAX85LA359Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · San Jose, CAThe pilot stated he was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern when the engine quit. He was unable to glide to the runway and landed in a construction area where the aircraft collided with a dirt pile and flipped over. He further stated that he had flown…NTSB FTW85LA329Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Coushatta, LAAcft experienced a complete engine failure shortly after takeoff while at an altitude of approx 500' AGL. It was substantially damaged when it ran thru 2 fences during the ensuing forced landing. Investigation revealed that the eng fuel pump ejector nozzle…NTSB FTW85FRD03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAdvanced Technology Predator 480 · Welsh, LAThe acft impacted the terrain in an uncontrolled descent during the initial takeoff climb. The plt reported that after takeoff at an alt of aprx 20 ft AGL, the acft rolled 20 to 25 degs to the right. After correcting for the roll, the plt stated, the acft…NTSB DEN85LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rocklake, NDThe student plt got lost during her 1st solo x-country flt. She subsequently attempted a lng on a gravel road but swerved the a/c off the road to avoid an oncoming car & the a/c received substantial damage.NTSB DEN85FA227Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31B-310 · Vernal, UTThe plt cancelled his IFR plan and began descent from 13000 ft in preparation for landing at Vernal, UT. The acft impacted ground in wings level attitude under power. Plt was seriously burned by post-crash ground fire. Investigation revealed no evidence of…NTSB CHI85LA355Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Ashkum, ILThe left wing of the acft contacted crops during an attempted takeoff. The plt reported liftoff was too soon and the acft veered left contacted crops. The plt stated that he should have stayed on rwy longer.NTSB CHI85LA353Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · West Chicago, ILDuring application of pwr during a touch-and go landing the acft 'started to get sideways' on the rwy. The plt allowed the acft to drift off the left side of the rwy into the grass. A ground loop subsequently occurred which substantially damaged the acft.…NTSB LAX85LA364Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Monterey, CAFollowing an uneventful flt,the pilot taxied towards his parking area. He said as he looked to his right for a parking space the acfts left wing impacted a hanger and the acft turned left nosing into the hanger door.NTSB FTW85LA326Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Farmerville, LAThe plt took off and started his climbout with the fuel selector on a fuel tank which was virtually empty. The eng stopped reaching an alt of 200 feet AGL. The plt made forced landing in trees. There was an ample supply of fuel (about 70 gallons) distributed…NTSB CHI85FA354Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Wilmington, OHThe pilot was flying on a south casterly heading of approximately 150' at a low altitude when he struck a set of static lines at approximately 170' AGL. The aircraft flipped over and hit the terrain at approximately 60, nose down in a stand of corn. The pilot…NTSB BFO85LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Holly Grove, VAAfter takeoff, the acft lost pwr approximately 150 feet AGL. The plt added carburetor heat and turned the acft back towards gvm spring airport, gum spring, Virginia, but an emergency landing was executed in a short pasture, approximately 100 yards short of…NTSB ATL85LA253Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18S · Carlisle, MSAfter aprx 1 hr of LCL flt, the 67 hr pvt plt returned to his pvt grass strip for landing. He made a full left traffic pattern. At the 180 deg point, carb heat was applied and pwr reduced. After turning final and lowering full flaps, the plt added throttle…NTSB ATL85FMG06Accident · No injuriesFinal reportLet L-13 · Chester, SCThe glider landed about 150 ft short of the rwy on the plts 1st solo in this acft. He said he noticed a rapid drop in alt at 55 mph on final approach and began to change spoiler position to compensate. He complained that the stiffness of the operation of the…NTSB ANC85MA157Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 24D · Gulkana, AKDuring a night arrival, the flt was on an instrument apch to the Gulkana arpt when radio contact with the acft was lost. A search was initiated & the wreckage was found 7.4 mi north of the terminal VOR on the 330 deg radial. The inbound course for the VOR rwy…NTSB SEA85LA199Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Preston, IDThe acft landed at Preston, ID, for fuel in a x-wind of 15-20 KTS, gusting to 30 KTS. A gust at touchdown veered the acft to the rt. The plt attempted a go-around with full flaps. Flaps were reduced as a stall occurred. The acft hit the ground and bounced…NTSB MKC85LA195Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Wichita, KSThe plt stated he touched down with what appeared to be a soft landing but the acft started to porpoise. A go-around was performed and another landing accomplished without incident, however, the acft was substantially damaged during the first landing.NTSB MIA85FA235Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · St. ThomasWitnesses stated the acft was flying slow at aprx 200 ft alt photographing a group of sail boats. As the plt entered a left turn to reverse course, it stalled and nosed down striking the water in a near vertical attitude. At the time of the accident the acft…NTSB LAX85LA358Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Bakersfield, CAThe pilot stated that, as he was on the landing roll, two dogs chased a horse across the runway, and that he was unable to avoid striking the horse with the aircraft's left wing.NTSB DEN85LTG07Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAeronca 058B · Mott, NDWhile departing a stubble field, the aircraft's tire ran into a soft spot in the ground and the aircraft turned and struck the shoulder of a road. The right gear broke and the right wing tip struck the ground, the right strut broke, the tail wheel and rudder…NTSB DEN85LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Aurora, COThe student pilot stated that he was attempting to land on runway 14. He executed a go-around because the aircraft was not aligned with the runway. The pilot applied full power and raised the flaps. Because of the flap switch design, when the pilot put the…NTSB DEN85FA225Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Torrington, WYThe plt had a limitation on her certificate that prohibited flight at night. The flt was conducted at night and while enroute the plt diverted to the Torrington arpt. The rwy is equipped with plt activated lgts. A witness stated that the acft circled several…NTSB CHI85FA356Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Rose Township, MIJust prior to the accident, several witnesses observed the acft flying at a very low alt in the vicinity of the crash site. The crash site was located across the road from the home of the plt's brother. According to witnesses, the acfts eng was operating…NTSB ATL85LA254Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Spring City, TNThe student was on a solo cross-country training flight when the engine lost total power without warning. The plt made an emergency landing in a field and durning the landing the aircraft collided with trees and was substantially damaged. Post crash…NTSB ANC85LA156Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Northway, AKThe right main gear collapsed during landing. Post accident examination of the landing gear disclosed the rear door actuator rod failed and the gear door was bent. The right hand main gear downlock failed in an area which appeared to have been previously…NTSB SEA85LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Independence, ORThe plt descended to a low alt over a river to look for birds. While over the river the plt spotted pwr lines at an alt of aprx 75 ft AGL. An attempt was made to fly under the lines, but the tail contacted the wires severing aprx 6 inches off the top portion…NTSB SEA85LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180A · Buxton, ORThe pilot misjudged his touchdown point on the 1,000 foot airstrip and had an excess of airspeed. And overrun occurred and the aircraft went down an embankment. At the time of touchdown, there was only about 4 KTS of headwind available.NTSB NYC85LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Goshen, NYAcft ran out of fuel while plt was returning to orange co arpt. Plt almost froze on controls when acft engine stopped running. Plt overshot emerg landing fcd and hit trees.NTSB NYC85LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Provincetown, MAPlt experience eng pwr loss during tke climb at a height of about 350 ft. the plt headed toward a beach and ditched about 50 yards offshore in order to avoid crowd. The acft submerged underwater afterwards. Examination of the acft disclosed leadlike…NTSB NYC85LA215Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell BH206L-1 · Hawley, PAThe helicopter arrived at a private residence to transport race car drivers to the pocono raceway. During departure the pilot failed to see powerlines in the flight path that contacted the main rotor system. The main rotor system failed and the helicopter…NTSB NYC85FNA03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Newburyport, MAThe pilot attempted a landing at night with an inoperative landing light and no runway lights. After circling the airport 3 or 4 times he attempted a landing. The aircraft received substantial damage and the pilot received serious injuries. The passenger…NTSB NYC85FFA03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172L · Parishville, NYThe pilot was attempting a landing in a Cessna 172L on a 1250 ft grass runway. He misjudged his touch down point and landed approximately 1/2 way down the runway. The aircraft was unable to stop on the remaining runway and ran off the departure end of the…NTSB MKC85FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · New Madrid, MOA witness said N267CD made a low pass down the farm airstrip and as the acft neared the end of the strip, it began a climb, banked to the left and descended to the ground. The acft impacted in a nose low, left wing low attitude.NTSB LAX85LA354Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Safford, AZThe aircraft experienced a partial engine power loss after departing Safford municipal airport on a VFR personal flt to sky harbor arpt, phoenix, AZ. The plt negotiated an emerg lndg in a flt brush area. Prior to touchdown the acft struck a mesquite tree and…NTSB LAX85LA353Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMike Stone Moni · Byron, CAWhile on the initial test flt, the amatuer-built r. m. stone moni acft crashed near Byron, CA. The plt reported that during the flight the acft began to 'flutter', followed by separation of the canopy. Shortly thereafter the acft entered into an…NTSB LAX85FA355Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Rialto, CAThe christian eagle biplane was returning from a local instructional flight and entered the pattern on a normal 45 degree entry, announcing position and intentions on the UNICOM frequency. The Cessna 150 was departing the airport on a local instructional…NTSB FTW85LA327Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Lubbock, TXThe plt was advised that he was cleared for an intersection takeoff on rwy 17R. After his run up, the plt attempted a night takeoff to the north on an unlighted taxiway that ran parallel to the active runway. Controllers advised the pilot to abort, which he…NTSB DEN85FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172P II · Cedar City, UTThe plt took three of his friends up for a pleasure flt in the local area of Cedar City, Utah. VMC prevailed at the time. The plt continued to climb his acft as it passed over rising terrain. The flt terminated in a box canyon with high terrain on all sides.…NTSB CHI85LA352Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Hector, MNAfter liftoff from an open field, on a short local flight the helicopter experienced fuel exhaustion. During the auto rotation landing, in an open field the helicopter rolled on the side.NTSB ANC85LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCBC · Fairbanks, AKDuring landing the plt applied hard braking to avoid an airplane and rolled over.NTSB ANC85LA153Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 10A · Wasilla, AKThe acft contacted trees during a forced landing following a loss of pwr which resulted from fuel exhaustion during an initial takeoff climb. The plt attempted to land on a road, however, when a car pulled onto the road, the plt flew the acft into trees. Only…NTSB ANC85FA154Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 MK.1 · Tutna Lake, AKThe acft crashed on the side of a mountain at an elev of 2200 ft aprx 3 miles from its intended destination, a remote lake. Purpose of the flt was to discharge caribou hunters into an area where caribou were spotted early that day. The acft was destroyed by…NTSB NYC85FHJ05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMaule M-4-220C · Somers, NYThe acft stalled & nosed over during an attempted go-around after a fast approach to a gravel landing strip which was 5 miles from the planned destination. The plt said he added power to go around when he thought his airspeed was too high. The acft dropped on…NTSB NYC85FA213Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-305A · Brooklyn, NYDuring an aerial banner tow operation at low level along the beach, witnesses observed the airplane bank sharply to the right and dive into the water. Witnesses recall the engine noise to have been loud yet sputtering before the impact. Inspection of the…NTSB MKC85LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPezetel M18 Dromader · Wilmot, ARAt lift-off fm a private ag-strip the plt experienced an abrupt right yaw. The plt stated he compensated with left pedal to maintain straight and level flt. The plt stated he was unable to maintain altitude and dropped his load of chemical during which the…NTSB MKC85LA188Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Lee'S Summit, MOThe plt reported that the eng start & run-up were normal before he took off on a night currency & proficiency flt. After 2 normal takeoffs & full stops, he made a 3rd takeoff. He climbed to 1000 ft AGL on a x-wind leg, reduced power to 20' manifold pressure &…NTSB MKC85FA189Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2A · Sedalia, MOThe plt was taking 2 passengers on a helicopter ride at a fair. Immediately after lift-off, he encountered a situation where he was unable to maintain directional control, so he reduced power & landed. Before coming to rest, the tail of the helicopter struck…NTSB MIA85LKG04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna A188B · Bainbridge, GAThe acft stalled during aerial application operations and collided with the ground. The plt said the wind was gusting to 30 KTS and during a steep downwind turn the loaded acft stalled at 100 ft AGL. The plt recommended less steep turns and not operating in…