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 CHI85LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152II · Indianapolis, INThe student plt lost directional control on rollout following a bounced landing. The CFI attempted to regain control but was not able to before the acft departed the rwy and nosed over.NTSB CHI85FEV01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLarry Schindler Midget MUSTANG-1 · Paxton, ILThe acft pitched up at about 100 ft AGL after takeoff. After a rt & left turn the acft pitched down and struck the ground left wing down at about a 30 degree angle. No evidence was found to indicate a failure or malfunction of the acft or components.…NTSB ATL85LA227Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Camden, SCWhile the acft was flying over wooded terrain, the eng lost power. The plt saw a plowed field aprx 3 mi away & began an emerg apch to the field. The acft struck the tops of trees on final apch, but continued flying until the plt made a gear up landing. An…NTSB SEA85FYM03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 170B · Manzanita, ORAircraft was observed to enter a low overcast shortly after take off. The aircraft then hit a mountain about 4 miles north of the departure airport.NTSB SEA85FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportConsolidated-Vultee PBY-6A · Northport, WAWater bomber acft landed on lake with dump doors partially open during landing phase of water pickup run. Mechanically operated dump door locks were applied before dump doors were closed. Plt controlled dump doors from pilots control wheel, co-pilot operated…NTSB SEA85FA181Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Ketchum, IDStudent pilot on cross country flt, route thru mountain pass and mountains. Attempted emergency landing on highway. During approach and while turning toward selected landing site, plt inadvertantly set full nose down trim with half flaps. As acft completed…NTSB NYC85LA199Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Lawrence, MAAfter refueling the acft, the plt attempted to start the eng with the throttle full open and the mixture at idle cut off. The instructor thought the eng was vapor locked and was going to drain the gascolator when he noticed a fire in the carburetor airbox.…NTSB MKC85LA192Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCB · Grand Island, NEDuring flt, the plt encountered radio receiver problems & diverted to Grand Island, NE. During arrival, he requested a special VFR clearance, but could not ascertain if the tower had answered. Radio communication was established in the traffic pattern & the…NTSB MKC85LA174Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Ames, IAThe desired rwy (19) was closed at the destination, so the plt landed on rwy 13 with a 15 kt x-wind. The x-wind was within the capability of the acft & the plt. After touchdown, the plt used full rudder & brake to maintain directional control. However, he…NTSB MKC85LA172Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140B · Minden, NEPlt said that he was unable to clear wires at the end of the 2,100 ft long, sod, farm, strip. He said he began truning to avoid the wires and in the turn the acft settled, the rt wing hit the ground and the acft crashed. The acft weight was near max allowable…NTSB LAX85LA332Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B · Poston, AZThe plt reported weather conditions during the night aerial application flt were 'clear and winds of 15 KTS with gusts to 20 KTS. After three unsuccessful attempts to line up for the spray run, the plt said he allowed the acft to 'get too low and slow' while…NTSB LAX85FUM01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2A · Ramona, CAOn July 28, 1985 at approximately 1820 hours, a pitts S-2A, N56PS, owned and operated by william l. travis, crashed on a hillside on the 192 deg radial, 12.8 nautical miles from the julian VOR. The flight was for the purpose of aerobatics. The aircraft was…NTSB FTW85FA300Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportS.N.I.A.S. AS350D Astar · Houma, LAThe plt landed at a microwave antenna tower and did not shut down the eng or deplane. An employee at the tower retrievedcargo from the helicopter (a small box of parts) and went back inside the tower building. Shortly thereafter, the plt apparently initiated…NTSB DEN85FA202Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Wilsall, MTThe plt obtained a wx briefing that forecast IMC. He filed a VFR flt plan and departed polson, Montana at 0830 en route to powell, Wyoming. The plt said he encountered low ceilings, low visibilities, and drizzle just past helena, Montana but he continued. The…NTSB CHI85LA320Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Franklin, WIThe pilot used a shortfield takeoff and the acft would not fly. The plt aborted the takeoff and landed on the end of therwy, overrunning the rwy and striking a ditch. The plt reported engine RPM normal and the acft was under max gross takeoff weight.NTSB CHI85FA316Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Plain City, OHThe plt had just taken off from his pvt strip for the fourth flt of the day when witnesses heard the eng quit. The acft had been flown 3.4 hrs since the last refueling. The acft was being operated on a mixture of avgas and automotive fuel with no STC. The…NTSB ATL85LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Athens, ALDuring an aerial application flight the aircraft lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot made an emergency landing in a corn field. The pilot stated that he visually checked the fuel prior to take off and it appeared as if there was enough fuel to…NTSB ANC85LA137Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Drift River, AKApln crashed on gravel bar after wing tip hit ground during low alt turn. The unlicesed plt stated that he WA s in his second 360 deg turn & hit his own wake turbulence.NTSB ANC85FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Red Devil, AKShortly after the plt took off on a ngt flt to bethel, the acft crashed just north of the east/west rwy in a nose down attitude & on a southwesterly heading. The acft was destroyed during impact, but contd sliding aprx 35 yds to the north edge of the rwy,…NTSB SEA85LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman 164 · Klamath Falls, ORA landing was being made on an agricultural airstrip when a dust devil was encountered. During application of brakes the right brake failed due to a leaking o ring. The aircraft then veered right striking a fence.NTSB SEA85LA180Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Jarbridge, NVShortly after departure the left wing was raised by a gust of wind. During correction the aircraft then yawed right. Almost full aileron was used to maintain level flight. The aircraft then descended to the ground. Inspection of the aircraft revealed no…NTSB NYC85LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140B · Duanesburg, NYAccording to the pilot, the aircraft landed and was taxiing to the fuel pump. The aircraft was moving fast and when the hand brake was applied it did not function. The pilot veered the aircraft off the runway in an attempt to slow it down. The aircraft rolled…NTSB NYC85LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Coventryville, NYDuring a local flt over Coventryville, NY, the plt decided to overfly and observe a building. The plt made one pass and was about to make another when the eng began to lose pwr. While planning to land in a nearby fld, the eng regained pwr and the plt…NTSB MKC85LA173Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Norcatur, KSThe acft had been spraying for 40 minutes at 2500 ft MSL with a density alt of aprx 4600 ft when it stalled during a turnaround. It then impacted an electric pwr pole followed by the terrain.NTSB MKC85LA171Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-31A · Cozad, NEThe plt reported that during a descent to land at kearney, NE, the eng lost power & oil oozed out of the cowling & covered most of the windshield. During a forced landing apch, he released his seat belt so he could see thru a small section of the windshield.…NTSB MIA85LA221Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Davisville, FLThe pilot stated that on landing roll out at the agricultural airstrip, the aircraft struck a ditch causing the nose gear to collapse.NTSB LAX85LA331Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206G · Taohoma, CAOn July 27, 1985 a float equipped Cessna TU206G landed on choppy water, nosed over and sank at the seaplane base in lake tahoe, CA. The pilot and 1 passenger were not injured. Witnesses reported that time water conditions were moderate chop with waves 2 to 5…NTSB FTW85LA299Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Alpine, TXThe plt experienced a partial pwr loss when about 50 ft above the rwy, just after liftoff. The acft was about 300 ft down the rwy with some rwy still remaining. He landed the acft but was unable to stop until the acft had run through the perimeter fence. It…NTSB CHI85LA340Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Sharonville, OHAccording to the plt, the eng quit 4 hrs into the flt due to 'apparent fuel exhaustion.' He had entered the blue ash traffic pattern instead of going to his original destination because his fuel gages read 1/8 full instead of 1/4 full as he had expected. The…NTSB CHI85LA326Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Kankakee, ILThe plt landed on the 5100 ft x 100 ft rwy, porpoised several times, lost directional control and veered off the rwy. The nose gear broke off and the acft nosed down.NTSB CHI85LA319Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Madelia, MNDuring cruise engine power was lost. The pilot was unable to restart the engine. During landing in an oats field the acft nosed over.NTSB CHI85LA318Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C33-A · Hobart, INThe eng lost complete pwr during cruise. The plt landed on a road and the acft collided with a pile of gravel. Fuel was found in both tanks, however, the bladder fuel tanks were found partially collapsed. The fuel cap 'o' rings were to be replaced but were…NTSB CHI85LA317Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson L-5 · Waynesville, OHThe plt took off on a test flt to check the eng after it had been inspected & the carburetor had been overhauled. He made a ground check & full eng run-up before taking off. Intending to stay in a closed traffic pattern, he took off, made a normal climb in…NTSB BFO85LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStampe SV4C · Fredericksburg, VAThe acft lost directional control and veered to the right. Colliding with a tied down Cessna 210, N2542X, while taking off from rwy 23 at shannon airport, Fredericksburg, Virginia.NTSB ANC85FA136Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Anchorage, AKThe pilot attempted to takeoff uphill from a short airstrip with a steep incline during a no wind condition. The airplane drifted off the centerline after liftoff and struck three parked airplanes before hitting trees and turning over. Uphill takoffs are not…NTSB SEA85LA183Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T-188C · Pasco, WAThe pilot elected to depart an 1800 foot gravel airstrip with a 90 degrdd f temperature. The density altitude was about 3100 feet. The aircraft was heavily loaded, approaching gross weight. The pilot made the decision during the last 1/3 of the runway to…NTSB SEA85LA179Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Yamhill, ORThe eng ceased operating at aprx 40 ft AGL during initial takeoff climb. Investigation disclosed the acft had been fueled with a mixture of automotive fuel and 80/87 avgas. The acft had sat on the ground for over 4 hrs with a surface tem of 95 degs f. a…NTSB NYC85LA196Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Manahawkin, NJAfter overflying the airfld and deciding to land on rwy 22, the plt concentrated on the airspeed and alt of the acft. A twr east of the flt was noticed and was not considered a problem. During the final apch, the plt was distracted by a passenger who said to…NTSB NYC85LA195Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · West Lebanon, METhe acft nosed over after overrunning the airstrip following a loss of pwr. The plt reported the eng began running rough and the application of carb heat did not increase the pwr. During the landing apch the eng began runnin rougher and about 1/2 of the…NTSB MKC85LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Leon, IAThe plt reported that when he was on final apch to land, the acft encountered a downdraft & its rate of descent increased. He applied power to correct the situation, but the left main gear hit a fence post aprx 10 ft short of the rwy & failed. Subsequently,…NTSB MKC85FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · North Loup, NEThe acft was observed flying low over the ground in the vicinity of where it eventually crashed. A witness aprx 1/2 mi from the crash site noticed the plane flying low over a corn field as though the student plt was practicing ag-acft type swath runs. (The…NTSB MKC85FA168Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchubert Cassutt Sport · Admire, KSAt 0847 CDT, July 27, 1985 N1115G radioed a nearby fss. The station that was called was closed but another fss heard thecall. During the transmission the plt reported that he had an eng problem, was pumping oil overboard and could not see outside because the…NTSB CHI85LA329Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rockford, ILThe student plt originally planned a x-country flt from janesville, WI, to champaign, IL, to galesburg, IL & back to janesville. The total route of flt was aprx 390 mi. The plt had calculated that he needed 3-3/4 hrs of fuel. At champaign, he purchased an…NTSB CHI85LA328Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Lakewood, WIThe student plt and his pax had landed on an airstrip on a golf course. On takeoff the student plt lifted off early and stalled back on the turf. He then lost directional control, veered off the airstrip and struck a golfer in the back with the outer section…NTSB CHI85LA327Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHoward DGA-15P · Fond Du Lac, WIThe plt had accurued aprx 12 hrs of flying time on the day of the accident. During the final landing the acft touched down at the rwy mid-point and bounced. The acft then struck a rwy light and veered off the rwy paved surface into soft sod. The plt attempted…NTSB CHI85LA321Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Delaware, OHTotal loss of engine power occurred in the descent. The flight was vectored toweard the nearest airport but was unable to reach the runway. The aircraft was landed in a rough field. The left magneto was found seized during engine examination.NTSB BFO85LA063Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Woodbine, MDThe acft nosed over during a hard landing at Woodbine airport, Woodbine, Maryland, while on a check ride.NTSB ATL85FA224Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 680-FP · Chesapeake, OHAs near as can be determined, this was the plt's second flt since obtaining his multi engine rating and third flt since obtaining his com'l plt certificate from a designated p.e. the acft was observed to depart lawrence co. arpt and upon reaching a point over…NTSB ANC85LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Kustatan River, AKThe plt reported that he was taking off from a River/lake area with glassy water on a hot/sultry day. After initial lift-off, the acft settled & touched down on the water, then lifted off again. It flew beyond the edge of the lake, then settled & nosed over…NTSB MIA85LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Apalachicola, FLThe plt stated that he elected to land at Apalachicola due to wx in the area, but on final apch, the eng started to run rough, then quit. He landed short of the rwy in a swampy area & upon touchdown, the acft flipped over on its back. Exam of the acft after…