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 NYC85LA188Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4 · Sidney, MEAccording to the plt, the acft was on step and in indicating about 45 KTS airspeed. It then encountered a boat wake and began flying. The acft porpoised 2 or 3 times and then collided with the water in an estimated 10 to 15 deg nose down attitude. The pwr was…NTSB NYC85LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Marlboro, NJAccording to the pilot, the aircraft floated during the flare to touchdown. The pilot applied power for a go around, but the aircraft did not clear some bushes at the end of the runway. The aircraft landed straight ahead in a field and rolled about 300 feet…NTSB NYC85FNC06Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-11 · Moultonboro, NHThe 65 HP acft took off from a cove and during a turn at about 150 ft AGL the acft nosed dwn after rolling rt. The acft struck the water in a steep nose down attitude. According to witnesses, the bng was running normally during the climb and descent. No…NTSB NYC85FA185Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Fall River, MAWitnesses observed the acft execute an aerial pick up of the aerial advertising banner & climb very steeply away from the ground. Normal eng sounds were reported by the witnesses. The acft was observed to climb to an alt of approx 150 ft, nearly come to a…NTSB LAX85LUJ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-1 · Page, AZThe acft contacted the ground during an attempted go-around. The plt had tried to perform a x-wind landing.NTSB FTW85LA295Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · South MarshThe plt was initiating a takeoff from a hover off an offshore oil rig. As he lowered the nose for takeoff, he heard a loud noise emit from the tailboom area & the acft began rotating to the right. The plt continued to apply pwr and autorotated to the water.…NTSB FTW85LA293Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Graford, TXThe pilot arrived in the mineral wells, TX, area, his intended destination, and stated he couldn't see the airport due to the rotating beacon and runway lights not operating. Notamed to this effect, however, the airport supervisor stated that to the best of…NTSB DEN85LA194Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Kalispell, MTThe plt was returning from a local pleasure flt, it was a hot day. The plt said that he inadvertently leveled the acft aprx 10 ft high. He said the acft stalled causing a hard landing. The impact caused substantial damage to the acft.NTSB CHI85LA310Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · Milford, MIThe pilot made a 'steep approach' to a hover over a boat channel and then ld in the yard of a residence. He then picked up a 270 id pax flew a short flt and was refueled with 25 gals of fuel. After another short flt the pilot returned to the channel and…NTSB CHI85LA307Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · Sheboygan, WIThe acft collided with a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of power in cruise flt. The plt reported he switched the fuel selector from the left to the right tank, & after aprx 3 minutes, a total loss of power was experienced. He stated that…NTSB CHI85LA304Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210H · Burlington, WIPilot estimated 15 gals of fuel at preflt. After 15 min grd delay due to traffic pilot tookoff and climbed to 2,500'MSL. After cruising 22 nmi the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. During attempt to ld in corn field pilot attempted to stretch his glide and…NTSB ATL85LA222Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G-109B · Williamson, GAThe plt of the powered glider reported that during an apch to land, the acft encountered a downdraft & landed hard. The landing gear was damaged as well as the prop, eng cowling & oil cooler.NTSB NYC85LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNew Standard D-25 · Rhinebeck, NYThe acft was moving at about 30 mph when the gear collapsed. According to the plt, the landing gear leg fitting failed causing the gear to collapse.NTSB NYC85LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-95 · Stowe, VTDuring cruise flt, the plt heard a loud knocking coming from the eng and a decrease in oil pressure. During the landing in a fld, the landing gear collapsed and the acft ground looped. Examination of the eng disclosed that the hydraulic lifters of three of…NTSB MKC85LA163Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Forest City, IAShortly after the acft took off with 4 skydivers on board, its eng seized at an alt of about 300 to 400 ft. the plt selected the best available area to land which was a field of tall corn on rolling terrain. During the emerg landing, the acft nosed over.…NTSB MKC85LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Indianola, NEN4848Q was loaded to max gross wt and was taking off on a 2,350 ft, turf rwy. The plt said the wind was light and favored rwy 29 before takeoff. The density alt was about 2,500 ft. the plt said the acft did not seem to be developing quite the power it should…NTSB MKC85FA175Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lee'S Summit, MOThe plt discharged one passenger without stopping the eng & motioned to the next passenger (his wife) to come around from the front of the airplane. Subsequently, his wife walked into the propeller & received a serious injury to her arm.NTSB MIA85LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Frostproof, FLThe instructor plt (CFI) reported that while cruising at 2000 ft, the acft eng began losing power. He elected to land on a narrow highway that was bordered by trees. He stated that during the landing, the wind blew the acft off the asphalt surface, the nose…NTSB LAX85LA334Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20A · Compton, CAThe student plt had a total of 36 flight hrs which included 9.4 hrs in the monney acft. He had been authorized by his CFI, who flew with him the preceding day, to practice landing. On the student's first attempted ldg, he touched down hard & began porpoising.…NTSB LAX85LA326Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Grand Canyon, AZThe preparing for an air taxi, sightseeing flight, the PIC performed a preflight inspection of the acft & failed to observe that the rt main fuel tank was nearly empty. Five(5) min after takeoff the rt eng's main tank fuel supply was exhausted & the eng lost…NTSB LAX85LA324Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30 · San Andreas, CAThe plt took off on a 2 hr flt with about 6 hrs of fuel on board. On several occasions during the flt, he repositioned the fuel selector handle. He stated that when he made a very shallow turn to the right, near his destination, the eng suddenly lost power.…NTSB FTW85LA292Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Chattanooga, OKThe plt lost directional control while landing in a crosswind and the acft ground looped after the left main landing gear contacted soft terrain alongside of the runway. The nearest official aviation weather reporting station was at lawton, OK, located 16…NTSB CHI85LA303Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206BII · Farmington, MNDuring maneuvering to ld in an uncultivated fld the tail rotor struck a fence post,from a dismantled fence,that was concealed by high weeds. One tail rotor blade was separated,the pilot lost control,and on touchdown the helicopter rolled over.NTSB CHI85FA301Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G2A1 · Brook, INThe helicopter contacted the terrain in a flat attitude and rolled over during an autorotative landing. A witness stated an autorotation was entered at 800 ft AGL during which the plt made a 360 deg descending turn. An application of pwr was heard at an alt…NTSB ATL85FLT09Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Memphis, TNThe acft nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. Purpose of the flt was to practice night takeoffs and landings. On the fifth takeoff, at aprx 200 ft AGL, a total loss of pwr was experienced. The acft contacted an embankment during the…NTSB SEA85LA174Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Lebanon, ORThe plt stated he performed 4 circling approaches over a sand bar and on the 5th approcah, rotor RPM decayed. Unable to regain the RPM, a hard landing resulted during which the main rotor blades severed the tailrotor.NTSB SEA85LA173Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180G · Battle Mountain, NVWhile landing at Battle Mountain to refuel, the left main gear collapsed. The wind was reported to be from 360 deg a 18 gusting 30 KTS.NTSB NYC85LA184Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Nantucket, MAThe acft was observed in a medium left bank turning through a south southwest heading as it appeared from the clouds. The acft continued to descend in that attitude until it collided with the trees about 3.5 miles southeast of the arpt. The plt and passenger…NTSB NYC85LA183Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · Gardiner, NYDuring the return flt to Gardiner, NY, the plt elected to fly along the walkill river. The acft contacted power lines which crossed over the river and came to rest inverted in aprx 1 1/2 ft of water. The plt stated he was unaware of the power lines and he did…NTSB NYC85FA189Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601 · Erie, PADuring a normal IFR cruise flight, the pilot of air Ohio flight 21, did not respond to ATC instructions. Air Ohio flight 21 continued for 40 minutes with no reply and without deviation in altitude or heading until the discrete target disappeared from radar…NTSB LAX85LA323Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Soda Springs, CAOn July 19,1985 a Bell 206B lost control while maneuvering near Soda Springs,CA.the aircraft was substantially damaged and the two pilots sustained serious injuries. The repoted he was maneuvering at 30 mph looking for sheep in mountainous terrain when he…NTSB LAX85FA322Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phelen, CAAfter receiving a preflight weather briefing 1 hour and 20 minutes before takeoff, that cautioned of lowering ceilings and thunderstorms along his proposed flt route, the plt took off under VFR. A flt plan was not filed. As the acft climbed to its cruise alt…NTSB FTW85LA296Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Kilgore, TXThe plt was to ferry the acft from mena, AR, to jacksonville, TX. During pre-flt he discovered the fuel gages were inop and a visual check of the fuel quantity was made. The plt estimated sufficient fuel remained in the tanks to complete the 50 minute flt. En…NTSB DEN85LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Sykeston, NDThe plt said he made a normal landing on an aerial application airstrip. During the rollout the plt spotted an unmarked mail box. The plt said he swerved to avoid colliding with the mail box. The acft went off the side of the strip and into a field. The plt…NTSB CHI85LA299Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Big Falls, MNThe plt diverted into the Big Falls arpt because his original destination was below VFR minimums. After checking the sod runway for a firmness & determining a go/no go point, he subsequently took off using soft field techniques. His rotation was well in…NTSB CHI85LA298Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Pepin, WIThe aircraft traveled three quarters down a 2300 foot sod runway and the pilot attempted to takeoff with 55 KIAS. The aircraft mushed into trees off the end of the runway when the pilot couldn't obtain flying speed. The pilot reported full engine RPM was…NTSB BFO85LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182RG · Stevensville, MDAfter landing to the left of the centerline of rwy 10, the acft veered left off the rwy and collided with a drainage ditch located approximately 10 yards from the rwy. Following contract with the ditch, at approximately 15 mph, the acft flipped over, coming…NTSB ATL85FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Kennesaw, GAThe acft lost power on # 2 eng shortly after take-off. The acft crashed and burned in a wooded area several miles sw of the arpt. The # 2 eng was severly damaged in the fire. No pre-impact malfunction could be documented. Examination of the prop did not…NTSB ANC85LA132Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Mccarthy, AKThe pilot-in-command was departing from a 600 foot long airstrip at a 3400 foot field elevation. The takeoff run was downslope and the pilot had to pull the airplane off the ground by use of the control stick and the application of full flaps, the 40 degree…NTSB ANC85LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Glennallen, AKThe pilot-in-command made a low pass over the airstrip from south to north and UP0N reaching the departure end began a right hand turn at 50 to 75 foot above ground level. Upon reaching 30 to 40 degrees angle of bank, he lost control of the airplane.…NTSB SEA85FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J3-C-65 · Goose Prairie, WAThe acft contacted trees while the plt was performing low level passes over a boy scout camp. Witnesses reported the plt made three passes over the camp and during one of those passes, the plt dropped a bag of candy bars to the scouts. The fourth, during…NTSB NYC85LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-16 · Livingston, NYThe acft departed the right side of the rwy where it collided with a corn crop during a landing roll. The acft owner, a pvt plt, stated a mechanic on board was flying at the time of the accident. The mechanic stated that the owner was at the controls when the…NTSB NYC85LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Bedminster, NJN4319F heard NG138J announce its position in the traffic pattern throughout the approach and landing. N4319F landed on runway 30 and was taxiing back to the ramp on the parallel taxiway. The occupant of N4319F observed N6139J land about midway down the runway…NTSB NYC85LA178Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C172 · Ellington, CTThe acft collided with the ground during takeoff from rwy 01 at Ellington, Connecticut, and was substantially damaged but there was no fire. The pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft crashed for undetermined reasons.NTSB MKC85LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180G · Harrison, ARThe plt stated that during a wheel landing, the acft bounced, but not hard. He reported that he applied sufficient power to recover & made a smooth, 3-point touchdown, then the acft began a gradual skidding turn to the right. The plt corrected with left…NTSB MIA85LA214Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Moultrie, GAThe plt stated that while he was on an aerial application mission, the helicopter ran out of fuel. During an autorotation, the main rotor severed the tail boom.NTSB MIA85LA213Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Leesburg, FLThe plt experienced an electrical failure while on a night flt & was unable to activate the rwy lights by keying his radio. He elected to land on the unlighted rwy without any landing lights rather than divert to another arpt. The plt stated that during the…NTSB MIA85FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · San Juan, PRThe acft was taxiing northbound on the north-south taxiway and collided with the vehicle moving westbound along the east-west access road. The access road is a designated non-movement area under the control of the puerto rico port authority. The plt stated he…NTSB CHI85LA302Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Youngstown, OHDuring initial climb, the plt noted a vibration. He was unable to identify the source & elected to land gear up on the remaining rwy. An exam of the acft revealed that the stick shaker sys had been activated by an electrical problem in the left eng nacelle…NTSB CHI85LA288Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-55 · Eden Prairie, MNThe acft collided with the fence during an aborted takeoff. The tires of the acft showed signs of hydroplaning after the accident. No mechanical discrepancies were noted during the investigation. The takeoff was aborted the plt said because the acft yawed…