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 MKC86LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Gardner, KSLanding on an ice covered rwy, the cross-wind was stronger than rptd. The acft drifted left despite control input to correct. The nose gear collapsed before the plt could initiate a go-around. The rptd wind was 340 degrees at 8 knots. The plt stated it was…NTSB MIA86LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-18S · Opa Locka, FLThe plt stated that while on his takeoff roll, the left main wheel started to shimmy, the acft pulled left then veered off the right side of the rwy, collapsing the tail wheel & coming to rest in the grass.NTSB LAX86LA065Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller H-23A · Madera, CAThe helicopter crashed during a local frost protection flight. After about one hour of light, in dark night time conditions, fog appeared suddenly and the pilot became disoriented and crashed into the ground.NTSB LAX86FVA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobert D. Campbell KR-1 · Oakdale, CAThe acft crashed in a cow pasture in VMC wx. The acft left wing struck the ground in a steep angle of bank and the acft nosed in throwing the eng 450 ft farther across the field. The canopy & canopy latch were found prior to the impact point of the left wing.…NTSB LAX86FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Oxnard, CAThe acft took off, pitched up steeply, stalled, nosed over to the right and crashed, nose down into the grass south of the rwy. Post accident inspection of the acft disclosed that the 2 inch bolt the plt used as a control gust lock for the elevator and…NTSB FTW86FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · College Station, TXThe acft rolled to the right and crashed after a catastrophic (uncontained) failure of the rt eng during takeoff for a night flt. The rt eng fan rotor disc separated from the hub which damaged the cowling and some disc fragments buried in the fuselage but…NTSB BFO86LHD01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 414 · Georgetown, DEThe acft impacted trees during a VOR apch and descended to ground impact. The plt flew the apch with the autopilot coupled. The alt hold and alert were set for the mda. When visual contact with the arpt enviroment was established, the plt disconnected the alt…NTSB ATL86LLQ04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBeech BE-60 · Lexington, KYThe left main gear and nose gear collapsed following a loss of control during touchdown. During the flare the acft banked sharply to the right and struck the rwy. The acft then bounced onto the left gear, collapsing it and the nose gear before slidding off…NTSB SEA86LA030Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B · Kimberly, IDA forced landing with a rollover onto snow occurred due to the number 3 cylinder rod failing.NTSB MKC86FA033Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Omaha, NEN8895E was climbing through 2,800' MSL, 15 min after takeoff and when the pilot retarded the throttle to climb power, the eng quit. The pilot selected an open field for the forced landing but collided with trees during the approach. Examination of the eng…NTSB DCA86RA010Accident · 256 fatalForeign investigationDouglas DC-8-63 · Gander, CanadaNTSB CHI86FA111Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Evanston, ILThe aircraft was on climbout on an IFR flight plan in VMC conditions when the engine failed. A restart was attempted and the engine ran for a minute or less. Subsequent attempts were unsuccessful. The aircraft was over lake Michigan and had insufficient…NTSB LAX86LA064Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 335 · Yuba City, CAUpon completing a 35 min sight-seeing flight the plt entered the traffic pattern & prepared for landing. While descending, both engines lost all power. The plt stated that he repositioned the fuel selectors to the aux tanks, power was restored to the left…NTSB LAX86LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150K · Honolulu, HIThe plt reported that 5 mins after takeoff the eng reduced to idle pwr, & attempts to restore full pwr were unsuccessful. The plt did state that brief periods of pwr obtained by using the hand primer. The acft was unable to maintain alt & was ditched about 25…NTSB ATL86FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Corning, NYDuring ILS runway 6 approach acft hit high terrain short of the outer marker. When on downwind for approach pilot said he was not receiving the localizer and asked for a surveillance approach. Controller said he could not provide. When cleared for the ILS…NTSB MKC86LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Topeka, KSN4NP diverted from the original destination forbes field Topeka,Kansas to billard field,b NM away, due to weather. Billard ATCT advised the flight during initial contact, before N4NP reached the ILS fof, of the runway braking action. The pilot said braking…NTSB LAX86FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Independence, CAWhile en route, the acft collided with moutainous terrain (trrn) at an aprx elev of 13,500 ft. previously, the plt had requested & was rcvg traffic advisories fm ARTCC. Bfr the acdnt, the acft's psn & alt (mode c reply) were noted by the controller (ctlr). No…NTSB CHI86FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA365N · Adrian, MIThe purpose of this flight was to pick up an injured patient and return him to a medical center. The weather was adequate for a VFR takeoff. However, enroute weather reports indicated fog and probable low ceilings. According to the single survivor of the…NTSB LAX86LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Upland, CAOn December 9, 1985 at 0730 PST a Cessna 152 registered to walter d. cable of upand, California collided with a parked truck while taxiing for takeoff on the paralellel taxiway of rwy 24 at cable airport, Upland, CA. VMC prevailed at the time. The airport was…NTSB LAX86FA061Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-201T · So. Lake Tahoe, CAPrior to departing on a VFR flt from south lake Tahoe, CA, to tracy, CA, the plt failed to obtain a wx briefing or file a flt plan. Wx at the arpt of departure was reported as scattered clouds at 1500 ft, broken ceiling conditions at an estimated 3000 ft,…NTSB DEN86LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Missoula, MTThe solo student plt was attempting to land during a local flt when he lost control of the acft during the landing roll. The plt stated that the acft veered to one side of the ice covered rwy where it contacted 6 to 8 inches of snow, the acft continued…NTSB NYC86FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Peru, MADuring IFR flight at 12000 feet both aircraft vacuum pumps failed. Aircraft descended in right turn off radar. Witnesses observed aircraft at low altitude above trees, circle, make steep left turn, climb and descend to ground.NTSB MIA86LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 337F · Sarasota, FLThe plt stated that all attempts to extend the landing gear were to no avail. He then intentionally landed gear up on the left side of rwy 4.NTSB MIA86LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDouglas C. Campbell Varieze · Orlando, FLThe plt stated that the acft lost power, & in an attempt to return to the arpt, the acft collided with a light pole & some orange trees, coming to rest on a canal bank. Post crash examination of the eng revealed that it failed because the #4 rod ass'y…NTSB LAX86LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Selma, CADuring cruise on a VFR x-country flt, the plt stated that the eng became rough with moderate vibration levels. After shutting down the eng, the plt made a forced landing in a fld, collided with gnd obstructions & collapsed all 3 landing gear. Examination of…NTSB FTW86LPA08Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 152II · Frisco, TXThe student plt stated that he departed mckinney municipal arpt at aprx 1030 LCL en route to wichita falls, TX. He said he became disoriented while en route, but landed at wichita falls at aprx 1220 LCL. The plt did not refuel the acft. He then departed…NTSB DEN86LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Aurora, COAccording to the plt, the right wing struck a fence while diverting off the taxiway centerline to make room for another oncoming acft. Contact with the fence resulted in a bent spar in the right wing.NTSB CHI86FA042Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportLearjet 35A · Rochester, MNThe aircraft had just successfully completed a series of practice approaches to a full stop. The training flight was being conducted to give refresher training to the pilot who had not flown a lear jet in over a year and had never flown a lear model 35. The…NTSB ATL86LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Stone Mountain, GAAfter an IFR flight into his home area, pilot changed dest to land on his home airport. Made a VFR pattern to land on rwy 17. Plt stated that he flared too late, hit the runway, bounced real high and went around. Made a soft field ldg and when tying acft down…NTSB SEA86LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M-5-180C · Idaho Falls, IDA total loss of power occurred during an ILS approach due to induction ice. During touchdown on 12 inches of snow a nose over occurred.NTSB LAX86LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210D · Flagstaff, AZThe plt noticed a weakness of the acft's left brake during taxi for takeoff but elected to make the flt. Control tower personnel at the destination arpt stated the acft landed long and attempted to turn onto the right highspeed taxiway. The plt stated that…NTSB FTW86LRG04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 150J · Temple, TXThe acft nosed over during a forced landing on soft terrain following a total loss of eng pwr. The plt reported that the eng quit while on a 45 deg entry to the downwind leg for rwy 15. The plt then attempted to restart the eng and maneuver the acft toward…NTSB FTW86FRA02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna T210N · Houston, TXThe acft crashed in a wooded area during a forced landing after fuel exhaustion. The acft had extra fuel cans on board and had been flying for almost 12 hours in an attempt to avoid capture by U.S. Agents for the possession of marijuana. The acft contained…NTSB CHI86LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Carbondale, ILAccording to the student pilot flying the plane, after he touched down on his main wheels he lowered the nose and he heard a crack. The nose wheel then collapsed andthe aircraft slid to a stop. According to the operator of the aircraft no preexisting…NTSB CHI86LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Kalamazoo, MIUpon the approach to hover for landing on a snow covered airstrip, dry snow blew up and obscured the pilot's visual references. One skid touched down as the helicopter was moving laterally causing the aircraft to roll over on its side.NTSB CHI86LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Rochester, INUpon takeoff and after reaching an altitude of approx ten feet the right side of the cowl became unlatched and whipped up into the airstream, blocking the pilots forward view and causing some control problems. He elected to abort the takeoff and ran off the…NTSB ATL86FA037Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Clover, SCThe aircraft experienced an engine failure during cruise flight and attempted an emergency landing in a field. During landing roll the aircraft collided with small trees on the FAR end of the field. Post-crash examination of the engine disclosed that the bolt…NTSB SEA86FA028Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 335 · Pendleton, ORAt 500 ft AGL on departure climb, with lndg gear unretracted, plt felt vibrations similar to rough-running engine but noted no instrument indications, throttled back and leveled off. While trouble-shooting problem, plt noted acft was descending at 1200 fpm,…NTSB DEN86LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Billings, MTThe acft was damaged during a forced landing in a fld following a loss of pwr from fuel exhaustion. The plt stated that during the preflight he checked the fuel level by the gages and not visually. The gages indicated slightly over one-half full at that time.NTSB DEN86LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H-391B · Bozeman, MTAccording to personnel in the area, the plt radioed he had smoke in the cockpit and was returning to gallantin field, his departure point. Later, the plt transmitted that the eng lost total pwr and he was making a forced landing. During the investigation, it…NTSB DEN86FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Columbia Falls, MTThe acft contacted snow covered terrain in an uncontrolled descent aprx 3 minutes after takeoff. The plt obtained a wx briefing from kalispell, MT, NWS and updated briefings from missoula and great Falls, MT, fss, for proposed night VFR flt to ogden, UT. VFR…NTSB CHI86FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 320 · Ada, OHThe pilot overflew a planned intermediate stop before running low on fuel. He was unable to find the airport he was being vectored to & attempted to land in a plowed field during dark conditions. As the aircraft passed over powerlines the aircraft was…NTSB ATL86LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hickory, NCStudent pilot was returning from a solo cross country flight. In his report the student said he flew a long final with the VASI showing a proper descent angle. The acft was landed with a shallow flare touching down in a flat attitude. It bounced, bounced…NTSB ATL86LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Bishopville, SCDuring an attempt to make a direct crosswind landing at a private grass airstrip, the plt allowed the acft to drift off the left side of the rwy where it nosed over in a plowed fld.NTSB ANC86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Shageluk, AKThe acft contacted trees and descended to the terrain while on an apch to a lake. The plt reported the acft windscreen kept frosting up and he had to repeatedly wipe it clean. In the process of wiping the windscreen he approached the lake at a lower than…NTSB NYC86FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Selinsgrove, PAThe afct was seen flying at low alt before it collided with unmarked transmission lines at a height of 170 ft AGL. The acft pitched up and then descended to the ground. The top of the rudder and vertical stabilator were severed from the acft. The collision…NTSB LAX86LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301 · San Jose, CAAfter completing a personal flight the plt landed the acft. Upon touchdown on the 8899 ft-long by 150 ft-wide rwy the plt failed to maintain directional control of the acft. There was a 70 deg, 8 kt. Right x-wind. The acft overran the runway's edge, entered a…NTSB LAX86LA056Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210R · Scottsdale, AZWhile descending from 9,500 to 5,000 ft MSL, the plt reported that the eng suddenly lost all power. The plt stated that he was unable to restart the eng & made an emergency landing at a nearby arpt. The plt, who had entered the downwind leg for the 8,251 foot…NTSB LAX86LA054Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Deer Valley, AZShortly after begining descent from 7,500 ft. m.s.l. the acft experienced a total loss of power. Prior to descent the plt richened the mixture and applied carb heat. The pilot radioed his position & situation to Deer Valley tower, Deer Valley, Arizona while…NTSB LAX86FUJ02Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 182G · Gila Bend, AZOn December 4, 1985, at 1928 MST, a Cessna 182, N3205S, collided with a power utility pole near paloma, AZ. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the two people on board the…