NTSB investigations, 1987
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\") = 1987 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") = 1987 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 DEN88FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Afton, WYThe acft was not certified nor equipped for flt into icing conditions. The plt elected to depart even though he was advised by the crew of a C-182 that had just lndd to stay below the clouds because of icing. After tkof the acft cleared an 11000 ft mtn range…NTSB ATL88LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Marlboro, OHThe student plt rptd that he flew a flat final apch to remain clear of trees. The airspeed began to drop, and the airplane subsequently landed hard after clearing the trees.NTSB MIA88LA057Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-18S · Natchez, MSThe two acft were registered to the same person & the pilots were friends of each other. The acft departed from the same airport at about the same time & were bound for the same destination on an IFR flt plan, N24JE at 8000 ft, N492DM at 4000 ft. later both…NTSB ATL88LA057Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D35 · Monroe, GAThe Beech D35 was landing at a private airstrip from which it had departed fifteen minutes earlier. The final approach was to the south, into the sun. On short final the pilot looked down to verify that the gear was down. He looked outside again just in time…NTSB ATL88LA054Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B24R · Sewanee, TNThe plt rprtd that he obtained a wx briefing before takeoff & that the wx at his intended destination was rprtd as marginal. While en route, he encountered wx and climbed above it. Aprx 4 hrs after departure, he became concerned about the remaining fuel…NTSB ATL88FA056Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Anniston, ALThe VFR pilot continued the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and attempted to descend below the lowering clouds until the aircraft was too low to turn around safely and return to VFR flight conditions. The aircraft collided with trees and struck…NTSB ANC88FA019Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · Anchorage, AKDrg arr in hvy traffic, reeve flt 726 (Boeing 727) & wilburs flt 304 (Cessna 402B, N969JW) recd radar adzys for visual apchs to rwys 6L & 6R, respectively. Subsequently, both flts were clrd to lnd. At 1555:04, the LCL twr ctlr transmitted that the wnd at the…NTSB DEN88FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A152 · Benson, AZAbt 20 min after tkof, the acft crashed in VMC conds, aprx 26 mi along the route fm tucson to las cruces. Initial impactoccurred with the l wing hitting the top of a yucca plant as the acft was in a slgt nose down, l wing low attitude. Justbyd this point, the…NTSB DCA88MA008Accident · 43 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE-146-200 · San Luis Obispo, CAA recently discharged usair employee boarded psa flt 1771 after having left a goodbye message with friends. He bypassed security and carried abd a borrowed 44 caliber pistol. A note written by this psgr, found in the wreckage, threatened his former supervisor…NTSB SEA88LA029Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 MK1 · Metlakatla, AKOn final approach for landing the aircraft encountered high gusting winds. The aircraft then stalled and entered a nose down attitude. Accordng to one passenger the pilot was holding full aft elevator during the descent. The aircraft struck the water hard,…NTSB NYC88LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-20 · White Plains, NYThe cross country business flight was uneventful from concord, new hampshire to White Plains, new york under clear sky. During final approach, the pilot extended the gear but did not notice that the circuit breaker had opened and the gear was not lowered. The…NTSB NYC88FA051Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Hector, NYThe pilot made a routine IFR position report 12 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses observed an 'orange ball' before the crash. Evidence at the crash site showed inflight jettison of the pilot's emergency window, positive aerodydnamic overload separation…NTSB FTW88FA036Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 412 · Galveston, TXThe acft landed hard in the gulf of Mexico during an autorotation that was entered following the separation of the 90 degree gearbox. The gearbox (with tail rotor blades) separated due to an imbalance. However, the gearbox was not recovered during the…NTSB FTW88FA035Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportLockheed 250 TRI-GEAR · Dallas, TXThe right engine of the aircraft failed three times in flight. After the last failure near the middle marker the pilot feathered the propeller. The aircraft collided with power lines and the ground about 400 yards short of runway 31 at the redbird airport.…NTSB SEA88IA028Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCanadair CL600-2A12 · Twentynine Plms, CAThe water filter housing lower seal was mis-installed which allowed water to seep out and run down the housing case. Over time the water dropped onto a lavatory drain line, followed the line to a low point & collected on the stab aug computer box. The fluid…NTSB MKC88FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Springfield, NEAccording to witnesses on the ground, the aircraft was flying low, under the overcast, when the left wing struck the guy wires of a tv tower and the plane crashed out of control. It was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Weather stations in the…NTSB DEN88LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Newell, SDThe plt reported that he was surveying a field of winter wheat at approximately 100 feet AGL in slow flight. The wind was strong and gusty and the acft began to settle toward the ground. The plt added full power, however, the left main landing gear struck the…NTSB DEN88LA034Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Great Falls, MTThe private plt was preparing for departure on an IFR flight plan. After finding that the starter would not operate properly, the plt tried to manually repositon the propeller. The ignition was still on and the engine fired. The propeller struck the plt's…NTSB CHI88LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lincoln, ILThe plt returned to the arpt after dark & noted there was an excessive x-wind for the active rwy. He elected to land on the unlighted grass rwy (rwy 14) which was aligned more favorably with the wind. He thought that on final apch, he had aligned the acft…NTSB ATL88FA055Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lagrange, GAPlt lost power in cruise, in day, VMC. Made apch to interstate hwy I85. Hit overpass support column at 15 feet AGL. Engine overhauled 51 hours before accident. Overhaul records indicated magneto repair. Annual insp records indicated compliance with AD…NTSB ANC88LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Wasilla, AKThe pilot stated that he was taxiing for takeoff when he lost directional control of the aircraft causing the right main ski to break through the ice; the aircraft then ground looped.NTSB ANC88DAG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 207A · Atmautluak, AKThe aircraft was on final approach when a vehicle appeared to be on the runway coming at the aircraft. The pilot pulled the aircraft up over the snow machine but settled back to the ground alongside the runway.NTSB NYC88FA050Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-2B7 · Deptford, NJDrg tkof, as usair flt 224 was clbg thru 4000', the acft yawed/rolled rgt. Simultaneously, the crew noticed the #2 throttle slam/lock to the idle psn & a continuous airframe buffet began. Soon thereafter, the #2 eng sepd fm the acft & the buffet stopped. The…NTSB MIA88WA056Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 402B · Cat Island, BahamasNTSB MIA88LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310F · Opa Locka, FLThe plt stated that he had made three touch & go landings & on the fourth landing, while on rollout, the left main gear collapsed & the acft slid to a stop on the runway. Post crash examination of the landing gear revealed that the left main gear downlock rod…NTSB LAX88LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Dunsmuir, CAA Piper PA-38-112 collided with terrain while on a night VFR cross country flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departure. His destination weather…NTSB DEN88FA033Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · San Jose, CASeveral min after takeoff, the plt noted a loss of oil pressure & elected to return to the arpt. As he was returning, the eng began to overspeed, but he controlled the RPM by retarding the throttle. The wind was from 150 deg at 10 KTS. The plt was clrd to…NTSB CHI88LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Carlton, MNThe plt rprtd that the left main gear collapsed as he started to taxi from the ramp area on a smooth grass surface. When the gear collapsed, the left wing dropped to the ground & was substantially dmgd. The plt rprtd the left gear leg had broken off 2 inches…NTSB CHI88DEV01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 150L · Marion, ILPilot in command suffered a fatal heart attack. His wife, a private pilot, attempted to land the aircraft, lost control on landing roll and struck a runway light.NTSB BFO88IA012Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32 · Baltimore, MDTwa flt 388 (DC-9, N924L) was in clouds climbing to 7000' when Baltimore (bwi) TRACON adzd that an acft (Piper PA-28R) was straight ahead at 3 mi dscndg fm 6700'. Flt 388 had passed 6000' & the capt requested a traffic avoidance vector. The TRACON ctlr…NTSB ATL88MA053Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley HS-125-400A · Lexington, KYWhile en route at FL 370, the plts declared an emerg, rprtd a fire in the rgt eng & reqd vectors to the nearest suitablearpt. They were vectored twd the Lexington bluegrass arpt & clrd to dscnd. Shortly after declaring an emerg, the plts rprtd they secured…NTSB NYC88LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT · Houlton, MEDuring a personal transportation flight to quebec city in Canada and while cruising at about 6500 feet, the aircraft experienced an oil pressure light illumination, 43 nautical miles nnw of Houlton VOR on a 306 degree heading. The engine then started to run…NTSB MIA88LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C-45H · Miami, FLWhile practicing short field landings the plt flared the acft for landing after which it stalled, descended right wing low, then crashed onto the rwy. The acft then touched down on the nose landing gear causing it to collapse, & slid off the rwy.NTSB FTW88DPA01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Dallas, TXThe fuel pump warning light came on and the pilot headed for a local airport. Enroute, the engine surged and flamed out. During the landing, the rotor blades hit trees, and the helicopter made a hard landing. The fuel gage indicated 11 gallons. Later the gage…NTSB ATL88FA052Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-600 · Mansfield, OHThe pilot departed louisville, KY reportedly with a known oil leak in the right engine and was on the second leg of an on-demand air taxi cargo flight. About 14 minutes after entering Mansfield approach control airspace, the pilot requested and received an…NTSB NYC88LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Pottstown, PADuring soft field takeoff, the instructor pilot who was watching from the ramp, said the the student plt seemed to have excessive angle of attack and stalled the aircraft. The aircraft crashed on airport property about 1,000 feet from the start of the takeoff…NTSB MIA88IA052Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Vicksburg, MSWhile on a part 135 on-demand domestic passenger flt, the acft landed gear up. The plt stated that he forgot to lower the landing gear. There was no mechanical failure or malfunction.NTSB FTW88IA037Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-243 · Houston, TXImproper drilling of the cross hole in the slat track bearing bolt, which led to its failure from fatigue cracking.NTSB MIA88LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · San Antonio, FLThe student plt became lost while on a solo x-c training flt. He attempted to contact his non control tower destination airport via UNICOM. He stated that he flew around for 20 or 25 mins attempting to make UNICOM contact & was unsuccessful in doing so. He…NTSB MIA88LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Naples, FLThe plt stated that the flt was low and slow on final apch. As a result the main landing gear collided with a dirt bank located short of the rwy. The gear then collapsed and the acft slid to a stop.NTSB LAX88DVG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Williams, CAShortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing and collided with a fence on hilly terrain during the landing roll. The engine was inspected with no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions. Wx…NTSB FTW88LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Mangum, OKAccording to the pilot, the engine started running rough during cruise flight. He elected to make a forced landing and intentionally stalled the aircraft into some trees to cushion the impact, substantially damaging the aircraft. The pilot further stated that…NTSB ATL88LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Eden, NCThe student plt attempted to land in a farm pasture adjacent to his brother's farm. The airplane ldg gear 'dug in' on ldg, and the airplane nosed over. The student plt described the terrain as 'wet & soggy'. The student did not have an instructor's…NTSB NYC88LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-150 · Middletown, PAAfter landing the pilot was cleared to taxi to the parking area at stanbaugh's general aviation. During a maneuver between a de-icer truck and a parked airplane, the pilot allowed the aircraft to become too close to the truck and caught the wing tip on the…NTSB MIA88FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K-35 · Crescent City, FLThe pilot experienced a partial engine failure at lift off with 1/2 of the runway remaining in front of him. The pilot then attempted to do a 180 degree teardrop back to the runway, stalled and crashed. Investigation revealed water contamination of the fuel…NTSB LAX88IA064Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Los Angeles, CADelta flt 1605 landed on rwy 25L. After crossing rwy 25R, the local controller instructed the flt to contact the gnd controller. The ground controller instructed the flt to turn west on the outer taxiway. The capt became disorientated and inadvertently…NTSB ATL88LA049Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Paducah, KYAbt 20 mi from Paducah (pah), the plt contacted the fss & said the acft was low on fuel & that he intended to land at pah. He was informed that the FBO at pah was closed for the night & fuel was available only if a $25 call-out fee was paid. Also, he was told…NTSB SEA88LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Funter Bay, AKShortly after takeoff, with a right quartering tailwind of 20 knots gusting to 25 knots, a downdraft was encountered. The pilot flew the aircraft away from rising terrain but the aircraft settled into small trees at full power in the takeoff configuration.NTSB NYC88LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5B · Morristown, NJThe Gulfstream-american AA5B was making a takeoff with a flight instructor and student pilot on board. At 65 knots during the takeoff, a deer was struck on the runway and killed. The takeoff was aborted on the runway. The student pilot and flight instructor…NTSB LAX88LA063Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · San Carlos, AZThe plt added pwr on final approach and later stated that the eng seemed to be losing pwr. He said he noticed that the fuel selector was l of ctr abt 1/2 inch, ctrd it and added carb heat, however the eng still quit. The acft was too low to land on the rwy so…