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 SEA85IA160Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Bellevue, WAA complete loss of power occurred during a CFR 135 passenger flight. The oil filter adapter was found to be safety wired in a position with 3/4' of threads visable. Causing a complete and sudden loss of oil and power.NTSB MKC85LA152Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Pella, IAThe purpose of the flt was to provede training in aerial application procedures and techniques for the plt/owner of N75273. The instructor plt has extensive experience in this m/m and was at the controls. He was demonstrating a turn around at the end of a…NTSB FTW85LA281Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 201B · Rosharon, TXThe plt stated he failed to switch fuel selector to the left tank prior to takeoff (right tank empty). The engine quit abruptly at low altitude. Plt switched to left tank but could not regain engine power prior to hard landing in cotton field.NTSB DEN85LTG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Kramer, NDThe acft collided with the shoulder of a hwy when the plt attempted to avoid power lines during an aerial application flt.NTSB DEN85LQA01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPetracca Glasair SH-2 · Aztec, NMThe acft sustained substantial damage after it stalled and contacted the ground during takeoff. Plt stated lift off was made with minimal airspeed and the right wing dropped shortly after becoming airborne. Plt overcorrected for the right bank, the acft…NTSB CHI85LA283Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT301 · Roseau, MNThe aircraft had been airborne about 15 min engaged in ag spray operations when the pilot described hearing a loud band. Engine power decreased to idle. Pilot ld in soft soil and nosed over inverted. Exam disclosed #2 piston had failed.NTSB CHI85LA281Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Rochester, MNThe student pilot on first solo x-country was ld on the 7500 ft runway. Tower had cautioned on wake turbulance from departing DC-9. On flare sp said acft dropped in swerved left, cartwheeled and nosed down.NTSB CHI85LA280Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A1A · Coal Valley, ILDuring an aerial application run the plt reported a 'split second loss of power.' He lost directional control of the helicopter and it settled into tall corn. Impact resulted in loss of the main rotor blades, severence of the tail cone and separation of the…NTSB CHI85LA273Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Almont, MIThe student plt stated that during touchdown the acft bounced back into the air. On the second touchdown, the acft swerved to the left and departed the rwy. It then rolled until the left wing struck a small tree, causing substantial damage to that wing. The…NTSB ATL85LA210Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Enterprise, ALWhile on a solo training flight the aircraft lost power while on downwind and the student pilot made an mergency landing on the runway, however, during landing roll the aircraft went off the side of the rwy and nosed over in the soft soil. Post crash…NTSB ANC85LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft DF-65 · Eklutna, AKAcft landed hard, collapsing both main landing gear after making a steep apch to a short area on a gravel road. Plt was landing to drain some acft fuel out in order to get better climb performance for a mountain sightseeing flight.NTSB ANC85FA124Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna A-185F · Elmendorf Afb, AKImmediately after takeoff from a lake the acft stalled, did a half spin & nosed into the water. Witnesses reported seeing acft nose pitching up & down & wings wobbling just prior to the stall. This was plt's first flt in this type acft without an instructor.…NTSB SEA85LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · La Grande, ORThis was the student pilot's second solo flight. He had a total time of less than 9 hours. A bounced landing occurred and the student was unable to make an adequate recovery. A witness who saw the accident stated that the aircraft started a climb out with…NTSB FTW85LA278Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Austin, TXThe eng failed at about 2000 ft MSL while the acft was climbing to cruise flt. The plt attempted to turn back to the arpt but realized it was too FAR away. The plt then made a forced landing in a grass area adjacent to a large hwy at about a 45 deg angle to…NTSB ATL85LA209Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWilliam G. Cloaninger VARI-EZE · Albemarle, NCDuring the initial climb after takeoff, the eng lost power as the plt made a left turn. He tried to glide back to the rwy, but was unable. The acft was landed in a field about 300 yds short of the rwy. During the landing, all 3 gear were torn off the acft,…NTSB ATL85LA208Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T303 · Shelby, NCThe plt stated that after takeoff from rwy 23, he noticed oil coming from the left eng. He initiated a turn to land on rwy 05 but was unable to line up with the rwy. He elected to go-around and when he added full power the left eng oil pressure went to zero…NTSB ATL85LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Geneva, ALDuring instructional flight acft collided with trees after takeoff. Instructor said flaps would not retract while in go around. Acft owner told FAA inspector instructor told him flaps would not retract after final landing. Fuse was then replaced with no…NTSB SEA85LA158Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRand/Robinson KR2 · Pullman, WAThe plt had been having numerous problems with his homebuilt acft's eng running rough before this flt. Shortly after takeoff a loss of pwr occurred. It was a hot day with the temp being 90 degs f or better. FAA inspectors found the tourque value to be…NTSB LAX85FA311Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Marana, AZThe passenger had just purchased property at the accident site and intended to take aerial video tape footage of the property. Witnesses saw the plt and passenger board the acft with video camera and recorder. After departue, the acft flew directly to the…NTSB LAX85FA310Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPolliwagen Unknown · Bakersfield, CAOn July 7, 1985, at 1917 PDT, a Polliwagen, N81PW, collided with the ground during an attempted go around at bakersfieldairpark, Bakersfield, California, while on a personal flight. VMC prevailed at the time; no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was…NTSB BFO85LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172-RG · Thurmont, MDUpon encountering a low ceiling, precipitation, and haze at approximately 1500 feet MSL, the plt descended in order to locate a suitable landing area. The plt observed a grass airstrip below him, and executed a hard landing. The aircraft bounced once, and…NTSB ATL85LA206Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Peachtree City, GAAccording to the pilot, he forgot to extend the landing gear. He stated most of his flight time had been in fixed gear aircraft. On this flight he had been told by his instructor to work on smoothing his radio technique on the second landing of the flight he…NTSB ANC85LA123Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Egegik, AKEngine failed at 200 ft AGL, due to fuel starvation. Plt attempted to reach lake, & crashed in trees at edge of lake.NTSB LAX85LA309Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12B · Durham, CAThe purpose of the LCL flight was for the CFI to demo the newly acquired helicopter to its owner. The CFI reported that during the flt a 'somewhat common' vibration was detected, & he associated the vibration with the acft's wooden main rotor blades. He…NTSB LAX85LA308Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Vacaville, CAWitnesses stated that, on departure, the aircraft climbed to about 50 feet, appeared to stall, and crashed on the runway. The winds were reported as gusty, from 15 to 22 knots, and the temperature was about 95 degrees.NTSB FTW85LA279Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Killeen, TXThe student pilot failed to properly flare the aircraft and touched down hard on the nose gear. This caused the aircraft to start porpoising from which recovery was not made. Aircraft continued to bounce until the nose gear collapsed. It then slid to a stop,…NTSB FTW85LA277Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · Midland, TXThe plt stated that on a pass over the pvt strip the wind sock as indicating the wind out of the north. In actuality, Midland regional arpt was reporting the winds from 110 degs at 13 KTS. Touchdown was made at a higher than normal airspeed. The acft landed…NTSB FTW85LA273Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Brownsville, TXWhile practicing touch-and-go landings the plt allowed the acft to descend below the proper glide slope while on final apch. The acft impacted a power line aprx 1000 ft short of the rwy and crashed on the side of a drainage ditch levee. The elevation of the…NTSB DEN85LA183Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Rio Rancho, NMDuring a pleasure flt, with his parents as pax, the plt decided to demonstrate a glide down to aprx 500 ft AGL. When he added power for recovery, he stalled the acft. Before complete recovery was possible, the acft struck the ground.NTSB DEN85FQG01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRolladen-Schneider LS-4 · Tatum, NMThe plt stated that 7 miles sw of Tatum, NM, an area of 'sink' was encountered and insufficient alt remained to glide to the Tatum arpt. An apch was then made (into the sun) for a landing in a fld. During the landing flare, the plt noticed a row of fence…NTSB CHI85LA282Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Akron, OHThe acft contacted trees during a forced landing in a cemetery following a loss of pwr while on final apch at Akron fulton arpt. After the accident, 10 gallons of fuel were added to the acft and the eng operated normally when started. An A&P mechanic…NTSB CHI85LA277Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurch Pitts S-1 · Houghton Lake, MIThe acft nosed down following a ground loop during a landing roll. The plt reported the tailwheel began to shimmy, directional control of the acft was lost and it ground looped to the right. The acft traveled aprx 10 ft off the rwy where the left wing dug…NTSB CHI85FA269Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChamberlain Viking Dragonfly · Faribault, MNThe acft collided with trees and burst into flames during a forced landing. On the plt's second radio contact with Faribault municipal airport UNICOM he declared, 'I have engine failure. I'm going down in a corn field.' Post accident inspection of the…NTSB BFO85LA053Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 2-33A · Warrenton, VAAfter liftoff both the PIC and the plt getting checked out in the Schweizer sgs 2-33A stated that they encountered moderate turbulence in the area. When the sailplane reched approximately 200 ft AGL the tom rope separated from the aircraft and N65818 was…NTSB ATL85FKG07Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportLett Varieze · Sylacauga, ALThe acft contacted a pick-up truck on a highway during a forced landing following a loss of power shortly after takeoff. Post accident inspection of the acft disclosed that the fuel vent line was severly packed (blocked) with mud dobber material.NTSB ANC85LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22A · Summit Lake, AKHelicopter struck glassy water lake during a low alt turn. Plt/flt instructor said he became disoriented during the turn, after he looked inside the helicopter briefly to check the rotor RPM. Accident occured during a bright night.NTSB ANC85LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-14 · Anchorage, AKThe plt aborted his 1st attempt to takeoff due to boat & water ski activity. He back taxied & began a 2nd attempt on rough water. The acft became airborne at about the middle of the lake. It stopped climbing when the plt began to raise the flaps, so he…NTSB ANC85FA118Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-6A · Egegik, AKAirplane accelerated to v 1 and struck through on sandy beach. The nose pitched up and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane struck adjacent bank caught fire. It was totally destroyed.NTSB SEA85LA157Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMeyers 2000 · Reno, NVA loss of pwr occurred just as the acft was entering the traffic pattern. The acft was landed 650 ft short of the rwy. The reason for the pwr loss could not be determined by an a & p mechanic. The plt did not plan the apch accurately enough to touchdown on…NTSB NYC85LA159Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMBB GMBO-105C · Pittsburgh, PAThe air ambulance helicopter landed hard and rolled over after collidding with a fence. The helicopter had taken off to a hover position and was making a pedal turn in preparation for a climb. Collective was increased but RPM decreased and the acft began to…NTSB LAX85LA312Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Saline Valley, CADuring a pleasure flight the plt observed a slight lt eng fuel pressure fluctuation. Previously, a similar fluctuation to the rt eng revealed the presence of a leaking fuel line. Fearing fire because of a suspected fuel leak to the lt eng, the plt elected to…NTSB LAX85LA307Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Fall River Mill, CAThe student plt, on her first solo cross-country flt, departed for a planned 97 NM, 67 min trip. While enroute, the winds aloft increased in velocity and the student failed to adequately compensate for the drift. The student became lost, & after flying for…NTSB FTW85LA272Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T-210 · Knippa, TXThe new owner was attempting takeoff from a dirt road obstructed by a mobile irrigation system. He pulled the acft off the ground after 1700 feet of takeoff roll. Unable to maintain flying speed, he landed in a soft fld and the acft nosed over when the nose…NTSB DEN85LQA02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Santa Teresa, NMThe helcopter plt was on a solo instructional flt in the Cessna 152 airplane. He had only 9 hrs flt time in fixed wing acft. While on a touch-&-go landing, the acft bounced as it touched down. It then bounced 2 more times with each bounce becoming…NTSB DEN85LA185Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEiriavion PIK-20B · Grand Lake, COOn returning from a 300-kilometer cross-country flight, in a glider the pilot noticed the absence of thermal activity and was forced to land in an open field. The pilot said he landed with a 2-5 knot tailwind and his approach and touchdown speed was too fast.…NTSB DEN85LA182Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182-R · Telluride, COThe plt said that he maneuvered the near max gwt acft in close proximity to a ski slope and 'I didn't leave myself an exit.' The plt then applied full power in an attempt to outclimb the rising terrain but impacted a knoll. Density altitude was computed to be…NTSB DEN85LA181Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Swan Lake, MTThe plt said that prior to departure there was an estimated 14 gals of fuel on board. After aprx 30 minutes of flight the eng lost all pwr and a forced landing was accomplished in a mountainous creek bed. During the landing roll the acft struck a feeled tree…NTSB DEN85FA180Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Keystone, SDMain rotor hub was overhauled by a repair station that was not authroized by Hughes helicopters for hub overhauls. The main rotor hub and blades separated in-flt 279 hrs after overhaul. The acft crashed in a densily wooded area. Post accident exam of the main…NTSB CHI85LA279Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Fond Du Lac, WIThe acft nosed over in soft terrain 1/4 mile short of the rwy at fon du lac arpt following a total loss of pwr. The flt departed henderson, KY, at 1510 CDT with 26 gallons of fuel and the pwr loss occurred at 1925 CDT, 4 hrs and 15 minsafter departure. Post…NTSB CHI85LA276Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210MII · Detroit, MIThe acft contacted a tree during a forced landing in a residential area following a loss of pwr. Post accident inspection revealed the right fuel tank contained fuel and the left tank was dry, the left wing fuel vent was installed backwards and the fuel…