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
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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 CHI85LA275Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Donaldson, MNWhen the plt applied pwr to level off while entering a spray the eng did not produce sufficient pwr to stop the descent. He attempted a run on landing but the uneven terrain caused substantial damage to the helicopter. Inspection of the eng revealed the…NTSB CHI85LA271Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJodel D-11 · Wooster, OHThe pilot and pax were on a x-country pleasure flt. After 2420 hrs of fliht, 45 mi short of dest, the engine stopped the acft was ld in a corn fld. Examination disclosed main bearing failure.NTSB ANC85LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Tyrone Creek, AKThe plt delayed initiating an aborted landing, and the acft rolled into water at the end of the rwy where it nosed over.NTSB ANC85LA119Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio 250 · Anchorage, AKThe plt reported that he took off downwind with a heavily loaded acft. He estimated the wind was from the north at 4 gusting to 6 KTS. He stated that after climbing about 100 ft, the acft began to mush as he began retracting the flaps. Subsequently, it…NTSB SEA85LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Mccall, IDThe acft was damaged during a forced landing in a fld following fuel exhaustion. The plt reported he departed yellow pine, ID, with the fuel gages indicating 1/2. Upon reaching an alt of 10,000 ft, the eng quit due to fuel exhaustion. The right fuel tank was…NTSB NYC85LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152II · Ebensburg, PAThe student plt was practicing takeoffs and landings when the acft traveled off the left side of the rwy during the fourth landing. Once off the rwy, the acft traveled into a construction area where it nosed over.NTSB MKC85LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · La Porte City, IAThe plt reported that the acft had the proper airspeed when it was on final apch about 1/2 mi from the rwy. However, he reported that it quickly lost 500 ft, landed short of the rwy & was damaged. The acft came to rest in a corn field beside the rwy.NTSB MIA85IA208Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 402 · West Palm Bch, FLA Learjet 35 was cleared on to runway 09L and hold, the Learjet crew confirmed with the air traffic control tower personnel that te transmission was intended for them and taxied into position and held. Personnel on duty in the control tower then cleared a…NTSB LAX85LA305Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Gonzales, CAWhile cruising during an ag flight the acft's eng began losing pwr. At the time the acft was about 50 ft AGL & was travelling at 50 mph. The plt made a forced ldg onto a nearby plowed fld. Upon touchdown the rt skid dug into a furrow & the acft rolled over.…NTSB FTW85LA274Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Port Aransas, TXThe plt stated the acft had been parked outside during periods of heavy rain for several weeks prior to this flt. The plt had drained a large amount of water from the fuel tanks prior to flt and stated the loss of power was due to water which could not be…NTSB DEN85LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Del Norte, COThe plt was attempting to take off from a 3800-FT grass rwy. Field elevation was 7700 ft, temp was 88 deg. The plt said that at about 2500 ft down the rwy he decided to abort the takeoff. Directional control was lost and the airplane groundlooped. The plt…NTSB CHI85LA278Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman TR2 · Crookston, MNThe acft nosed over in a fld during a forced landing following a total loss of pwr. The plt reported the fuel consumption during the flt seemed higher than usual. He then began looking for Crookston municipal arpt to land. Aprx 3 miles se of the arpt the pwr…NTSB CHI85LA274Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-36-285 · Mt. Carmel, ILThe plt stated that his acft was loaded with dry fertilizer. Following takeoff from the sod strip he failed to clear a dirt bank at the south end of the airstrip. After striking the dirt bank he impacted in a cornfield nose down. Following the accident the…NTSB CHI85LA272Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Hastings, MIThe purpose of the flight was to break in the newly overhauled engine. The pilot stated that he had been flying around the local area for about 25 minutes when he heard a clank and the engine lost complete power. The pilot determined that a tree landing was…NTSB CHI85FEE03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 150L · Plainfield, ILThe student departed chicago midway & flew to the clow arpt to practice takeoffs & landings. On downwind at clow, the wind blew the acft toward the arpt, causing it to be too close in to the rwy. Subsequently, the student overshot the turn to final apch &…NTSB BFO85LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hagerstown, MDThe recently certificated instructor was performing touch and go landings with a paraplegic student, who used a hand control for rudder operation. On the third landings the acft veered to the right and the CFI took control of the acft. The student pilot…NTSB NYC85LA158Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210 · White Plains, NYA gear up landing was made following a loss of oil during takeoff. The acft was serviced with oil at skyport aviation prior to the attempted takeoff. The plt reported that after the oil was added he checked the oil level with the dip stick. Shortly after…NTSB NYC85FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Cape May, NJThe tow plane came in for a banner pickup. The ground handler holding the tail of the double banner had his left foot caught by the banner as it went airborne. The ground handler was carried 50 to 100 ft in the air prior to falling to the ground. The ground…NTSB MKC85LA149Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Eldon, MOThe plt reported that during an apch to land, he forgot to extend the landing gear & landed with the gear retracted. He did not recall hearing the gear warning horn; however, a check of the landing gear sys did not reveal any malfunction.NTSB MKC85LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Valley Center, KSThe pilot had been flying with his young son as passenger during daylight hours. He went solo to get current at night. After two full stop landings, he thought the yoke felt heavy for the trim setting he usually used but he started a takeoff anyway. Halfway…NTSB MKC85LA147Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Point Lookout, MOWhile landing at dusk, the acft touched down hard & both main gear collapsed rearward. A wing fuel tank was punctured, but no fire erupted.NTSB MKC85FCQ04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRyan Navion · Blue Rapids, KSThe acft eng lost power after a 30 minute flt and a forced landing resulted in an off.-arpt acc. Witnesses at the acc site did not find any fuel in the tanks or evidence of spillage of fuel. An inspection of the eng did not reveal any discrepancies. A…NTSB MIA85LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportQuinn EL Tomcat MK-5A · Blakley, GAWhile en route to reposition the helicopter to another farm, the eng lost power. The plt reported that during an autorotation, the main rotor lost some RPM as he stretched his glide to avoid a fence. As the helicopter touched down on uneven terrain, the main…NTSB MIA85LA206Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Daytona Beach, FLThe student plt entered the traffic pattern after making a local solo training flt. He stated that during the landing pattern, he reduced the the throttle incrementally & did not use carburetor heat. As the acft was on final apch at about 50 ft AGL, the…NTSB LAX85LA306Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421A · San Diego, CADuring landing roll out the right main gear collapsed in an outward direction. Exam of the rt gear revealed that the bolt which is associated with the upper & lower gear torque links was missing. An exam of the left gear assembly revealed that the required…NTSB LAX85LA303Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot reported to the tower, while on base leg, that he was out of fuel. He then landed short and contacted a fence and a tree on the landing roll. The pilot stated that the aircraft contained 45 gallons of fuel when he departed and that he had flown for…NTSB FTW85LA301Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182M · Tulia, TXThe student plt, with 2 hrs total night experience, flared high on final and stalled the acft, which subsequently landed hard on the nose gear, during a night practice flt. The plt stated that the red instrument lights would not work when he turned them on.…NTSB FTW85LA275Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe T8F · Frederick, OKThe plt stated his foot slipped off the right rudder pedal which allowed the acft to veer left off the rwy. The acft hit a ditch and flipped over. FAA coordinator confirmed initial notification of substantial damage to the acft.NTSB DEN85LQA03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-18A · Tucumcari, NMOn July 4, 1985, at 1400 MDT, a Piper PA-18, N1754A, registered to ted w. stallings, departed the designated taxiway and collided with a culvert at Tucumcari municipal airport, Tucumcari, new Mexico. The aircraft was being taxied for thepurpose of a local…NTSB DEN85LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172L · Lordsburg, NMThe plt said he had encountered moderate turbulence while en route & his passengers became air sick. He decided to land at the nearest suitable arpt. The landing was made without incident. However, while taxiing to the ramp, the aircraft encountered what one…NTSB CHI85LA270Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310D · Carbondale, ILThe acft was landing at dest arpt after a two hr xcountry flt. At gear ext no green light. Pilot recycled gear but still no light. Emergency ext used and three green indicated. On ld roll nose gear collapsed. Uplock arm tube was broken on the nose gear.NTSB CHI85LA268Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American AT-6G · Dixon, ILReportedly, the plt made a touch-&-go landing while following an snj acft. He stated that during the takeoff, the acft had accelerated to 85 mph when he lowered the tail slightly & the acft lifted off normally. He reported that the acft was aprx 4 to 5 ft off…NTSB ANC85LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Jakolok Bay, AKPlt landed short of gravel beach and substantially damaged airplane on large rocks.NTSB MKC85LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBrantly Helicopter B-2 · Denison, IAPlt reports that the eng idle setting was too low and the eng quit when he reduced power during a practice autorotation. The acft touched down hard and the main rotor contacted tail boom.NTSB MKC85LA151Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Paragould, ARThe acft was being used in aerial application of ordram when engine failed. A hard landing resulted during the forced landing in an open fld. Investigation revealed the float needle seat ass'y backed out of the threads in the main body of the carburetor FAR…NTSB MKC85LA146Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · El Dorado, KSThe acft had just undergone annual inspection. Pilot failed to remove control lock before test flight. On takeoff roll, pilot was not able to move controls, went off end of 1800 ft runway, through a fence and impacted a dirt pile.NTSB FTW85LA271Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Tallulah, LADuring initial climb after takeoff, the ag plt realized that he could not clear wires at the end of the rwy. The plt dumped his load of fertilizer and attempted to maneuver around the wires, however during the maneuver, the acft stalled. Investigation…NTSB FTW85LA270Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38 · Granbury, TXThe student allowed the airspeed to deteriorate during the initial takeoff climb and lost control of the aircraft at about 50 feet above the ground. According to the CFI the student then froze on the controls and he (the CFI) was unable to lower the nose to…NTSB DEN85LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Leadville, CODuring the landing roll on rwy 34, a deer ran in front of the acft. The deer was struck and killed by the right wing strut.NTSB CHI85LA267Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-200 · New Richmond, WIThe acft veered to the rt & hit a rwy marker during the attempted go-around. The wind was from 210 degrees at 19 KTS gusting to 27 KTS. The plt said that if the marker had been 'break-away' plastic the damage would have been negliable.NTSB CHI85LA266Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Elkhorn, WIThe acft collided with the terrain during a low alt maneuver. The plt said that he allowed the airspeed to dissipate during a turn and before he could recover the acft hit the ground.NTSB CHI85LA265Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman-Schweizer G-164B · Thief River Fl, MNThe acft collided with the ground shortly after takeoff about 800 ft from the end of the rwy. The plt stated that at about 5 pt afl the acft stalled and fell into a field off the end of the rwy.NTSB ATL85LA204Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Owensboro, KYPilot launched Balloon from college campus with two pax. Flew for 35 minutes. During flight he radioed ground crew which was at landing site. During descent pilot saw utility wires previously unnoticed. Parachute was ventd to increase descent rate and avoid…NTSB SEA85LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G2 · Roosevelt, WAA total loss of power occurred while on a CFR 137 flight, due to fuel exhaustion. Although the fuel gauge showed 1/2 tank of fuel, the pilot failed to visually check the fuel prior to this flight. During autorotation onto a wheat field a hard landing occurred…NTSB NYC85FA260Incident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-9 · Boston, MAThe acft was climbing out of 10000 ft, shortly after tkf, when the PIC lost consciousness. The copilot took control of the flight and returned to Boston where a lndg occured without incident. Medical examination of the PIC revealed that he suffered a heart…NTSB MKC85LA158Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Corning, ARThe student plt became disoriented while on a solo cross country flt. When the acft became low on fuel the plt decided to land on a plowed fld. The fld was soft and the acft nosed over shortly after touchdown.NTSB LAX85LA302Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMeyers OTW · Winters, CAThe purpose of this flt was to check out a commercial plt in the acft. Dual flt controls & heel brakes were installed. The student was practicing landings & on his 4th or 5th landing roll, the acft began to turn to the right. The student applied left rudder &…NTSB LAX85FA304Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-6-180 · Corona, CADuring a banner towing mission, the acft was observed flying at low alt near California state freeway 91. According to witnesses, the banner collided with power lines after the acft had crossed over the lines at a relatively slow speed. The banner & tow…NTSB FTW85LA276Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA1B · Robinson, TXShortly after takeoff the plt experienced a loss of pwr. Unable to glide to a suitable landing area, a forced landing was attempted in tall corn. The acft nosed over sustaining substantial damage. Subsequent exam revealed that the carburetor float had become…NTSB ATL85LA203Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Lewisburg, WVAcft lost power in cruise flight shortly after takeoff. Descent was begun to a field followed by engine quitting. During the turn to final, pilot said, left wing stalled resulting in hard landing on left wheel and left wing. Later, fuel cap vents were found…