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 NYC85LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · New Milford, CTAccording to the plt, the preflt and runup checks were normal. The plt then applied full pwr for takeoff and rotation was initiated at 60 KTS. After liftoff, the acft appeared to loose pwr and began to yaw to the left. The stall warning horn sounded and the…NTSB MKC85LA145Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Cedar Rapids, IAWhile taxiing to takeoff, the plt was proceeding between 2 rows of hangars. He stated that he was having a problem with the acft transceiver & was adjusting it for taxi instructions. At about that time, the right wing tip of the acft struck the tail rotor of…NTSB LAX85LA298Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Thermal, CAAt the conclusion of a cross country business flt, the plt stated that after 'easing the nosewheel down onto the runway' he reached for the flap lever but put his hand 'on the gear lever instead.' As he 'pulled the lever out of the detent tripping it,' the…NTSB LAX85FA301Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Corona, CADuring en route descent the plt told the radar controller tht he had lost an eng and could not hold alt. Witnesses saw the acft descending toward hilly terrain, begin a right turn, then abruptly pitch down and roll right to impact in a residence yard on the…NTSB DEN85LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Platte, SDWhile the plt was spraying a field, the landing gear of the acft struck the center pivot of an irrigation structure. Later, when the acft was landed, the gear collapsed.NTSB ATL85LA202Incident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Alma, GAThe acft was lndd with the gear retracted during, practice touch & go landings. The plt was a FAA flight test engineer. The plt stated that the gear collapsed on touchdown; however, examination of the landing gear system failed to reveal a system malfunction.NTSB ANC85LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Sandy Piont, AKPilot lost control while attempting to demonstrate aerobatic flight at low altitude and crashed.NTSB ANC85LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Theodore River, AKAfter loading the acft to its max gross wt, the plt initiated a takeoff from a road on level terrain that had numerous dips & bumps. The road was only 11 ft wide & was bordered by heavy brush. The plt reported that prior to reaching the lift-off speed during…NTSB NYC85LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hartford, CTThe acft nosed over following a loss of control during landing. The student plt stated the acft bounced three times on touchdown. The propeller then contacted the rwy and the acft nosed over.NTSB MIA85LA205Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · Apalachicola, FLAn ATP plt (PIC) said he was checking out another (commercial) plt in the acft. As the commercial plt was making a takeoff from a touch-&-go landing, the acft lost altitude & collided with water. The commercial plt stated that he was looking for the flap…NTSB MIA85LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American Navion · Cooper City, FLThe plt reported that the eng lost power during a descent about 5 mi from the arpt. Subsequently, the left wing & left main gear were damaged during a forced landing on a highway ramp area that was being built. An exam of the acft revealed that the fuel tanks…NTSB LAX85LA300Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelio H-250 · Imperial, CAThis plt executed a full flap 40 mph landing. After touchdown the left main landing gear lifted off the rwy, & the plt was not able to lower it using rudder, brakes, & aileron control. No attempt was made o use power to regain directinal control as the acft…NTSB FTW85LA280Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Fort Worth, TXPlt was taxiing to parking ramp/hangar after landing and following lineman's signals. He turned off the angling taxiway too soon and the nose and right main gears fell into a hole/low area off the edge of the taxiway. The propeller and right wing struck the…NTSB DEN85LA176Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1 · Gallup, NMDuring a x-country flt from los angeles, CA to tulsa, OK, the plt made an en route stop at Gallup, NM. The fuel tanks were fully serviced & the plt took off with a passenger & aprx 50 lbs of tools & baggage on board. The plt stated that after takeoff, the…NTSB BFO85LA066Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Gaithersburg, MDAfter not obtaining surface wind info and not observing the wind sock, the student plt entered final apch without observing any significant drift. When the acft was at nose-up attitude. It floated and stopped descending for a few seconds. Suddenly, the plt…NTSB ATL85LA201Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Morgantown, WVThe CFI & dual student were on a flt to fairmont, WV so the student could receive a multi-eng flt exam. The student stated that shortly after lift-off from rwy 18, the CFI closed the mixture control on the right eng 'to simulate an engine failure.' The acft…NTSB ATL85LA200Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-1A · Hatteras, NCWhile on a flt to Hatteras, NC, the eng ran rough, so after landing, the plt got an auto mechanic to remove the spark plugs. The lower plugs on the left side were lead fowled & were cleaned with a wire brush. During takeoff on the next flt, the eng lost…NTSB ATL85LA199Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 55 · Savannah, GABefore taking off, the plt checked the trim & the auto-plt. During the takeoff run, he noted that the 'aircraft felt heavy on rotation/takeoff aborted.' The acft continued off the end of the rwy, hit a mound of dirt & was damaged. A post-accident exam…NTSB ANC85LA113Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Kenai, AKThe plt reported that when he departed seward. The fuel gages indicated there was aprx 15 gal on board. About 5 min from the intended destination, the eng lost power from fuel exhaustion while the left fuel gage showed there was 5 gal remaining. During an…NTSB ANC85FA112Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-3 · King Salmon, AKDuring an instrument apch, the acft's right eng lost power. The plt moved the right fuel selector to the left main tank & began emergency procedures. Shortly after that, the acft broke out of the overcast & the aircrew saw the arpt. However, the left eng also…NTSB ANC85FA111Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Chugiak, AKThe acft crashed in a wooded residential area following a loss of pwr on takeoff. Post accident inspection of the airframe and powerplant disclosed automotive fuel was being used in the acft. Lab tests indicated the fuel was subjectedto high temps which…NTSB SEA85LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Asotin, WAWhile maneuvering, the aircrafts engine sputtered and then quit. During forced landing on a freshly plowed field, the aircrafts nose wheel dug in and collapsed. The acircraft nosed over. The aircraft was examined by an a & p mechanic and no abnormalities…NTSB SEA85FA156Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKibler-Bede BD-5B · Oak Harbor, WAPrior to the acdnt, witnesses aprx 9 mi sw of the crash site saw an acft (matching the description of N5KB) flying at about 100 to 200 ft over the water on a NE heading. It then pulled up in a steep climbing turn toward the shoreline. No known witnesses saw…NTSB MKC85LA144Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Hays, KSThe plt started the eng & was preparing to taxi from the parking area when he reached back to retrieve a flashlight from his flt case. At that time, the acft began slowly rolling forward. When the plt returned his attention to the front, he applied brakes.…NTSB MKC85LA143Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportShindler Special Great Lakes · Gentry, MOThe plt became disoriented on a cross-country flight from manhattan, Kansas, to marysville, Missouri. Flying off course for a short time, the plt regained his directions to his fueling stop. While returning to his intended fuel stop the acft eng stopped and a…NTSB DEN85FTM04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportKokes Scorpion 133 · Grand Junction, COA group of plts were preparing for an airshow flyby. As a formation of airplanes were being taxied to rwy 29, the plt of a home built scorpion 133 helicopter, N45877, was cleared to air taxi across rwy 29 & proceed to rwy 22. As the helicopter plt was…NTSB CHI85LA263Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Hart, MIDuring a Lake takeoff at near lift off speed the plt stated the acft struck a submerged log and became airborne at a low airspeed. The acft then dropped back to the Lake surface, the right wing float dug in the water and separated the float from the wing. The…NTSB SEA85LA153Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBorreson Dragon FLY · Burley, IDThe aircraft crashed due to loss of control during takeoff. The plt reported that during takeoff climb, the nose of the acft pitched down despite the application of aft elevator pressure. The acft contacted the rwy and bounced. The plt then reduced pwr and…NTSB NYC85LA157Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26 · Cambria, NYThe glider, while returning to land after a pleasure flt, encounter a rainshower and strong downdraft. The plt made a landing in a farmers fld. During the landing the right wing caught and the acft ground looped, incurring substantial damage.NTSB MIA85FA202Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Pembroke Pines, FLThe acft experienced a complete in flt loss of his prop after departure from north perry arpt hollywood FL due to a fatigue failure of the prop hub. The fatigue cracking was due to residual stress resulting from deformation of the material in the hub ass'yNTSB LAX85LA299Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B3 · Grand Canyon, AZDuring a movie filming flight, the helicopter was acting as the camera platform and filming a fixed wing aircraft during a straight in appraoch to the airport, the plt of the helicopter requested a right 180 degree turn at mid field to land at the north…NTSB FTW85LA269Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Pearsall, TXA commercially rated CFI departed on a part 135 air taxi flt, but encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Circling his destination he reported that rain clouds closed in. Anticipating that he would be unable to file IFR in the air, he elected to land in…NTSB FTW85LA268Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76 · Eugene IslandThe plt had landed on the offshore heliport in the gulf of Mexico. The S76 helicopter rolled backward on the platform with the helicopter tilting to its right. The coplt exited the acft and found the right main gear wheel off the platform and into the deck…NTSB CHI85LA264Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172H · Coleman, WIThe pilot departed on a short x-country flt. Stated fuel aboard was 8 gls. Pilot diverted from drct flt and ran out of fuel after one hour airborne. Ld in farm field. Struck a post with resultant sub damage to airframe.NTSB CHI85LA261Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Waskish, MNDuring initial takeoff climb of an aerial application flt the plt could not maintain alt. While he was dumping the chemical load the acft struck trees, impacted the terrain and burst into flames. The plt was not properly certificated to fly under FAR part 137.NTSB CHI85LA257Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Oxford, OHWhile on a round-robin flight at night the pilot experienced an alternator failure. As he was returning to his point of origin the battery power depleted leaving him with no radios or landing light and only a flashlight for cockpit lighting. He decided to…NTSB CHI85LA256Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRichard E. Rowland Cassutt III M · Kankakee, ILOn landing the homebuilt tailwheel acft, the pilot lost directional control, struck a ditch and flipped over on the acft's back resulting in substantial damage to the acft.NTSB CHI85FA259Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D1 · Mundelein, ILThe acft contacted terrain in a near vertical attitude aprx 1/4 mile east of the plt's private airstrip. There were no witnesses to the accident, however, the acft was observed flying at low altitudes prior to the accident. An autopsy report on the passenger…NTSB CHI85FA258Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Merom, INThe aircraft was on a visual flight from fairfield Iowa to indianapolis, IN and was about 55 mautical miles south of course when the aircraft broke up in flight. The main wreckage, empennage, and outer wing sections landed within about a quarter of a mile of…NTSB ATL85FA198Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Dothan, ALA witness related that she observed the acft flying low over fields and trees. She lost sight of the acft as it went around a bend in the road. When she rounded the curve she saw the acft nose down in a field with the tail pointed virtually straight up. The…NTSB ATL85FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-42 · Charlotte, NCThe acft collided with a tree and a pole short of the rwy during a night VFR approach to land. The plt changed from rwy 18 to 36 during the approach. He was seen low & fast on dwnwind which ended in a steep descending turn to ground contact. The twr had…NTSB ANC85LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3/100 · Port Lions, AKThe plt lost directional control of the acft during a touch and go landing. The acft veered off the rwy and contacted boulders. The plt reported to bystanders at the accident site that it had been a long time since he had flown an acft equipped with heel…NTSB ANC85LA110Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Dillingham, AKThe plt reported that by the time he had returned to the arpt, the wind velocity had increased to 18 KTS. During the landing, he lost directional control & the acft ground looped & was damaged.NTSB SEA85LA152Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Burns, ORDuring aerial applications the pilot cleared a rise, got a down draft, struck trees and then stalled striking the ground with little forward motion. An intense explosion and fire followed. The fire origin was in the area of the fiberglass fuel tank. An…NTSB MKC85LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 100-180 · Maryville, MOThe plt slowed the airspeed on final apch & the acft stalled. Subsequently, the acft impacted on the rwy & was damaged beyond economical repair. The plt stated that he did not hear the stall warning sys; however, it operated normally during a post-crash check.NTSB MIA85LA201Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Daytona Beach, FLThe acft settled gear up onto the rwy during an attempted go around from a simulated single engine apch. The student flared too high & requested command of both throttles from the CFI. Pwr was applied & the flaps & gear were prematurely retracted. The acft…NTSB LAX85LA296Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Ajo, AZWhile attempting to start the engine for a planned air taxi flight under conditions including an outside air temp of 118 degs f, a fire erupted in the engine compartment. The occupants safety evacuated the acft & had to walk 1/4 of a mile to obtain…NTSB LAX85IA297Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-247 · Los Angeles, CAThe captain stated that the 'b' hydraulic system low oil leval lamp illuminated while the acft was in cruise flt. As he completed the failure check and placed the 'b' system into standby rudder condition that provides hydraulic pressure to only the rudder,…NTSB FTW85LA267Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172E · New Orleans, LAThe pilot stated the engine quit while he was being vectored for an approach to msy airport, New Orleans. He stated orally that he did not run out of fuel. A successful test run was made with adequate power for flight available. The cause of the engine power…NTSB DEN85LA175Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Lordsburg, NMThe plt attempted to take off from a dirt road at or near max gross wieght and at high density alt conditions. The plt said there was a small rise in the road and he eased back on the control yoke. Directional control was lost and the airplane skidded off the…