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 SEA85LA143Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Imbler, ORDuring takeoff from a field (off arpt), the acft failed to clear a fence. The pilot then attempted to abort the takeoff, but the acft hit a bale of hay & nosed over. The plt's last medical certificate was dated 9/2/82.NTSB SEA85FA147Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-177RG · Yakima, WAThe pilot, while in slow-flight configuartion, at low altitude, in light chop, failed to see and avoid trees. Resulting tree impact caused acft into stall conditions. Acft contacted other trees, crashed and burned.NTSB LAX85LA295Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGreat Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Angwin, CADuring a VFR cross country flt, wx conditions along the route induced the plt to divert to the Angwin arpt. After an overflt to obtain wind information from the wind sock, the plt said he entered the pattern and completed a normal approach and touchdown.…NTSB LAX85LA292Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172P · Glendale, AZWhen the plt realized he was low during final apch to a landing, he erroneously decided not to use full flaps instead of adding power, vref was high and the landing was 3/4 of the way down the 2400 ft rwy. Believing he had sufficient room to takeoff again,…NTSB FTW85LA264Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7ECA · Ville Platte, LAThe plt had rented the acft for a local flt and was observed by ground witnesses to have flown very low (50 ft AGL) over miller lake when the left wing struck a tree. The acft continued for aprx 50 ft in a left wing low attitude before striking another tree,…NTSB FTW85LA262Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Ship Shoal BlkThe pilot had landed on the offshore platform and was in the process of repositioning the helicopter to one side of the landing pad to provide additional space for another aircraft when the main rotor blades struck a 3' steel sign post. Theblade separated…NTSB DEN85LA173Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Deming, NMThe plt told FAA he was spraying a cotton field and was turning around from a swath run when the propeller feathered. The plt told NTSB that the acft 'pitched upward and lost power.' Acft type certificate shows that a hamilton standard propeller m/n…NTSB DEN85LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell Aerocommander 112 · Landers, WYOn June 22, 1985, a Rockwell aerocommander 112 impacted the ground immediately after takeoff. The density alt was 7700 ft. after takeoff the plt realized the acft would not clear a ridgetop. The acft began to descend & was maneuvered to land on level terrain.…NTSB DEN85FTI04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportFailing/Rand-Robinson KR-2 · Laurel, MTDrg a test flt, the plt made a fast taxi run, then took off on rwy 21. After takeoff, he made a gradual climb & shallow left turns to a downwind, circled the arpt & reentered a downwind for rwy 21. Witnesses reported that the plt made a power reduction &…NTSB CHI85LA246Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAnderson Skybolt · Escanaba, MIPrior to the acdnt, the acft was observed making repeated low passes over the area where it subsequently crashed. Witnesses reported that during a turning maneuver over water, the acft collided with the surface & crashed. A police officer, who responded,…NTSB CHI85LA245Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Griffith, INOn the student's third approach, he was observed to flare the acft too high. The acft drifted off to the side of the rwy and nosed down until it collided with the ground.NTSB BFO85FA052Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140B · Perry Hall, MDOn June 22, 1985 the plt and three passengers boarded N98079. After taxing to rwy 27 (which has a one degree upgrade), the acft began an extended ground roll with a left-quartering tailwind of approximately eight knots. At this time, the acft was loaded about…NTSB BFO85FA051Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · College Park, MDBfr flt, the plt obtained fuel samples thru the remotely operated gascolator, but detected no water. No samples could bedrawn directly fm the wing or fuselage tanks since they had no quick drains installed. A pwr loss occurred drg takeoff at 50 to 100 ft AGL.…NTSB ANC85LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Lewis River, AKThe pilot stated there was a gust of wind about 10 knots, the pilot was not able to reach flying speed, and the aircraft ran off the departure end of the runway.NTSB ANC85LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Ungalikthluk Rv, AKThe plt reported that when he was landing the float plane on a river, an extreme gust of wind cocked the acft causing loss of control. Subsequently, the acft struck a river bank & was damaged. The plt noticed that after the landing, the winds had changed,…NTSB NYC85LA153Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R-182RG · Spring Valley, NYDuring the final approach to runway 25, the aircraft encountered a downdraft and began to descend, the pilot added power but but unable to recover prior to the aircraft contacting the trees.NTSB MKC85LA136Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Belgrade, NEFlight instructor giving private pilot a bfr. Bfr was nearly completed when ip gave pilot a simulated forced landing over his own farm strip. Pilot was making an excellent approach until the landing gear hit the barbed wire hidden in the high grass.NTSB LAX85LA287Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Filmore, CAThe plt flew into a canyon with the intention of turning around to back out. He then decided the canyon was too narrow for a 180 degree turn. He continued flying up the canyon while attempting to gain alt, however, the rising terrain exceeded the acft's climb…NTSB DCA85AA026Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech E18S · Birmingham, ALAt 2045 the military flt, dixie 06, contacted Birmingham apch & obtained clearance for a low apch followed by a full-stop lndg on rwy 05. At 2053, dixie 06 reported a 4 mile final for a low apch to the local controller. At 2054:19, the local controller…NTSB ATL85LA194Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lexington, NCDuring landing on a private turf airstrip, the nose wheel struck a 'pot' hole. The nose wheel separated from the acft and the acft skidded to a stop resulting in substantial damage.NTSB ATL85FA193Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Ghent, WVThe plt took off at 1805 with 150 lbs of fuel remaining, intending to fly to beckley, WV to refuel. He stated that afterhe was in lvl flt at about 3000 ft MSL for 3 to 4 min, he noted an unusual jerk or vibration in the rear. Suspecting a psbl tail rotor…NTSB ANC85LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · King Salmon, AKThe plt stated that he was making an apch to the arpt when the acft ran out of fuel. Subsequently, the acft crash landed about 1-1/2 mi nw of the arpt.NTSB ANC85LA103Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Dillingham, AKThe aircraft swervd on the runway and ground looped, the pilot stated he lost control of the acft due to the wind condition.NTSB NYC85LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182RG · Norfolk, MAThe acft was unintentionally landed with the gear retracted. A CFI and a pvt plt were on board at the time of the accident. The pvt plt in the left seat was flying the acft and on the third landing failed to extend the gear. The CFI in the right seat was…NTSB MKC85LA135Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · York, NEThe plt reported that he had completed a landing & had come to a near stop, then he applied power & was on the brakes for control. He stated that the left brake locked & the acft went off the rwy into hi weeds & rough terrain. There was no damage due to…NTSB LAX85FA286Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 214B-1 · Squaw Valley, CAThe helicopter was engaged in lowering a large pole to the ground when the eng failed catastrophically due to a total first turbine rotor disc failure. The plt turned the acft down the mountain but was unable to gain enough speed to autorotate. The acft…NTSB CHI85LA260Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Roseau, MNThe plt intentionally ground looped the acft during a forced landing to avoid obstacles following a loss of power en route. Aprx 1 1/2 hrs into the flt the plt noticed an engine roughness followed by an increase in oil temp which returned to normal shortly…NTSB CHI85LA241Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Mosinee, WIThe plt stated that he failed to flare properly following a 'fast and flat' final approach. The acft landed on its nosewheel resulting in substantial damage to the acft.NTSB CHI85FEX03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Orleans, INDuring flt, the plt noted that the eng RPM dropped from 2500 to 2000. He could not restore the RPM. He then heard a loud noise from the eng compartment & the eng seized. Subsequently, the acft was damaged during an emerg landing in a corn field. A teardown of…NTSB ATL85FA191Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper J5A · Cleveland, GAThe plt took off from a private strip with his 5 yr old daughter on board. He then made several low passes by a guest house so that his daughter could wave to her grandparents. The acft was last seen headed generally in a northerly direction when it banked…NTSB ANC85LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-2 · Bering River, AKThe plt stated that during a 15 to 20 min period after he had landed, the wind velocity increased greatly. He managed to taxi the float plane to an area where he could takeoff into the wind. As the acft was on the step for takeoff, the left wing lifted as if…NTSB ANC85LA098Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Northway, AKDuring arrival, the plt landed the tail wheel equipped acft on rwy 22 with a x-wind from 290 deg at 8 KTS. After touchdown, the acft entered a ground loop & was damaged. A check of the plt's blood showed an alcohol level of 0.249%.NTSB ANC85FA102Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-44 · Dillingham, AKThe amphibious acft crashed as the plt was landing on glassy water at the inlet of nerka lake. Subsequently, it sank & came to rest inverted in clear water on the bottom of wood river with the gear retracted & the flaps extended. Moderate rain was falling…NTSB ANC85FA100Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 180H · Theordore River, AKThe plt landed the float plane on the Theordore River which had a maximum width of about 90 ft & had few straight runs of more than 400 ft. the River had many sharp turns, some in excess of 150 degs, & its depth was as low as 18 inches at low tide. The plt…NTSB ANC85FA099Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-5 · Theodore River, AKThe pilot caught left wing tip while turning to land and lost control of the airplane crashing into turg.NTSB NYC85LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Newport, NHThe acft collided with trees during an attempted go-around following a loss of directional control. The plt was advised by UNICOM that a 'bit of a crosswind' existed at the arpt. The plt initiated a go-around after a gust of wind was misaligned the acft…NTSB NYC85FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth VENTUS-B · Waitsfield, VTThis glider was involved in a soaring championship course. About 52 minutes after starting the course witnesses observed the aircraft maneuvering for a landing on an open field. While in a steep bank the aircraft stalled and impacted the ground.NTSB MKC85FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRyan Navion A · Kingman, KSAfter departing a pvt strip the acft was observed to perform some low altitude aerobatic maneuvers. The maneuvers consisted of two snap rolls at about 100 feet off the ground. The acft was observed descending steeply on the second roll maneuver until striking…NTSB MIA85IA197Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Ft. Pierce, FLThe landing check list was not properly followed and both pilots neglected to extend the landing gear in preparation for landingNTSB LAX85LA284Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Glenn, CADuring initial climb on an ag flight the plt reported experiencing a loss of eng power. From the acft's alt of 30 ft AGL the plt attempted an emergency landing but did not have sufficient alt to negotiate a turn back toward the road from which he had…NTSB FTW85FA259Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSwearingen SA-26AT · Rocksprings, TXAs the acft was climbing thru 14,800' for 19,000', the plt reported a rapid decompression. Two minutes later, he reported that he has lost the tail. Acft impacted in an inverted flat spin and the tail and a section of empennage were found about 3/4 mile away…NTSB DCA85AA023Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportGeneral Dynamics 240-27 · West Trenton, NJThe coplt bgn takeoff (tkof) with 2700 RPM & 52 to 53.5' of manifold pressure (mp). Wtr injection was not used altho 12 gal was available. At 150 to 250 ft AGL, the l eng lost pwr & the l prop autofeathered. The capt took control (ctl) & took action to verify…NTSB ANC85LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Fairbanks, AKPlt lost control on landing and ground looped. Wx and field conditions not a factor.NTSB SEA85LYE02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAero Commander 600S-20 · Pasco, WAThis Aero Commander 600S-20 departed on an aerial application flight. Shortly after takeoff the pilot noticed flames coming from the engine compartment, experienced a power loss and made a forced landing in sand dunes, substantially damaging the aircraft.…NTSB SEA85FA142Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M-6-235 · Gibbonsville, IDThe plt and two passengers departed on a 2 hr flt for the purpose of conducting aerial observation of mine sites. The acft was operating in mountainous terrain during hot temp conditions resulting in a high density alt. There were no witnesses to the…NTSB MIA85IA195Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Miami, FLThe acft wing dropped to the rwy after lndg. The CFI said that the lndg was smooth with the student plt at the controls. When the wing started dropping the CFI said he took the controls but could not keep the wing up. Post acc invest showed that the left main…NTSB FTW85FRD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportTeratorn Tierra II · Lake Charles, LAThe acft impacted the terrain in an uncontrolled descent. Witnesses stated the acft was participating in a bean bag drop contest when the accident occurred. After dropping the last bag the acft made a turn to the west, entered a spin and descended to ground…NTSB DEN85LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Grand Forks, NDOn June 18, 1985, a student plt and his instructor were on alocal tng flt. Prior to completing the mission, the instructor had his student execute a 180 degree autorotation. During the maneuver, the main rotor RPM was allowed to decay into the critical range…NTSB CHI85LA237Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Peoria, ILIt was reported that the plt made an intersection takeoff with about 4500 ft available. Lift off was made with about 2700 ft of rwy left. The acft did not climb. Low but smooth power output was heard. The flight overflew about three fields that reportedly…NTSB CHI85LA236Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Jenison, MIThe plt leveled the wings during the landing flare in a x-wind but failed to remove rudder input. The acft drifted to the right of the rwy and touched down in a grass area where it contacted a gully and nosed over.