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 CHI85LA244Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Mcconnelsville, OHThe student plt had taken the acft without authority of the owner & reportedly was using it to elude police. While flying at low alt, he attempted to pass under wires along a state hiway. However, the acft impacted an embankment in a nose low, wings level…NTSB CHI85LA242Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-1B · Ravenna, OHAfter initial take-off and climbing to 100 ft AGL the pilot experienced engine stoppage. While maneuvering to land in a field he struck a tree line. No engine malfunction found during examination. Acft operating on automotive STC.NTSB CHI85LA240Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHaney Polliwagon · Lambertville, MIThe plt was unable to flare the acft with full up elevator and the nose gear contacted the rwy during landing. The acft bounced and contacted the rwy again resulting in a gear collapse. The plt stated that the elevator did not provide the same amount of up…NTSB ATL85LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C-23 · Wilmington, NCThe student plt was making a landing at the second arpt of a x-country flt when a controller in the tower observed the acft bounce and spotted the nose gear lying on the rwy. An ELT signal was also received at that time. The student plt made a go-around and…NTSB ATL85LA185Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Andalusia, ALThe plt stated that shortly after takeoff, at about 700 ft MSL, the eng lost power with out warning after he made a power reduction to 2500 RPM & 25 inches of manifold pressure. He attempted to glide to a field, but the acft went into the tops of trees before…NTSB ANC85LA095Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Kantishna, AKThe plt was on a flt from fairbanks to Kantishna, AK; however, the rwy at Kantishna was muddy, so he elected to return to fairbanks. While returning, he elected to land at an abandoned mine strip for a comfort stop. During the landing, a hydraulic line to the…NTSB SEA85LA136Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R-172-K · Las Vegas, NVDuring landing rollout on runway 19R directional control was lost with the aircraft verring to the right of the runway. Correction was made to the left, but the aircraft veered off the runway to the left. The wind was from 160 at 9. The density altitude was…NTSB MKC85LA130Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Bingham, NEThe plt reports that the acft began to settle while on final apch for landing. Full power was applied but the acft continued to settle. The acft hit nose gear collapsed and the acft nosed over. The plt had flown 11 hrs since receiving private plt certificate…NTSB MKC85LA129Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Ogallala, NEPlt reports that the eng quit due to fuel exhaustion. The power loss occurred 2 hrs. After t/o, 3 mi from dest. Plt had to maneuver around obstacle in field during landing and landed hard.NTSB MIA85FA191Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale SA316B · Silver Springs, FLThe plt of the helicopter on an on demand air taxi medevac flt encountered deteriorating wx conditions and attmepted to maintain VFR flt in IMC conditions. He descended and struck a tree causing substantial damage. He then made a forced landing and the…NTSB LAX85LA273Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Waipahu, HIAprx 1/2 hr into this dual instructional flt the acft struck unmarked high voltage pwr cables, entered an uncontrolled descent and struck the ground. One of the purposes of the flt was to practice emergency apch procedures. Both the instructor and the student…NTSB LAX85LA272Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Colusa, CAThe plt preflighted the acft at night with a flashlight and noted 12-15 gals of fuel in the tanks. Upon level off at 5500 ft AGL he noted a slight lack of engine power. He also noted that one fuel tank was empty and the other tank read 1/4 full. Because of…NTSB FTW85LA253Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95 · New Braunfels, TXThe instructer pilot and student single engine rated pilot were practicing single eng full stop landings. The acft was on final apch with the right eng shut down and the prop feathered. A vehicle was observed near the rwy. The instructor directed a go-around.…NTSB FTW85FA254Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · Dallas, TXThe student plt allowed the main rotor blades to drop to a slow speed well below the green arc. The student plt and the instructor plt attempted to do a power recovery from the aborted autorotation maneuver but the eng could not accelerate the main rotor…NTSB DEN85LA164Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210J · Moab, UTThe plt & a passenger made a low level pass over the Colorado river to drop a package to friends, who were rafting on the river. The river was in a canyon with walls aprx 500 to 700 ft high. The plt said the eng lost power when the acft was in the canyon, so…NTSB DEN85LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180N · Delta, UTThe acft was flown by a student plt and his instructor on a local tng flt. During landing the sutdent plt did not flair the acft in time, hit hard and bounced. The instructor took control, made a soft landing followed by the main landing gear collapsing. The…NTSB CHI85FA229Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Jeffersonville, OHThe airplane had circled the north-south grass runway twice before attempting a south landing with an estimated 20 to 30 mph crosswind from the west. The airplane staled and made a 360 degree roll. The pilot was unable to recover and the aircraft struck the…NTSB SEA85LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAlon A2 · Albany, ORDuring takeoff at about 150 feet AGL the engine ceased operating. A forced landing was made and the acft struck a fence prior to touchdown. Inspection of the acft and eng did not reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction. The plt had been using automotive…NTSB NYC85LA146Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Old Town, MEDuring a pwr off landing, the instructor noticed that the airspeed was low. The instructor applied full pwr; however, the acft stalled and the plt was unable to recover the acft prior to coming in contact with the water.NTSB MIA85LA190Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · New Smyrna Bch, FLWhile performing a banner towing flight the pilot encountered severe turbulence in the area of a thunderstorm and lost control of the acft. He stated he jettisoned the banner just before impact but still could not control the acft. The acft struck a small…NTSB LAX85LA285Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Garberville, CAThe plt took off in a right quartering x-wind of about 45 degs at 15 KTS with gusts to 20 KTS. There were four persons and 30 gals of fuel on board. The rwy was 2500 ft in length. The plt stated that immediately after liftoff a gust of wind pushed the acft…NTSB LAX85LA271Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Upland, CAThe plt stated that on the flt prior to the accident he felt a slight pull to the right as he applied brakes. On the next flt he touched down normally, lowered the nose and lightly applied brakes. The pull to the right was more severe this time. He applied…NTSB ATL85LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Knoxville, TNThe acft made an emergency gear up landing when both the normal and emergency extension systems failed to function properly. A mechanic was later able to extend the gear with the acft on jacks by repeatedly cycling the selector switch. It was determined that…NTSB SEA85LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 · Idaho City, IDWhile the student plt was on a x-country flt, the eng lost power after the supercharger failed. The plt stated that he was unable to maintain altitude & RPM; he subsequently made a forced landing in a heavily timbered, mountainous area.NTSB SEA85FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Juneau, AKWhile engaged in a log slinging operation over mountainous, densely forested terrain the rotor craft suffered a total power loss forcing the pilot to execute an autorotative landing into high conifer trees. Disassembly of the engine revealed evidence that the…NTSB NYC85FNA02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportMcpherson Evans VP-1 · Boxborough, MAThe pilot experienced an engine failure and allowed the airspeed to decrease until the aircraft stalled and spun to the ground. The cause of the engine failure was not determined. The pilot received serious injuries and the homebuilt aircraft received…NTSB NYC85FA145Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S76A · Belmar, NJDuring takeoff & landing practice for a pre-solo plt the CFI saw a helicopter, N176FJ, approaching the arpt. N4956B, at the time of 1st sighting, was on a left base for rwy 3. The rotorcraft apparently did not see N4956B or hear any radio calls at this…NTSB MKC85LA128Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Swifton, ARThe ag pilot was landing the airplane too fast and when he couldn't stop on the wet grass, he attempted a go-around. By the time the engine accelerated, there was not enough airspeed or runway and the airplane went through a fence and stopped against a…NTSB MKC85LA123Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Paragould, ARPilot was seeding rice when the engine failed. Pilot attempted forced landing on gravel road and impacted a utility pole before touchdown. Acft destroyed by impact and post impact fire. The reason for the engine failure could not be determined.NTSB MKC85IA131Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportLockheed L-1011 · St. Louis, MOWhile on an IFR approach to land at stl and the plt initiated flaps. The no.3 outboard flap vane separated from its mounting and fell to the ground. Upon separation the flap vane struck the leading edge of the trailing edge flap knocking a hole in the skin.…NTSB MIA85LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLake LA-4-200 · Kissimmee, FLThe plt stated that just after takeoff, at about 800 ft alt the eng lost pwr. He then made an emerg landing in a fld and the acft struck a ditch during the landing roll. Post accident examination revealed both magneto cases were cracked and the #1 cly fuel…NTSB MIA85LA188Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Wabasso, FLThe acft nosed over during a forced landing on a beach. The plt was on a solo flt to practice maneuvers. He stated that when pwr was reduced to 1500 RPM in preparation for a stall series the RPM continued to decrease to aprx 1100. He was not able to regain…NTSB LAX85FA269Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 1121 · Van Nuys, CAThe plt, executing and ILS apch, observed a primary hydraulic pressure drop and declared his intent to land without the use of flaps, speed brakes, reversers or nose wheel steering. The acft ran off the end of the rwy during landing, traveled aprx 1300 ft and…NTSB FTW85LA255Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Tahlequah, OKThe plt stated the acft was in flt slightly more than three hrs after it was refueled, before fuel exhaustion occurred. The acft reportedly was leaned during the flt. Post accident examination revealed no evidence of any fuel system leaks. Reason for the fuel…NTSB ANC85FA092Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · Anchorage, AKThe pilot in command executed a step turn resulting in his final takeoff path downwind which would have placed the airplane's flight path over the bank with the least obstructions, except for the small scrub tree. The airplane struck the small scrub tree and…NTSB SEA85LA133Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Las Vegas, NVDuring a local instructional flight a bounced landing was made. The acft bounced nose high to about 20 ft AGL. The acft then veered left of the rwy after full power had been added and flaps reduced from 40 degrees to 25 degrees for an attempted go-around at…NTSB FTW85LA251Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell 112B · Marietta, OKThe plt lifted off the rwy too early for the conditions ie; high gross weight and rough, uphill rwy with grass four to six inches tall. He then attempted to climb too steeply and stalled immediately after passing through ground effect. The acft descended…NTSB SEA85LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Kendrick, IDThe plt had finished spraying a field & was returning to the ag strip when the eng failed. He made an emerg landing in a barley field which was muddy & soft. During the landing roll, the wheels sank in the terrain & the acft nosed over. An exam revealed that…NTSB SEA85LA130Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Truckee, CAContrary to common departure practice, the pilot commenced his takeoff from the lake headed westbound and towards rising terrain. Additionally, he failed to use all the takeoff surface available. The density altitude at donner lake at the time of the accident…NTSB SEA85LA129Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Port Orchard, WAThe instructor plt (CFI) with only 358 hrs total flt time was demonstrating an autorotation with a power recovery. During the recovery, the CFI failed to fully regain RPM & the helicopter settled to the surface. With a low rotor RPM, there was a loss of tail…NTSB NYC85LA143Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom 280C · S.Woodstock, VTThe helicopter experienced a loss of RPM on liftoff and received substantial damage when it collided with a chain link fence. The plt stated that on liftoff to aprx 50 ft AGL, the RPM dropped off to 2800 and a loss of climb resulted. The plt descended in an…NTSB NYC85FA141Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-200 · Hamptonburgh, NYPlt filed IFR for 2 flight legs; baltimore, MD to teterboro, NJ & teterboro to montgomert, NY (orange co arpt). The plt received a preflight wx briefing & was advised that the forecast for stewart, NY, about 10 mis form montgomery was sky partially obscured…NTSB MKC85FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportE.T. Meredith III Christen Eagle II · Carlisle, IAThe aerobatic airplane had a total of 23.6 flight hours at the time of this accident. This accident pilot had flown 6.3 hours of that time. The aircraft log did not indicate any spin practice by this pilot in this airplane but did indicate three flights with…NTSB LAX85LA270Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164 · Biggs, CAThe plt stated that while loading the acft with spray mix he looked at his fuel quantity gage and believed he had enough fuel for one more aerial application flt. The plt continued to state that shortly after liftoff the engine quit and a forced landing was…NTSB LAX85LA268Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Oracle, AZDuring a LCL pleasure flt the plt stated that the acft's eng began running rough so he made a precationary ldg on a dirt road which was at an elevation of 4,000 ft MSL. After inspecting the acft & finding it to be in proper working order the plt decided to…NTSB FTW85LA250Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Dallas, TXThe plt filed and flt planned for an overwater route between clearwater, FL, and Dallas, TX, which was denied due to ATC restrictions. On arrival over new orleans, a planned re-fueling stop, the plt determined that he would make it to Dallas. On arrival in…NTSB FTW85LA249Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310F · Midland, TXOn takeoff, the plt heard a loud bang when he cycled the gear up and he got a gear unsafe light. Personnel on the ground advised him that the nose gear was hanging down at a 45 degree angle, but the mains were up. The plt diverted to a nearby arpt that had…NTSB DEN85LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Fillmore, UTThe plt reported the engine failed while he was spraying a corn field, necessitating a straight ahead forced landing. During the landing roll the wheels bogged down in the soft earth and the plane overturned. Subsequent examination of theengine by the plt…NTSB DEN85LA152Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Los Almos, NMThe plt was making an apch to rwy 27 at the los alamos muni arpt in gusty x-wind conditions. The arpt was located atop a mesa & rwy 27 had a 1.5% uphill rwy gradient. The plt said he selected 2 notches (25 deg) of flaps. The winds were reported to be from 210…NTSB DEN85FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Melstone, MTThe acft was observed in a left turn in a steep dive until it passed out of view behind a hill. The investigation revealed no evidence of airframe or engine malfunction or failure piror to the crash. Medical findings revealed the plt, sole occupant, had 90…