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 CHI85LA232Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J-3 · Gaylord, MIThe plt attempt to take the float plane across a lake in wind that was from 270 deg at 20 gusting 40 KTS. Subsequently, the acft capsized & was damaged. In a revised statement, the plt reported that he was 'sailing' (letting the wind blow the acft) across the…NTSB CHI85FEX02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 310C · Greenfield, INWhile en route, the l eng suddenly lost power & would not restart, so the plt feathered the l prop. After letting it cool aprx 5 min, he tried restarting it again, but still was unable. He stated he thought he then secured (feathered) the l eng. The plt…NTSB ATL85LA195Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Wingate, NCThe plt & passenger consumed several beers shortly before boarding the helicopter for a flt in the local area. The flt lasted aprx 15 min. The passenger reported that during a landing, the skid on the right side contacted the ground causing the helicopter to…NTSB ANC85LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Kenai Lake, AKThe plt stated that the float struck the water during landing resulting in the acft nosing over and sinking in 25 ft of water.NTSB ANC85FA090Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Anchorage, AKThe acft collided with a parked helicopter during landing. The acft had left the rwy at midfield & collided with the parked acft. The plt stated that he lost directional control after lndg. A rwy light on the left side of the rwy aprx 900 ft from the approach…NTSB MKC85LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Curtis, NEThe plt stated he misread the windsock and made a downwind landing resulted. The acft overran the end of the grass rwy and nosed over when the nose gear contacted a plowed fld. The arpt operator reported the winds were from 180 degs at 18 KTS when the landing…NTSB MKC85LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A-188-B · Broadwater, NEAg plt reports that the acft would not climb fast enough after takeoff to clear tree stumps off the end of the runway at his ag strip. The density altitude was about 6,000 and the plt acknowledges that a lighter load would have allowed the acft to climb fast…NTSB MKC85LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSnow AT301 · Marianna, ARAfter departing the ag strip the plt rptd a vibrating engine which shook violently until finally quitting. The plt responded with an emergency landing attempt to a plowed bean field. The acft impacted the soft terrain at a high rate of speed where the acft…NTSB MIA85LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8GCBC · Panama City, FLThe plt stated that while taking off in a x-wind he lost control of the acft. The acft contacted the lip of a large drainage ditch, cartwheeled 180 degs to the right and crashed into a ditch.NTSB MIA85LA185Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · St.Petersburg, FLThe helicopter was landing after a training flight with an instructor pilot and a non-rated-non-certificated student pilot on board. As the helicopter touched down a severe resonant vibration started. The instructor stated that he attempted to lift off the…NTSB MIA85FA187Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Daytona Beach, FLAccording to witnesses, the plt was flying at a very low alt & was making 's' turns while proceeding southbound along a Beach. During the last left turn toward the east, the acft turned further left toward the north. While turning, the left wing struck water…NTSB FTW85LA248Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Keller, TXThe acft collided with a tree during a forced landing roll following a loss of power on initial takeoff climb. The plt reported a leak was found in the gascolator after the accident.NTSB DEN85LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R-600 · Gardner, COThe ag-acft stalled & crashed during an ag operation in high density alt. The mountainous terrain and downdrafts contributed to the overall effect of dissapating the clearance between the acft & the undulating terrain.NTSB DEN85LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235-B · Lovington, NMThe plt attempted to take off to the east from a 1000-foot mowed alfalfa field at a field elevation of 3700 ft MSL. The plt estimated the winds to be from the southeast at 8 mph. The density altitude was computed to be between 6578 and 6871 ft MSL. According…NTSB DEN85LA158Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Lafayette, COOn June 8, 1985, a Mooney M20K, impacted the ground off the rwy while landing at alexander dawson arpt, Lafayette, o. the plt said he was attempting to make a short field apchto the plt, the apch was high and fast. The acft landed, porpoised, and departed the…NTSB DEN85LA157Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Albuquerque, NMThe plt reported that during a normal landing, the right main gear folded back, followed by collapse of the left main gear. An exam revealed evidence of fatigue failure of a clevis bolt in the threaded area.NTSB CHI85LA231Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJenkins HP-18 · Wellington, OHFollowing an aprx one-half hour flt, witnesses stated that the glider did not appear to flare for landing, but instead, impacted the ground without arresting the rate of descent. The plt eported he had very poor ventilation in the cockpit and feels that he…NTSB CHI85LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Blair, WIThe plt attempted to land the acft in a farm field but was unable to stop before reaching the end of the field. The acft ran through a fence & a ditch before coming to rest. The plt stated that he overshot the rwy, landed long, & was unable to stop the acft…NTSB CHI85LA228Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Osceola, WIThe solo student plt attempted to land the acft with an aprx 90 deg x-wind of 24 KTS gusting to 32 KTS. Feeling unsure of the conditions on his first apch, he decided to make a go around. This he successfully accomplished. On his second attempt, he was able…NTSB CHI85LA227Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Cleveland, OHOn takeoff, a tackel box slid forward and jammed the cyclic. The plt attempted to return to the landing pad, however, one of the skids missed the pad and the acft began to roll until the main rotor contacted the roof of a garage.NTSB CHI85FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164A · Red Lake Falls, MNThe plt had been spray a field in north & south directions, then elected to make a swath run from east to west toward the sun. This pass was made late in the day. While on the swath run, the acft collided with an unmarked wire, then veered & crashed in a…NTSB MKC85LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Des Moines, IADuring a full stop landing the plt applied brakes to arrest the landing roll and upon application of the brakes, the acft veered slowly to the left without slowing down. The check plt applied his brakes to assist the plt, but without any effect. The acft…NTSB LAX85LA267Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Compton, CADuring a dual instructional flt, in preparation for the student's private plt flt exam, the instructor plt failed to confirm that adequte fuel was on board. Despite the fact that the fuel gauges were indicating nearly empty, the instructor plt permitted her…NTSB FTW85FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201T · Pineville, LAThe aircraft landed long and fast on the relatively short, sloping runway. After bouncing four times, the pilot rapidly added throttle on the turbocharger-equipped aircraft and attempted to climb. Witnesses observed smoke from the exhaust, and described high…NTSB DEN85LA154Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCallair A-9 · Riverton, WYDuring an aerial application turn-around maneuver, the eng lost power. The plt stated that he immediately changed the fuel selector & turned on the boost pump, but the acft was too low for the eng to have time to restore power. The eng had been using fuel…NTSB DEN85LA151Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B35 · Chinook, MTAbout 10 min after takeoff, the acft was damaged during a forced landing after the eng began sputtering & then lost power. The plt reported that he made a normal takeoff with the cowl flaps open & the mixture rich. After climbing about 1100 ft (to 3500 ft…NTSB CHI85LA233Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Frankenmuth, MIDuring the approach power was added & the aircraft was observed to bounce after touchdown. The acft entered a left turn & from about 50 ft AGL was observed to collide with the ground in a nose down attitude. The flaps were found in the down position.NTSB ATL85LA183Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Aiken, SCDuring a landing, the eng lost power & the helicopter touched down hard. The plt stated that prior to the 15 min flt, the fuel gage was indicating 125 lbs of fuel & at the accident site it indicated 90 lbs of fuel. A post crash inspection of the fuel system…NTSB SEA85LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Brentwood, CAOn the student plts seventh attempted landing, directional control was lost and a groundloop occurred. The student plt had less than two hours of total pilot in command time.NTSB SEA85LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · North Las Vegas, NVLoss of directional control occurred during the student pilot's second attempted touch and go. The aircraft veered let, struck a berm with the nosewheel and then nosed over. FAA inspectors attempted to physically check flight controls but movement was limited…NTSB NYC85LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 340A · Butler, PAThe plt reported that prior to the flt, he made the usual preflight check & locked the left forward, nose baggage door. During the takeoff roll, the left forward baggage door opened & locked in an upright position. The plt aborted the takeoff, but there was…NTSB CHI85LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 175B · Lancaster, OHThe plt was unaware that the taxiway did not continue to the approach end of rwy 28. He failed to see the turn in the taxiway and the acft continued off the end of the taxiway where it contacted a ditch. The taxiway was not lit (nor was it required to be). It…NTSB CHI85LA222Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChadwick Stitts SA-3A · Plymouth, MIThe pilot stated that the takeoff was made at too low an airspeed. The acft continued down the rwy at about 20 ft AGL in a nose high attitude. At the end of the rwy the acft pitched up & nosed over.NTSB CHI85FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportBeech E18S · Cleveland, OHThe flight departed & proceeded en route without incident. Radar & radio contact was maintained until the flt proceeded over lake erie. The flt did not arrive at it's destination. The acft is presumed to have crashed in lake erie. One identifiable 3 ft x 4 ft…NTSB ATL85FA182Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Cartersville, GAThe circumstances & purpose of the flt was not determined. According to witnesses, the owner/student plt & another psn, who was a certified mechanic & an instructor plt, took off & entered what appeared to be a closed traffic pattern for rwy 18. The traffic…NTSB ATL85FA181Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Newnan, GAThe eng started running rough then quit. The plt landed in awarehouse parking lot between two rows of 40-45 foot trailers. Exam of the eng revealed that the sharp edges of the roll pin had worn through the centering spacer for the tach drive ass'y. which then…NTSB SEA85LA128Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth · Orland, CAThe plt reported that during a loop, the eng lost power, then the acft entered an inverted spin. He said that he had gotten out of the inverted spin & was recovering from a regular spin when the acft struck the ground. According to a witness, the plt entered…NTSB DEN85LA149Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Kalispell, MTN904V, a privately owned B-35, skidded off to the side of a runway during landing. The plt said that he inadvertently activated the gear up switch instead of the flap switch. The right landing gear collapsed causing the plt to lose control of acft.NTSB CHI85LA223Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-T · Rochester, INWhen the plt reduced power & flared, the acft touched down short of the rwy. The acft sustained substanitial damage when the landing gear struck the edge of the raised rwy surface.NTSB ATL85IA180Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportFairchild Swearingen SA226TC · Cherry Point, NCDuring an appch for ldg at new bern NC, the crew was unable to get the right main ldg gear to extend. Ground observers reported that the right gear door was partially open. The crew elected to divert the commuter air carrier flt. To mcas Cherry Point where…NTSB MKC85FCQ03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172RG · Wichita, KSThe acft collided with a cushman scooter during taxi. A witness stated that when the scooter driver 'looked up' I saw the acft taxiing, he made a hard rt turn which threw him off. The scooter driver and scooter were struck separately by the acft. The scooter…NTSB FTW85LA246Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Friona, TXThe plt lost directional control and ground looped off the side of the rwy. The purpose of the flt was to check the adjustment of the acft's spray dispensing equipment. Twenty gallons of water were on board to be used as a substitute for chemical spray. The…NTSB FTW85FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Tioga, TXWitnesses observed the acft apchg from the northwest at an estimated alt of about 100 ft AGL. As it passed their position, the plt rolled into a steep (90 deg) right bank, then roll back out. The witnesses reported that after the acft rolled out of the bank,…NTSB DEN85FTE02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 180K · Atlantic City, WYThe acft nosed over during an attempted landing on a narrow curved roadway in a mining pit. Witnesses reported the acft made a steep descent, touched down on the road and almost immediately departed the road. The acft entered an area of large boulders, nosed…NTSB BFO85FID02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-R-180 · Brookneal, VAThe acft crash landed in small pine trees during a forced lndg after a pwr loss. The eng quit at 200 ft AGL and the acft crashed 1/2 mile from the end of the takeoff rwy. Investigation revealed a malfunction of the eng fuel pump.NTSB SEA85LA193Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEagle DW-1 · Orovada, NVAfter completing his last spray run, the plt began a turn. During the turn, the eng lost power, then restarted & lost power again. Attempts to restart the eng were to no avail. Since the acft was still at a very low alt (aprx 50 ft), an emerg landing was…NTSB MKC85LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Marvell, ARPlt stated that the engine stopped producing power after a reduction to cruise power. Touchdown during the forced lanidng was hard. The engine ran satisfactorily during post crash testing and cause of the loss of power could not be determined.NTSB ATL85FA179Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Kennesaw, GAPrior to takeoff the plt and his brother-in-law added 20 gallons of automotive fuel to the acft fuel tanks. The level of the fuel, according to the brother-in-law, was below the filler neck tabs. After about three hrs of flt the plt radioed a mayday and…NTSB SEA85LA115Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCB · Yakutat, AKDuring arrival, the plt extended his traffic pattern to allow another acft to depart. He reported that after he turned on final apch, his acft encountered a downdraft & hit the ground short of the rwy.NTSB NYC85LA144Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305A · Toughkenamon, PAThe acft ground looped during a landing roll on a sod rwy. The plt stated that during the landing roll, it felt as if the right main gear contacted a knoll of grass resulting in the acft ground looping to the right.