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 NYC85LA139Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Newbury, MAAccording to a passenger, after a long ground roll, the acft lifted off and the plt attempted to increase airspeed by lowering the pitch attitude. As the acft approached the end of the rwy and trees, the stall warning horn sounded. The plt again attempted to…NTSB NYC85FHM01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer SGS-1-35 · Middletown, NYThe acft landed off the arpt after the plt lost alt in a spin. The plt was afraid that the glider would land short in trees so he landed on a highway. The hard lndg damaged the acft.NTSB MIA85LA183Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCentrair Pegase 101A · Jacksonville, FLThe plt stated that on initial climb, realizing he had no elevator control, released the tow rope than deployed the spoilers and collided with the ground. Post crash examination of the wreckage revealed the elvator cable was not connected.NTSB LAX85LA266Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Hesperia, CAWhile en route, the plt noted thunderstorms & towering cumulus clouds over the tehachapi mountains & elected to divert to Hesperia. He stated that all fields within range had 'severe winds and storms closing.' He said that during the landing at Hesperia,…NTSB FTW85LA242Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · El Paso, TXShortly after liftoff, the plt first smelled, then observed smoke coming into the cockpit from under the instrument panel. Shortly thereafter, the eng quit completely. The plt made a forced landing in an open area off the rwy. During the landing roll, the…NTSB FTW85FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Bogalusa, LAA few minutes after departure the student plt flew into the ground in an effort to return to the arpt about 1400 ft n of rwy 18 in aprx a 15 deg nose down and 35 deg left angle of bank. The afct slid about 80 ft when it rotated about it's right wing flipping…NTSB DEN85LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Cut Bank, MTThe purpose of the flt was to clean the acft spray sys. The plt reported that he initiated a downhill/donwind takeoff in winds that were light, but gusting. At lift-off, the plt lost directional control & the acft mushed & crashed. The plt believed the…NTSB DEN85LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Bountiful, UTOn June 1, 1985, an Aeronca 7AC, piloted by a private plt, ground looped while making a touch and go landing at sky park airport, Bountiful, UT. The plt stated that he lost control of the airplane. The winds were reported to be calm.NTSB DEN85LA147Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIntermountain Mfg. Callair A-9 · Michigan, NDThe plt elected to fly the newly purchased acft around the airstrip to test the spray sys. Shortly after taking off, the eng stopped running while the acft was over a slough. The plt was unable to glide the acft to suitable terrain, & subsequently, the acft…NTSB CHI85LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStearman E-75 · Lake Odessa, MIUpon landing the aircraft veered to the right. Power & left rudder were applied, however, the aircraft continued to the right. Power was reduced but the aircraft continued to the right. The aircraft nosed over after coming in contact with a soft, plowed…NTSB CHI85LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Montevideo, MNThe purpose of the flt was to demonstrate the acft to a possible buyer. While taking off, the eng lost power shortly after the acft lifted off at about mid-field. The plt attempted to turn the acft & land on a cross-runway. However, due to his low speed & low…NTSB BFO85IA050Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC-10-30F · Chantilly, VAAfter climbing up to and leveling off at 37,000 feet, the crew of the DC-10-30F noticed that the york control of the captain and the first officer moved laterally independently of each other for approximately two inches. After making an unscheduled uneventful…NTSB ATL85LA178Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Olive Branch, MSPlt was returning to arpt with known low fuel state. The planned landing was to be on rwy 18 but while approaching the arpt, the eng missed. The plt elected to land on rwy 36 with a tailwind and conflicting traffic. The conflicting traffic cleared the rwy and…NTSB ANC85LA089Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Soldotna, AKThe acft sustained substantial damage when the pilot lost control of the acft and nosed over on its back. The weather was VMC but the pilot said he encountered a gust and crosswind during landing.NTSB NYC85FNA01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportGulfstream AA-5B · Boxborough, MAThe pilot made six attempts at landing with a left crosswind of 24 knots. On the last attempt he was observed to lose control and crash into the trees off he departure end of the runway. The aircraft burnded and the pilot received serious injuries.NTSB MKC85LA119Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Concordia, KSThe student plt was making a night flt. He received wind information from an arpt 48 miles from the destination but used an indication from lighted wind indicator. Plt made a go around because the ground speed was fast. During the next attempt, he landed, ran…NTSB MKC85FA120Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Albert, KSWhile maneuvering to reverse directions the acft stalled descending and impacting the ground in a steep dive. The plt was on the final leg of his cross-country flt.NTSB FTW85LA252Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Kaplan, LAThe left brake failed during the landing roll. The acft veered to the right of the rwy and ground looped. During the groundloop, the left tire blew and the tail wheel spring bolt assembly failed. Cause of the brake failure was not determined.NTSB FTW85LA243Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Edna, TXThe pilot lost directional control during a crosswind takeoff from a ranch road. The acft veered off the right (north) side of the road where it contacted a ditch in a rice field.NTSB FTW85LA240Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Hillsboro, TXThe pilot had just taken off on runway 16 at the municipal airport in Hillsboro, TX. This wind, as reported by the pilotwas 220 degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 22 knots and the temperature was 102 degrees. Two persons and 16 gallons of fuel were aboard.…NTSB FTW85FPA03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMooney M20 · Fort Worth, TXThe acft contacted an iron pole and a hangar following a loss of directional control during landing roll. The plt reported that after an aprx 300 ft ground roll, the acft veered left. The left wing contacted an iron pole which resulted in the acft rotating…NTSB DEN85LA146Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-260-C · Ordway, COThe airplane departed the airport on an aerial application operation. Immediately after takeoff the pilot retarded the propeller control to climb setting and turned east. The pilot said he was aware of and saw power lines ahead. He said he advanced the…NTSB DEN85LA145Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Byers, COPlt stated that he was 'in a rush to get home' after his extended trip. He continued to state 'I wanted to get home thatafternoon without another stop and I wanted the performance figures to show me that I could.' The plt executed an emerg landing after the…NTSB CHI85LA219Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Marion, INShortly after takeoff, the plt discovered that the elevator controls were jammed & pitch changes could only be made with elevator trim & power. An emerg landing was made using the trim, but the plt was unable to flare the acft at landing speed. The acft…NTSB ATL85MA177Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportGulfstream G-159 · Nashville, TNThe acft was being operated as general aviation flt 115 & was deptg on a routine night flt. Drg takeoff/initial climb, the left eng lost pwr. The flt crew attempted to cont the climb-out, but following the application of water-methanol, the plt lost drctnl…NTSB ANC85LA088Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Alaktak, AKThe acft collideded with a snow bank and nosed over during a landing attempt on a frozen lake. The plt stated that 'my rt ski hit a pressure ridge or broke through crust; whichever, the acft abrurtly pitched down, contacting the ice and continuing over onto…NTSB SEA85LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Athena, ORThe acft settled back to the ground shortly after takeoff before achieving translatioanal lift. The plt was attempting to test a new spray unit that had been installed. He had put 80 gallons of water in the spray tanks.NTSB MKC85LA118Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEagle DW1-0062 · Mcpherson, KSDuring a go-around attempt the plt who was landing at the harrison airport encountered turbulent wind condition. The plt stated the acft stalled and dropped into a field off the side of the rwy. Strong wind conditions were forecast fro the area of landing.NTSB MIA85IA182Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper Aztec PA-23-250 · Vero Beach, FLWhile in the traffic pattern, the cfi's attention was diverted as he attempted to assist ATC with some radio frequency info. While being so distracted, he permitted the student to land the acft with the gear up.NTSB LAX85LA265Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Rialto, CAAt the conclusion of a nearly 5 hours long non stop flight from NM to CA, the pilot attempted to land at an uncontroll-ed airport. The pilot acknowledged that the aircraft's finalapproach speed was excessive, and after the aircraft toucheddown it bounced off…NTSB FTW85LA241Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-B · Fort Worth, TXThe acft was taking off on a test flt to determine the aft c.g. limits in conjunction with an STC modification. As the acft was lifted off in a front skids high attitude, it entered an uncommanded right roll. Full left cyclic would not stop the roll and the…NTSB CHI85LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Merrill, WIThe plt was performing touch-and-go's when on the landing roll she allowed the acft to drift off the rwy into soft terrain. The acft nosed over. The plt stated that she was looking inside to raise the flaps.NTSB BFO85FA049Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 222U · Milford, VAThe helo was in level cruise flt at 1500 ft and 115 KTS when the no. 2 eng chip light illuminated, accompanied by lowering oil pressure. The plt reduced pwr and started a rt turn to return to base when half way thru the turn a loud bang occurred followed by…NTSB ATL85LA176Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Columbia, SCThe plt reported that during a descent to 2100 ft, intermediate level offs were made at 5000, 4000, & 3000 ft. he stated that at 2200 ft, carb heat was removed & power was applied for the level off. However, when the throttle was advanced, the eng began…NTSB NYC85LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Batavia, NYThe acft was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of pwr on initial takeoff climb. The plt reported that at an alt of aprx 100 ft AGL, the eng quit operating. A forced landing was made 100 yrds off the end of rwy 28. Inspection of…NTSB NYC85FNC04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · W. Brattleboro, VTThe acft lost pwr during normal cruise. The plt attempted to autorotate into a clearing in the trees. Post accident exam discovered an air leak in the fuel control. The pressure compressor discharge (pcd) line 'b' nut was disconnected from the fuel control.…NTSB MKC85LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Harrison, NEThe acft stalled during an attempted go-around. The plt initiated the go-around while attempting to land on rwy 30 with winds from 270 degs at 40 KTS gusting to 60 KTS. The acft stalled, contacted the rwy and veered left off the rwy surface. The plt received…NTSB MIA85LA181Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · St. Marys, GAThe plt stated that he established a normal apch over the trees to the 2000 ft dry sod rwy. After clearing the trees, a high sink rate developed which was not arrested until the acft impacted the rwy on all three wheels, slid 66 ft, then nosed over. The plt…NTSB LAX85LA264Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A90 · San Jose, CAWhile landing the right main landing gear of the aircraft seperated when the upper torque knee link failed. After the gear separated the aircraft skidded off the right side of the runway coming to rest in a grass area. Metallurgical examination of the failed…NTSB FTW85LA239Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 300 · Lake Worth, TXWhile undergoing helicopter transition training from the previous owner, who holds no instructor certificate, the new owner's son had been practicing pwr recovery autorotations. The eng failed to respond to application of throttle, and a full autorotative…NTSB FTW85LA236Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A-600 · Dalhart, TXThe plt had accumulated 12 hrs experience in this model acft. He stated the acft bounced on the rough airstrip, and he applied too much brake on the next touchdown. The acft nosed over, damaging the top wing and empennage.NTSB NYC85FHD02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 210F · Princeton, NJThe acft collided with trees & crashed after overflying mercer cty arpt on a special VFR clearance. The acft had descended to 900 ft to overfly mercer and was attempting to proceed VFR to Princeton arpt to land when it contacted trees and crashed. The wx was…NTSB MKC85LA115Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · West Liberty, IAOn a downwind swath run the helicopter experienced an eng failure and the plt entered an autorotation. The plt then made a hard landing which resulted in substantial damage. Inspection of the engine revealed that the nut which retains the gear to crankshaft…NTSB MKC85FA114Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell OH-13E · Jonesboro, ARThe plt reported that the eng quit due to fuel exhaustion. He attempted to land straight ahead on soft terrain, but the helicopter rolled over. During the accident sequence, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom & scattered parts ahead of & to the rgt of…NTSB LAX85LA263Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR 182 · Mesa, AZDuring initial climb on a dual instructional flight a fire erupted behind the instrument panel & the acft was returned for landing. During roll out 6 inch long flames, smoke & noxious fumes filled the cockpit. When the acft slowed to 10 mph the plts exited…NTSB LAX85FA262Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TU-206E · San Manuel, AZThis plt was attempting to air drop illegal drugs to someone on the ground. While executing an intentional low pass, at dusk, theacft inadvertently collided with a cactus tree & crashed.NTSB DEN85LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters Tomcat Mark 5A/OH13H · Freeman, SDThe plt said he had completed 4 to 5 swath runs (crop spraying mission). During a turning manuever with a left quatering tail wind, full left pedal,full pwr,the helicopter had a high sink rate until grd impact.NTSB CHI85FA218Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 425 · Dayton, OHThe acft involved was experimentally configured with 4-bladed props and was on a test flt to determine handling characteristics following a throttle chop to idle power at 50 ft AGL. This maneuver had been accomplished twice on the test flt without incident.…NTSB NYC85FA138Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Jamaica, NYThe forward one-third portion of the core cowl door on no. 3 engine separated in flight first striking the leading edge of the right wing, then puncturing the fuselage. Causing rapid decompression at FL 170. The core cowl door latches were not adjusted & core…NTSB NYC85FA136Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C172P · Fryeburg, METhe acft crashed in an uncontrolled attitude near the rwy from which it had recently departed. There was a 40 degree down swath cut through the trees to a crater in the ground. The engine was removed from the crash site and examined and nothing was found to…