NTSB investigations, 1985
180,610 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,589 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 LAX86FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Sacramento, CAOn December 4, 1985 at 2230 PST, a Beech F33A, operated by the owner, collided with trees during a missed approach at Sacramento metropolitan airport, Sacramento, California, while on a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the…NTSB CHI86LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Crookston, MNWhile doing a 270 degree turn on base leg for runway realignment the pilot permitted the acft to fly into the ground.NTSB ANC86IA010Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper Navajo PA-31-350 · Kenai, AKThe pilot in command could not raise the landing gear properly after departure. He diverted to Kenai, Alaska, whereupon extending the gear he obtained three safe gear indications. The pilot landed the airplane and upon roll out the left main gear collapsed.…NTSB NYC86LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · East Moriches, NYThe acft was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing following a loss of pwr during a takeoff climb. The plt reported that the pwr loss resulted from carb ice.NTSB CHI86FA038Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Highland, MIFifteen minutes after takeoff an eng failure occurred. The plt force landed the acft in a fld but the roughness of the landing surface resulted in the nose and right main gear collapsed. Examination disclosed the exhaust vavle had failed in the #4 cylinder.…NTSB NYC86LA046Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Mt. Lafayette, NHThe acft, while in cruise flt en route to lyndonville, VT, encountered a severed downdraft and the plt was unable to penetrate or climb out of the descent. The acft continued to descend until impact with a mountain occurred. The acft contacted the terrain at…NTSB MIA86LA038Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5 · Wimauma, FLThe plt stated that after turning on the rwy lights using the radio transmitter. They appeared to be dim, & only one side of the lights came on. He then landed south of the rwy at which time the right wing struck a fence post. The landing gear then collapsed,…NTSB LAX86FVD03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportAero Commander 680T · Concord, CAOn 12/3/85 at aprx 0830, the acft was fnd lying inverted in a canal adjacent to the arpt where it had been on 24 hr standby for medical flts. Twelve days later, the plt's body was also fnd in the canal. An investigation revealed the acft had been taken…NTSB CHI86LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · East Liverpool, OHAccording to the plt, he was unable to stop the acft at the end of the taxiway after he had taxied through water. The acft came to rest after sliding into a drainage ditch at the end of the taxiway. The plt continued the flt although the acft was damaged. The…NTSB DEN86FA034Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Englewood, COThe plt had been flying aprx 7 hrs and was completing the flt at night when the accident occurred. He was using visual cues (the arpt enviroment) to position the acft at a proper alt for a visual apch and landing. The terrain south of the arpt rises several…NTSB DEN86FA033Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Franktown, COThe acft departed nashville, TN, for a flt to aspen, CO. The plts made one refueling stop at chanute, KS. The plts were unable to land at aspen or a nearby alternate arpt (eagle, CO) and elected to return back to the denver area. The plts indicated to an…NTSB CHI86IA037Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-110P1 · Detroit, MIThe acft suffered a failure of the left rear axle during taxi to takeoff.NTSB ATL86FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Dacula, GAThe acft collided with trees 3.5 miles from the arpt during an instrument approach in dense fog. The approach required an adf receiver and the acft did not have one. The mda on the approach was 1600 ft. the acft impacted the trees at 1200 ft MSL. The acft was…NTSB ANC86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fishtrap Lake, AKPilot attempted to land his wheel equipped aircraft on frozen lake with water overflow and 12 to 18 inches snow. Acft broke through top layer of thin ice and nosed over upon touchdown.NTSB NYC86LA045Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34 · Hazleton, PAPiper aircraft ran off the runway during landing at Hazleton Pennsylvania. According to the pilot the first approach was missed due to bad visibility. The flight returned to the initial aprroach fix for a second attempt. The pilot broke out of the clouds at…NTSB MIA86LA039Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Cedar Key, FLThe plt was attempting a night landing on his first night x-country & had not landed at this aprt prior to this time. He stated that during the flare, he was caught by a x-wind & blown into the trees adjacent to the rwy. Surface winds at the time of the…NTSB MIA86LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 60 · Lakeland, FLThe plt stated that he experienced a loss of power in both engines, made an emerg landing in a cow pasture, & struck a cow on landing rollout. Due to the extent of post crash fire no determination could be made as to the nature of the malfunction of the…NTSB LAX86MA050Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · San Pedro, CATwo Bell 206L'S (N3913Z oprd by helitrans, N5759Y oprd by island express) deptd avalon 2 min apart on flts to San Pedro. Arr route at destn was ovr a RVR with angling fnl acph arnd a floating restaurant (fr). Heliport (HP) was in congested area nr bridge,…NTSB LAX86LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Calexico, CAThe acft ground looped during a landing on rwy 08 at Calexico arpt. The plt reported that upon touchdown the acft began to swerve to the right. The plt applied left rudder to arrest the right swerve. The acft then began a swerve to the left and the plt was…NTSB LAX86LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S1-C · San Jose, CAThe plt was practicing takeoff and landings on rwy 13 at reid-hillview airport, San Jose, CA. The plt reported that during the base leg to final turn, while negotiating a 'power-off' apch, he attempted by apply pwr but was unable to do so. The acft crashed in…NTSB DEN86LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Fort Collins, COThe plt stated that during takeoff roll the acft used over twice the normal distance to rwy to become airborne. After becoming airborne, the stall warning sounded, and continued to sound until the forced landing when the plt said he couldnot maintain alt. The…NTSB DEN86LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 II · Greeley, COAccording to the plt, during the landing roll the acft veered to the left of the rwy and struck a snow berm. The plt stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had held the 'nose wheel off the ground' longer and not relaxed his attention.NTSB BFO86FA008Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D95A · Millville, NJThe plt & his wife deptd sarasota FL for a 5HR and 10MIN planned flt to Millville, NJ. 5HRS and 8MIN ltr the acft crashed in woods abt 2 miles short of miv. Fuel calculations indicated the acft should have had ovr 11GALS left in the tanks. Witnesses located…NTSB ATL86LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500 · Albany, GAThe aircraft landed on the wet sod runway with a 30 to 35 knot tailwind and ran off the end of the runway and into the trees. The pilot related that the wind shifted 180 degrees upon touchdown. The pilot also stated that he touched down approximately 1000 ft…NTSB LAX86LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Taft, CAThe landing gear intransit light illuminated and stayed on when the plt attempted to retract the gear after takeoff. After all efforts to extend or retract the gear failed the plt elected to land at the arpt of departure. The landing gear collapsed on…NTSB DEN86LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Beulah, NDDuring a landing at dusk on a snow covered rwy, the acft encountered deep snow and nosed over onto its back. The plt stated that after touchdown, he realized that there was aprx one ft of snow on the rwy and was unable to make a go-around.NTSB DEN86FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-182 · Gallup, NMThe plt departed las cruces, NM, on a VFR flt to Gallup,NM. Approx 23 miles from destination, in mountainous terrain, the non-instrument rated plt encountered unforecast snow storm conditons at night. While the plt was maneuvering toward the destination at a…NTSB CHI86FA036Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 404 II · Chicago, ILThe tug driver with baggage cart failed to yield to a taxiing acft when crossing an active taxiway. It was dark nite. Acft had position/taxi lites on. Vehicle stop sign to taxi centerline is 70 ft. driver said he stopped at sign. Tug struck rt wg tip, wg…NTSB CHI86FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE 36 · Odell, ILThe plt departed on an IFR flight into known icing conditions after receiving three complete weather briefings clearly indicating the icing conditions with numerous plt reports of icing. Aprx 40 minutes after departure the plt reported he had about an inch of…NTSB BFO86LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 · Manassas, VAA simulated straight in autorotation to runway 34L was entered from final approach by lowering the collective, and a pwrrecovery was planned at the bottom of the autorotation. At about 150 feet AGL, the throttle was rolled in to match the engine and rotor…NTSB NYC86LA043Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Bloomsburg, PAThe acft was on an IFR flt en route to allegheny county arpt at 6000 ft when an electrical failure occurred. The plt executed a precautionary landing in a muddy fld. The nose wheel caught in mud and the acft nosed over. Examination of the electrical system…NTSB LAX86LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Santa Maria, CAAfter completing a nighttime business flight, the plt landed and taxied to parking. Enroute the plt attempted to taxi between two hangars and around a wash rack. The acft collided with an unmarked curb adjacent to the wash rack and the gear collapsed bending…NTSB LAX86FA048Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · San Bernardino, CAThe instrument rated plt & his family flew from TX to CA. It was night time upon arrival and the plt did not communicate with any FAA facility. Earlier in the flt, during a refueling stop, the plt had telephoned a friend and his parents to arrange to be…NTSB CHI86IA034Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 747-251F · Glen Ellyn, ILDuring climb a bang was heard and the aircraft shuddered. The crew stated that the number three engine oil pressure and oil quantity indicated low. The fire warning light and bell activvated. The engine was shut down and the aircraft landed without further…NTSB CHI86FA033Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Duluth, MNThe pilot departed crystal lake for a flight to visit relatives for thanksgiving. He did not obtain a preflight weather briefing nor did he contact any ground facility during the flight. He was qualified to fly in VFR conditions only. The aircraft impacted…NTSB NYC86LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportIsrael Aircraft Industries WW-24 · Worcester, MAAccording to the pilot, the flight was normal, upon touchdown the reversers were deployed, pilot had information that braking action was poor and rwy was icy but had been sanded, pilot landed on the left side of the rwy centerline aircraft began to drift…NTSB MIA86LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-160 · Dorado, PRThe plt stated that after a brief local flight he was returning to isla grande arpt when he experienced a loss of power in both engines & made a forced landing on the beach near Dorado puerto rico. Post crash examination of the wreckage revealed that the two…NTSB LAX86LA049Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A-150 · Likely, CAWhile practicing power-off forced landings in an open, snow covered field, the pilot said he applied the throttle to abort the approach but the engine 'sputtered then quit.' The aircraft landed in the snow covered field and flipped over. The pilot said he…NTSB LAX86LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Ukiah, CAWhile en route to sonoma county arpt, santa rosa, CA, the plt became concerned about the acft fuel state. The plt elected to divert to Ukiah arpt, Ukiah, CA, and while en route the acft experienced total pwr loss due to fuel starvation. During the forced…NTSB DEN86LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Hayes, SDThe plt stated that during the uphill ldg on snow covered terrain, the acft crested the hill, then started downhill on the opposite side. According to the plt he was unable to stop the acft before reaching a cliff. The plt egressed the acft prior to it going…NTSB DEN86IA031Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-100 · Casper, WYAcft was parked at gate awaiting departure. A bus used to shuttle flt crews around the ramp arrived at flt 855 to deliver a flt attendant. The driver was backing away from acft when the left side to bus contacted rt wing tip. Damage was limited to wing tip…NTSB ATL86FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · East Greenwich, RIThe acft crashed about nine miles short of the rwy during an ILS approach to warwick, RI in IMC wx. The acft had been cleared to descend from 13000 to 3000 ft. the acft crashed outside the outer marker. The co-plt had reported the acft as inside the outer…NTSB SEA86LA027Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P II · Carson City, NVPlt attempted takeoff with at least one-half inch of frost and ice on upper surfaces of acft. Acft became airborne near end of 5900-FT runway in extreme nose-high attitude, stalled and nose dropped to ground contact. Acft skidded through perimeter fence and…NTSB SEA86FVW01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGriffin, Thomas Modified KR-Z · Panaca, NVA witness to the accident observed the aircraft climb straight ahead and make a shallow left 90 degree turn. The aircraft was then observed to resume level flight. The aircraft then slowly wen into a bank and fell off into a dive striking the ground. This was…NTSB NYC86LA044Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper Aztec · North Adams, MAThe flight departed albany new york under VFR conditions and picked up IFR clearance to pittsfield, MA. The pilot flew the approach until reaching VFR under a cloud layer at about 2500 ft. continuing VFR toward no. Adams at an altitude of 2000 ft, the pilot…NTSB MIA86RA035Accident · Serious injuriesForeign investigationGrumman G-73 · Cat Cay, BahamasNTSB DEN86LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-310 · Fargo, NDThe plt stated that during the ground taxi after landing, the right main gear collapsed. During the investigation, it was determined the down lock mechanism was not engaged. Upon examination, it was determined that the main gear lock activator rod was…NTSB MKC86MA031Accident · 7 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportRockwell 500-S · Des Moines, IAN81589 was flwg a Boeing 727 on ILS apch in IFR conds. Aprx 2.5 mi fm rwy, N81589 suddenly deviated left nrly 90 deg. 39 sec later, plt rprtd he enctrd svr turbc, then said he was trying to clb. N81589 subsequently flew thru tree tops on rising trrn for aprx…NTSB MKC86FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Tontitown, ARAfter completing two erratic 360 deg turns in a holding pattern west of the razorback VORTAC station, the plt was instructed to proceed via the 218 deg radial of the razorback VORTAC until reaching the elmie intersection and to hold. A couple of minutes later…NTSB SEA86LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Brooks, ORA total loss of power occurred due to the number 4 cylinder failing. A tail boom strike occurred during a hard landing in a parking lot, severing the tail boom.