NTSB investigations, 1986
180,616 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,594 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\") = 1986 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") = 1986 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 MKC87LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Colby, KSThe pilot stated that he departed his private airstrip, low on fuel, intending to refuel at the next stop where he was to conduct a business transaction. Unable to secure fuel there, and showing one quarter of a tank on each fuel gauge, he departed for Colby…NTSB MIA87LA036Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Isabela, PRThe acft was reported missing while on a personal flight from san juan PR to aguadilla PR. The plts last radio contact was with aguadilla tower requesting an alternate arpt to land because they were in heavy rain. The coast guard initiated a search and found…NTSB LAX87LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe airplane departed modesto airport (mod), modesto, California, on a v.f.r. pleasure flight to Half Moon Bay airport (haf), Half Moon Bay, CA. The flt to haf was uneventful. The plt negotiated a traffic pattern to runway 30. During the landing roll-out the…NTSB LAX87LA049Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Fresno, CADuring a solo instructional cross-country flight the engine quit while on the base leg at the Fresno airport. The pilot did not feel that he could make the runway due to an extended downwind and low altitude. The pilot decided to try and land in a plowed…NTSB BFO87LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Manassas, VAAccording to the student plt, during the apch for the touch-and-go landing, he applied left rudder pressure to line up the acft with the rwy centerline. After touchdown he did not adequetely release pressure from the left rudder and as takeoff was started the…NTSB BFO87DHD02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHughes 369D · Newark, DEThe acft was being flown on a maintenance check flt. As the plt was returning to land, the eng lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an autorotative landing, the main rotor blades & tail boom were extensively damaged. The plt rprtd the fuel quantity gage…NTSB ATL87MA028Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cincinnati, OHThe owner/operator (oper) of a flying service provided acft for broadcasting stations in the area. A radio station had contracted with the oper to provide a helicopter (helo, N59610) & a plt to take a news rprtr on a local traffic watch. The oper rprtd that…NTSB SEA87LA030Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Juneau, AKThe passenger deplaned while the plt shut down the aircrafts engine. Although the plt noticed that the passenger was near the wing strut and attempted to yell at him, the passenger inadvertently walked into the wind milling propeller which struck him in the…NTSB LAX87LA047Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Merced, CADuring the return leg of a round robin cross country, the aircraft experienced a loss of power approximately 10 miles from the destination airport. About 15 minutes earlier, the pilot had deliberately run the left fuel tank dry. At that time, the right tank…NTSB LAX87DVA02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSchweizer G-164A · Fresno, CAThe airplane collided with telephone lines while conducting an aerial application operation. The pilot reported that he was familiar with the area. He surveyed the field, in flight, before he commenced the spraying activities. The pilot did not report, nor…NTSB DEN87LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A188B · Rock Springs, MTDuring the initial takeoff ground run in high wind conditions the acft drifted to the right, impacted a dirt bank, ground looped and nosed down. During the ground loop the left wing struck the ground, damaging the main spar.NTSB ANC87LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-20 · Mcgrath, AKThe plt-in-command stated he was executing a shallow approach to runway 16 and prior to reaching the runway the engine stopped producing power. He further stated that during his descent he did not use any carburetor heat. The plt lost control of the airplane…NTSB NYC87LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3 · Montgomery, NYWhile taxiing in the middle of the taxiway the propeller of N58380 contacted the wing of N7416T. N58380 then rotated and it's wing contacted the wing of N7416T. N7416T was stopped alongside the taxiway when the accident occurred.NTSB MKC87LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177XP · Camden, ARThe pilot stated he was on approach during IMC and had the airport in sight when he flew into another cloud and had started a missed approach when he collided with a tree. He completed the missed approach and diverted to monroe, LA.NTSB MKC87FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Summersville, MOThe PIC had flown his acft fm springfield, MO to olathe, Kansas to have some repair work accomplished and was to return that same day. The PIC never returned to springfield. The PIC had flown to salem, ill where witnesses stated they observed that he was…NTSB LAX87LA352Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180K · Lakeport, CAThe plt & his daughter were believed to have depd his pvt airstrip on 11/22/86 or 11/23/86. They were rprtd missing on 11/24/86 & a search was begun, but the acft was not fnd until 8/19/88, when the wreckage was discovered by hunters. The crash site was…NTSB NYC87LA036Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing Stearman 75 · No.Andover, MAThree banners were laid out for pickup by two stearman aircraft. One banner was an extra. The two stearmans approached the banner pick up point as a flight of two. As the first aircraft made its pickup an extra banner became tangled with the designated pickup…NTSB MIA87LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lantana, FLThe pilot stated the aircraft performed sluggishly during takeoff and would not climb to clear trees at the departure end of the runway. The takeoff was aborted and the aircraft overran the runway encountering sand and nosing over. The pilot stated that…NTSB MIA87FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210F · West Palm Bch, FLThe eng was reported to be sputtering during the takeoff roll. The plt continued the takeoff and after liftoff declared an emergency. As the acft turned to a downwind position at a low alt with the eng still sputtering it struck a tree and a building at which…NTSB LAX87LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Waipahu, HIThe plt dragged both wings through a sugar cane crop during landing roll on a gravel road after a partial loss of power. The engine had 4040 total hours and had been previously overhauled 1655 hours prior. The plt indicated that the eng had a top overhaul…NTSB FTW87FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · Arcola, TXThe plt departed Arcola, TX, VFR, on rwy 10, made a 180 degree left climbing turn and entered clouds at about the boundary line on the west side of the arpt. The radar operator stated the acft continued westbound one to two miles beyond the arpt then entered…NTSB CHI87LA035Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172G · Evansville, INAccording to the plt, just after starting a descent from 300O feet, while inbound to Evansville dress regional airport(evv), the engine 'suddenly and without warning quit.' The plt stated that after deciding he could not make evv, he turned left and set up a…NTSB CHI87DEX02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportRohdecap/Thorp T-18 · Elwood, INThe plt departed anderson, Indiana to check farm fields for standing water, then elected to land at the Elwood arpt at Elwood, Indiana. The sod rwy at the arpt had an uneven gradient & was soft from recent rains. While landing on the soft,uneven rwy, the acft…NTSB BFO87LA012Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Easton, MDThe student plt stated that the landing approach was normal until the acft was over the rwy threshold; at a height of 35 ft, he encountered moderate to strong turbulence and afterwards the acft pitched up ten degrees and entered into a moderately steep left…NTSB BFO87LA011Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182K · Baltimore, MDThe acft traveled out of control after the plt hand-prop started the engine. The acft collided with a parked fuel trucks. There was no fire. The sole occupant in the acft was a non-pilot passenger.NTSB ATL87LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMullinax KR-2 · Augusta, GAThe plt stated that the eng always ran rough at full pwr due to a rich mixture setting on the carburetor. Normally the eng roughness could be corrected by retarding the throttle or mixture control. The plt said that he adjusted the mixture on the carburetor…NTSB ATL87LA025Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Brownsboro, ALThe student pilot was making her first supervised solo flight in the PA28-140 model aircraft. The student reported that wind and low airspeed prevented her from reaching the runway prior to landing touchdown.NTSB LAX87LA046Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream AA-5B · Fullerton, CAA Gulfstream American AA-5B lost power and collided with a tree short of the runway while on an IFR training flight. The flight instructor had just switched fuel tanks when the engine began to run rough and then quit running. He was unable to restart the…NTSB FTW87LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Leander, TXThe pilot made an emergency landing on a highway 20 miles nw of austin due to fule exhaustion. The aircraft received substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot then refueled the aircraft with auto gas from a passing truck and continued on to his…NTSB ATL87LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-19A · Waverly, TNThe pilot reported an electrical failure, however the exact reason for the broken alternator belt was not determined. The wreckage examination disclosed that there was no fuel found in the aircraft system. There was also no fuel spillage. The pilot was not…NTSB SEA87LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T-206 · Warren, IDThe pilot was attempting to land on a snow covered us forrest service airstrip at dawn. The aircrafts right main gear caught on uneven terrain to the side of the airstrip, veered to the right, and then nosed over inverted.NTSB SEA87FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206F · Moose Creek, IDAfter departure and during the initial cruise climb the plt and pax heard a metallic clicking described as sounding like a 'valve tap' in an automobile and coming from the eng area. The plt executed an immediate course reversal back to the airstrip while…NTSB FTW87LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 337 · New Orleans, LADuring an instrument approach and the subsequent missed approach, both engines failed due to fuel starvation. It has been determined that as much as six gallons of fuel was contained in the auxillary tanks at the time of the accident but that none was…NTSB LAX87LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A150M · Corona, CADuring a local flight, the pilot was practicing a simulated engine out procedure toward an open field on rolling terrain. He stated that he misjudged the rising terrain and got too low and slow to initiate a go-around. Subsequently, he was forced to land.…NTSB FTW87LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBarnes Firefly 7 · Holden, LAA commercially rated pilot on an instructional flight was attempting a touch and go landing in the median of hiway I-12 1 mile east of Holden, LA. The pilot failed to see and avoid some power lines substantially damaging the balloon. The pilot and student…NTSB CHI87DEM04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportDevries Sonerai II · Wayland, MIThe volkswagen engine of this homebuilt aircraft lost power sometime during flight. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed during a forced landing in a field. The pilot received serious head injuries during impact and could not remember details of the accident.…NTSB BFO87LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-55 · Beckley, WVThe plt stated that before takeoff he did not see anything on the rwy. The landing and taxi lights on the acft were on for the takeoff. During the takeoff roll when the acft was almost at takeoff speed the plt heard a loud bang followedby the acft yawing to…NTSB ATL87LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Eden, NCPilot related that he had placed the helicopter at triad for a 50 hour inspection. Aircraft reportedly defueled to dry tank. Six days later fuel truck log shows aircraft refueled with 23.2 gallons as payback. According to information furnished by owner and…NTSB ANC87LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207A · Manokotak, AKThe pilot stated that he lost directional control of the aircraft on the takeoff roll. The aircraft exited the departure end of the runway into the open tundra.NTSB ANC87LA014Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305E · Barrow, AKThe pilot stated that during the takeoff he had full right aileron and left rudder. The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and crashed off the left side of the runway. At the time of the accident the wind was five knots or less.NTSB FTW87FA017Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 152II · Grandview, TXA student plt, while on a solo VFR navigational training flt, became lost. After 3.5 hours of flt, the plt thinking she was almost out of fuel elected to make a downwind landing on a country road near Grandview, TX. The acft contacted trees and subsequently…NTSB CHI87LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Kankakee, ILThe plt overran rwy 22 after landing downwind during intrument weather conditions. Fss had advised the plt of a NOTAM that rwy 4 ILS was out of service due to construction. However, another acft which landed on rwy 4 about 15 minutes prior to the accident…NTSB ATL87LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Fremont, OHThe plt reported that he was about five feet above the rwy when he encountered a gust of wind. The acft rocked from side to side during the apch and touched down hard.NTSB MKC87FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182A · Bluff City, KSThe plt stated that he was cruising at 2,500 ft MSL en route southbound to enid, Oklahoma, when he encountered fog but flew for 15 to 20 minutes before executing a 180DEG northerly turn back to hutchinson, KS. According to the plt, he was in the clouds trying…NTSB LAX87LA042Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Columbia, CAAt the beginning of a local pleasure flight, the pilot lost control of the aircraft while practicing high speed taxiing for directional control for takeoffs and landings. Upon reaching liftoff speed, the power was reduced to idle. The aircraft swerved to the…NTSB LAX87LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Chandler, AZAt the end of a local pleasure flight, the pilot attempted a downwind landing by following other traffic in the pattern. During touchdown, the left wing lifted. The pilot corrected by moving the control stick to the left. At that time, the aircraft became…NTSB LAX87FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lake Isabella, CAThe aircraft departed the kern valley airport, kernville, California, on a direct cross-country route to its home base at general william j. fox airfield, lancaster, California. The flight route was over mountainous terrain that was obscured by clouds. A…NTSB CHI87LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bethalto, ILThe pilot attempted an ILS approach into an airfield (runway 29) that was reporting a zero foot obscured ceiling with 1/16 mile visibiltiy and fog. He stated that he became confused during the last portion of the approach and was beginning a missed approach…NTSB BFO87FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Danville, VAThe aircraft was observed flying around the airport as the weather deteriorated. The pilot had elected to depart at about 2345 EST after obtaining a weather briefing 6 & 1/2 hours before. The plt had a total of about 83 hours flying time and did not have any…NTSB ATL87FA021Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Buford, GAAccording to the operator, cylinders had recently been replaced on the eng & plts had been instructed to operate the eng at 75% power with the mixture richer than normal during a break-in period. On this flt, the plt took off with a full load of fuel. As he…