NTSB investigations, 1985
180,611 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,590 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 ATL86FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Edenton, NCThe aircraft crashed into the abermarle sound and sank in 18 ft of water. The pilot was reportedly on an NDB approach and descended below mda. Witnesses stated that the aircraft circled over head about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses also stated…NTSB NYC86FA034Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Wellsville, NYAfter departure the plt made 3 practice isl apchs at bradford regional arpt located 35 mls away. The acft returned to Wellsville and was cleared for rwy localizer apch. The plt radioed Wellsville UNICOM for advisories and was informed that a fog bank was over…NTSB MKC86FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 337B · Fayetteville, ARThe plt and his wife were flying to Alaska with the first en route stop to be canton, TX. The non-plt wife stated that as the acft passed over the departure end of the rwy on takeoff, her husband released the controls and threw his head back. She kept the…NTSB MKC86FA027Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210K · Baxter Springs, KSAfter lndg at neosho, MO, the plt called the joplin fss at 1132 CST & reqd wx info for a flt to hays, KS. The specialistadvised that his wx computer was out of svc & suggested the plt contact another facility or call back in about 20 min. The plt indicated he…NTSB MKC86FA026Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Wichita, KSThe acdt occurred during an IFR, non-precision approach to the uncontrolled jabara airport. When the flt was one mile from the faf, ATC told the flt that in the event of a missedapproach N3864P should enter controlled airspace heading 360 deg. The controller…NTSB FTW86FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Pampa, TXDrg arrival, N6843Q was cleared for an NDB rwy 17 apch. The plt's last radio call was at 1949 CST, when he acknowleged radar svc was terminated & freq chg was approved. When the acft did not arrive, a search was initiated. At 2335, after fog had lifted, the…NTSB DEN86FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235B · Holly, COAccording to the plt's brother, he was on a flt to calibrate the acft's spraying equipment & to make a few practice crop spraying runs. While flying at aprx 30 ft AGL, the acft struck power lines, then crashed to the ground & burned. No preimpact part failure…NTSB ATL86LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGary E. Wilson Quickie · Paris, TNThe plt had completed several high speed taxi runs in the homebuilt acft prior to the attempted flt. The acft climbed to about 50-100 ft and reached a speed of apprx 65 mph. It would not accelerate nor climb any further. The plt attempted a turn back to the…NTSB SEA86LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Imnaha, ORPrior to takeoff the pilot taxied through a lot of slush. A nose over occurred while attempting to land on a snow covered clearing. The nose over probably occurred due to very deep snow on the landing area and frozen brakes.NTSB LAX86FVD02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportJohn Patrick Coleman Bensen B-8M · Eureka, CAOn November 12, 1985, at approximately 1345 PST an amateur built bensen B-8M aircraft owned and operated by John Patrick Coleman crashed while on a pleasure flight. VFR conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the…NTSB CHI86FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 402C · Detroit, MIA 100-FT ceiling with 3000 ft RVR existed at Detroit. The plt attempted an ILS apch with a 200 ft dh when he struck trees one mile from the rwy. He flew the acft to the airfield but crashed near the threshold. The only apch plates found onboard were for…NTSB BFO86FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Coatesville, PAThere was no wx rprtg stn at Coatesville, but aprx 25 mi ese at philadelphia, the forecast was for ocnl ceilings of 600'OVERCAST, vis 3 mi with lgt rain showers & fog. There were flt prctns for turbc blo 5000' due to wnd shear, ceilings & vis freq blo 1000' &…NTSB ATL86FKG05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600 · Birmingham, ALThe left main gear collapsed during a loss of control on landing. The plt reported the acft touched down prematurely during the flare and it contacted the lip of the rwy at the apch end. Directional control could not be maintained, according to the plt, and…NTSB ANC86LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Rainbow Lake, AKThe plt reported that after the acft touched down on a snow covered, frozen lake, he was unable to hold the nose gear up, due to the depth of the snow. When the nose came down, the nose gear buckled under & the acft nosed over.NTSB SEA86LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Overton, NVSeveral diversions had been made due to encountering airframe icing. Once the pilot realized that a low fuel condition existed he asked for vectors to the nearest airport. The pilot had to make a forced landing due to fuel exhaustion 1 mile short of the…NTSB NYC86LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · West Chester, PAA practice VOR apch was made to the arpt. Afterwards a landing was attempted on rwy 27. A G0 around was made when the acft was too high on final. A second landing attempt was made. According to the CFI, while on final the student was headed for a touchdown…NTSB LAX86FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35 · Avenal, CAThe plt received a weather briefing (twice) and was advised each time that VFR flt along his route was not recommended. A witness observed the acft flying at a low alt below a cloud layer, when it made an abrupt left descending turn and crashed in a field.…NTSB CHI86MA025Accident · 5 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 441 · Derry, PADrg arrival, the plt was advised the destn wx was: estd 500' overcast, vis 1 mi with fog, arpt blo mins. The plt electedto make an NDB rwy 23 apch, but said he would divert if a missed apch was made. He was provided radar vectors & was clrdfor the apch. At…NTSB ATL86LA023Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Paducah, KYAfter being cleared for descent to 4,000 ft and to the localizer the acft lost two way communications. The plt stated that he lost his HSI and radio's. however, he was able to fly in the area around the VORTAC for almost an hour before he descended through a…NTSB ATL86FMG04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 177RG · Kenansville, NCThe acft contacted two piles of dirt during a gear-up landing. The plt took off with intensions of practicing touch and go landings. On the second apch, the plt was unable to fully extend the landing gear. The plt had one passenger check the hydraulic fluid…NTSB NYC86LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7GCAA · Colts Neck, NJThe acft was being used to fly an advertising banner for the jersey shore marathon. The flt took off in a westerly direction, following the traffic pattern, climbing to aprx 1500 ft. a pullup maneuver was made to simulate a banner pickup. The plt checked for…NTSB NYC86FNE01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportDorfman,William A. Bede 4/275 · Westfield, MAThe aircraft collided with the ground off to the side of the runway during a takeoff attempt. The nose gear and the main gear collapsed during the ground contact. The wind blew the aircraft to the side with a wing raised and before recovery as effected the…NTSB LAX86FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Gold Run, CAThe accident location and the departure airport is located in a mountainous area. The acft departed truckee-tahoe arpt (trk) to the northeast in marginal VFR conditions at sunset. The acft continued on a northeasterly heading for 18 miles and then turned to a…NTSB FTW86FRG03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 150G · Geronimo, TXThe acft failed to achieve proper climb to clear pwr lines during takeoff initial climb. The takeoff was performed on a 700 ft long grass strip in a downwind direction. When it became questionable that the acft could climb over a pwr line the plt cut the…NTSB DEN86LA021Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Buffalo, SDAccording to officials, the plt was searching for hunters when the acft he was flying contacted the ground. Witnesses stated that blowing snow, low overcast clouds & visibility of less than 1/2 mi prevailed at the time of the acdnt. A blood sample was taken…NTSB DCA86AA004Accident · 6 fatalFinal reportDassault Falcon 50 · Fairview, NJDassalt falcon 50 (D50), N784B, was on vor/dme-a apch at dusk to circle/lnd at teterboro (teb), as Piper PA-28, N1977H, was transiting arpt traffic area (ata) fm west to east at 1500' in VFR (no flt pln). PA-28 plt was clrd thru ata by teb twr (staying blo…NTSB ATL86LLT02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Knoxville, TNThe plt was on a personal night proficiency flt. He made 2 stop & go landings without incident. On the 3rd landing, the acft touched down about 50 to 60 ft short of the rwy on upsloping terrain & the nose gear collapsed. The plt stated that he was making a…NTSB NYC86LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Butler, PAThe plt had flown to new jersey, dropped off a passenger and was returning to Butler, PA, when a pwr loss occurred. The eng failed on base to final to rwy 26 when the position of the mixture was changed to the rich position. The plt stalled the acft into…NTSB MIA86IA029Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Miami, FLThe plt stated that he was on a practice instrument apch & after arriving at minimums, declared a missed apch, retracted his landing gear & flaps but decided to land and continued his apch & inadvertently landed gear up.NTSB MIA86FA028Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sorrento, FLThe flt was on a VFR x-country at 9500 ft with ATC flt following. The non-instrument rated plt advised ATC that he was unable to maintain VFR & climbed to 11,000 ft. he again avised he was unable to maintain VFR & was going to descend. The acft was observed…NTSB MIA86FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportParsons B/P Gyrocopter · Dunnellon, FLThe instructor plt who was not rated in helicopters or gyroplanes and had an expired instructors certificate was imparting instruction to a student plt in a 2 place homebuilt gyrocopter. When on downwind turn to base leg the student tipped the rotor disc…NTSB FTW86LPA06Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHomebuilt Starduster II SA300 · Canton, TXThe plt reported that after a low pass (300 ft AGL) over a tree line, the acft suddenly lost alt. He stated the throttle was advanced however, an increase in pwr was not experienced. The acft continued to descend to ground contact.NTSB DEN86LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech F33A · Santa Teresa, NMThe plt reported the cylinder head temp began 'falling back out of green' shortly after takeoff. The plt reversed direction & landed at the arpt, but failed to extend the gear, substantially damaging the acft. The investigation of theeng revealed the exhaust…NTSB DEN86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-230-250 · Englewood, COThe plt had new avionics and autopilot system installed in the acft prior to the accident. Ntap data indicated that the acft did not attain the assigned alt of 8200 ft prior to reaching the outer marker. The acft did not get established on the localizer…NTSB ATL86FLT04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportLonnie W. Ratliff Midget Mustang MM-1 · Raymond, MSThe acft was forn locally after the plt had 'worked on' the carburetor some time later the acft was seen maneuvering in a 'nose-up-nose dwn' attitude near the accident site until it went into a spin. The acft disappeared behind trees before witnesses heard…NTSB MKC86LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-23 · Bellevue, NEDuring a night arrival, a Boeing 727, operating as American flt 334, was vectored for an apch to rwy 32L. While descending thru about 5000 ft MSL, aprx 12 mi south of the arpt, the acft reportedly collided with a flock of snow geese. The ATC controller had…NTSB LAX86LA036Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Mammoth Lakes, CAThe plt reported that when he observed the arpt's wind sock in preparation for departure the wind was blowing down the rwy with occasional gusts that did not seem over 20 KTS. After taking off & climbing to abt 100 ft AGL, the acft encountered turbulence…NTSB FTW86FRD02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172P · Monroe, LAOn November 7, 1985, at approximately 1740 CDT, Cessna 172P, registration no. N52995, sustained substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was in cruise configuration at 5,500 feet, when Lycoming engine model O-260-D2J, serial no. L-10724-39A, lost power. Pilot…NTSB FTW86FQG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172N · Westbrook, TXThe acft nosed over during a precautionary landing on rough terrain. The plt reported that at aprx 600 ft AGL, a gradualdecrease in RPM was experienced. Carb heat was applied for about 15 secs but was removed when the RPM decrease continued. A precautionary…NTSB FTW86FQG02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Monahans, TXThe helicopter was being used to herd cattle when the accident occurred. The helicopter contacted 3 power lines and descended uncontrolled to ground impact.NTSB FTW86FPA05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportMooney MK20J · Gladewater, TXDuring takeoff the headset wiring became tangled in the emergency gear extension handle which had been accidently activated. Then the normal gear handle was put in the up position, the emergency gear crank rotated pulling on the headset and the emergency gear…NTSB CHI86LA039Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210N · Doran, MNWhile in cruise flt at 3000 ft MSL at night, the acft struck a bird with the left wing. The plt experienced some control problems but was able to retain sufficient control to affect a safe landing. Post-flt inspection revealed substantial damage to the left…NTSB CHI86LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Lansing, MIThe acft struck wires during the recovery phase of a simulated forced landing apch. The plt continued the flt for aprx 1 hr after the wire strike and landed without incident. Examination of the acft revealed replacement of the right wing was needed.NTSB ATL86LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Hazelhurst, MSDuring cruise flight the engine experienced a loss of power and the pilot applied carb heat. The engine operated normally with the carb heat on and when it was turned off the engine again ran rough. The pilot again turned on the carb heat and the engine ran…NTSB ATL86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Cumming, GAShortly after takeoff the acft experienced a loss of pwr as related by the student plt. A forced landing was performed in a fld during which the nose wheel dug into the terrain and the acft nosed over. Examination of the wreckage failed to disclose any…NTSB MKC86FCJ01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCarothers Monoplane · Lincoln, NEThe plt was performing aerobatics while being photographed for a promotional video. On the last pass over the arpt the acft lost airspeed and began a side slip with the left wing down. At a very low alt AGL the acft appeared to stall and assume a higher sink…NTSB MIA86LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310G · Fort Pierce, FLThe ac departed on a ferry flight with the landing gear clamped in the down position and leaking fuel system from a previous accident. The flight was uneventful until arrival at the destin ation airport. The left engine failed on the downwind leg of the…NTSB MIA86LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · St.Petersburg, FLThe pilot loaded the ac with 100 pounds of fuel,himself and 5 passengers and departed for a short local flight. The ac was landed 15 minutes later 382 pounds over max gross weight, and landed long on a 2800 ft runway, in a crosswind. The ac then skidded left…NTSB LAX86LA033Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · San Diego, CAThe flt departed in VFR conditions after a wx briefing which indicated that clear skies and unrestricted visibilty existed and were forecasted at the destination airport. On arrival the plt requested and received clearance for an instrument apch. When the flt…NTSB ATL86FA020Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportHawker Siddeley DH 125-400A · Sparta, TNTen minutes prior to landing heavy rain fell on airport. Acft mad normal touchdown,spoilers & lift dump activated.PIC delayed brake application as usual and did not get thrust levers in idle. After acft passed mid-field taxiway PIC reported brakes became…