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 LAX86LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-58 · Fresno, CAThe acft approached the rwy for landing without the landing gear extended. The controller instructed the plt to go around but the plt continued the apch and landed with the gear retracted. Post accident inspection of the acft disclosedthe gear selector was in…NTSB LAX86LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAerotek Pitts S-2A · Chandler, AZDuring a dual instructional flight the CFI stated that he was looking for traffic while monitoring his student's performance. The CFI failed to observe that an acft was ahead of him in the traffic pattern. That acft was at a lower altitude & was on short…NTSB CHI86LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Brownstone, MIThe aircraft was departing the aircraft owners backyard after discharching two passengers. The pilot stated that he was experiencing cyclic feedback as he attempted to pick the aircraft up to a hover. The feedback became uncontrollable and the aircraft rolled…NTSB ATL86LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper Aerostar 601P · Sylacauga, ALDuring takeoff ground run the plt lost directional control of the acft which ran off the side of the rwy and into a grove of trees. The plt stated that the right eng lost pwr, however, the eng was test run after the accident and no discrepancies were noted.NTSB MKC86FA023Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Orrick, MOThe student plt was briefed to practice stalls, slow flight, 720-degree turns and simulated forced landings with specialinstructions for the plt not to go below 500 ft AGL on the simulated forced landings. During one simulated forced landing, the propeller…NTSB FTW86FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech H18 · Oklahoma City, OKAtr plt departing arpt under VMC experienced failure of the right eng shortly after lift-off. The acft yawed right followed by a steep right roll, contacting power lines with the right wing and subsequently impacted the ground. A post-crash fire destoyed the…NTSB CHI86LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152II · Duluth, MNThe student plt had been practicing touch and go landings and on his third apch the acft drifted to the right of the rwy. He added pwr and attempted to go around. He heard the stall warning horn so he lowered the nose. The acft contactedthe ground, flipped…NTSB SEA86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180D · Wrangell, AKA forced landing was made onto muskeg due to a total loss of power. The pilot had just completed a 180 degree turn away from a fog bank when the engine quit. The left fuel tank contained 7 1/2 gallons and the right fuel tank contained 1 1/2 quarts of fuel.…NTSB MKC86LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Hughes, ARThe training flt progressed normally until a loss of pwr forced the student pilot and instructor to make a forced landing to a plowed field short of theri destination airport. The subsequent landing substaintially damaged their aircraft. An engine inspection…NTSB MKC86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Spring Hill, KSThe pilot of this aircraft was returning from a business flight when the engine failed. During the forced landing, the aircraft rolled through a fence and then impacted a pole with one wing. The pilot stated that one connecting rod came through the side of…NTSB LAX86LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T188C · Hilo, HIThe plt became aware of the acft's unanticipated low fuel state when the eng failed while over the pacific ocean, aprx 900 miles from his destination. He restarted the eng but estimated there was not enough fuel remaining to reach his original destination. He…NTSB FTW86FRG06Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Batesville, TXThe helicopter was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of eng pwr. The plt was performing cattle ranching operations when the eng sputtered and quit while at a low alt. The plt was able to clear trees and high brush, however, a hard…NTSB MKC86LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Grandview, MOThis pilot was making a takeoff for a local flight in his Piper PA-24. He stated that he was airborne when he raised the landing gear switch but the airplane settled back to the runway. Pilot said he became airborne again but could not get a safe indication.…NTSB LAX86LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Angwin, CANear the completion of a dual instructional flt with a pre-solo student, the CFI followed the procedures recommended in the aim 7 & announced his Cessna acft's position over the CTAF stating his intentions & identifying his location on the 45 deg. Entry &…NTSB LAX86FVD01Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportLewis-Pexton RV-4 · Sonoma, CAThe acft crashed into the ground from about 250 ft after a stall following a dive & level off. Two witnesses saw the acc and one believed the plt was looking for him or trying to get his attention because the plt knew the witness' truck and where he would be.…NTSB DEN86LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Ranchos De Taos, NMThe plt stated that during takeoff, after a touch and go, the eng quit due to fuel exhaustion. The acft nosed over during a forced landing in a sage brush covered fld 3/4 of a mile north of the rwy. According to the plt, he failed to switch the fuel tanks…NTSB ATL86LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Greer, SCWhile on an ILS rwy 03 aprch at Greer, SC, the pilot descended below dh and collided with trees approx 500 ft left of runway centerline. The plt related that he descended below dh because he observed what he thought were the aprch lights.NTSB ATL86LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Moncks Corner, SCThe plt reported that the acft engine experienced a loss of power while being vectored for the initial ILS approach to charleston, SC (chs). Attempts by the plt to regain pwr failed and a forced landing was made in a swampy field a few miles north of chs. The…NTSB ATL86LA016Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Charleston, WVThe flight departed Washington at about 1040 en route to Charleston, WV under instrument flight rules. The flight proceeded without incident, with occasional light to moderate turbulence during the climb. As the flight climbed through 26,000 feet the aircraft…NTSB ATL86FLT03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172I · Millington, TNThe acft collaped the nose lndg bear during a forced lndg after the engine failed during takeoff. During post ace eng exam the wires disconnected from the magneto switch. The wires were resting on the 'p' leads. The fastening screw found on the bottom of the…NTSB NYC86LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Bloomsburg, PAThe plt landed with a 15 KTS tailwind and over a 30 ft obstacle. The acft touched down 1/2 way down the 2000 ft long rwy. Due to excessive speed the acft went into the overrun and became airborne for a short distance before touching downin a nose low altitude…NTSB NYC86LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · New York, NYAccording to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to provide the student with night flying instruction. The preflight and run up revelaed no discrepancies and 10 quarts of oil were determined to be in the engine. The aircraft proceeded south along the…NTSB FTW86FPA02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHomebuilt Fokker DR-1 Replica · Denton, TXThe pilot stated he was making his fourth fly-by at 400 feet AGL when the aircraft developed a high sink rate. He then lowered the nose and gained airspeed for recovery. While leveling off he had to turn left to avoid impact with a small tree. At this time…NTSB FTW86FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Arcadia, LAThe instrument flight instructor and student experienced a directional gyro failure. They covered the instrument and requested a return to their departure point. The aircraft was not equipped to fly the published approach. They requested a descent to an…NTSB DEN86FTE02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBeech 58 · Elbert, COThe acft crashed in a open field & was not found for 4 days. The home built acft, maintained largely by the plt, had the engine destroyed so completely that no determination could be made as to power being developed at impact. The plt reportedly had been…NTSB CHI86LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182N · Kenosha, WIAccording to the pilot the flight from toledo to the kenoshaarea was uneventful. During the VOR approach to rwy 14 (approx 2 miles from the end of the runway) the aircraft impacted the ground and was destroyed. The pilot stated that the last thing he rembered…NTSB MKC86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Mansfield, MOAfter departing west plains hospital for springfield, transferring a critically injured patient, the plt of the EMS helicopter began to encounter deteriorating weather. The plt was concerned about the close spread of temperature and dew point, but had…NTSB FTW86FRG02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBeech K35 · Austin, TXThe acft stalled & crashed during a go-around attempt. The plt/owner was flying the acft from the left seat with the mechainc, who had just completed an annual inspection on the acft, seated in the co-plts seat. The mechanic received serious injuries when the…NTSB FTW86FPJ02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 152 · Tahlequah, OKThe acft contacted static cables and descended to ground contact during an aerial search for a person. The plt had turned the acft into the sun when it contacted one of two static cables on a power transmission array aprx 159 ft AGL. The towers to which the…NTSB DEN86LA017Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36TC · Bismarck, NDShortly after takeoff, the plt of the Beech A36TC acft activated what he believed was the flap retraction lever, and the eng quit. The plt made a forced landing aprx 1000 ft from the rwy departure end. During the investigation, the eng was started and…NTSB DEN86LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Vernal, UTThe plt stated he had just departed a site located on top of a mountain, which is approximately 12,200 ft MSL. The pilot said 30 seconds later, the helicopter lost partial power. Requiring him to make a force landing. The inspection of the turbocharger…NTSB ANC86FA007Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 208 · Bethel, AKA total loss of pwr was experienced on takeoff due to the fuel selectors being in the off position. The plt attempted to restart the eng during which time the acft entered a stall and collided with the terrain. According to passengers the plt did not use a…NTSB MIA86LA024Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Gulf Of MexicoAircraft disappeared from radar while operating in an area of level 3, 4, and 5 thunderstorms associated with tropical storm juan. A search by the u. s. coast guard resulted in no aircraft wreckage being found. The aircraft is missing and the pilot is…NTSB MIA86LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Pahokee, FLThe plt stated the acft bounced four times on landing. During the fourth bounce the acft impacted the rwy hard causing the nose tire to blow out and the nose gear to bend.NTSB FTW86FPA04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Terrell, TXThe acft traveled through a barbed wire fence during a forced landing short of rwy 35 at Terrell arpt. When aprx 1 mile from the arpt, the eng quit. The plt was unable to move the fuel selector, however, by applying a full rich mixture and turning on the…NTSB FTW86FPA03Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Yantis, TXThe acft contacted a tree and a large bale of hay during a forced landing following a loss of pwr. Post accident inspection disclosed 18 gallons of fuel remained in the left main tank and 3 gallons remained in the left wing tip tank. Both right wing fuel…NTSB ATL86FA014Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Ocilla, GAThe pilot of the second company aircraft to arrive in the vicinity of the airport held while the first attempted an ndr approach. After the first aircraft made a missed approach the pilot of the second aircraft attempted the approach. The aircraft flew into…NTSB SEA86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCBC · N.Battle Moun., NVThe aircraft impacted the ground after attempting an aerobattic maneuver at about 300 feet AGL. Several witnesses observed the aircraft enter a loop or climbing roll and diveinto the ground. No evidence of failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found…NTSB LAX86LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · San Andreas, CAThe acft nosed over during a forced landing in a fld aprx 2 miles west of calaveras county arpt. The post-accident wreckage examination disclosed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks. The student plt stated that he was on the final leg of a solo x-country…NTSB CHI86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEagle DW-1 · Bangor, MIThe acft nosed over after landing on a grass landing strip. The pilot stated the tail came up and the aircraft flipped over on its back after left brake was applied. An examination of the landing gear and brakes revealed that the right brake was released but…NTSB SEA86LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna C206 · Funter Bay, AKThe left main gear did not retract and during water landing caused the aircraft to nose over. The link pin rod was found to be broken and the cylinder assembly main retract link and pin down latch were found to be bent.NTSB SEA86LA017Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · North Bend, ORThe plt reported having difficulty finding the tie down ramp area at the unfamiliar arpt in dusk light conditions. The passenger exited the acft with a flashlight to locate a tie down spot and walked into the spinning prop. The plt stated the passenger was…NTSB MKC86IA018Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportSAAB-Fairchild SF340A · Lincoln, NEDuring landing roll at the Lincoln airport, the outboard wheel of the left main landing gear separated from the axle. The acft was not hampered in its landing roll and taxithe landing gear assembly revealed that a retaining nut washer was not installed on…NTSB CHI86LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Greenville, MIThe plt experienced engine failure due to fuel starvation ten miles north of his destination. During the forced landing the prop and left wing were substantially damaged. The plt stated that when he ran out of fuel the right fuel guage read between 1/4 and…NTSB CHI86LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 7 · Comstock Park, MIAccording to the pilot she received wind information from a flight service station, the noaa and ATIS approximately 1.5 hours prior to takeoff. All these sources predicted winds to be less than 7 knots. Winds were 'very light' during Balloon inflation. The…NTSB ANC86LAG05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBeech BE77 · Hope, AKThe acft struck trees and crashed during a night takeoff from a gravel strip. The plt suspected an partial pwr loss, but incomplete information precluded a thorough investigation.NTSB MIA86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Starke, FLThe plt stated that after takeoff while climbing through 15 ft AGL the eng sputtered and lost pwr momentarily. Full pwr was regained but the acft had lost altitude and could not climb to clear trees at the departure end of the rwy. The acft then veered left,…NTSB MIA86IA022Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 402B · St. ThomasAfter landing the pilot made a 270 degree left turn to entera taxiway. After completion of the turn the left main landing gear began to wobble and then collapsed outwardinspection of the aircraft revealed that of six bolts which attach the left gear support…NTSB LAX86LA029Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Gila Bend, AZAfter spraying a field and while enroute to the landing site, the acft engine backfired followed by a rapid loss of power. The plt negotiated an emergency landing on a private dirt road. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft left wing struck a tree…NTSB DEN86LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210NII · Sterling, COThe plt indicated he had the arpt in site when the eng failed due to fuel exhaustion. The investigation revea led the eng tach showed a total lapsed time of 4.9 hrs flown on this one fuel load. The perfomance charts for this particular flt indicates a max flt…