NTSB investigations, 1986
180,624 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,602 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 MKC87LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Chillicothe, MOThe PIC rptd that he was taxiing out fm the ramp area to the runup area of the airport to prepare for takeoff. He stated he had noticed ground equipment operating on the arpt as he taxied out. He had also stated that the windshield had become fogged during…NTSB MKC87FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E18S · Texarkana, ARThe airplane was on a positioning flight so it would be in place for an early Monday morning freight run. Pilot called for missed approach and after receiving clearance, declared he was in VFR conditions and thought he would land on rwy 31. During a turn, the…NTSB MIA87LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGlasair Glasair · Ft. Lauderdale, FLThe plt stated that while in the pattern, the engine started to run rough and then quit. He attempted to return to the runway, but the aircraft crashed into trees about one mile from the airport. No reason was found for the loss of power as described by the…NTSB MIA87LA027Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A100 · Brooksville, FLThe pilot stated that shortly after departure the cockpit filled with smoke. While returning for landing his visibility was reduced due to the smoke and ground fog. On landing roll the the aircraft ran off the left side of the runway, went through a cow fence…NTSB MIA87DKT01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportPitts S-1T · Miami, FLAircraft collided with trees while recovering from a spin which was performed at low altitude as part of an airshow performance. Pilot stated he misjudged height of trees and recovered from the spin too low.NTSB CHI87LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Belvidere, ILDuring takeoff roll, the acft door popped open at a point too late to abort the takeoff. The PIC tried to hold the door closed while the second plt flew the acft around the traffic pattern. Just prior to touchdown, the door opened wider and the PIC reached to…NTSB CHI87DEV01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Bloomington, ILAccording to the plt, the acft bounced upon touchdown. She attempted to reflare the acft, however, it bounced again and a go-around was performed. The acft was then landed without further incident. Following the landing it was determined the acft had received…NTSB BFO87MA007Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBeech 65-A80 · Baltimore, MDDrg clb after tkof, l eng seized. Plt said he atmtd 1 eng restart; prop would not rotate or feather. No emerg declared. Plt stated eng shut-dwn proc was used, scientific bus sws were shut off, r gen was recycled & appeared to oper normally. Plts got imt…NTSB ATL87FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Montgomery, ALThe acft was flown for slightly less than 3 hrs on an instructional flt. The acft was reportedly nearly full of fuel before takeoff. Capacity is 89 gals. At max consumption of 22 gph the acft should have still had fuel available when the eng quit. During the…NTSB SEA87FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE35K · Marysville, WAA witness observed the acft impact in an open field during a heavy rain. Rain, fog, and turbulence in the clouds were reported in the area at the time. The acft impacted in a right turn. The new instrument rated plt was getting complex acft time in…NTSB MIA87LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Marathon, FLWhile being followed at a low altitude by a united states customs service aircraft, the aircraft was observed entering a left turn. The left wing tip of the aircraft struck the water and it cartwheeled. After the crash, bales of an unknown substance floated…NTSB LAX87MA044Accident · Serious injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Los Angeles, CAThe captain stated that about 90 min after departure, the acft experienced an abrupt pitch-up, followed by an abrupt pitch-down. Drg the occurrence, one flt attendant was seriously injured; two flt attendants & one passenger received minor injuries. The…NTSB LAX87DJA02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172N · Honolulu, HIThe acft experienced a loss of engine power while descending during a practice instrument apch. The temperature was 81 degrees (f) with the dew point of 71 degrees (f). According to the icing probability chart, there is a possibility of serious carburetor…NTSB DEN87FA018Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Billings, MTWhile on takeoff from a hospital roof top helipad on an emergency medical service flt, a synchronized elevator cover blew off and struck the tail rotor. This resulted in an inflight separation of one tail rotor blade and a loss of anti-torque control. The plt…NTSB DEN87FA017Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301T · Cheyenne, WYThe plt and his two pax were on a VFR x-country to scottsbluff, NE, when IMC was encountered near grand junction, CO. The plt then called ATC and obtained an IFR clearance. The plt elected to land at Cheyenne, WY. Wx was reported to be 500 overcast, 1/4 mi…NTSB CHI87FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Goreville, ILThe acft crashed and burned following a collision with a guy-wire supporting a micro-wave tower. The plt had initiated the flt in MVFR weather and continued the VFR flt into IMC conditions. The crash site was located adjacent to interstate hwy 57 and…NTSB SEA87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 401 · Henderson, NVApproximately 5 1/2 minutes after departure and while the aircraft was climbing enroute, an unknown ignition source triggered an explosion of fuel/air vapor which existed within the interior of the left wing. Wing skin from the upper/lower wing surface was…NTSB NYC87LA030Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Staten Island, NYThe on-demand cargo flight encountered a bird strike enroute from new jersey to jamaica, new york. The pilot received serious injury to the eye and checkbone but was able to accomplish an emergency landing in a parking lot without further damage or injury.NTSB MKC87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310Q · Liberal, KSThe acft impacted the terrain just off the departure end of rwy 17 at Liberal, KS, while on a return flt to Texas. Dark night conditons prevailed and no horizon visual cue were available shortly after takeoff. Reliance on flt attitude instruments would have…NTSB MIA87LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Tampa, FLThe flt had been cleared for a visual approach behind a Lockheed L-1011 aircraft and was warned to use caution against wake turbulence. The flight encountered the wake turbulence of the L-1011 at 1600 feet. Control could not be maintained and the aircraft…NTSB MIA87FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Woodville, FLThe non-instrument rated private plt had received his certificate two days prior to the accident. The flight was receiving stage three radar service when it advised that it was in the clouds and was turning around. Radar contact was lost moments later and the…NTSB LAX87LA034Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Shingle Springs, CAThe plt indicated that after landing the eng quit while turning the acft around on the rwy. He attempted to restart the eng several times but was unable. The plt then exited the acft and pushed it to the rwy shoulder. A local mechanic who was also a plt,…NTSB LAX87LA033Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · San Diego, CAAt the end of a night cross country flight, the pilot attempted an instrument approach to the montgomery airport after being advised the weather was below basic VFR minimums. He was cleared for an ILS approach and reported that he had the runway in sight at…NTSB DEN87FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Butte, MTPlt was attempting the vor-b instrument apch to Butte, MT arpt. Plt reported over the coppertown VORTAC inbound on the arpt. The procedure turn inbound course to the VORTAC is 124 degrees. The inbound course to the arpt is 094 degrees. The acft wreckage was…NTSB DCA87MA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Tampa, FLAt aprx 0612 EST, an eastern airline capt (owner of Piper PA-23, N2185P) departed a rwy near his home in VFR conds to commute to work at Tampa, FL. Shortly after takeoff, he contacted a fss & updated the wx info he had obtained on the previous evening. At…NTSB CHI87IA026Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-251 · Washington, DCDrg an en route climb, aileron control (ctl) bcm progressively more stiff. At cruise alt, the autoplt disengaged & the ailerons would not move. Aileron ctl was restored after a dscnt below the freezing level. The acft was flown below the freezing lvl for the…NTSB MKC87LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Louisburg, KSThe instructor stated that he had observed the student visually check the fuel supply bu that he did not personally inspect the tanks, assuming they were full. According to the pilot, his only confirmation of full tanks was the students repeated statements…NTSB MIA87LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31-350 · Homestead, FLThe plt stated that he thought he had put the gear handle down but on touchdown the gear was up and the aircraft slid to a stop on the runway. Post crash examination of the landing gear system revealed that the landing gear was up when it contacted the runway…NTSB MIA87LA021Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSmith, Ted Aerostar 601P · Jacksonville, FLWhile in cruise flight, the pilot noted that the left engine began losing power and oil pressure. He stated that he then shut down the engine and feathered the propeller. He declared an emergency and descended to land. While on final approach, he lowered the…NTSB MIA87FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164A · Orlando, FLWhile the plt was making a banner pick-up, witnesses saw the acft engage the banner & enter a climb. The plt released the banner, then the acft mushed into a partially built hangar, crashed & burned. The plt, who was on fire, exited the rgt canopy hatch.…NTSB CHI87LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Ramsey, MNThe newly certficated pilot thought his fuel gages were not indicating properly and did not dip the tanks during preflight. On the last leg of the round robin flt fuel exhaustion occurred and the acft nosed over during the forced landing. The plt reported he…NTSB CHI87FA018Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportGates Learjet 23 · Charleston, WVThe PIC lost consciousness during cruise near Charleston WV while on a revenue flt. The co-plt assumed command and landed at Charleston WV without further incident. The PIC was hospitalized and the flt continued on to detroit mi after a replacement PIC was…NTSB CHI87DEE03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportQuicksilver MX II · Aurora, ILThe pilot was making a precautionary landing in the ultralight, when during the landing flare he stalled the aircraft and subsequently collided with the terrain.NTSB SEA87LA017Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Paisley, ORThe acft contacted power lines during a night forced landing on a highway following a loss of pwr. The power lines paralleled the road. Investigation revealed no discrepancies with the engine or fuel system. Planned fuel reserve was found in the tanks. The…NTSB MKC87LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20D · Johnson, ARThe plt had attempted a localizer apch to fayetteville, AK, and stated that his VOR indicator would not hold course. The plt then elected to abort the apch and land at a pvt strip near the fayetteville VOR. The plt was able to land at the strip but according…NTSB MIA87LA030Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBalloon Works Firefly 8-24 · Brandon, FLA high sink rate was not arrested prior to the hard ldg. The plt stated that he briefed the pax on ldg procedures which included a tight grip in the event of an emerg ldg. The pax statements differed from those of the Balloon crew concerning the content of…NTSB DEN87LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 7GCAA · Englewood, COThe student plt lost control on takeoff, departed the runway to the left and collided with a sewage pond.NTSB DEN87FA014Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Bozeman, MTThe plt and his 2 pax's went flying to spot elk in a canyon area. A witness observed the acft low over trees when it suddenly shuddered, banked sharply to the left, then entered a steep descent. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area on the side of the canyon.…NTSB CHI87FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-58ET · Becker, MNThe helicopter (hel) was being used on an external load opn to psn a 2500 lb ventilator to the roof of a bldg. On the next to last load, the plt radioed that he noted a momentary illumination of the fuel bypass advisory light. He elected to cont the opn &…NTSB ATL87LA148Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Memphis, TNPrior to its discovery on may 20, 1987, this acft had last been seen on x-wind leg on climb out after a touch and go at dewitt spain arpt. Parts of the acft were recovered from the Mississippi river northwest of the arpt. The plt's remains had not been…NTSB NYC87LA008Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Haverhill, MAThe student plt was on an approved solo x-counrty flt when he became lost. He attempted a landing at an arpt 10 sm away from his arpt of intended landing. Realizing he was high on his first apch, he made a go-around. While making a 360 deg turn with full…NTSB MKC87LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Hyannis, NEThe pilot stated that he was servicing customers while on this business trip. On his next call, the pilot further stated, he was to land in a hay field that he had previously used but, due to water in the area, he elected to land on higher grounds. Upon…NTSB MKC87FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Siloam Springs, ARThe plt had logged 3 hrs of simulated instrument training prior to this accident. He received a wx briefing which reported wx conditions nearby were IFR due to low ceilings and fog. Immediately after takeoff, the acft started a left turn and impacted terrain…NTSB LAX87FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBellanca 17-30A · Flagstaff, AZThe plt & his wife desired to return to their Flagstaff, AZ, home following a weekend at stockton, CA., & they departed sck in VFR weather conditions. The weather at the destination arpt had been below VFR minimums all morning & it was forecast to remain poor…NTSB SEA87LA016Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-400 · Oregon City, ORShortly after takeoff, an eng failure occurred. The plt elected to make a forced lndg on a freeway. During the landing, the acft collided with two vehicles. An inspection revealed an eng oil line had ruptured which led to oil exhaustion. Evidence indicated…NTSB LAX87LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLearjet 24 · Lake Tahoe, CAAt the end of a cross country flight, the pilot experienced light to moderate turbulence on short final while executing a down wind approach to the Lake Tahoe airport. Approximately 50 feet AGL over the runway, the aircraft exited the turbulence and touched…NTSB LAX87DUG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAero Commander 520 · Lucerne Valley, CADuring a pleasure flt, the plt reported that the right engine caught on fire. The plt made a landing on dry lake bed and disembarked from the plane examination of the wreckage revealed that the path of the landing roll showed no signs of melted metal or…NTSB FTW87LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150H · Portland, TXThe plt had initiated a go-around and was on a left crosswind when a loss of power occurred. A forced landing was made in 4 feet of water in the nueces bay. Post accident exam of the acft revealed both fuel tanks were empty.NTSB DEN87LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S-1D · Shelby, MTThe plt took off with little or no warmup, pushed the acft to max performance at 10 ft, performed a max performance climb to 300 to 400 ft and reduced throttle to idle. As the acft reached stall speed, the plt dived at a 45 degree angle and impacted the…NTSB CHI87LA034Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-66A · Baldwin, WIWhile landing, the passengers were instructed to stay to the side of the basket and hold on. However, one passenger moved toward the center of the basket and hit a video camera with her leg. During the occurrence, her leg was fractured between the knee and…