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 ATL86FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-220T · Hamilton, ALAt 1450 CDT, while the plt was cruising at 11,000', ARTCC broadcast info concerning SIGMET 17C, warning plts of thunder-storms with tops to FL 450. At 1613, radar data showed the acft at 11,300'. When asked about his alt, the plt replied he was in a cell &…NTSB LAX86LA022Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210M · Oakdale, CAThe plt said that he made a 'fairly rapid descent' from a 10,500 ft MSL cruise alt to the airport pattern and experienced a 'painful pressure' in his ears. The plt said he was also wearing a headset. On entry into the pattern, theplt said he 'forgot to lower…NTSB LAX86FUM01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 47 G-5 · Yuma, AZThe pilot was hovering after a night takeoff and collided with an electrical power line.NTSB ATL86FA009Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Clayton, GAThe pilot and his passenger showed up for the second day in a row and checked the weather for the return trip to Florida. They found the weather VFR at the airport. An employee of the FBO took the pilot outside and pointed out that the mountains to the south…NTSB MIA86LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Marco Island, FLThe plt stated that while on a photographic flt the eng lost pwr & he autorotated the acft into the water. After the acft was recovered & returned to it's home base, the fuel system was drained & purged of all fluids, the magnetos were cleaned, reinstalled &…NTSB LAX86LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-181 · Palo Alto, CAThe plt said that after landing and turning onto the parallel taxiway, the engine quit. During an attempted re-start, fire was noticed coming from the engine compartment. The plt and his passenger evacuated the acft, and arpt personnel put out the fire. The…NTSB FTW86LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Amite, LAThe plt reported a loss of brake effectiveness while landing on a dew-covered sod strip. Unable to stop, the acft slid through a fence, damaging the wings.NTSB ATL86LMG02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAeronca 11AC · Wallace, NCThe acft collided with the terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb. The plt reported that after clearing trees at an alt of aprx 200 ft the acft drifted to the right. The tail of the acft then rose pushing the nose down until the acft…NTSB ATL86FKG03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 182P · Hawkinsville, GAThe acft caught fire during a forced lndg after losing eng power during cruise. The plt approached a hi-way for landing and smoke filled the cockpit. During rollout fire came thru the firewall and the plt evacuated the moving acft. The unoccupied acft…NTSB SEA86LA016Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-20 · Ely, NVThe consensus of witnesses was that the plt & 2 pax had been awake all or most of the previous night & had consumed alcoholic beverages until at least 0100 PDT. One witness stated that the plt was 'cut off' from alcoholic drinks at 0100, but the 3 men…NTSB NYC86LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · Teterboro, NJThe acft collided with a large bird while in cruise flt. The leading edge of the ry wing was damaged. The acft was landed without further incident.NTSB MIA86FA015Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech BE 35 · Zellwood, FLThe private pilot landed at a turf strip utilizing full flaps and 6 units of nose up trim. The pilot stated that when preparing for departure he was in a hurry to avoid inclement weather at his destination and did not utilize a check list he never re-trimmed…NTSB DEN86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech D50A · T/C, NMA person identifying himself as leon taylor, notified the FAA in albuquerque, n.m., that the twin-bonanza acft he was piloting, overran the improvised airstrip where he was attemptting to land & crashed. Mr taylor was never heard from again. The n.m. state…NTSB NYC86FA015Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Tobyhanna, PAAt about the time N4298K was departing pocono mountains mun icipal airport, recorded radar information from new york ARTCC displayed an aircraft in that area. The aircraft flew eastward and then northward. The aircraft disappeared from the radar screen about…NTSB MKC86LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPitts S1C · Goodland, KSThe acft rolled forward unrestrained after the plt hand started the eng. A tie down tied to the tailwheel pulled free from the ground tie down eye used to restrain the acft during the hand start procedure. The acft rolled forward striking several objects. The…NTSB MIA86MA013Incident · No injuriesMajor investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 · Tampa, FLShortly after lift-off, the flt crew heard a loud noise (similar, but louder than a tire blow-out) as the #1 eng failed. They secured the #1 eng, remained in the traffic pattern & landed on the same rwy. After landing, an exam revealed the combustion chamber…NTSB LAX86LUG01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportTexas Helicopter M74A · Daggett, CAThe plt stated he had just lifted off for a fertilizer spreading operation with an external load bucket, when the eng had a partial pwr loss at 100 ft AGL. A descent was started and the bucket was disengaged. However, while the plt was attempting to land the…NTSB LAX86LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 24R · San Diego, CAThe acft collided with a ditch during taxi to takeoff. The plt was taxiing into the sun and went into the ditch when the taxiway turned to the rt. The plt said he was blinded by the rising sun.NTSB LAX86LA018Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7ECA · Turlock, CAThe acft made a forced lndg after a loss of power during a descent. The plt stated that the eng RPM decreased to 1100 with all other gauges in the green. He also said he could not get the fuel drain sumpt to drain as it was frozen shut during preflt. The plt…NTSB FTW86LA017Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Tulsa, OKThe plt experienced fuel exhaustion while on final apch for landing on rwy 35L at Tulsa international arpt, OK. The acft undershot the rwy by 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile where it contacted railroad tracks.NTSB FTW86FRD01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportNorth American AT6G · Jennings, LAThe acft contacted a ditch and nosed down during an overrun landing. The acft was in a flt of 3 AT6'S landing at the arpt for a fly-in. N104DC touched down on the 2000 ft freshly mowed grass strip aprx 500 to 600 ft from the end. The plt stated the…NTSB FTW86FRA01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 M · Houston, TXThe acft made a forced landing on a golf course and nosed over after the engine quit during takeoff. Post accident investigation revealed that the gascolator was full of water and the carburetor contained 25 percent water. No other discrepancies in equipment…NTSB DCA86AA001Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportVickers Viscount VC-810 · Bloomington, INDrg an ILS to rwy 35, the apch was normal until the acft was aprx 100' abv the decision height, except there was condensation on the windshield. Touchdown was hard. A witness said the acft lndd aprx 1/3 of the way down the 5200' rwy. After lndg, with the…NTSB CHI86FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Murphysboro, ILThe plt took off in marginal VMC in an acft placarded for 'day VFR only'. Aprx 32 minutes after takeoff the acft collided with trees and descended to ground impact. A hunter in the local area at the time of the accident reported hearing the acft eng sound…NTSB BFO86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-1 Voyager · The Plains, VAWhile flying straight and level at 3100 feet MSL, over Virginia route 66 and route 245, the engine began to vibrate to the extent that the plt thought that it might separate from the airframe. The plt selected a field and set up an approach. On final, the plt…NTSB ATL86LA008Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-201T · Chattanooga, TNThe aircraft lost total power during takeoff initial climb and attempted an forced landing in a shopping center parking lot. During the landing attempt the aircraft collided with a utility pole and slid inverted approximately 250 ft before coming to rest.…NTSB NYC86LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Columbia, PAThe acft collided with 6 ft high poles during an overrun landing. The plt stated he was making a landing and noted on short final that the airspeed was excessive. The rwy was grass was freshly cut, wet and slippery. The acft landed long and ran off the end of…NTSB NYC86LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22A · Sterling, MAThe accident occurred when the CFI allowed the student who was in a hover maneuver to lose rotor RPM. The helicopter drift rearward, the left rear skid dug into the ground and the helicopter rolled over. RPM decayed so badly that the helicopter could not…NTSB MIA86FA014Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Ft.Lauderdale, FLThe acft crashed on the arpt during an on demand air taxi flt. The plt stated that on final apch he encountered turbulence and rain. As he broke out of the rain the glare from the sun interferred with his visual perception. A go around was attempted but the…NTSB ATL86FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Charleston, SCThe aircraft was observed on radar as it approached the joint civil - military airport. It passed over near the center of the airport at about 200 feet AGL. There was no reported communication with the aircraft. Several sighting placed the aircraft under at…NTSB SEA86LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Pullman, WAThe pilot of the landing aircraft failed to see and avoid the departing aircraft. The aircraft struck the departing aircrafts vertical stabilizer and rudder with the propeller. Approximately 40% of the vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the…NTSB NYC86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Colts Neck, NJThe plt entered an autorotation at an alt of 1000 ft MSL at a speed of 100 mph. The plt stated, at 75 ft AGL he started to decelerate and the acft was leveled at 8 ft AGL. Cushioning pitch was used to hold the acft off the ground for a zero ground run on…NTSB NYC86LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Linden, NJThe helicopter experienced a roll-over during a practice hover autorotation. The acc occurred when the acft started moving backwards during the hover. The left skid dug into the dirt which pitched the acft nose up & rolled it over to the left.NTSB MKC86LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech H-18 · Osage Beach, MOOn fianl approach to land on rwy 14 at the linn creek/grand glaize airport the plt began to apply prw to the two engines to arrest the descent of the approach. The plt finally had full pwr applied but the acft impacted. The ground short of the rwy. The plt…NTSB MKC86LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Gardner, KSThe pilot stated that he was landing on runway 8 with a right crosswind and had the right wing down for wind correction. The right wheel impacted a lip on the approach end of the runway, 6 inches below the level of the runway. The right gear collapsed, the…NTSB FTW86FA016Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 222A · Charenton, LAThe helicopter had just completed a phase two check, twenty minutes into the flight the occupants heard a loud noise and a severe one-to-one vibration ensued. A successful emergency landing was performed. Examination revealed that one swash plate drive link…NTSB FTW86FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMitsubishi MU-2B-2D · El Paso, TXThe plt canceled his IFR flt plan and attempted to fly VFR at a relatively low alt over mountainous terrain with low scattered clouds on a dark night. He reported a large lighted area as being downtown El Paso when in reality it was most likely coronado…NTSB SEA86LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12D · Reedsport, ORA forced landing downhill was made due to a loss of power. Upon touchdown the right skid broke and the aircraft rolled onto its right side. During engine examination only 1PINT of fuel was remaining in the fuel tank. The engine was test run and no mechanical…NTSB MIA86FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Pensacola, FLAfter takeoff acft headed to destination arpt located 4 miles south. When aprx two miles out, the plt turned back to the departure arpt. Witnesses reported the acft was in a shallow descent, low and fast when it collided with trees and exploded about 1400 ft…NTSB CHI86FEX03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell H13G · Mccordsville, INThe helicopter rolled over after the main rotor blades contacted the terrain during an attempt to land from a hover. The plt had a student plt airplane certificate at the time of the accident.NTSB ANC86LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Tok, AKThe plt elected to land on an airstrip next to the alaskan highway. He stated that there was brush along the edge of the strip which was 'grown in' & was higher than he had realized. During the landing, the acft bounced, then the left wing hit a small tree…NTSB ANC86LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 206 · Tanana, AKWhile en route, the eng lost power, so the plt made an emergency landing on a gravel bar. During the landing, the acft nosed over & came to rest in water. An exam revealed that the fuel sumps & lines were frozen & there was ice in the fuel pump.NTSB SEA86LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G21A · Long Island, AKWhile landing with three to four foot swells and when the aircraft was coming off the step, a wave struck the horizontal stabilizer and elevator causing substantial damage.NTSB SEA86LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182P · Bly, ORThe airstrip was only 20 feet wide. The aircraft was landed slightly to the right of the center. The aircraft's right main gear went into the gravel and the aircraft veered right. The nose gear then struck rocks and collapsed. The aircraft then nosed over.NTSB MKC86LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Monticello, IAThe pilot stated that he knew that he would have strong cross-winds for landing but when he was ready to land, he was unable to correct for them. He started a go-around, hit gusty winds that rolled him to the right and when the airplane would'nt climb, they…NTSB MKC86FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Sullivan, MOThe acft was observed going from level flt to straight up before stalling, turning over and spiraling straight down, at full throttle, toward the ground. Impact marks indicated a near vertical descent with initial impact on the nose of acft. Impact was in a…NTSB LAX86LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Chino Valley, AZWhen the flt departed prescott for the local flt, the plt said the rwys switched several times between 11 & 03 due to the winds. The official prescott surfact observation reported the winds from 110 degrees at 8 KTS with gusts to 17 KTS. After departing…NTSB LAX86FUD01Accident · No injuriesFinal reportRotorway Executive · El Monte, CAThe rotorcraft made a hard touchdown from a hover while on a practice flt. The plt had not been signed off for solo flt in a rotorcraft, helicopter catergory and class. The plt had practiced solo in this acft before but had stayed at very low alt (skid-light)…NTSB LAX86FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportOfria Glanair · Van Nuys, CAWintesses stated that the acft had just departed and, during the initial steep climb, it appeared to attempt to return to the arpt, stalled, and spun to gound contact 1/4 mile north of the arpt. Post accident examination failed to discloseany preimpact…NTSB ATL86FLQ02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Payne Gap, KYThe acft stalled & crashed during a turn to reverse course at low alt to avoid wx. The acft had been following a road to find an arpt when wx was encountered. After the stall the acft clipped trees and wires and came to rest at the base of stairs leading to a…