NTSB investigations

507 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations per year, 1962–2026: 507 cases
19632
19645
19654
196610
19673
19686
19693
19706
19713
19722
19737
19744
19756
19763
19774
197810
19795
19804
19813
19821
19832
19848
198510
198611
19879
19884
19893
19904
19918
19924
19935
19945
19953
19963
19973
19988
19996
20005
20015
200211
20036
20045
200510
20067
20072
200814
200931
201016
201118
201218
201316
201417
201516
201615
201714
201811
20195
202010
202112
20229
202314
202415
202513
20265

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
    crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
    current_codes AS (
      SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e.\"tier1Number\" AS INTEGER) AS code,
        row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e.\"isDefiningEvent\", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
      FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
      WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e.\"tier1Number\" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
        AND (e.\"isDefiningEvent\" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT \"mKey\" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE \"isPre1982\"))
    ),
    phases AS (
      SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
      FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
      UNION ALL
      SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\", w.main
      FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o.\"phaseOfFlightCode\"
      WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
    ),
    case_phases AS (
      SELECT p.*, c.\"eventDate\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
      FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = p.case_mkey
      LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
      WHERE c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
    )
  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 c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 600)
  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.

NTSB ERA27LA007AccidentLimited investigationInvestigation openPiper PA-32-260 · Whiteville, NCOct 7, 2026 · N31RFNTSB ERA26LA327Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · McMinnville, TNThe flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.Sep 3, 2026 · N276SH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA276Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bennett, IAOn August 2, 2026, about 1318 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N26KL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bennett, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…Aug 2, 2026 · N26KL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA181Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369HS · Durango, COThe flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction and the pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.May 7, 2026 · N926ES · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA170Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction.Apr 11, 2026 · N314JP · Substantial damageNTSB GAA26WA016Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Bentley, United KingdomOct 30, 2025 · G-CFNF · DestroyedNTSB ERA26LA026Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS350 · Wetumpka, ALThe pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.Oct 23, 2025 · N545HF · Substantial damageNTSB CEN26LA027Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Springfield, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor’s lack of proper remedial action during the practice autorotation that resulted in the helicopter impacting terrain. Contributing to the accident was the presence of the gusting…Oct 21, 2025 · N74583 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA26WA023Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignGuimbal Cabri · Locarno, SwitzerlandOct 18, 2025 · HB-ZYZ · No damageNTSB CEN25LA380Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Decatur, TXThe instructor candidate’s erroneous operation of the throttle during an autorotation from altitude with power recovery, which resulted in a hard landing.Sep 16, 2025 · N407WA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA381Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Fort Worth, TXThe manufacturer flight instructor’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and a proper descent rate during a demonstrated hover out of ground effect (HOGE) autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer flight…Aug 27, 2025 · N505GR · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA408Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-3 · Picayune, MSOn August 22, 2025, about 1130 central daylight time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-3 helicopter, N17TL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Picayune, Mississippi. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter…Aug 22, 2025 · N17TL · Substantial damageNTSB GAA25WA242Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignMD Helicopters 600N · Storrington, United KingdomAug 15, 2025 · N600MW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA261Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportCessna 172H · Century, FLOn July 9, 2025, about 1820 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N3254C, was involved in an accident near Century, Florida. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The…Jul 9, 2025 · N3254C · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA254Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportCessna 208 · Monroe, NJOn July 2, 2025, about 1729 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N716MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Monroe, New Jersey. The two commercial pilots and 10 passengers were seriously injured, while three passengers…Jul 2, 2025 · N716MM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA189Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · San Luis, AZThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to properly recover the helicopter during an autorotative landing and the instructor pilot’s failure to intervene, which resulted in a hard landing.Jun 25, 2025 · N3951A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA163Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRans S20 · Fairfield, UTOn May 27, 2025, about 1330 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RANS S20 Raven, N327KM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairfield, Utah. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…May 27, 2025 · N327KM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Santa Teresa, NMThe flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and structural damage to the tail boom and subsequent failure of the tail rotor drive system.Feb 22, 2025 · N4191T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Lago Vista, TXThe flight instructor’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.Nov 11, 2024 · N1243Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA003Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Montrose, COA loss of engine power during a demonstrated autorotation due to an improperly adjusted air-fuel mixture or idle setting. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to perform the required idle check during previous flights in higher elevation areas.Oct 3, 2024 · N656RB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA377Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Manvel, TXThe pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.Sep 30, 2024 · N8372F · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA365Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Rockmart, GAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing attempt, which resulted in exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic…Sep 4, 2024 · N9659L · Substantial damageNTSB GAA24WA241AccidentClass 5 · ForeignRobinson 44 · Torun Wloscianski, PolandAug 1, 2024 · SP-NHM · DestroyedNTSB GAA24WA236Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna T182 · Little Stretton, United KingdomJul 30, 2024 · G-CIMM · Substantial damageNTSB ENG24LA028Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Oktaha, OKThe loss of engine power due to high cycle fatigue failure of a power turbine stage 3 turbine wheel blade. The resulting engine imbalance caused a decoupling of the gas producer stage 1 and stage 2 turbine wheels leading to a stage 1 turbine overspeed and…Jul 26, 2024 · N793SF · Minor damageNTSB WPR24LA241Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Herriman, UTA hard landing following a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper idle setting of the helicopter’s engine. Contributing to the loss of engine power was the instructor’s reduction of engine power past that recommended by…Jul 13, 2024 · N6960 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA24WA237Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignCessna 150 · Vern-sur-Seiche, FranceJul 3, 2024 · F-HTFS · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24LA045Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 206 · King Salmon, AKA partial loss of engine power due to detonation/preignition of the No. 1 cylinder for reasons that could not be determined.Jun 7, 2024 · N756CL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA183Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Maricopa, AZThe flight instructor’s unstabilized approach during an autorotation that resulted in hard landing.Jun 6, 2024 · N7514V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA215Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Crestview, FLThe pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades contacting the tail boom.May 10, 2024 · N969VS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA201Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Beach City, OHA total loss of engine power due to the due to the pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat.Apr 25, 2024 · N97517 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA24WA145Accident · 3 fatalClass 5 · ForeignBell 206 · Meico City, MexicoApr 14, 2024 · XP-PIP · DestroyedNTSB ERA24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Eufaula, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning/management.Jan 31, 2024 · N5520P · Substantial damageNTSB GAA24WA060Accident · No injuriesClass 5 · ForeignRobinson R44 · Arthur's Pass, New ZealandDec 19, 2023 · ZK-HGX · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA045Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Chesterfield, VAA hard landing, which resulted in a main rotor strike of the left vertical stablizer.Nov 16, 2023 · N26VA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Hochatown, OKA total loss of engine power during a practice autorotation due to the improper engine idle setting and rigging of the carburetor heat control which resulted in a hard landing.Oct 1, 2023 · N379SH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA404Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Arcola, TXThe instructor’s failure to re-apply engine power during a power recovery after a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.Sep 7, 2023 · N8372F · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA389Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 530FF · Liberty Hill, TXThe pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.Aug 31, 2023 · N530JR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA295Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportFish Larry W Lancair 360 · Renton, WAA loss of electrical power due to low battery voltage, which resulted in an inflight shut down of the capacitor discharge ignition system and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to switch batteries after the electrical…Jul 31, 2023 · N68XA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA269Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Orlando, FLThe pilot’s improper landing flare during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.Jun 5, 2023 · N27UK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA199Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Abbeville, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was…May 23, 2023 · N451PH · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA038Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAerospatiale AS350B2 · Honolulu, HIThe instructor pilot’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction, which resulted in a hard landing, and substantial damage to the tail boom.May 22, 2023 · N745RH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA191Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Spanish Fork, UTThe instructor pilot’s improper landing flare during a straight-in autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.May 15, 2023 · N227WM · Substantial damageNTSB GAA23WA140Accident · 7 fatalClass 3 · ForeignCessna 206 · Chiribiquete National Park, ColombiaMay 1, 2023 · HK2803 · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA164Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMaule MXT-7-180 · La Porte, TXThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for an emergency landing following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…Apr 24, 2023 · N4008J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA146Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269A · Titusville, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during an autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rotor blade strike of the tail boom.Mar 9, 2023 · N8911F · Substantial damageNTSB GAA23WA077AccidentClass 5 · ForeignHughes 269A · Budaors, HungaryFeb 23, 2023 · HA-HBQ · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Gilgo-Oak Beach-Captree, NYThe flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action while supervising the student pilot’s practice autorotation in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.Dec 11, 2022 · N14HT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA048Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369HS · Oxford, COThe designated pilot examiner’s failure to maintain a proper descent during a practice 180° autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.Nov 23, 2022 · N668M · Substantial damageNTSB GAA23WA018Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBell 407 · São Paulo, BrazilOct 19, 2022 · PP-BDL · Substantial damage