# NTSB investigations: Emergency descent

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 9 of 11 · 505 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC85LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA060.md): Piper PA-22 · Kanektok River, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 1985 · N4810A · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported after a short fld takeoff, the eng dropped to about 1000 RPM; the plt then attempted an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, the acft settled into the snow and nosed over. The plt stated the eng failure was due to carb ice.
- [NTSB ATL85LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA122.md): Cessna 182L · Falmouth, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 1985 · N42616 · Destroyed
  > During flt in IMC conditions at 9000 ft MSL, the plt noted a loss of airspeed indications. He requested & received clearance to descend. During the descent, he elected to divert & received vectors for a nearby arpt. However, when he attempted to level off,…
- [NTSB MIA85LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA129.md): Grumman AA-5 · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1985 · N5867L · Substantial damage
  > While in cruise flt the plt placed the acft in a dive to avoid what appeared to be the landing light of another acft. The light was actually a space vehicle which had just been launched from cape canaveral air force station 60 miles from the acft's position.…
- [NTSB DEN85LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA078.md): Raven S55A · Littleton, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 1985 · N81DS · Substantial damage
  > The balloon envelope collided with power lines after dragging the basket & occupants aprx 200 yards along an open fld and through a fence which damaged the basket containing the occupants. The balloon plt said that the wind was only 5 KTS at takeoff but after…
- [NTSB ATL85FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA050.md): Beech N35 · Hagwood Store, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 1984 · N9476Y · Destroyed
  > The acft broke up in flight during an uncontrolled descent in instrument meteorological conditions under instrument flt rules (IFR). An IFR flt plan was filed. Shortly after takeoff the plt exhibited & reported problems with acft heading control &…
- [NTSB ANC85FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA026.md): Piper PA-12 · Sterling, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1984 · N3908M · Destroyed
  > A witness observed the acft after a touch and go landing enter a steep climb to aprx 150 ft above the 30 ft trees. The left wing and the nose dropped and the acft rotated about the longitudinal axis until ground impact. No mechanical malfunctions were…
- [NTSB NYC84LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA327.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33 · Churchton, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1984 · N5712S · Substantial damage
  > During glider tow climbout, encounter with thermal resulted in momentary tow rope slack. Tow rope separated in overload when slack was taken up. Glider plt selected nearest open fld & set up landing pattern. On downwind leg, plt noted obstructions in fld,…
- [NTSB FTW84LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA414.md): Bell 206L-1 · West Delta 105 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1984 · N5013F · Substantial damage
  > While in cruise flt, total pwr loss was experienced. Plt setup autorotative water landing, deployed emergency floats. Right float was not fully inflated by water touchdown, acft rolled right to inverted position. Eng teardown revealed carbon buildup between…
- [NTSB DEN84LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA269.md): Cessna 150F · Price, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 1984 · N7097F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was following a mountain road through a pass when aircraft performance became insufficient to out climb risingterrain and continued until there was insufficient manuvering room to reverse course. A forced landing was effected on the road and the…
- [NTSB LAX84LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA423.md): Grumman G-164B · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1984 · N6689Q · Substantial damage
  > The plt added fuel and chemicals for a total of about 230 gallons of cargo. The temperature was 87 degrees and the arpt elevation is 1100 ft. the density alt was not computed and performance not assessed. After takeoff in a crosswind turn the acft 'quit…
- [NTSB NYC84LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA211.md): Schweizer SGS 2-33 · Perkasie, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1984 · N7556 · Substantial damage
  > The sailplane lost lift and during a forced landing wires were spotted on the approach. In attempting to fly under the wires the acft was flown into an embankment.
- [NTSB ATL84FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA082.md): Cessna 177B · Lafayette, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 1984 · N2146C · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed in an open field during an uncontrolled descent after encountering forecast icing conditions. The plt had received weather briefings and filed a flt plan into icing conditions in an acft not equipped to handle icing. The plt stayed at an…
- [NTSB NYC84LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA001.md): Cessna 172 · Eppingham, NH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1983 · N66162 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot stated that while enroute to north conway, NH with about 10 gal. Of fuel on board he had to alter course to the southeast to find a hole to drop under clouds and avoid the mountains. He could not identify and land marks and lost contact with the…
- [NTSB DEN83LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA154.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 Soloy · Townsend, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1983 · N1334X · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter made a hard touchdown during an autorotative forced landing after the engine quit. During the landing themain rotor severed the tail boom. The pilot stretched the autorotational glide to reach a hay field and lost main rotor RPM in the process.…
- [NTSB ATL82FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA065.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Taylorville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 1982 · N9783J · Substantial damage
  > The aircraft departed akron, NY at 1154 EST on a flight to charlotte,NC. Toward late afternoon, as the sun began to set, one of the passengers (the pilot's daughter), informed the pilot that the aircraft was getting low on fuel. He diverted toward an airport,…
- [NTSB CHI82FCA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FCA01.md): Hughes 369HS · Cahokia, IL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Nov 14, 1981 · N9083F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL81FIJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FIJ05-201164.md): Hughes 269B · Hurricane, WV · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Apr 11, 1981 · N9322F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX81FUJ29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUJ29.md): Bell 206B · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jan 15, 1981 · N5018K · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA009.md): Hiller Acft 12E · Blanding, UT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Nov 5, 1980 · N57972 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW80FQA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FQA36.md): Hughes 369D · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 7, 1980 · N58431 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC80FFJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FFJ06.md): Hughes 269A · Rochester, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · May 12, 1980 · N8748F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX80FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA073.md): Canadair CL600 · Calif. City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 3, 1980 · C-GCGR-X · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA80FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FAMS1.md): Piper PA-24 · Missing Aircraft · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 11, 1979 · N6171P · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA80FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FA047.md): Piper PA-24 · White Pass, WA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 11, 1979 · N6171P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN80DTM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTM07.md): Aerospatial SA316B · Provo, UT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Nov 30, 1979 · N2304P · Substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK79FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA033.md): Cessna 182A · Albion, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jun 25, 1979 · N5969B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79AA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79AA029.md): Hiller UH12D · Chehalis, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 3, 1979 · N64867 · Minor damage
- [NTSB LAX79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA015.md): Piper PA-28 · Peach Springs, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 1, 1978 · N15899 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79DEX01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEX01.md): Bell 206 · Rockville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Oct 14, 1978 · N206M · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX79FUQ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUQ03.md): Brantly B-2 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 13, 1978 · N5953X · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD78FKW11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FKW11.md): Hughes 269A · Columbia, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Sep 10, 1978 · N8808F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD78FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA097.md): Cessna 195 · Whitesburg, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 20, 1978 · N11DK · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC78DCA46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCA46.md): Cessna 172 · Taylor, MO · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 12, 1978 · N4191L · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA78FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FA110.md): Hughes 269C · Opa Locka, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 5, 1978 · N7455F · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FQA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FQA34-201230.md): Enstrom 280C · Vaughn, NM · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 25, 1978 · N627H · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA78FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FA091.md): Mooney M20C · Jackson, AL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 26, 1978 · N7813V · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD78FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA027.md): Cessna 182K · Pearisburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 1, 1978 · N303JR · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78DYP03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYP03.md): Hughes 369D · Spokane, WA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Oct 12, 1977 · N8601F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA77DYK20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYK20.md): Enstrom F28C · Medford, WA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 22, 1977 · N51727 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC77DAD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAD07.md): Hughes 369C · Hawk Inlet, AK · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 11, 1977 · N377ST · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI77FEG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEG15.md): Cessna 150M · Phillipsburg, OH · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 20, 1977 · N66384 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC76FHA55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FHA55.md): Brantly 305 · Telford, PA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 15, 1976 · N2201U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76FTE70](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTE70.md): Hughes 269B · Broomfield, CO · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 18, 1976 · N9440F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW76AF058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76AF058.md): N. American NA-265 · Recife (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 14, 1976 · N85 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA76FKT32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKT32.md): Bell 206B · Delray Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Nov 26, 1975 · N750LT · Destroyed
- [NTSB DCA76AZ012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA76AZ012.md): Douglas DC-10 · Carleton, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Nov 26, 1975 · N124 · Minor damage
- [NTSB MKC7LDCG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC7LDCG19.md): Bell 47J2A · Branson, MO · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 28, 1975 · N1192W · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76FTE18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTE18.md): Bell 47G3B1 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 24, 1975 · N90769 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC75AN110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75AN110.md): Hughes 269B · Westfield, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · May 28, 1975 · N103KC · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD75DIA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75DIA19.md): Bell 47G4 · Bowie, MD · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 18, 1975 · N420MC · Substantial damage

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600/cases.md?page=10

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600/cases?page=9

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.