# NTSB investigations, TX: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA380.md): Bell 407 · Decatur, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 16, 2025 · N407WA · Substantial damage
  > The instructor candidate’s erroneous operation of the throttle during an autorotation from altitude with power recovery, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN25LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA381.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2025 · N505GR · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN25LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA084.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 · Lago Vista, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2024 · N1243Y · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN24LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA377.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Manvel, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2024 · N8372F · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN23LA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA404.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Arcola, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2023 · N8372F · Substantial damage
  > The instructor’s failure to re-apply engine power during a power recovery after a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN23LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA389.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 530FF · Liberty Hill, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2023 · N530JR · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN23FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA164.md): Maule MXT-7-180 · La Porte, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2023 · N4008J · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN22LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA402.md): MD Helicopters 369E · Pearland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2022 · N1576F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain aircraft control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN22LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA400.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · San Isidro, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N4447A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to conduct an autorotation with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage.
- [NTSB CEN22LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA078.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Bridgeport, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 14, 2021 · N862YB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during an autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper placement of the throttle during the initial practice power-on recovery autorotation.
- [NTSB WPR19LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA019.md): Bell 47G · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 2, 2018 · N1159W · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA010.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Sweetwater, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2017 · N8234R · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during a precautionary approach for landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN16FA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA315.md): Hughes 269C · Howe, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2016 · N9277R · Substantial damage
  > The improper execution of an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of remedial action during the autorotation.
- [NTSB CEN15LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA215.md): Cessna 172 - H · Circleville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2015 · N8282L · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine to regain normal power after a simulated engine failure due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing on muddy terrain and a subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB GAA15CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA002.md): Bell 407 · Justin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 5, 2015 · N41BH · Substantial damage
  > Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.
- [NTSB CEN15LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA042.md): Mosier Robert S Mosquito XET · Angleton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2014 · N922RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to detect a loose drive belt, which resulted in an in-flight…
- [NTSB CEN14CA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA409.md): Glasflugel H 301 B Libelle · Brenham, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 6, 2014 · N1615 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's attempt to maneuver away from power lines during a forced landing, which resulted in a collision with a tree and a fence.
- [NTSB CEN14CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA367.md): American Eurocopter AS350B3 · Grand Praire, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2014 · N350GP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate supervision during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's hard landing during a practice autorotation.
- [NTSB CEN14LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA197.md): Robinson R44 - II · Menard, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2014 · N44MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA276.md): Bell 206-L4 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2013 · N2036F · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN13FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA075.md): Hughes 369 · Childress, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2012 · N28MP · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the helicopter fuel system that resulted in erroneous fuel gauge indications and the pilot’s inadequate fuel management, both of which resulted in fuel exhaustion during a long-line hover. Also causal was the lack of company…
- [NTSB CEN13LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA056.md): Cessna 210L · La Grange, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2012 · N732BL · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the loss of oil to the engine. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the engine oil filter adaptor, which resulted in the loss of oil to the engine.
- [NTSB CEN12FA621](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA621.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Houston, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2012 · N281RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter after a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded operation.
- [NTSB CEN11LA688](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA688.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Berryville, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2011 · N8617 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN11LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA204.md): Cessna 172N · Andrews, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2011 · N739BL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB CEN10LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA222.md): Cross-Capps Breezy · Livingston, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2010 · N125RT · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN09CA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA394.md): Sidler Mike Rotorway · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2009 · N1934 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to control his rate of descent during autorotation, which required an aggressive recovery maneuver and resulted in a sudden loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN09CA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA351.md): Bell 206B · Justin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2009 · N43791 · Substantial damage
  > The instructor pilot's failure to add sufficient power early enough to compensate for the strong gusting headwinds.
- [NTSB CEN09CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA273.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2009 · N7519V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB CEN09CA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA203.md): Bell 407 · Lancaster, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 27, 2009 · N2592T · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the failure of the CFI to provide appropriate instruction during the maneuver.
- [NTSB CEN09CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA157.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cypress, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2009 · N234LA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB CEN09LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA128.md): Probst Baby Ace D · Kilgore, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2009 · N610DD · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness, resulting in him being lost.
- [NTSB DFW08CA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA114.md): Hughes 269A · Killeen, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2008 · N9064N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM and a safe rate of descent during the autorotation. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.
- [NTSB DFW08CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA082.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Horseshoe Bay, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2008 · N489TJ · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action which resulted in an unsuccessful autorotation.
- [NTSB DFW07CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA163.md): Cessna 172M · Throckmorton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2007 · N13441 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines. A contributing factor was the prevailing dusk illumination.
- [NTSB FTW02LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA255.md): Cessna 182P · Kirbyville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2002 · N41CW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's physical impairment due to a previous head injury which resulted in his becoming disoriented. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.
- [NTSB FTW02LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA226.md): Cessna 150L · Manvel, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2002 · N10935 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW02LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA218.md): Cessna 182Q · Mc Allen, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2002 · N4896N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW96FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96FA120.md): Beech A36 · Katy, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1996 · N2TC · Substantial damage
  > a loss of control due to pilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons. A factor related to the pilot's injuries was the lack of shoulder harness restraint.
- [NTSB FTW92DPD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DPD01.md): Eichblatt X-5 · Fort Worth, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Apr 19, 1992 · N99747 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.
- [NTSB FTW91LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA121.md): Bell 206B · Freeport, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1991 · N16962 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor RPM during the autorotation. Factors were the fuel exhaustion induced power loss due to the pilot's improper pre-flight inspection.
- [NTSB FTW87FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA090.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1987 · N4450E · Substantial damage
  > On 04-02-87, a Piper PA-38-112, N5540E, owned and operated by southwest Texas junior college, impacted the terrain near Uvalde, TX. The flight was conducted for training purposes. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The…
- [NTSB FTW86LQG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LQG17.md): Mcculloch J-2 · Stanton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 28, 1986 · N4319G · Destroyed
  > Pilot attempted take off from pasture. Just after lift off the nose gear caught on a single strand electric fence and brought aircraft to a stop where it rolled over. The plts flt time was not reported or available.
- [NTSB FTW86LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA043.md): Bell 47G · Beaumont, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 1986 · N2275B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was taking off from an area which was protected from the wind by a large building. After obtaining translational lift and climbing above the building, a right quartering tail wind, with gusts to 20 knots, was encountered. The pilot stated he lost…
- [NTSB FTW69D0066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0066.md): Cessna 172 · Junction, TX · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 9, 1968 · N8811B · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67A0035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0035-114913.md): Hughes 269A · Mineral Wells, TX · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 23, 1967 · N8818F · Substantial damage

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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?state=TX

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