# NTSB investigations, 2009: 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 CEN10LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA080.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Alexandria, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2009 · N7230W · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA085.md): Eurocopter AS350BA (FX2) · Hana, Maui, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2009 · N87EW · Substantial damage
  > An uncommanded engine shutdown due to an improperly calibrated fuel control unit (FCU) and power turbine governor (PTG). Also causal was the operator’s inadequate maintenance practices and procedures that failed to properly assess and correct the FCU and PTG…
- [NTSB ERA10LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA086.md): Cox Busby Mustang · Plant City, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2009 · N72PC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN10LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA056.md): Navion Navion G · Montrose, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2009 · N2493T · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB WPR09CA467](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA467.md): Beech 35-C33 · Tillamook, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 27, 2009 · N90LP · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to visually verify that sufficient fuel was on board prior to flight. Contributing to the accident was a malfunctioning fuel gage.
- [NTSB WPR09FA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA459.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Forest Grove, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2009 · N956SH · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed while maneuvering, which resulted in a main rotor blade stall and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN09LA561](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA561.md): Champion 7KCAB · Stacy, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2009 · N2629G · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR09LA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA436.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Torrance, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2009 · N8361X · Substantial damage
  > A main rotor overspeed due to the pilot’s failure to maintain rotor RPM within allowable limits during a practice autorotation.
- [NTSB CEN09WA524](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA524.md): Beech 99 · Évora, Portugal · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 14, 2009 · F-BTME · Destroyed
  > Under the jurisdiction and control of the Portuguese government.
- [NTSB WPR09GA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09GA397.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 13, 2009 · N217LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ decision to conduct a practice autorotation at low altitude in high density altitude conditions and their failure to attain and maintain an appropriate descent rate. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude and the pilots’…
- [NTSB CEN09CA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA511.md): Brantly B-2B · Martinsville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 9, 2009 · N9023Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper recovery during the autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed remedial action to abort the practice autorotation.
- [NTSB WPR09CA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA375.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2009 · N7176W · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM.
- [NTSB WPR09CA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA377.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2009 · N8340S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper use of the collective control and the flight instructor’s delayed reaction to the student pilot’s incorrect control inputs.
- [NTSB ERA09FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA414.md): Hughes 369 · Franklin, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2009 · N61735 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.
- [NTSB WPR09CA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA360.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Jerome, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2009 · N747ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm's, and the certified flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB CEN09FA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA430.md): Beech 35-A33 · Las Vegas, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2009 · N4334W · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA09LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA370.md): Michael J. Kohout Glassair III · Manassas, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 2009 · N2YT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting an emergency landing after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and distraction due to a separated fuel cap in flight.
- [NTSB ERA09CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA367.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · Morgantown, WV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2009 · N106HN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the practice hovering autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in night vision goggle helicopter operations.
- [NTSB ERA09LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA356.md): Chris Mitchell Titan Tornado · Chadbourn, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2009 · N259CM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb following a loss of engine power. The reason for the power loss was not determined.
- [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 ERA09LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA324.md): De Havilland Vampire MK-3 · Rochester, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2009 · N6878D · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB CEN09CA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA332.md): Hughes 369A · Baltimore, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2009 · N298SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.
- [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 ERA09LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA263.md): Keeley/Tidd MK-1 · Demopolis, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 2009 · N91MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a complete loss of engine power resulting in a stall while maneuvering to land. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.
- [NTSB ERA09LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA203.md): Wayne O Robinson S6S Rans · Cartersville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2009 · N312RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was chafed wires in the ignition system.
- [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 ERA09WA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09WA211.md): Piper PA-28R · Santo Antonio do Leverger, Brazil · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 1, 2009 · PT-DJA · Destroyed
  > None.
- [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 ERA09LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA131.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Pensacola, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2009 · N7160Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of engine power during a low-level approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2009
  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?year=2009

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