NTSB investigations
507 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.
Cases, newest first
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.
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" DESCRun 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 WPR11CA243Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B3 · Glendale, AZThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation.NTSB CEN11FA285Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker-Beechcraft E-55 · De Queen, ARThe pilot’s loss of control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN11LA311Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · New Orleans, LAA loss of electrical and engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA11LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18A 150 · Hollywood, FLA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA11CA166Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Fort Pierce, FLThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB CEN11LA204Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Andrews, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB WPR11CA121Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ogden, UTThe certified flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor blade rpm during a practice autorotation, resulting in a hard landing and rollover.NTSB WPR11CA101Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B3 · Three Forks, MTThe pilot’s inadequate use of throttle during the practice autorotation that resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN11LA101Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 95-C55 · Claremore, OKA loss of engine power on both engines for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN11CA068Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 300C · Broomfield, COThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper execution of an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR11CA031Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Prescott, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover.NTSB CEN11FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 8KCAB · Sebewaing, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and aircraft control following a loss of engine power after takeoff.NTSB ERA10CA432Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C-1 · Titusville, FLThe instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and a hard landing.NTSB CEN10LA483Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Idabel, OKA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10LA408Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Minden, NEThe pilot's inadequate flare during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rollover.NTSB WPR10LA336Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Helicycle · Arlington, WAAn undetermined airframe vibration which led to precautionary autorotation and hard landing.NTSB CEN10CA352Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale AS350 · Lake Charles, LAThe flight instructor’s inadvertent entry into ground resonance when demonstrating a hydraulic failure running landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's and instructor pilot's failure to…NTSB ERA10LA294Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwanson RV-9A · Ashland, VAThe pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing in gusting wind. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power, likely due to carburetor ice.NTSB CEN10CA280Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269A · Cannon Falls, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor speed during the autorotation, which resulted in an excessive sink rate and a hard landing.NTSB ERA10CA264Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Ormond Beach, FLThe student pilot’s improper use of collective and throttle during the landing flare.NTSB ERA10CA262Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH12 · Sarasota, FLThe pilot's delayed remedial action to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of lift and hard landing.NTSB ERA10CA255Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 500 · West Palm Beach, FLThe commercial pilot's improper flare during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN10LA222Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCross-Capps Breezy · Livingston, TXA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA10FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 65 · Lawrenceville, GAThe failure of both engines for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10LA080Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Alexandria, LAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10FA085Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350BA (FX2) · Hana, Maui, HIAn 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 ERA10LA086Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCox Busby Mustang · Plant City, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10LA056Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNavion Navion G · Montrose, COA loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.NTSB WPR09CA467Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Tillamook, ORA 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 WPR09FA459Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Forest Grove, ORThe 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 CEN09LA561Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Stacy, MNA partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR09LA436Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Torrance, CAA main rotor overspeed due to the pilot’s failure to maintain rotor RPM within allowable limits during a practice autorotation.NTSB CEN09WA524Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 99 · Évora, PortugalUnder the jurisdiction and control of the Portuguese government.NTSB WPR09GA397Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Lancaster, CAThe 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 CEN09CA511Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBrantly B-2B · Martinsville, INThe pilot's improper recovery during the autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed remedial action to abort the practice autorotation.NTSB WPR09CA375Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, ORThe flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM.NTSB WPR09CA377Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, ORThe 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 ERA09FA414Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Franklin, PAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.NTSB WPR09CA360Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Jerome, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm's, and the certified flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.NTSB CEN09FA430Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-A33 · Las Vegas, NMThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09CA394Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSidler Mike Rotorway · Waxahachie, TXThe 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 ERA09LA370Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMichael J. Kohout Glassair III · Manassas, VAThe 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 ERA09CA367Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Morgantown, WVThe 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 ERA09LA356Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChris Mitchell Titan Tornado · Chadbourn, NCThe 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 CEN09CA351Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Justin, TXThe instructor pilot's failure to add sufficient power early enough to compensate for the strong gusting headwinds.NTSB ERA09LA324Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDe Havilland Vampire MK-3 · Rochester, NYA loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB CEN09CA332Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369A · Baltimore, OHThe pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.NTSB CEN09CA273Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · New Braunfels, TXThe 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 ERA09LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKeeley/Tidd MK-1 · Demopolis, ALThe 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 ERA09LA203Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWayne O Robinson S6S Rans · Cartersville, GAThe 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.