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 CEN09CA203Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 407 · Lancaster, TXThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the failure of the CFI to provide appropriate instruction during the maneuver.NTSB CEN09CA157Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cypress, TXThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's delayed remedial action.NTSB ERA09WA211Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R · Santo Antonio do Leverger, BrazilNone.NTSB CEN09LA128Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportProbst Baby Ace D · Kilgore, TXA 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 ERA09LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Pensacola, FLThe 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.NTSB ERA09CA089Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportMooney M20G · Sebastian, FLThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Tuscaloosa, ALThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was improper preflight planning.NTSB ANC09FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna U206C · Anchorage, AKA loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's decision to make an abrupt and steep low altitude turn toward an intersecting runway, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control.NTSB NYC08CA325Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAeronca 7AC · Mt. Pleasant, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an emergency maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the left magneto.NTSB LAX08CA298Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22B · Prescott, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action.NTSB DFW08LA187Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAMS Flight Carat A · Edgewood, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude resulting in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.NTSB ANC08LA083Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Iliamna, AKThe failure of company maintenance personnel to ensure the helicopter was properly maintained, resulting in a severe in-flight vibration due to collective bounce. Contributing to the accident was loose and worn bearings on the helicopter's stabilizer bar,…NTSB ERA09CA543Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Rosedale, MSThe failure of the pilots to maintain airspeed following a reported partial loss of engine power.NTSB LAX08CA159Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 · Salt Lake City, UTThe student's improper use of the anti torque pedals during a practice hover autorotation, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over. Additional causes of the accident were the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the maneuver and…NTSB MIA08LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Louisville, KYA total fatigue failure of the No. 5 piston during climb.NTSB DFW08CA114Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269A · Killeen, TXThe 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 DFW08CA082Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Horseshoe Bay, TXThe certified flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action which resulted in an unsuccessful autorotation.NTSB SEA08LA073Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Piru, CAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and dark night conditions.NTSB MIA08LA035Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna R172K · Spotsylvania, VAThe pilot's failure to follow the checklist and failure to achieve the proper touchdown point during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to a cracked No. 4 top sparkplug insulator, resulting in pre-ignition/detonation…NTSB NYC07CA172Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26C · Windsor, VAThe pilot's failure to properly plan the approach to the airport, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. A factor was the gusty wind conditions.NTSB DFW07CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172M · Throckmorton, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines. A contributing factor was the prevailing dusk illumination.NTSB ATL06CA131Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech A36 · Macon, GAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing.NTSB NYC06CA198Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Discus-2CT · Julian, PAThe pilot's delayed decision to restart the glider's engine. A factor in the accident was a loss of thermal lift.NTSB LAX06FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Somis, CAa ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA06CA125Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33A · Hood River, ORA loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing. Trees in the landing area were a contributing factor.NTSB NYC06CA150Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEiriavion PIK 20B · Mt. Holly Sprin, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees along his final approach path.NTSB NYC06CA083Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19B · Blairstown, NJA loss of lift, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB NYC06CA076Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPZL-Swidnik PW-5 · Hardwick, NJA loss of lift which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB DEN06CA021Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 182E · Lansing, KSthe pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing which resulted in a collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot becoming ill during cruise flight.NTSB ATL06CA004Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech F33A · Millington, TNThe pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and misjudged distance to the forced landing area resulting in a stall and collision…NTSB LAX06CA001Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Tucson, AZthe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, and the instructor's failure to adequately monitor the maneuver, which resulted in a hard landing and roll over.NTSB SEA05CA200Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369E · Medford, ORIn-flight collision with terrain during a precautionary landing. Factors include instrument meteorological conditions and pilot disorientation.NTSB ATL05FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply , which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB SEA05LA068Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T337E · Orcas Island, WAThe loss of power for undetermined reasons which resulted in a forced landing and impact with water.NTSB MIA05LA080Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Homestead, FLThe CFI's inadequate supervision of the student during the instructional flight for his failure to stop an excessive rate of descent which resulted in a hard landing following a reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL05CA063Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 175 · Charlotte, NCThe pilot's failure to follow the checklist by his failure to verify the fuel selector was in the on position which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.NTSB ATL05FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Shallotte, NCThe partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL05CA037Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStanley, Davey L Pulsar III · Ocean Isle Beac, NCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB DEN04LA082Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLockheed TV-2 · Calhan, COthe failure of the fuel tank float which resulted in the draining of fuel out the vents, and a low fuel supply. Contributing factors include the insufficient runway length, the ditch, and the rough, uneven terrain.NTSB SEA04LA092Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStart & Flug H-101 Salto · Creswell, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while attempting to maneuver the aircraft into the wind during an off-airport landing in an open field. Factors include the pilot's inadequate in flight planning, tailwind conditions during an…NTSB SEA04LA079Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSZD Jantar 42-1 · Wamic, ORThe glider pilot's inadequate en route planning, which resulted in a forced landing in an area without suitable landing terrain. Factors include no suitable landing terrain in the area where the pilot found it necessary to execute a forced landing, and trees…NTSB IAD04LA008Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell 112A · Bedford, MAFailure of the #2 piston connecting rod cap, which resulted in a hole in the engine crankcase and a loss of engine power. A factor was dark night lighting condition.NTSB ATL04LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCurrent Kitfox 313 · Selma, ALThe pilot's inadequate installation, and his failure to secure the main fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.NTSB ATL04LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210D · Millington, TNThe malfunction of the main hydraulic landing gear system actuator resulting in an emergency gear up landing.NTSB ATL04LA024Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Troy, ALThe certified flight instructor's improper fuel management resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing, in-flight collision with trees and ground.NTSB ATL03LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A90 · Summerville, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB CHI03LA306Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 14-13-2 · Moline, ILThe partial failure of the engine driven fuel pump and fuel starvation. An additional cause was the pilot misjudging the proper glidepath and his improper in-flight decision during the precautionary landing to pull back the power and lower the flaps prior to…NTSB ATL03LA109Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportKeuthan Buccaneer II · Pell City, ALThe failure of the throttle cable due to fatigue resulting in a loss of engine power. Factor were uphill rough and uneven terrain.NTSB ATL03LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Orangeburg, SCThe pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in the equipment. Also causal was the other maintenance personnel's improper installation of the mixture control linkage bolt that resulted in binding of the mixture control linkage and…NTSB DEN03LA026Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Spanish Fork, UTthe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and his in-flight decision/planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the rough, frozen terrain at the landing site.