OpenAirDocs.org

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.

NTSB DEN93FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWitts & Church Worloch · Lucerne, COLoss of control in flight. A factor was: the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.May 6, 1993 · N3201K · DestroyedNTSB FTW93LA146Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPzl-Mielec PZL-M-18 · De Witt, ARCompensation for wind improper by pilot. Factors were tailwind and downdraftMay 1, 1993 · N28587 · DestroyedNTSB MIA93LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Fort Meade, FLThe collision with a road sign during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the crankshaft.Feb 28, 1993 · N1354Z · Substantial damageNTSB ANC92LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDale Conover Tundra PUP · Beluga, AKThe inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot. A factor was the pilot misjudged his clearance from the trees.Sep 2, 1992 · N2072Y · Substantial damageNTSB CHI92LA252Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCameron N-90 · Centralia, ILAbrupt touchdown.Aug 16, 1992 · N75250 · No damageNTSB ANC92LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Oshetna River, AKThe tailwind and the pilot not understanding the effects. Factors relating to the accident were the attempted precautionary landing and the high vegetation in the forced landing area.Jun 15, 1992 · N3516P · DestroyedNTSB FTW92DPD01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportEichblatt X-5 · Fort Worth, TXThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.Apr 19, 1992 · N99747 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX91LA414Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLet L-13 · Adelanto, CAImproper planning/decision by the pilot. Loss of thermal lift was a related factor.Sep 29, 1991 · N86661 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN91LA134Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAbernathy LONG-EZ · Raton, NMPhysical impairment of the pilot. Factors were: rough terrain.Sep 27, 1991 · N123LH · Substantial damageNTSB LAX91LA346Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 126E · Sutcliffe, NVThe pilot's inadvertent stall of the glider.Aug 4, 1991 · N65932 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW91LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Freeport, TXThe 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.Jul 14, 1991 · N16962 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC91LA092Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Woodchopper Crk, AKEngine failure due to fuel exhaustion, the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and the unsuitable terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.Jul 6, 1991 · N6276P · Substantial damageNTSB NYC91LA169Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Millville, OHThe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision after becoming lost, resulting in engine fuel exhaustion. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area, and his lack of experience in this type of operation.Jul 5, 1991 · N21662 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI91FA159Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8E · Clinton, MIPhysical impairment of the pilot due to heart attack.May 20, 1991 · N333LR · Substantial damageNTSB LAX91FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportUniversal Globe GC-1B · Chandler, AZThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed in a forced landing resulting in an in flight loss of control, stall, and subsequent in flight colliison with terrain. Factor related to the accident was the pilot's improper procedure which restuled in a…May 12, 1991 · N42WW · DestroyedNTSB MIA91LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150M · Tampa, FLThe pilot's decision to fly an airplane with known deficiencies. This resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and a ground collision with a fixed object.Oct 5, 1990 · N704BB · Substantial damageNTSB CHI90LA220Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASK-21 · Plainfield, ILThe glider pilot's improper aircraft handling at low atitude.Jul 31, 1990 · N342KS · Substantial damageNTSB LAX90LA199Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22B · Sacramento, CAThe instructor pilot's failure to follow the aircraft manufacturer's checklist by neglecting to apply full carburetor heat at low power settings.May 29, 1990 · N649MB · Substantial damageNTSB LAX90LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Irvine, CAThe cfi's failure to maintain rotor RPM during the practice autorotation.May 9, 1990 · N9070N · Substantial damageNTSB SEA89LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-20BL · Minden, NVMisunderstood emergency procedures, the glider pilot released from the tow which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot's preflight of the glider and radio communications were inadequate before and during the flight.Aug 15, 1989 · N300Y · Substantial damageNTSB LAX89LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Hollister, CAFlight instructor's failure to take corrective action in sufficient time to prevent the airplane from striking the ground.Jul 9, 1989 · N23916 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC89LA060Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 170A · Speculator, NYInaccurate inflight planning and decisions by the pilot who inadvertently flew his aircraft from VFR into instrument meteorological conditions while making a descent at night.Jan 1, 1989 · N1432D · DestroyedNTSB ANC89LA029Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 207 · Kivalina, AKThe air taxi pilot was on a scheduled cargo flight to a remote village in western Alaska when he reportedly had a partial loss of engine power. He said that he was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing on a frozen lake. He is uncertain why the…Dec 28, 1988 · N9651M · Substantial damageNTSB LAX88FA251Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-150 · Compton, CAStudent pilots failure to adequately remove moisture from the fuel system during his preflight inspection which led to a loss of engine power during a critical phase of flight.Jul 13, 1988 · N6926B · DestroyedNTSB LAX88LA182Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSlingsby T59D Kestrel 19 · Middletown, CAMay 15, 1988 · N74T · Substantial damageNTSB LAX88DUG01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportSmith DSA-1 · Upland, CAThe pilot reported that he had performed a moderate to severe 'noseover' at 4000 ft AGL. The engine started to run rough and then quit. The pilot stated that he had performed maintenance on the carburetor just prior to this flight. An emergency landing was…Jan 7, 1988 · N2Q · Substantial damageNTSB MIA88LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S-66A · Naples, FLAfter liftoff with the deflation panel partially open, the flt continued towards the landing location. With a high rate of descent established, the plt realized that the balloon would not clear the powerlines that were ahead of the landing location. He then…Nov 5, 1987 · N4094G · Substantial damageNTSB ATL88LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBurkhart Grob G-102 · Whitwell, TNThe glider plt made an off-arpt ldg after realizing that he didn't have enough altitude to return to his departure point. During ldg rollout on uneven terrain, one of the wingtips contacted the terrain and the glider ground-looped.Oct 18, 1987 · N792G · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87LA174Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · West Milford, NJThe Cessna 172 is reported to have lost power after getting airborne while making a short field takeoff from a 1838 ft long runway. The student pilot told the operator he landed the aircraft on the remaining runway and ran off the departure end of the runway.…Jun 16, 1987 · N9638L · Substantial damageNTSB NYC87LA136Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech BE-18 · York, PAWhile the aircraft was being ferried from massy, Maryland to ankeny, Iowa, a loss of oil pressure on the left engine was experienced. A precautionary landing was made in a cornfield with the landing gear in the up position when the gear failed to extend. Fire…Apr 30, 1987 · N66PA · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87LA107Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Ardmore, OKThe pilot reportedly heard an unusual noise in the engine and made a precautionary autorotation to landing. Touchdown was on uneven terrain and in a nose low attitude. This resulted in the tail rotor assembly being chopped off the tail boom by the main rotor…Apr 25, 1987 · N3575 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC87LA093Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportForney Ercoupe · Omaha, NEThe annual inspection on this acft was completed the day prior to this accident. During this flt, the wire holding the fuel filter bowl in place came loose and the bowl came off. The eng quit from fuel starvation and the plt made a forced landing in a plowed…Apr 24, 1987 · N7515C · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177 · Brookville, OHThe plt reported a partial pwr loss at about 30 ft AGL during the initial takeoff climb. He elected to land straight ahead in a soft, plowed field. The acft nosed over during the landing. Post accident inspection revealed evidence of water in the fuel lines.Apr 18, 1987 · N2356Y · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87FA090Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Uvalde, TXOn 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…Apr 2, 1987 · N4450E · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA104Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33 · Marana, AZDuring a winch tow, the cable prematurely released the glider at approximately 100 to 150 feet. The glider remained in a nose high attitude momentarily then began a shallow descending right turn. At approximately 75 feet the roll, pitch, and descent rate…Jan 31, 1987 · N5727S · Substantial damageNTSB ATL86FA266Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper TG8-J3C-65 · Apex, NCThe plt was practicing takeoffs and landings in his newly acquired J3 at a private airstrip when the eng sputtered and then quit. The plt lost control of the acft and hit a 't' hanger prior to hitting the ground. The acft caught fire and was destroyed,…Sep 26, 1986 · N27047 · DestroyedNTSB FTW86LQG17Accident · No injuriesFinal reportMcculloch J-2 · Stanton, TXPilot 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.Jul 28, 1986 · N4319G · DestroyedNTSB ATL86LA189Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Kirkland, OHPilot had flown from wisconson to cape cod on Wednesday and was returning to Wisconsin on Sunday. He had departed provincetown on Sunday morning and stopped at hyannis due to weather. He then flew on to saratoga springs, NY with a stop at westover, arriving…Jul 7, 1986 · N7098A · Substantial damageNTSB MKC86FCD02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA18 · Sloan, IAThe acft stalled during a low alt steep turn immediately after takeoff. The acft collided with the ground aprx 300 ft east of the rwy. No malfunctions in equipment were found. The plt stated that he was turning steeply to avoid another acft. Statements of two…Jun 24, 1986 · N243T · Substantial damageNTSB ANC86FA085Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper L-4H · Anchorage, AKThe pilot/mechanic stated the engine oil pressure gauge began flickering, so he elected to land and during the descent the engine failed. He landed downwind in 20 knot winds and during the landing roll, across tundra/mud the airplane's wheels struck a large…Jun 21, 1986 · N58988 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-26E · Banning, CAThe glider plt lost lift as he flew farther into the mountains with lack of thermal and ridge effect. A landing was attempted which resulted in an overrun into a ravine.May 3, 1986 · N777SK · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86LA203Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2 · Palmdale, CAThe helicopter landed hard in the desert while on a VFR personal flt. The plt indicated that he just departed a mountian area for refueling. He also indicated he was disoriented and the compass was inoperable. He decided to land and check the fuel quantity.…May 2, 1986 · N4239J · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Benson, AZA Schempp-Hirth standard Cirrus glider collided with rocks on landing roll in an open field. The pilot stated he was competing in an air meet. While enroute he lost altitude and was unable to regain it. He selected an open field to land in, but did not see…Apr 28, 1986 · N5RM · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86LA156Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210P · Ontario, CAA Cessna 210P collided with the runway surface after a total loss of engine power. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the right fuel tank was empty. The pilot indicated that he had a total of 60 gallons of 100LL on departure and he had selected the…Mar 30, 1986 · N3896P · Substantial damageNTSB FTW86LA043Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Beaumont, TXThe 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…Mar 18, 1986 · N2275B · Substantial damageNTSB ATL86LA083Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Hickory, NCDuring cruise flt, plt felt eng vib and diverted to nearest aprt. During the descent the plt heard an explosion, saw the eng cowl pop up and oil covered the windscreen. Established in a glide the acft collided with trees then the ground. Exam of the eng…Mar 2, 1986 · N9153K · DestroyedNTSB DEN86LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5A · Fort Collins, COThe plt stated that during takeoff roll the acft used over twice the normal distance to rwy to become airborne. After becoming airborne, the stall warning sounded, and continued to sound until the forced landing when the plt said he couldnot maintain alt. The…Dec 1, 1985 · N991OU · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86LA026Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5A · Flagstaff, AZThe plt reported that while sight-seeing in the vicinity of the grand canyon, he became disoriented and lost. The fuel in the left tank was exhausted and the right fuel tank contained minimum fuel. The pilot negotiated a precautionary landing on the hard…Oct 25, 1985 · N26714 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI85LA298Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Pepin, WIThe aircraft traveled three quarters down a 2300 foot sod runway and the pilot attempted to takeoff with 55 KIAS. The aircraft mushed into trees off the end of the runway when the pilot couldn't obtain flying speed. The pilot reported full engine RPM was…Jul 19, 1985 · N38174 · DestroyedNTSB CHI85LA294Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Schaumburg, ILThe acft contacted a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of pwr shortly after takeoff. The plt reported that at an alt of aprx 200 ft AGL, during the takeoff climb, a total loss of pwr occurred. A left turn was made in an attemptto avoid buildings…Jul 17, 1985 · N4349K · Substantial damage