OpenAirDocs.org

NTSB investigations

506 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 ATL85LA203Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Lewisburg, WVAcft lost power in cruise flight shortly after takeoff. Descent was begun to a field followed by engine quitting. During the turn to final, pilot said, left wing stalled resulting in hard landing on left wheel and left wing. Later, fuel cap vents were found…Jul 2, 1985 · N9818K · Substantial damageNTSB ANC85LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Kanektok River, AKThe plt reported after a short fld takeoff, the eng dropped to about 1000 RPM; the plt then attempted an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, the acft settled into the snow and nosed over. The plt stated the eng failure was due to carb ice.Mar 25, 1985 · N4810A · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85LA122Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182L · Falmouth, KYDuring flt in IMC conditions at 9000 ft MSL, the plt noted a loss of airspeed indications. He requested & received clearance to descend. During the descent, he elected to divert & received vectors for a nearby arpt. However, when he attempted to level off,…Mar 24, 1985 · N42616 · DestroyedNTSB MIA85LA129Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5 · Okeechobee, FLWhile in cruise flt the plt placed the acft in a dive to avoid what appeared to be the landing light of another acft. The light was actually a space vehicle which had just been launched from cape canaveral air force station 60 miles from the acft's position.…Mar 22, 1985 · N5867L · Substantial damageNTSB DEN85LA078Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRaven S55A · Littleton, COThe balloon envelope collided with power lines after dragging the basket & occupants aprx 200 yards along an open fld and through a fence which damaged the basket containing the occupants. The balloon plt said that the wind was only 5 KTS at takeoff but after…Jan 13, 1985 · N81DS · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Hagwood Store, NCThe acft broke up in flight during an uncontrolled descent in instrument meteorological conditions under instrument flt rules (IFR). An IFR flt plan was filed. Shortly after takeoff the plt exhibited & reported problems with acft heading control &…Dec 6, 1984 · N9476Y · DestroyedNTSB ANC85FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Sterling, AKA witness observed the acft after a touch and go landing enter a steep climb to aprx 150 ft above the 30 ft trees. The left wing and the nose dropped and the acft rotated about the longitudinal axis until ground impact. No mechanical malfunctions were…Dec 1, 1984 · N3908M · DestroyedNTSB NYC84LA327Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33 · Churchton, MDDuring glider tow climbout, encounter with thermal resulted in momentary tow rope slack. Tow rope separated in overload when slack was taken up. Glider plt selected nearest open fld & set up landing pattern. On downwind leg, plt noted obstructions in fld,…Sep 30, 1984 · N5712S · Substantial damageNTSB FTW84LA414Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · West Delta 105While in cruise flt, total pwr loss was experienced. Plt setup autorotative water landing, deployed emergency floats. Right float was not fully inflated by water touchdown, acft rolled right to inverted position. Eng teardown revealed carbon buildup between…Sep 26, 1984 · N5013F · Substantial damageNTSB DEN84LA269Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Price, UTThe pilot was following a mountain road through a pass when aircraft performance became insufficient to out climb risingterrain and continued until there was insufficient manuvering room to reverse course. A forced landing was effected on the road and the…Aug 27, 1984 · N7097F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX84LA423Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G-164B · Maricopa, AZThe plt added fuel and chemicals for a total of about 230 gallons of cargo. The temperature was 87 degrees and the arpt elevation is 1100 ft. the density alt was not computed and performance not assessed. After takeoff in a crosswind turn the acft 'quit…Aug 1, 1984 · N6689Q · Substantial damageNTSB NYC84LA211Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 2-33 · Perkasie, PAThe sailplane lost lift and during a forced landing wires were spotted on the approach. In attempting to fly under the wires the acft was flown into an embankment.Jun 16, 1984 · N7556 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL84FA082Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 177B · Lafayette, GAThe acft crashed in an open field during an uncontrolled descent after encountering forecast icing conditions. The plt had received weather briefings and filed a flt plan into icing conditions in an acft not equipped to handle icing. The plt stayed at an…Jan 15, 1984 · N2146C · DestroyedNTSB NYC84LA001Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Eppingham, NHThe pilot stated that while enroute to north conway, NH with about 10 gal. Of fuel on board he had to alter course to the southeast to find a hole to drop under clouds and avoid the mountains. He could not identify and land marks and lost contact with the…Oct 2, 1983 · N66162 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN83LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-1 Soloy · Townsend, MTThe helicopter made a hard touchdown during an autorotative forced landing after the engine quit. During the landing themain rotor severed the tail boom. The pilot stretched the autorotational glide to reach a hay field and lost main rotor RPM in the process.…Jun 30, 1983 · N1334X · Substantial damageNTSB ATL82FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Taylorville, NCThe aircraft departed akron, NY at 1154 EST on a flight to charlotte,NC. Toward late afternoon, as the sun began to set, one of the passengers (the pilot's daughter), informed the pilot that the aircraft was getting low on fuel. He diverted toward an airport,…Mar 6, 1982 · N9783J · Substantial damageNTSB CHI82FCA01Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369HS · Cahokia, ILNov 14, 1981 · N9083F · Substantial damageNTSB ATL81FIJ05Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Hurricane, WVApr 11, 1981 · N9322F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX81FUJ29Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206B · Phoenix, AZJan 15, 1981 · N5018K · DestroyedNTSB DEN81FA009Accident · No injuriesClosedHiller Acft 12E · Blanding, UTNov 5, 1980 · N57972 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW80FQA36Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369D · Albuquerque, NMJul 7, 1980 · N58431 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC80FFJ06Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Rochester, NYMay 12, 1980 · N8748F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX80FA073Accident · 1 fatalClosedCanadair CL600 · Calif. City, CAApr 3, 1980 · C-GCGR-X · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FAMS1Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Missing AircraftDec 11, 1979 · N6171P · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FA047Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · White Pass, WADec 11, 1979 · N6171P · DestroyedNTSB DEN80DTM07Accident · No injuriesClosedAerospatial SA316B · Provo, UTNov 30, 1979 · N2304P · Substantial damageNTSB OAK79FA033Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Albion, CAJun 25, 1979 · N5969B · DestroyedNTSB SEA79AA029Accident · 1 fatalClosedHiller UH12D · Chehalis, WAApr 3, 1979 · N64867 · Minor damageNTSB LAX79FA015Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Peach Springs, AZDec 1, 1978 · N15899 · DestroyedNTSB CHI79DEX01Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206 · Rockville, INOct 14, 1978 · N206M · Substantial damageNTSB LAX79FUQ03Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBrantly B-2 · Santa Barbara, CAOct 13, 1978 · N5953X · Substantial damageNTSB IAD78FKW11Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Columbia, TNSep 10, 1978 · N8808F · Substantial damageNTSB IAD78FA097Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 195 · Whitesburg, KYAug 20, 1978 · N11DK · DestroyedNTSB MKC78DCA46Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Taylor, MOAug 12, 1978 · N4191L · Substantial damageNTSB MIA78FA110Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269C · Opa Locka, FLAug 5, 1978 · N7455F · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FQA34Accident · No injuriesClosedEnstrom 280C · Vaughn, NMJun 25, 1978 · N627H · Substantial damageNTSB MIA78FA091Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Jackson, ALMay 26, 1978 · N7813V · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA027Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182K · Pearisburg, VAJan 1, 1978 · N303JR · DestroyedNTSB SEA78DYP03Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369D · Spokane, WAOct 12, 1977 · N8601F · Substantial damageNTSB SEA77DYK20Accident · No injuriesClosedEnstrom F28C · Medford, WAJul 22, 1977 · N51727 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC77DAD07Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369C · Hawk Inlet, AKJul 11, 1977 · N377ST · Substantial damageNTSB CHI77FEG15Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150M · Phillipsburg, OHApr 20, 1977 · N66384 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC76FHA55Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly 305 · Telford, PASep 15, 1976 · N2201U · Substantial damageNTSB DEN76FTE70Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Broomfield, COMay 18, 1976 · N9440F · Substantial damageNTSB FTW76AF058Accident · 1 fatalClosedN. American NA-265 · Recife (Atlantic Ocean)Jan 14, 1976 · N85 · DestroyedNTSB MIA76FKT32Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206B · Delray Beach, FLNov 26, 1975 · N750LT · DestroyedNTSB DCA76AZ012Accident · Serious injuriesClosedDouglas DC-10 · Carleton, MINov 26, 1975 · N124 · Minor damageNTSB MKC7LDCG19Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47J2A · Branson, MOAug 28, 1975 · N1192W · Substantial damageNTSB DEN76FTE18Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G3B1 · Denver, COAug 24, 1975 · N90769 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC75AN110Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Westfield, MAMay 28, 1975 · N103KC · Destroyed