OpenAirDocs.org

NTSB investigations, AL

12 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.

Cases per year

19782026

Where

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Latest cases

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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 ERA26LA026Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS350 · Wetumpka, ALThe pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.Oct 23, 2025 · N545HF · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Eufaula, ALA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning/management.Jan 31, 2024 · N5520P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA326Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Ozark, ALA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful postaccident engine run on the accident helicopter.Sep 22, 2016 · N269BS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13LA045Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Alexander City, ALThe pilot’s delayed decision to initiate an autorotation and her subsequent improper conduct of the autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing, after the helicopter started vibrating for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident…Nov 1, 2012 · N231TM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA199Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell OH-58A · Eufaula, ALThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and hard landing.Mar 1, 2012 · N38FA · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Apr 24, 2009 · N91MK · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Nov 13, 2008 · N8797N · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jan 13, 2004 · N313MC · DestroyedNTSB 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.Oct 23, 2003 · N5920P · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 17, 2003 · N9110T · Substantial damageNTSB MIA97LA096Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182E · Huntsville, ALTotal loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion for undetermined reasons.Mar 4, 1997 · N3392Y · Substantial damageNTSB MIA78FA091Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Jackson, ALMay 26, 1978 · N7813V · Destroyed