NTSB investigations, AZ

25 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.

Cases per year

19782026
NTSB investigations, AZ per year, 1978–2026: 25 cases
19781
19811
19841
19851
19861
19871
19911
20051
20081
20091
20101
20111
20122
20132
20141
20161
20173
20211
20221
20241
20251

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\" = 'AZ' 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 WPR25LA189Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · San Luis, AZThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to properly recover the helicopter during an autorotative landing and the instructor pilot’s failure to intervene, which resulted in a hard landing.Jun 25, 2025 · N3951A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA183Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Maricopa, AZThe flight instructor’s unstabilized approach during an autorotation that resulted in hard landing.Jun 6, 2024 · N7514V · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA359Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Mesa, AZThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter’s rate of descent, resulting in a hard landing.Sep 26, 2022 · N252SC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMD Helicopter 369 · Mesa, AZThe pilot’s improper pitch attitude for landing and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor, resulted in the main rotor blades impacting the tail boom.Feb 8, 2021 · N7032V · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVanderark RV-10 · Sun Lakes, AZThe fatigue fractures of the upper and lower alternator attachment bolts, which decreased the common drive belt tension and resulted in the subsequent in-flight separation of an alternator drive belt, the overheating of the engine, and the subsequent total…Nov 12, 2017 · N917VA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17IA198Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEnstrom F 28F · Glendale, AZAn internal failure of the turbo-compressor, which resulted in oil leaking into the turbo-compressor’s exhaust.Aug 22, 2017 · N52PD · No damageNTSB WPR17LA099Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 NG · Goodyear, AZLoss of engine power due to the installation of an improper air induction hose, which failed and prevented sufficient air intake to the turbocharger.Apr 20, 2017 · N154BY · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA156Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Prescott, AZThe flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to address a low rotor rpm condition, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and a subsequent hard landing.Aug 2, 2016 · N22UH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15CA043Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Prescott, AZThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during the autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.Nov 15, 2014 · N32VH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13LA266Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC 130 B4 · Grand Canyon, AZA loss of throttle control movement during a practice autorotation that was planned to terminate with a power recovery for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal…Jun 8, 2013 · N130PH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGoetz Helicycle · Mesa, AZThe pilot's failure to properly install and secure the wire connecting the electronic speed controller unit to the fuel controller actuator motor, which resulted in the wire’s disconnection in flight and the resultant partial loss of engine power.Jan 22, 2013 · N143PG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA408Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZA total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations and testing revealed no evidence of an anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.Sep 9, 2012 · N5745Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA267Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Scottsdale, AZThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and subsequent hard landing.Jun 17, 2012 · N808WH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11CA243Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B3 · Glendale, AZThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation.May 27, 2011 · N59383 · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Oct 29, 2010 · N844SH · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 21, 2009 · N747ER · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Sep 11, 2008 · N227GH · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Oct 3, 2005 · N926SH · 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 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 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 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 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 LAX81FUJ29Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206B · Phoenix, AZJan 15, 1981 · N5018K · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA015Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Peach Springs, AZDec 1, 1978 · N15899 · Destroyed