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NTSB investigations, CA

47 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.

Cases per year

19632026

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\" = 'CA' 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 WPR22LA061Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMoul Willis RV-3 · Bermuda Dunes, CAThe pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.Dec 11, 2021 · N9YY · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA299Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Tracy, CAA loss of thrust during a low-level agricultural application flight, which resulted in a descent and impact with terrain. The reason for the loss of thrust could not be determined based on available information.Jul 30, 2021 · N3629F · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA252Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGuimbal Cabri · Santa Ana, CAThe flight instructor's delayed application of power during a power recovery following an autorotation, which resulted in an unrecoverable low rotor rpm during the landing flare and subsequent loss of control.Sep 3, 2018 · N401SH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA226Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Riverside, CAThe instructor’s delayed remedial action to an excessive descent rate during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.Aug 17, 2018 · N105JL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA041Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Truckee, CAThe flight instructor’s failure to execute a power recovery from a non-stabilized autorotative descent, which resulted in a hard landing.Nov 30, 2017 · N47WH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA211Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Long Beach, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during the crosswind landing approach and his subsequent improper decision to initiate an autorotation instead of applying corrective control inputs after the helicopter experienced normal airframe vibration.…Sep 20, 2017 · N7514S · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA156Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSimmons Gary F Stol CH 701 · Kenwood, CAFailure of the flywheel drive assembly, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing to uneven terrain.Jul 15, 2017 · N422ES · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA218Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · La Verne, CAThe pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subsequent main rotor blade strike of the tailboom.Apr 6, 2017 · N206SA · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA408Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 · Modesto, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during an autorotation, which resulted in abnormal ground contact and main rotor contact with the tail boom. Contributing to the accident was the low fuel level which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of…Jul 30, 2016 · N206LW · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Rancho Cucamonga, CAThe loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.Jul 19, 2014 · N77942 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13CA329Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Inyokern, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control during a practice autorotation maneuver and the pilot providing training's delayed remedial action which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the…Jul 13, 2013 · N123HP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA349Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Santa Monica, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude during a return to the airport following an unspecified emergency; the nature of the emergency could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would…Aug 11, 2012 · N41KA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12TA120Accident · No injuriesFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Napa, CAThe flight instructor’s improper use of the collective control during a practice hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.Mar 1, 2012 · N341HP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · San Diego, CAThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during a simulated autorotation and the pilots’ failure to use carburetor heat while operating at reduced engine power while in carburetor icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of engine…Nov 8, 2011 · N4251A · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA462Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Ramona, CAThe flight instructor’s failure to follow the proper procedure while demonstrating a practice autorotation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing.Sep 22, 2011 · N1088Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11TA274Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Franklin, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during the practice autorotation.Jun 21, 2011 · N38EA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA436Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Torrance, CAA main rotor overspeed due to the pilot’s failure to maintain rotor RPM within allowable limits during a practice autorotation.Sep 3, 2009 · N8361X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09GA397Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Lancaster, CAThe pilots’ decision to conduct a practice autorotation at low altitude in high density altitude conditions and their failure to attain and maintain an appropriate descent rate. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude and the pilots’…Aug 13, 2009 · N217LA · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Feb 9, 2008 · N2922X · Substantial damageNTSB LAX06FA222Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon A36 · Somis, CAa ground collision during an emergency landing for undetermined reasons.Jul 1, 2006 · N615M · DestroyedNTSB LAX02LA213Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Chatsworth, CAThe pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason.Jul 2, 2002 · N4072T · Substantial damageNTSB LAX01LA038Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer SGS 1-36 · Lake Elsinore, CAThe pilot's misjudged altitude approaching the airstrip and his failure to maintain airspeed resulted in the glider's collision with trees.Nov 11, 2000 · N3621R · Substantial damageNTSB LAX00LA280Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-5 · King City, CAThe pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather which resulted in loss of visual reference and flight into power transmission wires and terrain.Jul 28, 2000 · N7885S · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Hyampom, CAInadequate annual inspection that resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to a missing bolt, nut, and cotter pin from the throttle/carburetor assembly.Jul 12, 1998 · N6248R · Substantial damageNTSB LAX94LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSinger Kitfox IV · Apple Valley, CAfuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel prior to departure, and his inaccurate en route fuel consumption calculations.Sep 12, 1994 · N93CM · Substantial damageNTSB LAX94FA198Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Santa Monica, CAfuel starvation resulting from the failure of the pilot to select a tank containing fuel, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall.Apr 20, 1994 · N8171G · DestroyedNTSB 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 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 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 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 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 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 LAX80FA073Accident · 1 fatalClosedCanadair CL600 · Calif. City, CAApr 3, 1980 · C-GCGR-X · DestroyedNTSB OAK79FA033Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Albion, CAJun 25, 1979 · N5969B · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FUQ03Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBrantly B-2 · Santa Barbara, CAOct 13, 1978 · N5953X · Substantial damageNTSB LAX71FUD12Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Compton, CAMar 7, 1971 · N9458F · Substantial damageNTSB OAK71DVD18Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369HS · Cotati, CANov 26, 1970 · N9017F · Substantial damageNTSB OAK70DVM15Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269B · San Carlos, CAMay 1, 1970 · N13470 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX69F0027Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47D1 · Crona D Mar, CAJun 21, 1968 · N12512 · Substantial damageNTSB OAK66A0061Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Eureka, CAJun 27, 1966 · N8702F · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0052Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Canby, CAMay 7, 1966 · N9449F · Substantial damageNTSB UNK65X1124Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Castiac, CADec 24, 1964 · N8723F · DestroyedNTSB OAK64A0035Accident · No injuriesClosedSikorsky S-62A · San Francisco, CAOct 29, 1963 · N323Y · Substantial damage