OpenAirDocs.org

NTSB investigations, NC

14 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.

Cases per year

19822026

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\" = 'NC' 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 ERA27LA007AccidentLimited investigationInvestigation openPiper PA-32-260 · Whiteville, NCOct 7, 2026 · N31RFNTSB ERA16LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPacific Aerospace 750XL · Raeford, NCThe pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and speed during a precautionary landing with the engine shut down. Contributing to the accident was an erroneous engine torque indication, which led the pilot to shut the engine down, for reasons that…Dec 3, 2015 · N216PK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Littleton, NCMaintenance personnel's application of sealant to the engine case halves during engine overhaul, contrary to manufacturer's instructions, which resulted in internal failure of the engine due to the loss of case bolt torque.Jun 27, 2014 · N182PE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12LA112Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Merry Hill, NCOperation of the airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while making a forced landing following a total loss of engine power at low altitude, which resulted in an…Dec 16, 2011 · N9279T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Wingate, NCThe certified flight instructor did not select an adequate landing site for the practice autorotation.Dec 1, 2011 · N216TV · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09LA356Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportChris Mitchell Titan Tornado · Chadbourn, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb following a loss of engine power. The reason for the power loss was not determined.Jun 18, 2009 · N259CM · Substantial damageNTSB ATL05CA063Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 175 · Charlotte, NCThe pilot's failure to follow the checklist by his failure to verify the fuel selector was in the on position which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.Mar 18, 2005 · N7148M · Substantial damageNTSB ATL05FA048Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Shallotte, NCThe partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Feb 1, 2005 · C-GVVS · DestroyedNTSB ATL05CA037Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStanley, Davey L Pulsar III · Ocean Isle Beac, NCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.Jan 4, 2005 · N6133U · Substantial damageNTSB ATL02LA124Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Greenville, NCThe pilot's improper preflight planning and fuel management resulting in fuel exhaustion, and the total loss of engine power. The airplane nosed over during a forced landing to a cotton field.Jun 16, 2002 · N68437 · 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 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 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 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 damage