NTSB investigations, 2009
31 cases where the phase of flight was Emergency descent.
Cases per year
| 1963 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1965 | 4 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1967 | 3 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1969 | 3 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1971 | 3 |
| 1972 | 2 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1974 | 4 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 4 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 31 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Where
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2009
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.
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 year(c."eventDate") = 2009
AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 600)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN10LA080Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Alexandria, LAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10FA085Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350BA (FX2) · Hana, Maui, HIAn uncommanded engine shutdown due to an improperly calibrated fuel control unit (FCU) and power turbine governor (PTG). Also causal was the operator’s inadequate maintenance practices and procedures that failed to properly assess and correct the FCU and PTG…NTSB ERA10LA086Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCox Busby Mustang · Plant City, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10LA056Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNavion Navion G · Montrose, COA loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.NTSB WPR09CA467Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBeech 35-C33 · Tillamook, ORA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to visually verify that sufficient fuel was on board prior to flight. Contributing to the accident was a malfunctioning fuel gage.NTSB WPR09FA459Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Forest Grove, ORThe flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed while maneuvering, which resulted in a main rotor blade stall and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB CEN09LA561Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Stacy, MNA partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN09WA524Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBeech 99 · Évora, PortugalUnder the jurisdiction and control of the Portuguese government.NTSB 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’…NTSB CEN09CA511Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBrantly B-2B · Martinsville, INThe pilot's improper recovery during the autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed remedial action to abort the practice autorotation.NTSB WPR09CA375Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, ORThe flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM.NTSB WPR09CA377Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Troutdale, ORThe student pilot's improper use of the collective control and the flight instructor’s delayed reaction to the student pilot’s incorrect control inputs.NTSB ERA09FA414Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Franklin, PAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN09FA430Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-A33 · Las Vegas, NMThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09CA394Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSidler Mike Rotorway · Waxahachie, TXThe pilot’s failure to control his rate of descent during autorotation, which required an aggressive recovery maneuver and resulted in a sudden loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB ERA09LA370Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMichael J. Kohout Glassair III · Manassas, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting an emergency landing after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and distraction due to a separated fuel cap in flight.NTSB ERA09CA367Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · Morgantown, WVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the practice hovering autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in night vision goggle helicopter operations.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN09CA351Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Justin, TXThe instructor pilot's failure to add sufficient power early enough to compensate for the strong gusting headwinds.NTSB ERA09LA324Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDe Havilland Vampire MK-3 · Rochester, NYA loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB CEN09CA332Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369A · Baltimore, OHThe pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.NTSB CEN09CA273Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · New Braunfels, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.NTSB 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.NTSB ERA09LA203Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWayne O Robinson S6S Rans · Cartersville, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was chafed wires in the ignition system.NTSB CEN09CA203Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 407 · Lancaster, TXThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the failure of the CFI to provide appropriate instruction during the maneuver.NTSB CEN09CA157Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Cypress, TXThe student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's delayed remedial action.NTSB ERA09WA211Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R · Santo Antonio do Leverger, BrazilNone.NTSB CEN09LA128Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportProbst Baby Ace D · Kilgore, TXA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness, resulting in him being lost.NTSB ERA09LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Pensacola, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of engine power during a low-level approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.