# NTSB investigations: Uncontrolled descent

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 2 of 44 · 2,192 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB FTW03FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA064.md): Beech BE-58 · Egypt, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2002 · N5TV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into severe icing conditions. A contributing factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB DEN02LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA109.md): Sabian Rans S-12XL · Mexican Hat, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2002 · N725ST · Destroyed
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making (flying up a canyon with insufficient altitude) which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush, and the pilot's failure to follow the proper emergency procedures for activating his Ballistic Recovery…
- [NTSB CHI02FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA172.md): Cessna 182A · Foster City, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2002 · N5034D · Destroyed
  > The incapacitation of the pilot. A contributing factor was the pilot and medical examiner providing false information on the pilot's medical applications.
- [NTSB CHI02LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA121.md): Yoder GP-4 · Mount Pleasant, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 2002 · N59JY · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent stall/spin by the pilot-in-command.
- [NTSB IAD01FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01FA097.md): Cessna 150 · Mcgaheysville, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2001 · N63351 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to recover from a spin for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC01LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA191.md): Mooney M20J · East Greenwich, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2001 · N246JC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's premature liftoff which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB MIA01LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA181.md): Floback Lancair 4 · Kissimmee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2001 · N720BF · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and subsequent impact with the terrain.
- [NTSB NYC01FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA089.md): Cessna 182Q · Dixon, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2001 · N4752N · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
- [NTSB DCA01MA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA01MA017.md): Beech 200 · Strasburg, CO · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 27, 2001 · N81PF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation resulting from his failure to maintain positive manual control of the airplane with the available flight instrumentation. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the loss of a.c. electrical power during instrument…
- [NTSB LAX01FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA036.md): Piper PA28-200 · Teec Nos Pos, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2000 · N3032R · Destroyed
  > In-flight loss of control resulting in airframe structural failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertant visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB MIA00LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA276.md): Christian Quicksilver · Booneville, MS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2000 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow recovery, which resulted in impact with trees. Factors in this accident were the owner/pilot was not a certified pilot, and lacked training.
- [NTSB IAD00LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA074.md): Unknown Bensen Gyrocopter · Macedon, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2000 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of total flight experience and familiarity with the gyrocopter.
- [NTSB NYC00LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA189.md): Cessna 150 · Freemont, DE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2000 · N8362M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance and delayed power application while attempting to release a banner from the airplane.
- [NTSB LAX00LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA204.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Tonopah, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 2000 · N3700T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain the proper rotation airspeed during initial takeoff and his improper aborted takeoff procedures.
- [NTSB MIA00FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00FA118.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Panama City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2000 · N9204P · Destroyed
  > The pilot experiencing spatial disorientation while reversing course during a dark night while over water which resul;ted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions.
- [NTSB LAX00LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA141.md): Birx Vans RV-6 · Taft, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2000 · N986DB · Destroyed
  > The in-flight collision with the ground for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MIA00FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00FA043.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Pelham, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1999 · N39696 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.
- [NTSB ATL00LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA003.md): Robinson R-22-MARINER · West Boca Raton, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 1999 · N2285Z · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed response in taking remedial action during a practice autorotation. Factors were his inadequate planned approach and his improper use of powerplant controls.
- [NTSB MIA99LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA094.md): Cessna 182J · Franklin, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 1999 · N460JM · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on final approach resulting in the in-flight collision with trees and the ground.
- [NTSB MIA99FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA095.md): Beech AT11/18 · Tampa, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 1999 · N65860 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow for recovery.
- [NTSB LAX99LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA049.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Winterhaven, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 1998 · N3084G · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm. A factor was his attempt to take off over gross weight.
- [NTSB LAX98LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA298.md): Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1998 · N44529 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare and his failure to follow the proper procedures for the aircraft and to maintain control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB CHI98LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA339.md): Enstrom 480 · Green Bay, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1998 · N142CC · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a practice autorotation.
- [NTSB SEA98FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA081.md): Cessna P206C · Dubois, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 21, 1998 · N8669Z · Substantial damage
  > Attempted VFR flight into IMC and a loss of aircraft control. An inadequate weather evaluation and drug impairment were factors.
- [NTSB FTW98LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA098.md): Poling Keleher Lark KR1B · Georgetown, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 1998 · N82BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A contributing factor was the pilot's physical impairment due to drugs.
- [NTSB FTW97LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA310.md): Waco KNF · Wamsutter, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1997 · NC698N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the precautionary landing. A factor was a wind gust.
- [NTSB MIA97LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA212.md): Continental Copters MK5A · Sylacauga, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1997 · N62108 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain main rotor rpm resulting in the helicopter descending and colliding with trees.
- [NTSB CHI96LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA008.md): Piper PA-22 · Crawfordsville, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 1995 · N834A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's premature raising of the flaps and the low airspeed.
- [NTSB FTW95LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA247.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Guymon, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1995 · N315PF · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. The high density altitude was a factor.
- [NTSB CHI95LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA122.md): Cessna 188 · Meade, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 1995 · N9849V · Substantial damage
  > the pilot taking off the airplane at a low liftoff speed (Vlo). A factor associated with the accident was a stall/mush encountered by the pilot.
- [NTSB SEA95LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA070.md): Quicksilver MXL2 · Hildale, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 1995 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while banking the airplane. This led to an unrecoverable aerodynamic stall in close proximity to the ground. Factors contributing to the accident are the pilot exceeding the airplane's weight and balance…
- [NTSB MIA95LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA084.md): Bell 206L · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 1995 · N164BH · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate engine power while maneuvering, his failure to take remedial action to recover from the resulting descent, and his decision to make a precautionary landing on the water.
- [NTSB BFO94LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA097.md): Falen Commander 503 · Georgetown, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 1994 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The gyroplane's uncontrolled descent into terrain due to undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX94LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA098.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 1994 · N56811 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional decision to abandon the airplane and allow it to fly unattended.
- [NTSB BFO93LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA180.md): Robinson R22 · Scottdale, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1993 · N88RD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his delay in performing remedial action.
- [NTSB LAX93LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA336.md): Continental Copters Mark 5 · San Juan Bautis, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1993 · N9078T · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the crops. The pilot's diverted attention during the aerial application flight is a factor in this accident.
- [NTSB LAX93LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA201.md): T.R. Bristol RV-6 · Trinity Center, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 1993 · N15TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failure to obtain enough airspeed for takeoff which resulted in a loss of aircraft control, and his failure to compensate for the crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB FTW93FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA137.md): Bell 206B III · Austin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 1993 · N2205X · Destroyed
  > Aircraft control not maintained by pilot in command. Factors were unfavorable winds and pilot's lack of recent experience.
- [NTSB CHI93LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA114.md): Beech F33A · Park, KS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1993 · N5592A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's physical incapacitation for reason or reasons undetermined.
- [NTSB LAX93LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA129.md): Cessna 182R · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1993 · N5514N · Substantial damage
  > The pilots decision to attempt flight into known adverse weather conditions.
- [NTSB SEA93LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA001.md): Hughes 269C · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1992 · N7400F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command's failure to maintain proper altitude during the hover. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot in command's lack of total experience in rotorcraft and his diversion of attention while hovering.
- [NTSB LAX92LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA379.md): Ayres S2R-600 · Tranquillity, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1992 · N5674X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper inflight planning; his failure to attain the proper descent rate; and the excessive descent. Contributing to this accident was the landing gear collapse due to overload.
- [NTSB NYC92LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA177.md): Aerostar AX-9 · Hopkinton, MA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 1992 · N28267 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inflight planning which resulted in a forced landing in unsuitable terrain due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ANC92LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA112.md): Piper J3C-65 · Cloudy Lake, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1992 · N21375 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to enter an aerobatic maneuver with sufficient altitude to effect a recovery prior to ground impact.
- [NTSB LAX92LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA255.md): Stinson 108-3 · Window Rock, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1992 · N589C · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to calculate the aircraft's performance data and perform a weather evauluation. The existing high density altitude was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX92LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA153.md): Beech F33A · Payson, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1992 · N8000J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor preflight planning/preparation by intentionally flying into known adverse weather and his poor in-flight decision by not flying to an alternate airport when the airplane began to encounter icing. Contributing to this accident was the icing…
- [NTSB FTW92LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA089.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Wright, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1992 · N41KM · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude due to diverted attention.
- [NTSB FTW92LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA079.md): Burkhart Grob G103 · Boerne, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 1992 · N94BG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command inadvertently stalling the aircraft. Factors were the pilot not maintaining proper altitude during the approach and his abrupt aircraft handling.
- [NTSB ANC92LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA038.md): Cessna 180 · Shishmaref, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 1992 · N2788X · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrumented rated pilot-in-command attempted visual flight into known instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the icing conditions, and the pilot's over confidence in his personal ability.
- [NTSB LAX91LA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA391.md): Schweizer 269C · Kahului, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1991 · N6128Q · Destroyed
  > The student pilot entry into an uncontrolled descent while attempting to perform an autorotation. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in the accident.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?page=3

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 650)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases?page=2

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