# 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 24 of 44 · 2,192 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB SEA72AS048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS048.md): Bellanca 17-31A · Onalaska, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 28, 1972 · N6581V · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC72AA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72AA043.md): Maule M4220C · Cordova, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 25, 1972 · N2043U · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72AP038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP038.md): Cessna 172H · Orinda, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 23, 1972 · N3732F · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX72DUJ91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUJ91.md): Piper PA-28 · Cave Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 19, 1972 · N7213J · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC72AN130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN130.md): Bell 47J-2 · New York, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 17, 1972 · N8467E · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72DFJ33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DFJ33.md): Aeronca 7AC · North Collins, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Apr 15, 1972 · N85019 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW72AF067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF067.md): Cessna 180G · Cotulla, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 9, 1972 · N4709U · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD045.md): Beech C-18S · Mcfadden, WY · Accident · 7 fatal · Closed · Apr 2, 1972 · N1322M · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC078.md): Piper PA-28 · Stockbridge, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 2, 1972 · N7321J · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK058.md): Beech F35 · Kimball, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 30, 1972 · N3368C · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK057.md): Beech C35 · Alta, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 26, 1972 · N5844C · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72FEP35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEP35.md): Mustang M-1 · Appleton, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 26, 1972 · N5RK · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS042.md): Piper PA-24 · Ronan, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 23, 1972 · N7843P · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72AP035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP035.md): Cessna 210K · Sacramento, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 22, 1972 · N6725R · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM094.md): Cessna T210F · Jasper, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 21, 1972 · N6117R · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72ADO43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72ADO43.md): Cessna 180H · Medicine Bow, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 20, 1972 · N9050M · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS039.md): Piper PA-23 · Salem, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 14, 1972 · N5600Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72FET18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FET18.md): Cessna 172 · Elkhart, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 12, 1972 · N5632A · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC071.md): Cessna 172G · Orion, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Mar 12, 1972 · N4246L · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72FYC29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FYC29.md): Aero Comdr 680-F · John Day, OR · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Mar 10, 1972 · N6280X · Substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK72FJY14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FJY14.md): Beech 23 · Castillejos, RP · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 10, 1972 · N3786 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC72AA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72AA038.md): Hiller Acft FH1100 · Valdez, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 9, 1972 · N440FH · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC069.md): Piper PA-28 · Walton, KY · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Mar 4, 1972 · N98038 · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS036.md): Piper PA-28R · Pendleton, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 3, 1972 · N9434N · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72AP031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP031.md): Beech E35 · Dublin, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 2, 1972 · N766B · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD038.md): Mooney M20C · Parshall, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 29, 1972 · N9766M · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC067.md): Beech 35 · Saginaw, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 27, 1972 · N3806N · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK051.md): Cessna 172G · Bartlett, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Feb 24, 1972 · N5963R · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM083.md): Piper PA-30 · Ft.Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 21, 1972 · N8631Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS031.md): Champion 7GCBC · Holbrook, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 13, 1972 · N7520F · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM080.md): Cessna 182D · Morrison, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 13, 1972 · N9044X · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW72AF050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF050.md): Cessna 150G · Bono, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 10, 1972 · N6350S · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW72AF049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF049.md): Piper PA-22 · Cresson, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 7, 1972 · N3519P · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72DVA43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVA43.md): Cessna 150J · Los Banos, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Feb 6, 1972 · N50668 · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX72FUG53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUG53.md): Bensen B8-M · Adelanto, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 6, 1972 · N4755G · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN093.md): Beech B95 · Mt Tabor, VT · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Feb 5, 1972 · N283AA · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA72AM078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM078.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Venice, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Feb 5, 1972 · N7323V · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX72AL049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL049.md): Piper PA-28 · Lk Arrowhed, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 5, 1972 · N3681K · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD034.md): Cessna T210F · Lehi, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 1, 1972 · N6762R · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX72AL048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL048.md): Amer Avco AA-1 · Devore, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 26, 1972 · N5647L · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM073.md): Cessna 210B · Semmes, AL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jan 23, 1972 · N9715X · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX72AL046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL046.md): Mooney M20C · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 23, 1972 · N6768V · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72FJA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FJA12.md): Bell 47G-5 · Koloa, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jan 21, 1972 · N8544F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK72AP025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP025.md): Cessna 310N · Wells, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jan 21, 1972 · N5024Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72AP024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP024.md): Mooney M20F · Five Points, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jan 18, 1972 · N9603M · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN088.md): Cessna 172D · Perryville, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 9, 1972 · N2551Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW72AF041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF041.md): Aero Comdr 100 · Seguin, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 8, 1972 · N2945T · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD028.md): Mooney M20A · Scipio, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 2, 1972 · N8133E · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS027.md): Cessna 150G · Kalama, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 31, 1971 · N2257J · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN085.md): Piper PA-28 · Malvern, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 30, 1971 · N6047W · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?page=25

## 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=24

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.