# 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 26 of 44 · 2,192 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB NYC72AN035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN035.md): Piper PA-24 · Quakertown, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 6, 1971 · N6123P · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS009.md): Stinson 108-2 · Port Angeles, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 3, 1971 · N890D · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK018.md): Cessna 172B · Forbes, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 30, 1971 · N7982X · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD008.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Hachita, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 28, 1971 · N7307V · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN030.md): Piper PA-28 · Accident, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 27, 1971 · N6993W · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC018.md): Piper PA-28 · Marshall, MI · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 27, 1971 · N7905W · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC017.md): Piper PA-22 · Cadillac, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 27, 1971 · N7039B · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK016.md): Cessna 150B · Victoria, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 21, 1971 · N1291Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM015.md): Cessna 421A · Athens, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 20, 1971 · N3198K · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK015.md): Aeronca 11AC · Admire, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 16, 1971 · N86032 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN023.md): Cessna 172E · Greene, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 15, 1971 · N3806S · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72AK013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72AK013.md): Enstrom F-28A · Osseo, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 13, 1971 · N2525M · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM011.md): Cessna 172K · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 13, 1971 · N79407 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72FCD17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCD17.md): Taylorcraft BL-65 · Ackley, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Aug 8, 1971 · N36214 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN025.md): Beech B23 · Stow, MA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 5, 1971 · N6138N · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW72AF009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF009.md): Beech D18S · Loreauville, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 1, 1971 · N296RB · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM008.md): Cessna 172E · Ft.Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 31, 1971 · N5465T · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK72AP003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP003.md): Cessna 150F · Big Sur, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 25, 1971 · N3566L · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC009.md): Cessna 182K · Springfield, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 23, 1971 · N7600K · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD72AI003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD72AI003.md): Piper PA-28 · St.Michaels, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 20, 1971 · N5298L · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC72FAA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72FAA03.md): Piper PA-20 · Fort Yukon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 20, 1971 · N1506A · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX72AL005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL005.md): Cessna 150H · Homeland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 18, 1971 · N6584S · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72FGM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FGM03.md): Brantly B2B · Williamsburg, PA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 10, 1971 · N2180U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC72FCD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCD05.md): Brantly B2B · Spencer, IA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 9, 1971 · N2161U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC72FCQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCQ05.md): Spinks 10 · Rose Hill, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 6, 1971 · N12851 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA72AM002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM002.md): Boeing E75N1 · Cumming, GA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 5, 1971 · N1935M · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI72AC003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72AC003.md): Piper PA-24 · Philo, IL · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jul 4, 1971 · N9120P · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX71FUJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUJ03.md): Cessna 150 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 24, 1971 · N50723 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI71AC091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71AC091.md): Piper PA-30 · Fort Wayne, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 19, 1971 · XB-RIG · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK71AP053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71AP053.md): Cessna 172 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 16, 1971 · N5660A · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA71AS047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71AS047.md): Piper PA-32 · Meacham, OR · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jun 14, 1971 · N4070W · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC71AK058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71AK058.md): Piper PA-28R · Medicine Lge, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 13, 1971 · N7416J · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA71AM110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71AM110.md): Piper PA-28 · Murfreesboro, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 9, 1971 · N5115L · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX71AL073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71AL073.md): Navion A · Calimesa, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 9, 1971 · N91514 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK71AP051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71AP051.md): Champion 7ECA · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 6, 1971 · N11094 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA71AM108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71AM108.md): Cessna 172E · Villalba, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 6, 1971 · N3710S · Destroyed
- [NTSB UNK71X0108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK71X0108.md): Piper PA-24 · Calgary, Canada · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jun 5, 1971 · N5462P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW71AF080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71AF080.md): Piper PA-30 · Eliasville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 4, 1971 · N8433Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD71AI054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI054.md): Cessna 310C · Dunlo, PA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 27, 1971 · N1765H · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD71AI053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI053.md): Cessna 177 · New Castle, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 27, 1971 · N2271Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX71AL069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71AL069.md): Piper PA-24 · Roosevelt, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 21, 1971 · N9145P · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC71AA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71AA056.md): Sud Aviatn SA318C · Anaktvk Pass, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 12, 1971 · N9222 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC71AK055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71AK055.md): Piper PA-28 · Chadron, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 10, 1971 · N4614R · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD71AI050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71AI050.md): Cessna 172H · Hollywood, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 8, 1971 · N2658L · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW71AF073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71AF073.md): Piper PA-22 · Cleveland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 8, 1971 · N5870D · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI71AC083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71AC083.md): Piper PA-28 · Beverly, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 8, 1971 · N95115 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK71AP043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71AP043.md): Cessna 182 · Tahoe City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 4, 1971 · N3157R · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK71FVD43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVD43.md): Bensen B8M · Tracy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 25, 1971 · N2495 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC71AK053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71AK053.md): N.American B · Paxton, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 19, 1971 · N8630H · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI71FBD65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBD65.md): Piper PA-28 · Kewanee, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 19, 1971 · N6418R · Substantial damage

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?page=27

## 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=26

---
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.