# 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 5 of 44 · 2,192 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ANC81FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA085.md): Mooney M20K · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 28, 1981 · N231PY · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA044.md): Piper PA-28R · Colo, IA · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jul 25, 1981 · N16328 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA043.md): Beech 58TC · Kansas City, KS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jul 23, 1981 · N17705 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA100.md): Piper PA-24 · Center Grove, TN · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jul 23, 1981 · N5472P · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA079.md): Aero Comdr 100 · Columbia Stat, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jul 21, 1981 · N3732X · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA81FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA096.md): Beech B95 · Titusville, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jul 19, 1981 · N27GD · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA81FLD53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FLD53.md): Cessna 172 · Tampa, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jul 12, 1981 · N5319H · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA81FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA094.md): Piper PA-32R · Naples, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jul 11, 1981 · N6074H · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA090.md): Cessna 182M · Haleyville, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 2, 1981 · N71859 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC81FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA070.md): Piper PA-32 · Easton, PA · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Jul 1, 1981 · N54383 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA087.md): Piper PA-32R · Vicksburg, MS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jul 1, 1981 · N3570Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA040.md): Cessna 404 · Belton, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 30, 1981 · N6810N · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA105.md): Swearingen SA226T · Cameron, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 10, 1981 · N555AM · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA121.md): Mooney M20J · Eagletown, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 6, 1981 · N1039C · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA091.md): Piper PA-30 · Moreno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 27, 1981 · N8457Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA81FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA038.md): Piper PA-28 · Malad City, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 25, 1981 · N2816F · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA036.md): Cessna 172 · Carbondale, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 22, 1981 · N4509E · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA074.md): Bell 47G2A1 · Covington, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 20, 1981 · N73263 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA035-202510.md): Cessna T210N · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 18, 1981 · N5137Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA089.md): Cessna 337A · Evant, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 15, 1981 · N6345F · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA090.md): Cessna 172A · Verda, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 13, 1981 · N7232T · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC81FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA047.md): Cessna 177B · Forked River, NJ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 10, 1981 · N16083 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA032.md): Cessna T210G · Worland, WY · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 7, 1981 · N6842R · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA071.md): Mooney M20J · Cades, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 7, 1981 · N201YX · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81DEV17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEV17.md): Balloon WKS 7B · Normal, IL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 2, 1981 · N15443 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW81FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA083.md): Piper PA-31 · Hammond, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 1, 1981 · N3544J · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA080.md): Cessna 170B · Steamboat, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 30, 1981 · N2318D · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA077.md): Beech A36 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 23, 1981 · N500CC · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA074.md): Beech E35 · Fay, OK · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 18, 1981 · N3281C · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA073.md): Cessna 172N · Yoakum, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 18, 1981 · N6525G · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC81FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA040.md): Piper PA-28R · Hartford, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 17, 1981 · N7435J · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA028.md): Piper PA-28 · Dixon, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 8, 1981 · N47970 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA027.md): Piper PA-28 · Creston, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 8, 1981 · N2250W · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FQG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQG22.md): Quickie 01 · Abernathy, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Apr 7, 1981 · N34GD · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC81FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA026.md): Cessna 310R · Eldon, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 5, 1981 · N1275G · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81EA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81EA065.md): Cessna 152 · Hempstead, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 4, 1981 · N714VR · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA023.md): Mooney M20G · Ryegate, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 21, 1981 · N6844N · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA063.md): Beech B35 · Winkelman, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 20, 1981 · N8587R · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA034.md): Cessna 172 · Lake Geneva, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 10, 1981 · N733XU · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA032.md): Beech P35 · Monarch Pass, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 6, 1981 · N8607M · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA81FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA020.md): Cessna 182P · Everett, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 3, 1981 · N21002 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA051.md): Piper PA-30 · Autaugaville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 1, 1981 · N7443Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA041.md): Beech A36TC · Nageezi, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Feb 28, 1981 · N123AB · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA040.md): Beech 58P · Ozona, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 28, 1981 · N411P · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC81FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA029.md): Mooney M20F · Montgomery Twp, NJ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 22, 1981 · N1919T · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA026.md): Piper PA-28 · Waupun, WI · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Feb 18, 1981 · N8422C · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA072.md): Piper PA-28 · Truckee, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 13, 1981 · N9431W · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA027.md): Piper PA-23 · Odessa, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 4, 1981 · N63900 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA022.md): Cessna 150M · Timewell, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 25, 1981 · N63090 · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA037.md): Beech S35 · Casa Grande, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jan 16, 1981 · N844B · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?page=6

## 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=5

---
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.