# 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 9 of 44 · 2,192 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB FTW79FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA068.md): Piper PA-28 · Bayside, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 9, 1979 · N4782L · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FKG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKG30.md): Dehavilland DHC-1 · Fayetteville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Apr 7, 1979 · N122LT · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79AA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79AA041.md): Beech 58TC · St.Anne, IL · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Apr 7, 1979 · N17994 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FLD55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FLD55.md): Schleicher ASW-17 · Oviedo, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 6, 1979 · N4AX · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA066.md): Beech 35A33 · St Petersburg, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 5, 1979 · N848B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA030.md): Cessna 175A · Paris, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 4, 1979 · N8040T · Destroyed
- [NTSB DCA79AA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA79AA016.md): Boeing 727-31 · Saginaw, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Apr 4, 1979 · N840TW · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC79FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FA033.md): Piper PA-28 · Allaire, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 1, 1979 · N4897T · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA79FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA028.md): Piper PA-28 · Brothers, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 26, 1979 · N1649H · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA036.md): Beech A36 · Perris, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N2033K · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA031.md): Cessna 310 · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N4157A · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA046.md): Cessna 310R · Heber, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 17, 1979 · N3424G · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA062.md): Cessna R172K · Uvalde, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 14, 1979 · N736TN · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FTG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FTG04.md): Piper PA-18 · Goodrich, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 9, 1979 · N9730P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FRG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG21.md): Varieze 1 · Austin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 7, 1979 · N95DB · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79AA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79AA028.md): Rockwell 114 · Fairfield, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 4, 1979 · N4804W · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA027.md): Cessna 210 · Limon, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 2, 1979 · N761MV · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA056.md): Cessna 182P · Weston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 27, 1979 · N9897E · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA053.md): Piper PA-23 · St Petersburg, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 25, 1979 · N5861Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD79FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA035.md): Piper PA-32R · Glenville, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 23, 1979 · N2754Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA019.md): Cessna 182Q · Tuolumne, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 21, 1979 · N94386 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA018.md): Piper PA-28R · Fernley, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 18, 1979 · N222WF · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA049.md): Piper PA-28 · Comanche, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N5960U · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA048.md): Aerostar 601P · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N9779Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA020.md): Cessna R172K · Banner, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 6, 1979 · N758AV · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC79FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79FA035.md): Maule M-4 · Eureka Lodge, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 24, 1979 · N2076U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX79FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA026.md): Cessna T210L · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 23, 1979 · N4634Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FUG14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUG14.md): Heffron KR-2 · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 20, 1979 · N456J · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA023.md): Piper PA-28R · Memphis, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 19, 1979 · N1885F · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA025.md): Cessna 175 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jan 18, 1979 · N7494M · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA014.md): Cessna 210L · Junction City, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 12, 1979 · N4685Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA039.md): Beech 95-B55 · Fayetteville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 10, 1979 · N1866L · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA032.md): Beech E33 · Arcadia, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 26, 1978 · N1043A · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA022.md): Piper PA-24 · Springerville, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 20, 1978 · N5734P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA029.md): Cessna 172N · Ada, OK · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 20, 1978 · N75819 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA012.md): Piper PA-32 · Virginia, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 18, 1978 · N4757S · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FRG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG09.md): Bell 47G-2 · Premont, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Dec 6, 1978 · N7732 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA022.md): Piper PA-28 · Hempstead, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 6, 1978 · N3436M · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FYP04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYP04.md): Cessna R172K · Dayton, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 1, 1978 · N736TH · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA024.md): Grumman AA-5B · Marianna, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 30, 1978 · N28649 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA023.md): Sikorsky S55B · Hanceville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 29, 1978 · N8307 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA006-201216.md): Cessna 182C · Eureka, MO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 22, 1978 · N8485T · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA015.md): Cessna 172N · Ormond Beach, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1978 · N733QV · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA015.md): Beech H18 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1978 · N204CC · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA014.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Medford, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 19, 1978 · N7320V · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA014.md): Grum Amer AA1-G · Kernville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N9584U · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA011.md): Bell 206B · Sabine Pass, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N49755 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA010.md): Cessna 182A · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 10, 1978 · N5895B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA012.md): Cessna 177B · Kimberly, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 9, 1978 · N11606 · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA010.md): Piper PA-32 · Melfa, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 8, 1978 · N1104X · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?page=10

## 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=9

---
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.