# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 1 of 7 · 307 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA147.md): Paul Berkovitz Vans RV-10 · Simi Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 3, 2025 · N626PB · Destroyed
  > On May 3, 2025, about 1350 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van’s RV-10, N626PB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Simi Valley, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR12FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA044.md): Mooney M20M · Pomona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2011 · N741SB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear obstructions while maneuvering on the base leg of the traffic pattern for landing.
- [NTSB WPR11FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA155.md): Muse KR2 · Newberry Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2011 · N122B · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB WPR09LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA032.md): Universal Globe · Wallace, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 2008 · N80715 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's incapacitation during cruise for unknown reasons that resulted in a loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB LAX08FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA047.md): Beechcraft V35B · Selma, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2008 · N4662M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in the in-flight break-up of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing factors included the pilot's impairment due to multiple medical conditions and due to recent use of alcohol.
- [NTSB SEA07FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA035.md): Beech D95A · Gilroy, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2006 · N144PG · Destroyed
  > The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in a stall/spin.
- [NTSB LAX06TA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06TA234.md): Let Super Blanik L-23 · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 11, 2006 · N381BA · Substantial damage
  > failure of the winch operator to maintain an adequate winch tow speed, resulting in a stall and hard landing.
- [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 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 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 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 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 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 LAX91FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA108.md): Cessna T210N · Kyburz, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 1991 · N9448Y · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempt to conduct his visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the loss of aircraft control by becoming spatial disoriented. The low ceilings and the dark night that existed in the area were factors in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX90FA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA300.md): Cessna T-210-M · Placerville, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1990 · N6985B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misidentification of the airport and his failure to select an adequate altitude above the terrain. Factors in the accident were the pilot's disregard for his night time medical limitation and lack of geographic familiarity with the area.
- [NTSB LAX87FA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA167.md): Champion 7ECA · Upland, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1987 · N9655S · Destroyed
  > The pilot took off from his home airport for a sight-seeing, local flight over nearby mountains. Although the rear seat passenger weighed 270 lbs and the aircraft's fuel tanks were assumed to be full, there is no evidence that the pilot calculated the…
- [NTSB LAX86LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA070.md): Bell 47G2 · Moss, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1985 · N8404E · Substantial damage
  > After starting a left climbing turn at the end of a spray run the plt said he felt a 'shudder in the airframe' as the engine 'went to full RPM.' The plt stated that he thought 'the clutch had slipped' and added collective to compensate. The helicopter began…
- [NTSB LAX85FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA280.md): Robinson R22 · Manhattan Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1985 · N8360J · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter was to fly in formation with a banner towed by an acft 'to attract attention.' Numerous witnesses along a 20-mile stretch of Beach saw the helicopter 'flying erratically' & 'buzzing the Beach' just prior to the accident. Witnesses saw the…
- [NTSB LAX82FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA019.md): Cessna 210 · Susanville, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 22, 1981 · N5181V · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA125.md): Cessna T310P · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 11, 1981 · N5705M · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA091.md): Piper PA-30 · Moreno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 27, 1981 · N8457Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA072.md): Piper PA-28 · Truckee, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 13, 1981 · N9431W · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX81FUQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUQ01.md): No.American P-510 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 4, 1980 · N51MP · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA140.md): Beech 35 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 12, 1980 · N299Y · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX80FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA131.md): Cessna T210N · Malibu, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 8, 1980 · N139BB · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA112.md): Beech 35 · Weaverville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 12, 1980 · N2948V · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FUJ52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUJ52.md): Piper PA-32R · Needles, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 1, 1980 · N38352 · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA091.md): Piper PA-23 · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 8 fatal · Closed · Apr 28, 1980 · N2546M · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA086.md): Piper PA-24 · Ngrapevine, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 20, 1980 · N6674P · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA066.md): Cessna 182P · San Andreas, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 15, 1980 · N106JH · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA061.md): Piper PA-23 · So.Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Mar 3, 1980 · N4180P · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA055.md): Piper PA-28 · Palmdale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 17, 1980 · N4517X · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA049.md): Riley 421C · Escondido, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 11, 1980 · N15SE · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA023.md): Cessna 172M · Huntington Bch, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 9, 1979 · N20647 · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX80FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA010.md): Mooney M20E · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 3, 1979 · N1942Y · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX79FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA087.md): Cessna 175 · Hollister, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 21, 1979 · N9466B · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FUG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUG52.md): Rand KR-2 · Thermal, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 22, 1979 · N8029Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA088.md): Piper PA-28 · Yreka, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 22, 1979 · C-GXJZ · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA029.md): Cessna 172N · Livermore, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 6, 1979 · N733HG · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA025.md): Cessna T210M · Tahoe City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 22, 1979 · N6721B · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA024.md): Cessna T210L · Dunsmuir, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Apr 16, 1979 · N2253S · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA042.md): Cessna 182K · Shoshone, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 15, 1979 · N3078Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA036.md): Beech A36 · Perris, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N2033K · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA019.md): Cessna 182Q · Tuolumne, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 21, 1979 · N94386 · Destroyed
- [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 LAX79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA014.md): Grum Amer AA1-G · Kernville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N9584U · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA010.md): Piper PA-32 · Mojave, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 30, 1978 · N400EW · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK78DA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DA046.md): Piper PA-28 · Fort Ross, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 4, 1978 · N55002 · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?state=CA&page=2

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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?state=CA

---
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.