# NTSB investigations, CO: 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 2 · 62 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB GAA15CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA053.md): Aero SP Z O O AT 4 LSA · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2015 · N344UA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to perform aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane not certified for aerobatic flight, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA141.md): Richard Lacourse Wheeler Express · Kersey, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2015 · N564ER · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an off-airport forced landing following a total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine. Contributing to the accident was the pilots'…
- [NTSB DCA01MA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA01MA017.md): Beech 200 · Strasburg, CO · Accident · 10 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jan 27, 2001 · N81PF · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation resulting from his failure to maintain positive manual control of the airplane with the available flight instrumentation. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the loss of a.c. electrical power during instrument…
- [NTSB DEN87LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA172.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1987 · N25655 · Substantial damage
  > The commercial plt and a friend departed aztec, new Mexico, with the intention of flying over wolf creek pass en route to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He said the acft would not climb over the pass and the acft collided with trees in mountainous terrain. The…
- [NTSB DEN86FTE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTE02.md): Beech 58 · Elbert, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 2, 1985 · N26BW · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed in a open field & was not found for 4 days. The home built acft, maintained largely by the plt, had the engine destroyed so completely that no determination could be made as to power being developed at impact. The plt reportedly had been…
- [NTSB DEN82FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA010.md): Mooney M-21 · La Veta, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 24, 1981 · N9777M · 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 CHI81FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA032.md): Beech P35 · Monarch Pass, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 6, 1981 · N8607M · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA011.md): Cessna 310K · Boulder, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 23, 1980 · N7058L · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN81DTE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTE05.md): Cessna 182Q · Grand Junction, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 26, 1980 · N735YM · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN80FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA014.md): Piper PA-23 · Grand Lake, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 23, 1979 · N2013P · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN80FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA003.md): Cessna T210N · Gunnison, CO · Accident · 8 fatal · Closed · Oct 14, 1979 · N7618N · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA031.md): Cessna 310 · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1979 · N4157A · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA027.md): Cessna 210 · Limon, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 2, 1979 · N761MV · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FAO32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FAO32.md): Cessna T210L · Woodland Park, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Mar 10, 1978 · N22443 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA032.md): Avions Mrcl DA-10 · Denver, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 3, 1977 · N60MB · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA015.md): Grum Amer AA-1 · Alder, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 19, 1976 · N5679L · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA019.md): Sikorsky S-64E · Cowdrey, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Dec 13, 1976 · N6965R · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN77FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA004.md): Piper PA-32R · Matheson, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 27, 1976 · N9705K · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN76AD047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD047.md): Beech A36 · Aspen, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 8, 1976 · N6061S · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX76AL044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76AL044.md): Cessna 172M · Olney Springs, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 8, 1976 · N50078 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN7LAD018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN7LAD018.md): Cessna T210L · Trinidad, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 11, 1975 · N4617Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN7LAD004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN7LAD004.md): Cessna 310C · Springfield, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 14, 1975 · N1774H · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD041.md): Bellanca 8GCBC · Akron, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 3, 1975 · N88153 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD038.md): Cessna 182 · Kiowa, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 9, 1975 · N3235Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD036.md): Bell 206B · Parshall, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 4, 1975 · N14835 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD024.md): Cessna 182A · Springfield, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 2, 1974 · N3737D · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD018.md): Bellanca 14-19 · Vail, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 4, 1974 · N8538R · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD017.md): Cessna 182J · Springfield, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Oct 4, 1974 · N2869F · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD007.md): Gates Lear 25B · Briggsdale, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 31, 1974 · N366AA · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN73AD043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD043.md): Cessna 182C · Garfield, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 23, 1973 · N8700T · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN73AD033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD033.md): Navion B · La Veta, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 27, 1973 · N4024K · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN73AD021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD021.md): Beech F35 · Lindon, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 6, 1972 · N5006B · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN73AD002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD002.md): Cessna T210L · Monument, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 15, 1972 · N8269M · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD038.md): Mooney M20C · Parshall, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 29, 1972 · N9766M · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD021.md): Beech D50C · Brandon, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 29, 1971 · N9968R · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD020.md): Erco 415-CD · Kit Carson, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 28, 1971 · N3902H · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD013.md): Beech 70 · Fowler, CO · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Sep 17, 1971 · N1384A · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN71AD019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71AD019.md): Mooney M20A · Roggen, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 25, 1970 · N8316E · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN70AD043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70AD043.md): Cessna 172 · Rollinsville, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 2, 1970 · N7104A · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN70A0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70A0028.md): Navion G · Hudson, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 26, 1969 · N2466T · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN70F0150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70F0150.md): Bensen B-8M · Aurora, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 25, 1969 · N1598 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN70A0019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70A0019.md): Piper PA-28 · Eads, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 9, 1969 · N4173J · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0051.md): Cessna 172G · Karval, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 23, 1969 · N4192L · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0046.md): Cessna 150G · Franktown, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 3, 1969 · N2649J · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0024.md): Piper PA-24 · Platteville, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 16, 1968 · N6524P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0054.md): Beech 35-A33 · Brush, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 25, 1968 · N685V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0044.md): Mooney M20C · Briggsdale, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 11, 1968 · N6030Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0036.md): Cessna 172G · Aspen, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 4, 1968 · N5801R · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0024.md): Cessna 172 · Pueblo, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 1, 1967 · N5753R · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?state=CO&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" = 'CO' 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=CO

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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.