# NTSB investigations, MT: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DEN85FTI01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI01.md): Polliwagen 2 Place · Manhattan, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jan 3, 1985 · N13954 · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed in an open flt shortly after takeoff and was destroyed by fire. There were no witnesses to the accident. The plt reportedly stated he needed to depart Manhattan by 0500 MST to arrive in helena before 0600 MST when the ATC twr opened as his…
- [NTSB DEN81FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA068.md): Cessna T210L · Big Timber, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 25, 1981 · N94136 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN81FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA023.md): Mooney M20G · Ryegate, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 21, 1981 · N6844N · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN80FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA059.md): Bell 206A/B · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 30, 1980 · N8030 · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA80FTA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FTA07.md): Scorpion 133 · Nashua, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 29, 1979 · NONE · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA066.md): Piper PA-28 · Hall, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 19, 1978 · N8359C · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78DA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DA042.md): Cessna 170A · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 9, 1978 · N1780D · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA017.md): Aero Comdr 500B · Miles City, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 5, 1978 · N6308U · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA015.md): Grum Amer AA-5A · Anaconda, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 28, 1977 · N9968U · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA76AS078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76AS078.md): Piper PA-18 · Zurich, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 24, 1976 · N8966C · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA76AS052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76AS052.md): Piper J3C-65 · Rock Springs, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 30, 1976 · N6519H · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA76DTI19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DTI19.md): Stearman PT-17 · Marias Pass, MT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jan 23, 1976 · N60131 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA76AS018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76AS018.md): Cessna 182N · Baker, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 11, 1975 · N9165G · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74AS044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS044.md): Beech 35 · Townsend, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 14, 1974 · N2962V · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74AS040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS040.md): Piper PA-28 · Butte, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 27, 1974 · CF-XCN · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA73AS029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73AS029.md): Aeronca 15AC · Summit, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 1, 1973 · N1369H · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS042.md): Piper PA-24 · Ronan, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 23, 1972 · N7843P · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72AS019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS019.md): Cessna 150L · Ulm, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 9, 1971 · N6691G · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA72FTI09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FTI09.md): Cessna 150 · Chinook, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 24, 1971 · N6180T · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA71AS023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71AS023.md): Piper PA-14 · Carlyle, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 30, 1970 · N4266H · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA70AS030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70AS030.md): Cessna 182E · Dillon, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 3, 1970 · N9208X · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA70A0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70A0026.md): Cessna 180 · Conrad, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 19, 1969 · N4951A · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0053.md): Cessna 182C · Great Falls, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jun 25, 1969 · N8847T · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA70F0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70F0017.md): Bell 47G-3 · Deer Lodge, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jun 4, 1969 · N8409E · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA69F0217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69F0217.md): Brantly B-2B · Lodge Grass, MT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Apr 23, 1969 · N2186U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA69A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69A0032.md): Aero Comdr 560-F · Wolf Creek, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 8, 1968 · N6257X · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA69A0014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69A0014.md): Cessna 140 · Busby, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 23, 1968 · N2278V · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA69A0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69A0005.md): Beech C35 · Tarkio, MT · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jul 14, 1968 · N1968D · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA68A0066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0066.md): Cessna 175 · Cascade, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 26, 1968 · N9454B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA68A0049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0049.md): Hughes 269B · Wyola, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jan 18, 1968 · N9389F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA68A0015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0015.md): Bell 47G-3 · Livingston, MT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 10, 1967 · N8416F · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67A0043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0043.md): Brantly B-2B · Wyola, MT · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Dec 18, 1966 · N2183U · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67F0078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67F0078.md): Luscombe 8A · Chinook, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 27, 1966 · N2978K · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA66A0021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66A0021.md): Navion B · Judith Gap, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 11, 1965 · N4400K · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA65A0068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA65A0068.md): Cessna 210 · Opheim, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 21, 1965 · N9418T · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA65A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA65A0051.md): Piper PA-22 · Anaconda, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 16, 1965 · N1714P · Destroyed
- [NTSB UNK65X0691](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0691.md): Cessna 170B · Roberts, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 13, 1964 · N2561D · Destroyed

## 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" = 'MT' 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=MT

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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.