# NTSB investigations, NC: 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 ERA21LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA322.md): Diamond DA42 · Hiddenite, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2021 · N906ER · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inability to stop the descent following a practice emergency descent for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ATL05CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA030.md): Mooney M20J · Statesville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 27, 2004 · N2201 · Substantial damage
  > the flight instructors improper use of the flight controls on rotation during a short field takeoff resulting in the airplane becoming airborne, stall, and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the instructors failure to brief procedures for…
- [NTSB ATL03FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03FA104.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Battleboro, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2003 · N578TP · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's (CFI) failure to maintain flying speed that resulted in a stall/spin and the uncontrolled collision with the ground.
- [NTSB MIA99LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA094.md): Cessna 182J · Franklin, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 1999 · N460JM · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on final approach resulting in the in-flight collision with trees and the ground.
- [NTSB ATL89DMG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DMG04.md): Wittman, S.J. W-8 · Washington, NC · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 17, 1989 · N74849 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane.
- [NTSB ATL87FA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA268.md): Beech 95-B55 · Manteo, NC · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1987 · N6343X · Destroyed
  > Witness observed acft settle into ocean during low level cruise flt adjacent to beach. Wx was ovrcst, indistinct horizon & calm sea. IFR flt plan had been filed but no contact was made with ATC. Engines and propeller examination did not reveal a mechanical…
- [NTSB ATL86FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA120.md): Piper PA-28-160 · Winton, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1986 · N5258W · Destroyed
  > Before the flt, the student plt & passengers had been socializing & drinking beer. At aprx 0200 EDT, while at a friend'shome near murfreesboro, NC, they decided to go flying. At about 0300, an acft was observed to fly over the friend's home at low alt, then…
- [NTSB IAD80AA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80AA008.md): Cessna P337H · Benson, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 2, 1979 · N5KN · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD79FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA061.md): Cessna 172 · Kitty Hawk, NC · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jul 4, 1979 · N20739 · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD77DKM33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77DKM33.md): Cessna 120 · Bryson City, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Sep 23, 1977 · N1373Z · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD77FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FA025.md): Cessna 150M · Burlington, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 18, 1977 · N3969V · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD77FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FA015.md): Cessna 210 · Oxford, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 28, 1976 · N360WL · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD77FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FA012.md): Piper PA-28 · Wise, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1976 · N2693T · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD76AI023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AI023.md): Piper PA-28 · Harrisburg, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 10, 1975 · N8893W · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD76AI003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AI003.md): Cessna 182 · Edneyville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 17, 1975 · N52208 · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD75FLJ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75FLJ23.md): Piper PA-28 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Apr 13, 1975 · N49922 · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD75AI013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75AI013.md): Piper PA-28 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 17, 1974 · N9441J · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD74DKM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DKM06.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Wadesboro, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jul 21, 1973 · N95099 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC73AN117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73AN117.md): Cessna 172K · Relief, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Feb 27, 1973 · N79559 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC73AN113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73AN113.md): Beech E35 · Marion, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Feb 21, 1973 · N3207C · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC73AN107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73AN107.md): Cessna 182H · Tarboro, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 28, 1973 · N3486S · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC72AN055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72AN055.md): Beech 35-C33 · Black Mountain, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 18, 1971 · N5845K · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD70AI062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70AI062.md): Piper PA-28 · Rose Hill, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 14, 1970 · N3936K · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA69A0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69A0065.md): Piper PA-28 · Fairview, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 16, 1969 · N8347W · Destroyed
- [NTSB DIA68A0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68A0042.md): Piper PA-24 · Robbinsville, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 22, 1967 · N6238P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DIA68A0026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68A0026.md): Piper PA-28 · Monroe, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 18, 1967 · N7197W · Destroyed
- [NTSB DIA68A0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68A0016.md): Piper PA-28 · Pendleton, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Oct 10, 1967 · N5469W · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA67A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67A0051.md): Bensen B8M · Morrisville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 22, 1966 · N4683S · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA66A0078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0078.md): Piper PA-24 · Taylorsville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 2, 1966 · N7872P · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA66A0056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66A0056.md): Stinson 108-3 · Lawndale, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 11, 1965 · N6733M · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA65A0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA65A0122.md): Beechcraft 35C · 6nw Bolivia, NC · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jun 18, 1965 · N1838D · 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" = 'NC' 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=NC

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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.
