# NTSB investigations, NM: 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 DEN85FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA125.md): Cessna 421C · Las Vegas, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 1985 · N8343G · Substantial damage
  > The acft was landed in a pasture about 2 miles from the arpt after the acft began to descen 'behind the power curve' after takeoff. The plt said he used full power for takeoff but the takeoff was longer than normal. The da was computed to be 9286 ft. after…
- [NTSB FTW82FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA025.md): Piper PA-28 · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 27, 1981 · N43981 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA041.md): Beech A36TC · Nageezi, NM · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Feb 28, 1981 · N123AB · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN80FQA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FQA16.md): Cessna C172 · Ocate, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jan 24, 1980 · N9878V · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN79FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA005.md): Beech 65-80 · Torreon, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 24, 1978 · N886G · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA056.md): Piper PA-24 · Carrizozo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 10, 1978 · N5338P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA030.md): Cessna 320 · Gallup, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 4, 1978 · N4108T · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA022.md): Taylorcraft BC12D · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 5, 1978 · N43021 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN78FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA007.md): Stinson 108-2 · Hope, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 13, 1977 · N178C · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA055.md): Beech C-23 · Miami, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 28, 1977 · N9756L · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FQA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FQA26.md): Piper PA-28 · Las Vegas, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Mar 8, 1977 · N5122G · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA021.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Acomita, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 21, 1977 · N7352V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN77FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FA012.md): Piper PA-28 · Farmington, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 26, 1976 · N4208F · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN76AD071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD071.md): Piper PA-28 · Scholle, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 10, 1976 · N8981W · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN76FQA41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FQA41.md): Cessna 172 · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Apr 19, 1976 · N6741A · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN76AD039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD039.md): Cessna 182 · San Ysidro, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 6, 1976 · N5537B · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD033.md): Mooney M20F · Watrous, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 19, 1974 · N3890N · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD014.md): Piper PA-18 · Corona, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 16, 1974 · N1585P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN75AD005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75AD005.md): Cessna 170A · Bernardo, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 25, 1974 · N5423C · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74FQA43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74FQA43.md): Bensen B-8M · Cerrillos, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 11, 1974 · N24836 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD054.md): Cessna 182N · Lamy, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 30, 1974 · N92494 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD022.md): Piper PA-24 · Roswell, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 9, 1973 · N9001P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD014.md): Cessna 182 · Artesia, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 6, 1973 · N71227 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN73AD019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD019.md): Beech 35 · Bloomfield, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 29, 1972 · N3100V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN72AD008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72AD008.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Hachita, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 28, 1971 · N7307V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN71AD035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71AD035.md): Navion A · Orogrande, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 21, 1971 · N8726H · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN71FQD13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71FQD13.md): Squires Helico · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Nov 11, 1970 · N2393 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN70A0030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70A0030.md): Beech V35 · Vaughn, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 26, 1969 · N315LH · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0032.md): Cessna 182 · Dunlap, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 12, 1969 · N8969X · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN69A0015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69A0015.md): Cessna T-210G · Estancia, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Oct 4, 1968 · N6846R · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0051.md): Piper PA-22 · Laguna, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 23, 1968 · N2744P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68A0048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0048.md): Cessna 185 · Gallup, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 21, 1968 · N6348A · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN68F0201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68F0201.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Truth-Consq, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Jan 16, 1968 · N43819 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN67A0053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67A0053.md): Beech A35 · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Mar 12, 1967 · N3251V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN66A0055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0055.md): Cessna 172D · Placitas, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 15, 1966 · N8559X · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN66A0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0034.md): Cessna 182E · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1965 · N3081Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN65A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65A0051.md): Piper PA22 · Bernardo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jan 24, 1965 · N4436A · Destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X1388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1388.md): Cessna 195A · Grants, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 19, 1964 · N82Q · 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" = 'NM' 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=NM

---
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.