# NTSB investigations, TX: 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 4 · 176 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR19LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA027.md): Piper PA28 · Presidio, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2018 · N1715J · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of control at low altitude during a forced landing, which resulted in impact with terrain and substantial damage to the right wing. A contributing factor in the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN12FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA108.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Bryan, TX · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2011 · N3590T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe weather, which resulted in the airplane’s left wing failing in positive overload. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information that he received on his in-cockpit…
- [NTSB FTW98LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA098.md): Poling Keleher Lark KR1B · Georgetown, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 1998 · N82BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A contributing factor was the pilot's physical impairment due to drugs.
- [NTSB FTW93FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA137.md): Bell 206B III · Austin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 1993 · N2205X · Destroyed
  > Aircraft control not maintained by pilot in command. Factors were unfavorable winds and pilot's lack of recent experience.
- [NTSB FTW92LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA079.md): Burkhart Grob G103 · Boerne, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 1992 · N94BG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot in command inadvertently stalling the aircraft. Factors were the pilot not maintaining proper altitude during the approach and his abrupt aircraft handling.
- [NTSB FTW91FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA144.md): Piper PA-28RT-201T · Midland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1991 · N8144J · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his physiological incaapacitation. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the usage of pain medications.
- [NTSB FTW90DPA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPA03.md): Bell-Moore 47G-2A · Sivell Bend, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 8, 1990 · N25126 · Substantial damage
  > Clearance was not maintained by the pilot-in-command.
- [NTSB FTW86LRA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRA04.md): Eagle DW-1 · Bremond, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jan 15, 1986 · N8805M · Destroyed
  > According to the pilot, the aircraft was being operated by thompson flyers of garwood, inc., rt 1, box 214, marlin, TX. In agricultural aircraft operations under FAA ag operation certificate no. SW-HOU-97-AG. The aircraft had completed its last swath run…
- [NTSB FTW86FPA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA02.md): Homebuilt Fokker DR-1 Replica · Denton, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Nov 2, 1985 · N152DR · Destroyed
  > The pilot stated he was making his fourth fly-by at 400 feet AGL when the aircraft developed a high sink rate. He then lowered the nose and gained airspeed for recovery. While leveling off he had to turn left to avoid impact with a small tree. At this time…
- [NTSB FTW85LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA210.md): Piper J-3C · Fredericksburg, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 1985 · N925TX · Substantial damage
  > The acft contacted trees after encountering a downdraft during final apch. The plt stated the apch into the 10-12 kt gusty wind resulted in a low, flat apch. A downdraft was encountered, the acft contacted trees and descended uncontrolled into the terrain.
- [NTSB FTW85LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA198.md): Partenavia P68C · Tilden, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 1985 · N76L · Destroyed
  > After aprx 1.5 hrs of pipeline patrol flight at a planned altitude of 500 AGL the acft flew into the flat terrain in a landing attitude. The acft went through a wire fence, heavy brush and small trees before coming to rest 437 ft from initial ground contact…
- [NTSB FTW85FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA130.md): Hughes 269C · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 1985 · N9664F · Substantial damage
  > The accident occurred during a zero ground speed practice autorotation. A high sink developed after an attempt to correct for decreasing rotor RPM, the helicopter contacted the ground tail first and rolled over after the main rotor severed the tail boom. An…
- [NTSB FTW85FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA055.md): Beech A36 · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1984 · N22PF · Destroyed
  > The acft was seen by witnesses in a dive from aprx 1000 ft AGL. It appeared to not change attitude nor waiver as it continued toward the grnd. Impact with the grnd occurred with the wings level in aprx 15 deg dive on a hdg of 118 degrees. A mark on the a/s…
- [NTSB FTW85FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA025.md): Cessna 180 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1984 · N602RD · Destroyed
  > Last radio contact was a clearence to descend to 5,000 ft MSL to which the plt responded 'two romeo delta.' Cloud tops were near 5,000 ft MSL. Acft impacted in a high speed dive aprx 10 deg past verticle. Plt received com/inst certificate on 12/14/84 and this…
- [NTSB FTW82FRG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG19.md): Cessna 152 · Christine, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 22, 1981 · N4856B · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW82FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA017.md): Bell 206L-1 · Ingleside, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 30, 1981 · N5751N · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW82FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA009.md): Piper PA-28R · Hale Center, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 12, 1981 · N82195 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW82FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA001.md): Cessna 210L · Clyde, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Oct 6, 1981 · N5431V · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA089.md): Cessna 337A · Evant, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 15, 1981 · N6345F · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA083.md): Piper PA-31 · Hammond, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · May 1, 1981 · N3544J · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA077.md): Beech A36 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 23, 1981 · N500CC · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA073.md): Cessna 172N · Yoakum, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 18, 1981 · N6525G · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FQG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQG22.md): Quickie 01 · Abernathy, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Apr 7, 1981 · N34GD · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81EA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81EA065.md): Cessna 152 · Hempstead, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 4, 1981 · N714VR · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA040.md): Beech 58P · Ozona, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 28, 1981 · N411P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA027.md): Piper PA-23 · Odessa, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 4, 1981 · N63900 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA021.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Iraan, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 6, 1981 · N6606V · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA012.md): Aerospatle AS350 · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 22, 1980 · N8TV · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA011.md): Aero Comdr 560 · Dell City, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 21, 1980 · N2659B · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW81FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA010.md): Beech A35 · Rock Springs, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 21, 1980 · N741B · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA124.md): Beech T-34B · Giddings, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 27, 1980 · N46939 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80AA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80AA064.md): Lear Jet 25B · Conlon, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 11, 1980 · N25TA · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA060.md): Cessna 310Q · Baytown, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 6, 1980 · N1209G · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA036.md): Cessna A152 · Lomax, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 15, 1980 · N7393L · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA027.md): Cessna 172H · Moshiem, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 21, 1979 · N1792F · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA021.md): Piper PA-28 · Sonora, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 15, 1979 · N57329 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA019.md): Mitsubishi MU-2B · Post Oak, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 26, 1979 · N234MA · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79DRA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA36.md): Grum-Amer AA-5A · Brenham, TX · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 11, 1979 · N26302 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW79FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA068.md): Piper PA-28 · Bayside, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 9, 1979 · N4782L · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA062.md): Cessna R172K · Uvalde, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 14, 1979 · N736TN · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FRG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG21.md): Varieze 1 · Austin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 7, 1979 · N95DB · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA056.md): Cessna 182P · Weston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 27, 1979 · N9897E · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA049.md): Piper PA-28 · Comanche, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N5960U · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA048.md): Aerostar 601P · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N9779Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FRG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRG09.md): Bell 47G-2 · Premont, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Dec 6, 1978 · N7732 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA022.md): Piper PA-28 · Hempstead, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 6, 1978 · N3436M · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA015.md): Beech H18 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1978 · N204CC · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA011.md): Bell 206B · Sabine Pass, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N49755 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA007.md): Mooney M20E · Texarkana, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 24, 1978 · N9093V · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA085.md): Aero Comdr 500 · Laredo, TX · Accident · 7 fatal · Closed · Sep 23, 1978 · N6244B · Destroyed

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

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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.