# NTSB investigations, 1973: 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 3 · 117 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB IAD74AI037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI037.md): Bellanca 7KCAB · Munfordville, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 29, 1973 · N711RD · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC054.md): Beech A23A · Cabery, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 28, 1973 · N2303W · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK74AP025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74AP025.md): Beech C35 · Kings Ldg, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 26, 1973 · N68626 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK035.md): Beech 95-55 · New Salem, ND · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Dec 24, 1973 · N9385Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74AF044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF044.md): Piper PA-23 · Weatherford, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 18, 1973 · N14099 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK74DXQ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DXQ17.md): Piper PA-28R · Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Dec 16, 1973 · N5146S · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC74AK032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK032.md): Bellanca 7GCBC · Lebanon, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 15, 1973 · N12201 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK030-201598.md): Beech A45 · Cabool, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 12, 1973 · N12271 · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74FYE31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FYE31.md): Cessna 337A · Maynard, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Dec 11, 1973 · N5313S · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74AL043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL043.md): Beech 23 · Gorman, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 30, 1973 · N2360Z · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74AF037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF037.md): Cessna 180B · Enid, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 23, 1973 · N5083E · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC74AA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA047.md): Cessna 180C · Anchorage, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 23, 1973 · N4669S · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74AF036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF036.md): Piper PA-28 · Slidell, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 22, 1973 · N6629J · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK025.md): Piper PA-28R · Columbia, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 19, 1973 · N2307T · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74AL038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL038.md): Beech 95-C55 · Kayenta, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 18, 1973 · N2077W · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK023.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Fairbury, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 14, 1973 · N5041M · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK022.md): Maule M4-220 · Independence, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 14, 1973 · N40320 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD022.md): Piper PA-24 · Roswell, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 9, 1973 · N9001P · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA74AM040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM040.md): Piper PA-28 · Columbus, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 7, 1973 · N9508W · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74AF028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF028.md): N.American AT-6G · Paris, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 5, 1973 · N2885G · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD74AI025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI025.md): Mooney M20C · Cromwell, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 4, 1973 · N3361X · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74AF035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF035.md): Cessna 172K · Cherokee, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 4, 1973 · N79049 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC038.md): Aerostar 601 · Raymond, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 3, 1973 · N7430S · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74AL029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL029.md): Ryan Navion F · Signal Hill, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Oct 21, 1973 · N5227K · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA74AM039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM039.md): Cessna 172K · Kissimmee, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 18, 1973 · N46575 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA74AM034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM034.md): Piper PA-28R · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 18, 1973 · N15482 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD74AI021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI021.md): Cessna 172 · Lewisburg, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 13, 1973 · N7108T · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74OL033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74OL033.md): Sikorsky S-62A · Requena, Peru · Accident · 9 fatal · Closed · Oct 11, 1973 · N316Y · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74AF021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF021.md): Cessna 182A · Quail, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 10, 1973 · N9970B · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC035.md): Mooney M20A · Summitville, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 10, 1973 · N6034X · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK017-201612.md): Mooney M20E · Cassoday, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 9, 1973 · N6985U · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC032.md): Cessna 150F · Columbiana, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 8, 1973 · N8059F · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD014.md): Cessna 182 · Artesia, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 6, 1973 · N71227 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC029.md): Aerostar 601 · Chicago, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 3, 1973 · N8MW · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK014.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Slayton, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 2, 1973 · N96184 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX74AL024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL024.md): Piper PA-22 · Grover City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 29, 1973 · N3116Z · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK013.md): Piper PA-24 · Council Bluf, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 28, 1973 · N5547P · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK74FVD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVD07.md): W.Marra Driftr · Fremont, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 23, 1973 · N72WM · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI74AC025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC025.md): Cessna 411 · Delavan, WI · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 21, 1973 · N3243R · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC74AA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA035.md): Cessna 150L · Birchwood, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 18, 1973 · N5352Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC74AA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA032.md): Globe GC-1B · Eureka Lodge, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 15, 1973 · N3822K · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA74AM022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM022.md): Cessna TU206C · Laurel, MS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 11, 1973 · 8R-GDF · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK011.md): Cessna 180 · Wessington, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 8, 1973 · N9170C · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC74AK010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK010.md): Cessna 182B · Leawood, KS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 7, 1973 · N2430G · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74DUJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUJ16.md): Grumman G-164A · Arlington, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 27, 1973 · N4897 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC74AN014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN014-201627.md): Cessna 172K · Huntingdon Vly, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 13, 1973 · N7060G · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA74AM014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM014.md): Piper PA-24 · Gulfport, MS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 12, 1973 · N6993P · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC74AA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA020.md): Piper PA-18 · Anaktuvuk Ps, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 10, 1973 · N1372C · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI74AC012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74AC012.md): Cessna 182J · Chicago, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 6, 1973 · N3147F · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74AL008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL008.md): Luscombe 8A · Ventura, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 4, 1973 · N1183B · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?year=1973&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 year(c."eventDate") = 1973
  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?year=1973

---
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.