# NTSB investigations, 1978: 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 · 102 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB MIA79FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA032.md): Beech E33 · Arcadia, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 26, 1978 · N1043A · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA022.md): Piper PA-24 · Springerville, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 20, 1978 · N5734P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA029.md): Cessna 172N · Ada, OK · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 20, 1978 · N75819 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA012.md): Piper PA-32 · Virginia, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 18, 1978 · N4757S · 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 SEA79FYP04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYP04.md): Cessna R172K · Dayton, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 1, 1978 · N736TH · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA024.md): Grumman AA-5B · Marianna, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 30, 1978 · N28649 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA023.md): Sikorsky S55B · Hanceville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 29, 1978 · N8307 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA006-201216.md): Cessna 182C · Eureka, MO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 22, 1978 · N8485T · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA015.md): Cessna 172N · Ormond Beach, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1978 · N733QV · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA015.md): Beech H18 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 20, 1978 · N204CC · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA014.md): Bellanca 17-30 · Medford, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 19, 1978 · N7320V · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA014.md): Grum Amer AA1-G · Kernville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N9584U · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW79FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA011.md): Bell 206B · Sabine Pass, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 12, 1978 · N49755 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA010.md): Cessna 182A · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 10, 1978 · N5895B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA012.md): Cessna 177B · Kimberly, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 9, 1978 · N11606 · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA010.md): Piper PA-32 · Melfa, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 8, 1978 · N1104X · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD79FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA008.md): Cessna 310I · Portland, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 7, 1978 · N8037M · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC79FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA001.md): Beech A23-24 · Lyndon, KS · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Nov 5, 1978 · N6135N · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA79FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA009.md): Cessna P210 · Toutle, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Nov 2, 1978 · N3686P · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK79FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FA008.md): Cessna T-210L · Dayton, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 1, 1978 · N777FT · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC79DA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DA015.md): Grumman G-44A · Cordova, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Oct 31, 1978 · N444W · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX79FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA010.md): Piper PA-32 · Mojave, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 30, 1978 · N400EW · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA011.md): Piper PA-24 · Ashton, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 25, 1978 · N8666P · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW79FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA007.md): Mooney M20E · Texarkana, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 24, 1978 · N9093V · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA005.md): Beech 65-80 · Torreon, NM · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Oct 24, 1978 · N886G · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA006.md): Piper PA-24 · Baraboo, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Oct 10, 1978 · N5696P · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA085.md): Aero Comdr 500 · Laredo, TX · Accident · 7 fatal · Closed · Sep 23, 1978 · N6244B · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA066.md): Piper PA-28 · Hall, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 19, 1978 · N8359C · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC78FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78FA082.md): Aeronca 7EC · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 15, 1978 · N4739E · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI78FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA066.md): Brantley B-2B · Brook, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 11, 1978 · N2284U · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC78FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA089.md): Cessna 150M · Millbury, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 9, 1978 · N9470U · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK78DA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DA046.md): Piper PA-28 · Fort Ross, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Sep 4, 1978 · N55002 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC78FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA085.md): Mitsubishi MU-2P · Bedford, NH · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 28, 1978 · N765MA · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC78FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FA067.md): Piper PA-28 · St George, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 26, 1978 · N43177 · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA060.md): Piper PA-28 · Edgerton, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 14, 1978 · N40439 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC78FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FA062.md): Piper PA-28 · Brighton, MO · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 12, 1978 · N7245W · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC78DA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DA064.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 · Kenai, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Aug 11, 1978 · N5319G · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA78FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA053.md): Stinson 108E · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 10, 1978 · N4122C · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN78FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FA056.md): Piper PA-24 · Carrizozo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Aug 10, 1978 · N5338P · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI78FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA053.md): Cessna 177RG · Jefferson, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 6, 1978 · N45369 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI78FEI32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEI32.md): Lockheed P38L · Whitehouse, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 1, 1978 · N3005 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK78FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FA039.md): Piper PA-28 · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jul 23, 1978 · N2831M · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA065.md): Cessna 310B · Cameron, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Jul 20, 1978 · N5403A · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA060.md): Piper PA-28 · Brownfield, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 16, 1978 · N55469 · Destroyed
- [NTSB MKC78FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FA055.md): Beech 60 · Faribault, MN · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Jul 12, 1978 · N777HH · Substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA78DA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DA042.md): Cessna 170A · Billings, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 9, 1978 · N1780D · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI78FEX23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEX23.md): Hunter Mong GH-1 · Roll, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 9, 1978 · N132H · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA78FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FA102.md): Bellanca 17-31A · Lake City, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jul 4, 1978 · N8805V · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650/cases.md?year=1978&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") = 1978
  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=1978

---
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.