NTSB investigations

2,192 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases, newest first

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 650)
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB IAD79FA008Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310I · Portland, TNNov 7, 1978 · N8037M · DestroyedNTSB MKC79FA001Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech A23-24 · Lyndon, KSNov 5, 1978 · N6135N · DestroyedNTSB SEA79FA009Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P210 · Toutle, WANov 2, 1978 · N3686P · DestroyedNTSB OAK79FA008Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T-210L · Dayton, NVNov 1, 1978 · N777FT · DestroyedNTSB ANC79DA015Accident · 3 fatalClosedGrumman G-44A · Cordova, AKOct 31, 1978 · N444W · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA010Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Mojave, CAOct 30, 1978 · N400EW · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA011Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ashton, ILOct 25, 1978 · N8666P · Substantial damageNTSB FTW79FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Texarkana, TXOct 24, 1978 · N9093V · DestroyedNTSB DEN79FA005Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 65-80 · Torreon, NMOct 24, 1978 · N886G · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Baraboo, WIOct 10, 1978 · N5696P · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA085Accident · 7 fatalClosedAero Comdr 500 · Laredo, TXSep 23, 1978 · N6244B · DestroyedNTSB SEA78FA066Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Hall, MTSep 19, 1978 · N8359C · DestroyedNTSB ANC78FA082Accident · 1 fatalClosedAeronca 7EC · Fairbanks, AKSep 15, 1978 · N4739E · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FA066Accident · 1 fatalClosedBrantley B-2B · Brook, INSep 11, 1978 · N2284U · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FA089Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150M · Millbury, MASep 9, 1978 · N9470U · DestroyedNTSB OAK78DA046Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fort Ross, CASep 4, 1978 · N55002 · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FA085Accident · 2 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2P · Bedford, NHAug 28, 1978 · N765MA · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA067Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · St George, MNAug 26, 1978 · N43177 · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA060Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Edgerton, WYAug 14, 1978 · N40439 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA062Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Brighton, MOAug 12, 1978 · N7245W · Substantial damageNTSB ANC78DA064Accident · Serious injuriesClosedDehavilland DHC-2 · Kenai, AKAug 11, 1978 · N5319G · Substantial damageNTSB SEA78FA053Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108E · Enumclaw, WAAug 10, 1978 · N4122C · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA056Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Carrizozo, NMAug 10, 1978 · N5338P · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FA053Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177RG · Jefferson, OHAug 6, 1978 · N45369 · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FEI32Accident · 2 fatalClosedLockheed P38L · Whitehouse, OHAug 1, 1978 · N3005 · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA039Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Petaluma, CAJul 23, 1978 · N2831M · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA065Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310B · Cameron, LAJul 20, 1978 · N5403A · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA060Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Brownfield, TXJul 16, 1978 · N55469 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA055Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech 60 · Faribault, MNJul 12, 1978 · N777HH · Substantial damageNTSB SEA78DA042Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 170A · Billings, MTJul 9, 1978 · N1780D · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FEX23Accident · 1 fatalClosedHunter Mong GH-1 · Roll, INJul 9, 1978 · N132H · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA102Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 17-31A · Lake City, FLJul 4, 1978 · N8805V · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FVG59Accident · 1 fatalClosedVarieze · Dorris, CAJul 3, 1978 · N942 · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FAO36Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Red Bluff, CAJul 2, 1978 · N3873D · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA101Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Courtland, ALJul 1, 1978 · N47975 · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA054Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Hebbronville, TXJun 27, 1978 · N7504R · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA052Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Potosi, MOJun 23, 1978 · N13AV · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA050Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Columbus, NEJun 23, 1978 · N8993W · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA073Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Marion, KYJun 22, 1978 · N5421Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA050Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210L · Mt.Ida, ARJun 7, 1978 · N732HY · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA092Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Hernando Beach, FLJun 1, 1978 · N2291M · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Wolbach, NEMay 31, 1978 · N76011 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA041Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 35-B33 · Harris, MNMay 29, 1978 · N1320Z · DestroyedNTSB LAX78FA043Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Upland, CAMay 22, 1978 · N1256A · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA078Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jekyll Island, GAMay 7, 1978 · N47638 · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA040Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech D50C · Wheatland, WYMay 4, 1978 · N320Z · DestroyedNTSB LAX78FA045Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Palmdale, CAMay 1, 1978 · N5851S · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA034Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech S-35 · Audubon, IAApr 29, 1978 · N7971K · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FVG26Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Alturas, CAApr 28, 1978 · N9653C · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA038Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna T210H · Reno, NVApr 28, 1978 · N2211R · Destroyed