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 OAK78FA005Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Willows, CANov 21, 1977 · N3274C · DestroyedNTSB CHI788A011Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech P35 · New Salem, INNov 17, 1977 · N9958Y · DestroyedNTSB SEA78FA008Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Newport, WANov 13, 1977 · C-GSKO · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-2 · Hope, NMNov 13, 1977 · N178C · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FPG05Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-24 · Booneville, ARNov 5, 1977 · N5581P · Substantial damageNTSB SEA78FA007Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Gales Creek, ORNov 4, 1977 · N2710Q · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA004Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Willits, CANov 4, 1977 · N7330G · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA003Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Las Vegas, NVNov 4, 1977 · N5690V · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Columbus, OHNov 4, 1977 · N6221S · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FHM01Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369D · Monmouth, NJOct 27, 1977 · N8605F · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lamar, MOOct 25, 1977 · N7983N · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA004Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Blair, NEOct 23, 1977 · N55184 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedAmer Avco AA-1B · St Louis, MOOct 23, 1977 · N1473R · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA002Accident · 2 fatalClosedGrumann AA-5A · Pierce, NEOct 23, 1977 · N9762U · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Wetumka, OKOct 23, 1977 · N7623Y · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA005Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech D35 · Livingston, KYOct 15, 1977 · N2982B · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA001Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion A · Caldwell, KSOct 6, 1977 · N91482 · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA003Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Sheridan, WYOct 4, 1977 · N5581Q · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA002Accident · 7 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Cedar Fort, UTSep 30, 1977 · N5400F · Substantial damageNTSB OAK77FA059Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Pahala, HISep 29, 1977 · N733FZ · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA090Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Water Valley, MSSep 24, 1977 · N6677G · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FEC48Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Romeo, MISep 24, 1977 · N5194S · DestroyedNTSB LAX77DUG63Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAero Comdr 600S2R · Blythe, CASep 23, 1977 · N5502X · DestroyedNTSB IAD77DKM33Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Bryson City, NCSep 23, 1977 · N1373Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FA073Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C90 · Pontiac, ILSep 23, 1977 · N23796 · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA064Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Carlsbad, CASep 22, 1977 · N732GL · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FA054Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Soda Springs, CASep 17, 1977 · N30748 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA088Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lauderhill, FLSep 16, 1977 · N7645G · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Coldwater, KSSep 15, 1977 · N29358 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA087Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jackson, MSSep 12, 1977 · N98039 · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA074Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Idabel, OKSep 12, 1977 · N800SC · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA064Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Harriman, TNSep 5, 1977 · N32044 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA083Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lodge, SCSep 4, 1977 · N6334W · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA037Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Eagle Butte, SDSep 3, 1977 · N7731W · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FEX49Accident · Minor injuriesClosedMidget Mustng · Clinton, INSep 3, 1977 · N6141U · Substantial damageNTSB CHI77FEI42Accident · 1 fatalClosedFalck Spec · Cleveland, OHSep 3, 1977 · N60089 · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA036Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Henning, MNAug 30, 1977 · N64190 · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA072Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Canyon, TXAug 28, 1977 · N5209P · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA055Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C-23 · Miami, NMAug 28, 1977 · N9756L · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA087Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · New Lebanon, NYAug 25, 1977 · N8575P · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA049Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 185 · Hansville, WAAug 21, 1977 · N1738R · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FA049Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Los Banos, CAAug 20, 1977 · N8474F · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA071Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Healdton, OKAug 19, 1977 · N38140 · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA070Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech V35B · Ida, LAAug 18, 1977 · N1605W · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA054Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Nsalina, UTAug 17, 1977 · N7985U · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Burns, ORAug 12, 1977 · N9578Q · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA058Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA1-B · Unity, MDAug 11, 1977 · N9677L · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FA064Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · De Witt, ILAug 6, 1977 · N3009Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA072Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Clanton, ALJul 29, 1977 · N8663N · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA071Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172L · Vienna, GAJul 27, 1977 · N19691 · Destroyed