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 MIA77FA069Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Andros Is, Burkina FasoJul 16, 1977 · N4434F · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA071Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Ocean City, NJJul 9, 1977 · N4257Q · Substantial damageNTSB NYC77FA067Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Windham, VTJul 4, 1977 · N5039P · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA055Accident · 1 fatalClosedSchweizer SGS126 · Ocotillo Wells, CAJul 4, 1977 · N2550H · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA029Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Walker, MNJun 22, 1977 · N55548 · DestroyedNTSB MKC77DCJ25Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Gothenburg, NEJun 22, 1977 · N57301 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI77FA049Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Grafton, WIJun 11, 1977 · N6349P · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA050Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177RG · Riverside, CAJun 7, 1977 · N1599H · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA044Accident · 3 fatalClosedBellanca 14-19 · Robinson Creek, KYJun 6, 1977 · N1293R · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FLA36Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8-MG · St Augustine, FLJun 4, 1977 · N3120 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW77FA057Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Lamar, ARMay 28, 1977 · N5775K · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA056Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 310N · Amarillo, TXMay 20, 1977 · N4153Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FKT41Accident · Minor injuriesClosedNaval Fcty N3N-3 · Immokalee, FLMay 16, 1977 · N45167 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX77FA042Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Dana Point, CAMay 14, 1977 · N9213H · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA041Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Bigtrails, WYMay 6, 1977 · N4948F · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA041Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Huntington Bch, CAMay 5, 1977 · N2826V · DestroyedNTSB IAD77AA038Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech HS.125 · Mclean, VAApr 28, 1977 · N40PC · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FVG31Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero-Comdr S-2R · Maxwell, CAApr 26, 1977 · N4997X · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FXQ17Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Winnemucca, NVApr 23, 1977 · N41176 · DestroyedNTSB UNK77X0104Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Gruver, TXApr 21, 1977 · N276V · DestroyedNTSB OAK77DJA09Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Honolulu, HIApr 13, 1977 · N8179M · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA038Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Weathersfield, CTApr 13, 1977 · N4483P · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA036Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna TU206F · Duchesne, UTApr 12, 1977 · N1066V · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA027Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Port Orchard, WAApr 10, 1977 · N1282S · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA050Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C24R · Monroe, GAApr 3, 1977 · N23969 · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA032Accident · 4 fatalClosedAvions Mrcl DA-10 · Denver, COApr 3, 1977 · N60MB · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA048Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32R · Commerce, TXApr 1, 1977 · N6127J · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FEV15Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 177RG · Springfield, ILMar 27, 1977 · N7584V · Substantial damageNTSB LAX77FA031Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Payson, AZMar 25, 1977 · N4181F · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA017Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Atkins, IAMar 19, 1977 · N2231S · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA045Accident · 1 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Austin, TXMar 18, 1977 · N777MA · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FA026Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Corralitos, CAMar 14, 1977 · N32606 · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA037Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna U206F · Doylestown, PAMar 13, 1977 · N35634 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA77FA043Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Ormond Beach, FLMar 13, 1977 · N8898G · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA030Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Boones Mill, VAMar 12, 1977 · N4459V · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FQA26Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Las Vegas, NMMar 8, 1977 · N5122G · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA040Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35-C33 · Fort Myers, FLMar 7, 1977 · N5862S · DestroyedNTSB MIA77RA039Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 402 · Stirrup, Burkina FasoMar 5, 1977 · N69378 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA042Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech M35 · Fargo, GAMar 5, 1977 · N9746R · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA020Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Eugene, ORMar 2, 1977 · N8216P · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA028Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 414 · Farson, WYMar 2, 1977 · N8066Q · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA025Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150M · Burlington, NCFeb 18, 1977 · N3969V · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA019Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Port Orchard, WAFeb 12, 1977 · N1529X · Substantial damageNTSB MKC77FA013Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Anthony, KSFeb 11, 1977 · N59838 · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA035Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Tuscon, AZFeb 3, 1977 · N1840X · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FA026Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 58 · Necedah, WIFeb 3, 1977 · N177HC · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA022Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Moab, UTJan 24, 1977 · N4171F · DestroyedNTSB DEN77FA021Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Acomita, NMJan 21, 1977 · N7352V · DestroyedNTSB SEA77FA012Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Mckenna, WAJan 14, 1977 · N859M · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FA011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Fremont, CAJan 8, 1977 · N5321A · Destroyed