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 MKC76AK077Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Mandan, NDAug 16, 1976 · N3783F · DestroyedNTSB MKC76AK075Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B35 · Columbus, NEAug 14, 1976 · N5232C · DestroyedNTSB CHI76FEM53Accident · 2 fatalClosedThorp T-18 · Menominee, MIAug 7, 1976 · N12BS · DestroyedNTSB LAX76FL091Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Banning, CAJul 31, 1976 · N5229L · DestroyedNTSB MKC76FCG87Accident · Minor injuriesClosedAero Comdr 500B · Topeka, KSJul 19, 1976 · N299PE · Substantial damageNTSB SEA76AS060Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Hoquiam, WAJul 3, 1976 · N9344D · DestroyedNTSB NYC76AN105Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Turo, MAJun 26, 1976 · CF-QNG · DestroyedNTSB CHI76AC081Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Gadwin, MIJun 18, 1976 · N2227A · DestroyedNTSB MKC76AK059Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Dickinson, NDJun 8, 1976 · C-GOMA · DestroyedNTSB SEA76AS052Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper J3C-65 · Rock Springs, MTMay 30, 1976 · N6519H · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL080Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech M35 · Irvine, CAMay 28, 1976 · N9887R · DestroyedNTSB CHI76AC064Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · W.Terre Haute, INMay 28, 1976 · N6331R · DestroyedNTSB CHI76AC063Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310H · Richland City, INMay 27, 1976 · N1075Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL083Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Chula Vista, CAMay 26, 1976 · N6009P · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM086Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Lavonia, GAMay 24, 1976 · N9941Q · DestroyedNTSB ANC76AA088Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Petersburg, AKMay 18, 1976 · N55951 · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF092Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Kirkland, TXApr 29, 1976 · N21496 · DestroyedNTSB SEA76AS044Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177B · Roseburg, ORApr 21, 1976 · N10081 · DestroyedNTSB DEN76FQA41Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Albuquerque, NMApr 19, 1976 · N6741A · Substantial damageNTSB LAX76SL071Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Winslow, AZApr 15, 1976 · N3737R · DestroyedNTSB FTW76FRJ20Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 182P · Jones, LAApr 13, 1976 · N9110M · DestroyedNTSB OAK76AP049Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 14-132 · Trimmer, CAApr 8, 1976 · N86927 · DestroyedNTSB DEN76AD047Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech A36 · Aspen, COApr 8, 1976 · N6061S · Substantial damageNTSB OAK76FP048Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182P · So.Lake Tahoe, CAApr 4, 1976 · N1932M · DestroyedNTSB OAK76AP047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182L · Feather Falls, CAApr 4, 1976 · N42575 · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF083Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 170 · College Sta, TXApr 4, 1976 · N5532C · DestroyedNTSB SEA76DYA23Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 180 · Pocatello, IDApr 1, 1976 · N2925C · Substantial damageNTSB OAK76AP046Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Salinas, CAMar 31, 1976 · N2767S · DestroyedNTSB DEN76AD042Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Lusk, WYMar 20, 1976 · N3080P · DestroyedNTSB MKC76AK048Accident · 2 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA1-B · Medicine Lodge, KSMar 15, 1976 · N1462R · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF072Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Hope, ARMar 15, 1976 · N4855P · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF071Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Marksville, LAMar 12, 1976 · N5928R · DestroyedNTSB ANC76AA074Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 207 · Igiugig, AKMar 7, 1976 · N91142 · DestroyedNTSB DEN76AD039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · San Ysidro, NMMar 6, 1976 · N5537B · DestroyedNTSB MKC76AK045Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Forbes, MNFeb 28, 1976 · N869S · DestroyedNTSB DEN76AD034Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 320E · Sinclair, WYFeb 18, 1976 · N3440Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL053Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Prescott, AZFeb 13, 1976 · N84011 · DestroyedNTSB SEA76AYA19Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Preston, IDFeb 8, 1976 · N5925R · Substantial damageNTSB FTW76AF063Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32R · Monahans, TXFeb 6, 1976 · N7053C · DestroyedNTSB CHI76AC047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172L · Bay City, MIJan 31, 1976 · N3971Q · DestroyedNTSB ANC76AA064Accident · 2 fatalClosedS.N.A.I.S. SA341G · Circle, AKJan 30, 1976 · N62176 · DestroyedNTSB SEA76DTI19Accident · No injuriesClosedStearman PT-17 · Marias Pass, MTJan 23, 1976 · N60131 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX76AL044Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Olney Springs, COJan 8, 1976 · N50078 · DestroyedNTSB ANC76AA059Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206B · Kenai, AKJan 4, 1976 · N59481 · Substantial damageNTSB OAK76DVG38Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-18A · Tulelake, CADec 28, 1975 · N1452C · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF052Accident · 4 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Strawberry, ARDec 27, 1975 · N6413U · DestroyedNTSB FTW76AF055Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna U206 · Harrison, ARDec 26, 1975 · N138ND · DestroyedNTSB IAD76AI044Accident · 4 fatalClosedBellanca 17-31 · Butler, TNDec 25, 1975 · N14707 · DestroyedNTSB IAD76FIA08Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBellanca 7KCAB · Woodstock, VADec 24, 1975 · N53743 · DestroyedNTSB OAK76AP038Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Incline Vlg, NVDec 23, 1975 · N379Z · Destroyed