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 IAD76AI003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Edneyville, NCJul 17, 1975 · N52208 · DestroyedNTSB NYC76AN007Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Benton, PAJul 16, 1975 · N4843L · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL002Accident · 4 fatalClosedBell 206B · Poway, CAJul 15, 1975 · N58137 · DestroyedNTSB NYC76AN005Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Newtown, PAJul 14, 1975 · N4030N · DestroyedNTSB DEN7LAD004Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310C · Springfield, COJul 14, 1975 · N1774H · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL001Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 411 · Show Low, AZJul 2, 1975 · N4956T · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Yeehaw Junct, FLJun 26, 1975 · N2595J · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM091Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Odessa, FLJun 21, 1975 · N8859N · DestroyedNTSB DEN7KAD061Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182E · Cove Fort, UTJun 17, 1975 · N3361Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC75FER74Accident · 3 fatalClosedBede 4 · Caledonia, MNJun 11, 1975 · N77VW · DestroyedNTSB CHI75AC092Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Port Isabel, INJun 3, 1975 · N3578V · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM085Accident · 1 fatalClosedTemco GC-1B · Clayton, GAMay 31, 1975 · N2382B · DestroyedNTSB CHI75AC091Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 177B · Carpentersvile, ILMay 24, 1975 · N30836 · DestroyedNTSB OAK75FVM31Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Gilroy, CAMay 10, 1975 · N60516 · DestroyedNTSB FTW75AF063Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Garland, TXMay 5, 1975 · N5667U · DestroyedNTSB LAX75AL008Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Holbrook, AZMay 4, 1975 · N9356G · DestroyedNTSB SEA75AS039Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Riddle, IDApr 17, 1975 · N40952 · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD053Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Rock Springs, WYApr 15, 1975 · N13833 · DestroyedNTSB CHI75AC078Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Trimble, ILApr 14, 1975 · N95243 · DestroyedNTSB IAD75FLJ23Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Raleigh, NCApr 13, 1975 · N49922 · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN098Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Foster, RIApr 8, 1975 · N71550 · DestroyedNTSB LAX75AL052Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Sedona, AZApr 8, 1975 · N5016W · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM072Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Pensacola, FLMar 31, 1975 · N5540F · DestroyedNTSB CHI75AC072Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Cincinnati, INMar 23, 1975 · N7514P · DestroyedNTSB CHI75AC069Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech A24R · Beaver, WIMar 21, 1975 · N9707Q · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP042Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Clarksburg, CAMar 13, 1975 · N55787 · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM068Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210G · Andytown, FLMar 12, 1975 · N5917F · DestroyedNTSB IAD75AI050Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 206B · Wise, VAMar 8, 1975 · N370AF · DestroyedNTSB MKC75AK047Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Davenport, IAMar 5, 1975 · N9950T · DestroyedNTSB SEA82FA102Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Union Creek, ORFeb 26, 1975 · N7391Q · DestroyedNTSB FTW75FRD31Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 600S2R · Oberlin, LAFeb 21, 1975 · N4887X · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM059Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Olive Branch, MSFeb 17, 1975 · N2497L · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP038Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · S Lake Tahoe, CAFeb 16, 1975 · N9480W · DestroyedNTSB FTW75HF073Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Guerra, TXFeb 11, 1975 · N61446 · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD041Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 8GCBC · Akron, COFeb 3, 1975 · N88153 · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP034Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Tulelake, CAFeb 2, 1975 · N3117J · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD040Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 95-B55 · Riverton, UTFeb 1, 1975 · N157D · DestroyedNTSB LAX7500025Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Vecora, MexicoJan 26, 1975 · N4659A · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM048Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Crawfordsville, FLJan 23, 1975 · N44620 · DestroyedNTSB MKC75AK036Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182E · Thayer, MOJan 9, 1975 · N3500Y · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD038Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Kiowa, COJan 9, 1975 · N3235Y · DestroyedNTSB SEA75AS026Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna TU206D · Palmer, WAJan 5, 1975 · N71972 · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD036Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 206B · Parshall, COJan 4, 1975 · N14835 · DestroyedNTSB FTW75AF047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Abbeville, LADec 31, 1974 · N8066T · DestroyedNTSB FTW75AF046Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech V35B · Kent, TXDec 30, 1974 · N437T · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP027Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Hlf Moon By, CADec 27, 1974 · N7705J · DestroyedNTSB FTW75AF043Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Vidor, TXDec 23, 1974 · N80463 · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP026Accident · 8 fatalClosedCessna 414 · Chester, CADec 22, 1974 · N414ZM · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP025Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Auburn, CADec 21, 1974 · N409RG · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD034Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150K · Tremonton, UTDec 20, 1974 · N6359G · Destroyed