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 DEN75AD002Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Nephi, UTJul 12, 1974 · N8535W · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP002Accident · 2 fatalClosedMaule M4210C · Kyburz, CAJul 9, 1974 · N51444 · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM006Accident · 2 fatalClosedRaven S-60A · Tavares, FLJul 9, 1974 · N54691 · Minor damageNTSB NYC75AN001Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Acme, PAJul 4, 1974 · N5084Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW75AF001Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Beaumont, TXJul 1, 1974 · N40706 · DestroyedNTSB NYC74AN115Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Tahawus, NYJun 23, 1974 · N9953R · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF089Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-23E · Cresson, TXJun 8, 1974 · N777AV · DestroyedNTSB MKC74FCG38Accident · 1 fatalClosedGlendenning G-1 · Long Lane, MOMay 26, 1974 · N41838 · DestroyedNTSB SEA74AS044Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Townsend, MTMay 14, 1974 · N2962V · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM093Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Folkston, GAMay 14, 1974 · N8872N · DestroyedNTSB DEN74FQA43Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Cerrillos, NMMay 11, 1974 · N24836 · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL075Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 190 · Hermosa Bch, CAMay 5, 1974 · N9806A · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF080Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Blue Ridge, TXMay 5, 1974 · N5834S · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF079Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Hockey, TXMay 3, 1974 · N5286T · DestroyedNTSB DEN74AD054Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182N · Lamy, NMApr 30, 1974 · N92494 · DestroyedNTSB SEA74AS040Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Butte, MTApr 27, 1974 · CF-XCN · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP060Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Santa Rosa, CAApr 27, 1974 · N7083T · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL074Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Johnsondale, CAApr 25, 1974 · N7173F · DestroyedNTSB IAD74AI057Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Luray, VAApr 24, 1974 · N5507J · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP051Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Hollister, CAApr 8, 1974 · N5594R · DestroyedNTSB IAD74II054Incident · No injuriesClosedGrumman G-159 · Charlestown, SCApr 8, 1974 · N8E · Minor damageNTSB ANC74AA066Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna A185E · Scammon Bay, AKApr 8, 1974 · N2249T · DestroyedNTSB FTW74DQG48Accident · Minor injuriesClosedAeronca 7AC · Fluvanna, TXApr 7, 1974 · N83297 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA74AM084Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Seneca, SCApr 4, 1974 · N6044B · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP048Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172I · Hollister, CAMar 28, 1974 · N46041 · DestroyedNTSB CHI74DEP37Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Lacrosse, WIMar 23, 1974 · N15255 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA74AM082Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20B · Punta Gorda, FLMar 21, 1974 · N74774 · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM080Accident · 1 fatalClosedMaule M-4 · Arcadia, FLMar 15, 1974 · N9809M · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF065Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Fanshawe, OKMar 10, 1974 · N3125V · DestroyedNTSB SEA74AS035Accident · 2 fatalClosedAmer Avco AA1-B · Enumclaw, WAMar 3, 1974 · N6213L · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM076Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Fairburn, GAMar 1, 1974 · N9226B · DestroyedNTSB NYC74AN072Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna U206 · Monon, INFeb 22, 1974 · N71992 · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM073Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Georgetown, SCFeb 22, 1974 · N1894J · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM070Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 100 · Ft Meade, FLFeb 16, 1974 · N4148X · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK047Accident · 1 fatalClosedChampion 7GCAA · Warroad, MNFeb 9, 1974 · N2577F · DestroyedNTSB MKC74DCQ25Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Scott City, KSFeb 5, 1974 · N8719F · Substantial damageNTSB IAD74AI042Accident · 3 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680FP · Cynthiana, KYFeb 5, 1974 · N46832 · DestroyedNTSB IAD74AI041Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150L · Samos, VAFeb 4, 1974 · N6927G · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK045Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Lawrence, KSFeb 2, 1974 · N5323P · DestroyedNTSB FTW74DPJ20Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-25 · Eldorado, OKJan 30, 1974 · N8848L · Substantial damageNTSB CHI74AC065Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech A35 · Traverse Cty, MIJan 27, 1974 · N9329Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF057Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech P35 · Luling, TXJan 19, 1974 · N9674Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC062Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Chicago, ILJan 17, 1974 · N3998W · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL050Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 58 · Big Bear Cy, CAJan 7, 1974 · N9269Q · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF050Accident · 2 fatalClosedNa Rockwell 265-40 · Midland, TXJan 4, 1974 · N34W · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF049Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 560-E · Kerrville, TXJan 2, 1974 · N701W · DestroyedNTSB IAD74AI037Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 7KCAB · Munfordville, KYDec 29, 1973 · N711RD · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC054Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech A23A · Cabery, ILDec 28, 1973 · N2303W · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP025Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Kings Ldg, CADec 26, 1973 · N68626 · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK035Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech 95-55 · New Salem, NDDec 24, 1973 · N9385Y · Destroyed