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 SEA74AS003Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Neah Bay, WAJul 18, 1973 · N7310M · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS040Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Eugene, ORJun 25, 1973 · N3841T · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN156Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Killingworth, CTJun 25, 1973 · N6427W · DestroyedNTSB OAK73DVM37Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Castroville, CAJun 19, 1973 · N2546 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73FHJ22Accident · Serious injuriesClosedEnstrom F-28A · Briarcliff Mnr, NYJun 7, 1973 · N4885 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX73AL062Accident · 3 fatalClosedBellanca 14-19 · Parker, AZJun 7, 1973 · N6581N · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL061Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150L · Playa D.Rey, CAJun 7, 1973 · N5927J · DestroyedNTSB LAX73FUM35Accident · Serious injuriesClosedMooney M20F · Camp Pndltn, CAJun 6, 1973 · N3518N · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM106Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 185B · Sun City Ctr, FLJun 3, 1973 · N2560Z · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN003Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Northwood, NHMay 28, 1973 · N5553F · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC093Accident · 3 fatalClosedStinson 108-3 · Freeland, MIMay 27, 1973 · N4125C · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK070Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Cloquet, MNMay 26, 1973 · N4330Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK069Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech B35 · Mulvane, KSMay 26, 1973 · N5164C · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL059Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 560-F · Granada Hls, CAMay 19, 1973 · N6191X · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN143Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 205 · Francistown, NHMay 18, 1973 · N8428Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC087Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Indianapolis, INMay 8, 1973 · N3378B · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK065Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Granger, MNMay 6, 1973 · N8114P · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF062Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Henly, TXApr 22, 1973 · N177RH · DestroyedNTSB FTW73FPD31Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Granbury, TXApr 17, 1973 · N15683 · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK061Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Junction Cty, KSApr 14, 1973 · N7339B · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL050Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Tehachapi, CAApr 14, 1973 · N60395 · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD048Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 205A · Parowan, UTApr 14, 1973 · N8490Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC082Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 112 · Milford Ctr, OHApr 9, 1973 · N1051J · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF057Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Tuttle, OKApr 7, 1973 · N7539G · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN129Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Bantam, CTApr 3, 1973 · N2660T · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS029Accident · 2 fatalClosedAeronca 15AC · Summit, MTApr 1, 1973 · N1369H · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL047Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna T210G · Solvang, CAMar 31, 1973 · N6801R · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD045Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Farson, WYMar 31, 1973 · N9545T · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC079Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Hanover, MIMar 30, 1973 · N3506B · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF055Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B23 · Victoria, TXMar 28, 1973 · N6086N · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS026Accident · 2 fatalClosedN.American T-28A · Gorst, WAMar 24, 1973 · N2800N · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182C · Garfield, COMar 23, 1973 · N8700T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL056Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Globe, AZMar 22, 1973 · N6675R · DestroyedNTSB OAK73AP028Accident · 3 fatalClosedNavion G · Woodside, CAMar 21, 1973 · N2366T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL045Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Newhall, CAMar 21, 1973 · N51362 · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL044Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 320D · Fullerton, CAMar 21, 1973 · N4125T · DestroyedNTSB OAK73FJA15Accident · Serious injuriesClosedS.N.I.A.S. SA318C · Kamuela, HIMar 12, 1973 · N65180 · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF050Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fulton, TXMar 9, 1973 · N6359W · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM090Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210H · Flagler Beach, FLMar 8, 1973 · N5941F · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK057Accident · 2 fatalClosedN. American NA-265 · Blaine, MNMar 7, 1973 · N9503Z · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN117Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Relief, NCFeb 27, 1973 · N79559 · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF045Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Startzville, TXFeb 22, 1973 · N7012G · DestroyedNTSB OAK73DVW17Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBeech C35 · Adaven, NVFeb 21, 1973 · N686D · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73AN113Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Marion, NCFeb 21, 1973 · N3207C · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK051Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 180H · Mt.Vernon, IAFeb 19, 1973 · N9058M · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS025Accident · 3 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680F · Battle Grnd, WAFeb 17, 1973 · N69HE · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM085Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 210H · Rome, GAFeb 15, 1973 · N5970F · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM084Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Perry, FLFeb 14, 1973 · N84051 · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD036Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Milford, UTFeb 8, 1973 · N9418X · DestroyedNTSB OAK73AP033Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Elko, NVFeb 7, 1973 · N5983Q · Destroyed