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 ANC73AA039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 180H · Kasigluk, AKJan 31, 1973 · N9929V · DestroyedNTSB NYC73FHM21Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Middletown, NYJan 28, 1973 · N7976N · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73AN107Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Tarboro, NCJan 28, 1973 · N3486S · DestroyedNTSB LAX73DUG31Accident · 1 fatalClosedPhaneuf B8 · Adelanto, CAJan 28, 1973 · NONE · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD033Accident · 1 fatalClosedNavion B · La Veta, COJan 27, 1973 · N4024K · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK049Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mitchell, SDJan 26, 1973 · N7280J · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF039Accident · 1 fatalClosedLockheed TV-2 · Burns Flat, OKJan 24, 1973 · N152 · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK050Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Washington, KSJan 23, 1973 · N3652A · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF038Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Whiteface, TXJan 20, 1973 · N490CC · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF037Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182D · Benton, ARJan 20, 1973 · N9123X · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Wichita, KSJan 18, 1973 · N7047G · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC063Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Berrien Spgs, MIJan 14, 1973 · N4033J · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD030Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech C90 · Blairstown, IAJan 3, 1973 · N936K · DestroyedNTSB DCA73AZ005Accident · 99 fatalClosedLockheed 1011 · Miami, FLDec 29, 1972 · N310EA · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD029Accident · 7 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Kearney, NEDec 28, 1972 · N8915N · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC060Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Paragon, INDec 25, 1972 · N8885N · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK045Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · St.Charles, MODec 22, 1972 · N7571J · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO64Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Shellman, GADec 20, 1972 · N2691C · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Cleveland, TXDec 20, 1972 · N8589U · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF031Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Grand Prairie, TXDec 20, 1972 · N9677W · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN091Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Malone, NYDec 19, 1972 · N5754K · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK042Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Concordia, KSDec 19, 1972 · N46155 · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC058Accident · 2 fatalClosedLear 23 · Romulus, MIDec 15, 1972 · N20M · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM060Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 58 · Anderson, SCDec 10, 1972 · N1643W · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN081Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Grand Tower, ILDec 8, 1972 · N4235T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL025Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108 · Ukiah, CADec 5, 1972 · N97366 · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL023Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Dragoon, AZDec 5, 1972 · N5009S · DestroyedNTSB SEA73ASO13Accident · 1 fatalClosedLuscombe 8A · Ellensburg, WANov 28, 1972 · N1170B · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS015Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Bend, ORNov 26, 1972 · N4447J · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73DKW11Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 177 · Flagpond, TNNov 25, 1972 · N2360Y · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73AMO52Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Porterdale, GANov 19, 1972 · N9397G · DestroyedNTSB DCA73A0002Accident · 11 fatalClosedBeech G18S · Elkton, KYNov 17, 1972 · N2700S · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK039Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Fremont, NENov 12, 1972 · N5095P · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AFO18Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182K · Eliasville, TXNov 12, 1972 · N657AK · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO49Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310Q · Montgomery, ALNov 10, 1972 · N7798Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150D · Wellman, IANov 9, 1972 · N5913T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL022Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35C33A · Santa Ynez, CANov 7, 1972 · N7953M · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF017Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680 · Dallas, TXNov 6, 1972 · N6204D · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD021Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Lindon, CONov 6, 1972 · N5006B · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK036Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Long Pine, NENov 5, 1972 · N7704F · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN063Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Mariaville, NYNov 4, 1972 · N3075R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK035Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 320F · Ashland, KSNov 4, 1972 · N9900X · DestroyedNTSB ANC73AAO32Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18A · Portage, AKNov 4, 1972 · N7287D · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD019Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Bloomfield, NMOct 29, 1972 · N3100V · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN058Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Candia, NHOct 28, 1972 · N844A · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN056Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 206A · Graysonville, MDOct 28, 1972 · N4069G · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN055Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Keyser, WVOct 28, 1972 · N917HP · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM041Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-1 · Ocala, FLOct 16, 1972 · N8529K · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM044Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680-E · No.Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)Oct 12, 1972 · N4900 · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL015Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 200D · Wittmann, AZOct 6, 1972 · N2906T · Destroyed