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 LAX73AL014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Salome, AZOct 3, 1972 · N8342U · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 170A · Midwest, WYSep 25, 1972 · N1253D · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS007Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D55 · Mansfield, WASep 24, 1972 · N7705R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Lawton, NDSep 23, 1972 · N2900R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK022Accident · 1 fatalClosedForney F-1A · Clearbrook, MNSep 19, 1972 · N3034G · DestroyedNTSB OAK73FXQ15Accident · 1 fatalClosedThomas BTS · Reno, NVSep 17, 1972 · N70TT · DestroyedNTSB NYC73ANO61Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Gaffney, SCSep 17, 1972 · N2218N · DestroyedNTSB CHI73DEP27Accident · No injuriesClosedGrumman G-164 · Antigo, WISep 11, 1972 · N73W · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73AM028Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney 101E · Perry, FLSep 9, 1972 · N5759Q · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS005Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Ryderwood, WASep 8, 1972 · N3600W · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF009Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Ruston, LASep 4, 1972 · N5048B · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172L · Thayer, MOSep 1, 1972 · N2897Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI73DEC04Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Troy, MIAug 26, 1972 · N8889F · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 180B · Anoka, MNAug 24, 1972 · N5271E · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC025Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Martinsville, INAug 24, 1972 · N5745A · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN031Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Smithtown, NYAug 22, 1972 · N6983F · DestroyedNTSB DEN73DTM05Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 150K · Park City, UTAug 22, 1972 · N8365M · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73DIJ02Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-2A · Richlands, VAAug 19, 1972 · N8486E · Substantial damageNTSB SEA73AS004Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Bandon, ORAug 16, 1972 · N7504J · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC018Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 182M · Brownsburg, INAug 15, 1972 · N92004 · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN027Accident · 2 fatalClosedLake LA-4 · Cairo, NYAug 14, 1972 · N1163L · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF008Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Farwell, TXAug 12, 1972 · N2328U · DestroyedNTSB FTW73FPG11Accident · No injuriesClosedAero Comdr A-9A · Boydell, ARAug 8, 1972 · N671W · Substantial damageNTSB MKC73DCD12Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B-2B · Marshalltown, IAAug 6, 1972 · N2161U · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK013Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Lincoln, NEAug 3, 1972 · N301LC · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK012Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Overbrook, KSAug 3, 1972 · N8245Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM011Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M-20C · Texas, GAJul 25, 1972 · N5951Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI73FEE09Accident · No injuriesClosedBellanca 17-30 · Gary, INJul 24, 1972 · N7394V · Substantial damageNTSB UNK72X0111Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Kemptvlle, CanadaJul 20, 1972 · N2087T · DestroyedNTSB SEA73DYG05Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-11 · Wapato, WAJul 20, 1972 · N4930H · Substantial damageNTSB OAK73AP002Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Gualala, CAJul 16, 1972 · N4278T · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Branson, MOJul 15, 1972 · N3474T · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD002Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Monument, COJul 15, 1972 · N8269M · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC004Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Kewanna, INJul 15, 1972 · N5491P · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM007Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Shelby Sprngs, ALJul 5, 1972 · N902T · DestroyedNTSB LAX72AL065Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · La Mesa, CAJun 30, 1972 · N3683L · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN162Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Milan, GAJun 25, 1972 · N9286M · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN157Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Spring Run, PAJun 18, 1972 · N2378Q · DestroyedNTSB SEA72DYE39Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 182J · Olympia, WAJun 11, 1972 · N2626F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX72AL061Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 500-A · Safford, AZJun 2, 1972 · N140X · DestroyedNTSB CHI72ACO96Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 207 · Cochrane, WIJun 2, 1972 · N91005 · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC094Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ramsey, ILMay 28, 1972 · N5796P · DestroyedNTSB ANC72AA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18A · Arctc Villge, AKMay 22, 1972 · N8556C · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM125Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Mayo, FLMay 15, 1972 · N6708A · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC088Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Richfield, OHMay 13, 1972 · N5112S · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP040Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Modesto, CAMay 10, 1972 · N3862S · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM118Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech A23 · Leakesville, MSMay 7, 1972 · N3888Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC087Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 175A · Boonville, INMay 7, 1972 · N6857E · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF072Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210H · Amarillo, TXApr 30, 1972 · N6123F · DestroyedNTSB CHI72FEI40Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B8 · Middlefield, OHApr 30, 1972 · N5667 · Destroyed