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 SEA72AS048Accident · 3 fatalClosedBellanca 17-31A · Onalaska, WAApr 28, 1972 · N6581V · DestroyedNTSB ANC72AA043Accident · 2 fatalClosedMaule M4220C · Cordova, AKApr 25, 1972 · N2043U · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Orinda, CAApr 23, 1972 · N3732F · DestroyedNTSB LAX72DUJ91Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Cave Creek, AZApr 19, 1972 · N7213J · Substantial damageNTSB NYC72AN130Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · New York, NYApr 17, 1972 · N8467E · DestroyedNTSB NYC72DFJ33Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAeronca 7AC · North Collins, NYApr 15, 1972 · N85019 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW72AF067Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180G · Cotulla, TXApr 9, 1972 · N4709U · DestroyedNTSB DEN72AD045Accident · 7 fatalClosedBeech C-18S · Mcfadden, WYApr 2, 1972 · N1322M · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC078Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Stockbridge, MIApr 2, 1972 · N7321J · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK058Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Kimball, NEMar 30, 1972 · N3368C · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK057Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Alta, IAMar 26, 1972 · N5844C · DestroyedNTSB CHI72FEP35Accident · Serious injuriesClosedMustang M-1 · Appleton, WIMar 26, 1972 · N5RK · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS042Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ronan, MTMar 23, 1972 · N7843P · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP035Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210K · Sacramento, CAMar 22, 1972 · N6725R · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM094Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210F · Jasper, GAMar 21, 1972 · N6117R · DestroyedNTSB DEN72ADO43Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180H · Medicine Bow, WYMar 20, 1972 · N9050M · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS039Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Salem, ORMar 14, 1972 · N5600Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI72FET18Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Elkhart, INMar 12, 1972 · N5632A · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC071Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Orion, ILMar 12, 1972 · N4246L · DestroyedNTSB SEA72FYC29Accident · No injuriesClosedAero Comdr 680-F · John Day, ORMar 10, 1972 · N6280X · Substantial damageNTSB OAK72FJY14Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Castillejos, RPMar 10, 1972 · N3786 · DestroyedNTSB ANC72AA038Accident · 1 fatalClosedHiller Acft FH1100 · Valdez, AKMar 9, 1972 · N440FH · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC069Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Walton, KYMar 4, 1972 · N98038 · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS036Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Pendleton, ORMar 3, 1972 · N9434N · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP031Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Dublin, CAMar 2, 1972 · N766B · DestroyedNTSB DEN72AD038Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Parshall, COFeb 29, 1972 · N9766M · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC067Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Saginaw, MIFeb 27, 1972 · N3806N · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK051Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Bartlett, NEFeb 24, 1972 · N5963R · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM083Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Ft.Lauderdale, FLFeb 21, 1972 · N8631Y · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS031Accident · 1 fatalClosedChampion 7GCBC · Holbrook, IDFeb 13, 1972 · N7520F · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM080Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182D · Morrison, TNFeb 13, 1972 · N9044X · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF050Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Bono, ARFeb 10, 1972 · N6350S · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF049Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Cresson, TXFeb 7, 1972 · N3519P · DestroyedNTSB OAK72DVA43Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150J · Los Banos, CAFeb 6, 1972 · N50668 · DestroyedNTSB LAX72FUG53Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B8-M · Adelanto, CAFeb 6, 1972 · N4755G · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN093Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Mt Tabor, VTFeb 5, 1972 · N283AA · Substantial damageNTSB MIA72AM078Accident · 3 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Venice, FLFeb 5, 1972 · N7323V · DestroyedNTSB LAX72AL049Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lk Arrowhed, CAFeb 5, 1972 · N3681K · DestroyedNTSB DEN72AD034Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210F · Lehi, UTFeb 1, 1972 · N6762R · DestroyedNTSB LAX72AL048Accident · 1 fatalClosedAmer Avco AA-1 · Devore, CAJan 26, 1972 · N5647L · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM073Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210B · Semmes, ALJan 23, 1972 · N9715X · DestroyedNTSB LAX72AL046Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Tehachapi, CAJan 23, 1972 · N6768V · DestroyedNTSB OAK72FJA12Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-5 · Koloa, HIJan 21, 1972 · N8544F · Substantial damageNTSB OAK72AP025Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 310N · Wells, NVJan 21, 1972 · N5024Q · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP024Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20F · Five Points, CAJan 18, 1972 · N9603M · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN088Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Perryville, MDJan 9, 1972 · N2551Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF041Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 100 · Seguin, TXJan 8, 1972 · N2945T · DestroyedNTSB DEN72AD028Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20A · Scipio, UTJan 2, 1972 · N8133E · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS027Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Kalama, WADec 31, 1971 · N2257J · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN085Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Malvern, PADec 30, 1971 · N6047W · Destroyed