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 NYC72AN035Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Quakertown, NJSep 6, 1971 · N6123P · DestroyedNTSB SEA72AS009Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-2 · Port Angeles, WASep 3, 1971 · N890D · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK018Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172B · Forbes, NDAug 30, 1971 · N7982X · DestroyedNTSB DEN72AD008Accident · 4 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Hachita, NMAug 28, 1971 · N7307V · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN030Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Accident, MDAug 27, 1971 · N6993W · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC018Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Marshall, MIAug 27, 1971 · N7905W · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC017Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Cadillac, MIAug 27, 1971 · N7039B · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK016Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150B · Victoria, KSAug 21, 1971 · N1291Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM015Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 421A · Athens, TNAug 20, 1971 · N3198K · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK015Accident · 2 fatalClosedAeronca 11AC · Admire, KSAug 16, 1971 · N86032 · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN023Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Greene, NYAug 15, 1971 · N3806S · DestroyedNTSB MKC72AK013Accident · 2 fatalClosedEnstrom F-28A · Osseo, MNAug 13, 1971 · N2525M · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM011Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Atlanta, GAAug 13, 1971 · N79407 · DestroyedNTSB MKC72FCD17Accident · Serious injuriesClosedTaylorcraft BL-65 · Ackley, IAAug 8, 1971 · N36214 · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN025Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B23 · Stow, MAAug 5, 1971 · N6138N · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF009Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech D18S · Loreauville, LAAug 1, 1971 · N296RB · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM008Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Ft.Lauderdale, FLJul 31, 1971 · N5465T · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Big Sur, CAJul 25, 1971 · N3566L · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC009Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182K · Springfield, ILJul 23, 1971 · N7600K · DestroyedNTSB IAD72AI003Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · St.Michaels, MDJul 20, 1971 · N5298L · DestroyedNTSB ANC72FAA03Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-20 · Fort Yukon, AKJul 20, 1971 · N1506A · Substantial damageNTSB LAX72AL005Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150H · Homeland, CAJul 18, 1971 · N6584S · DestroyedNTSB NYC72FGM03Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B2B · Williamsburg, PAJul 10, 1971 · N2180U · Substantial damageNTSB MKC72FCD05Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B2B · Spencer, IAJul 9, 1971 · N2161U · Substantial damageNTSB MKC72FCQ05Accident · 1 fatalClosedSpinks 10 · Rose Hill, KSJul 6, 1971 · N12851 · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM002Accident · No injuriesClosedBoeing E75N1 · Cumming, GAJul 5, 1971 · N1935M · DestroyedNTSB CHI72AC003Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Philo, ILJul 4, 1971 · N9120P · DestroyedNTSB LAX71FUJ03Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Yuma, AZJun 24, 1971 · N50723 · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC091Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Fort Wayne, INJun 19, 1971 · XB-RIG · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP053Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Palo Alto, CAJun 16, 1971 · N5660A · DestroyedNTSB SEA71AS047Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Meacham, ORJun 14, 1971 · N4070W · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK058Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Medicine Lge, KSJun 13, 1971 · N7416J · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM110Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Murfreesboro, TNJun 9, 1971 · N5115L · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL073Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion A · Calimesa, CAJun 9, 1971 · N91514 · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP051Accident · 2 fatalClosedChampion 7ECA · Bridgeport, CAJun 6, 1971 · N11094 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA71AM108Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Villalba, PRJun 6, 1971 · N3710S · DestroyedNTSB UNK71X0108Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Calgary, CanadaJun 5, 1971 · N5462P · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AF080Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Eliasville, TXJun 4, 1971 · N8433Y · DestroyedNTSB IAD71AI054Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 310C · Dunlo, PAMay 27, 1971 · N1765H · DestroyedNTSB IAD71AI053Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 177 · New Castle, VAMay 27, 1971 · N2271Y · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL069Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Roosevelt, AZMay 21, 1971 · N9145P · DestroyedNTSB ANC71AA056Accident · 2 fatalClosedSud Aviatn SA318C · Anaktvk Pass, AKMay 12, 1971 · N9222 · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK055Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Chadron, NEMay 10, 1971 · N4614R · DestroyedNTSB IAD71AI050Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Hollywood, MDMay 8, 1971 · N2658L · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AF073Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Cleveland, TXMay 8, 1971 · N5870D · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC083Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Beverly, OHMay 8, 1971 · N95115 · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Tahoe City, CAMay 4, 1971 · N3157R · DestroyedNTSB OAK71FVD43Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B8M · Tracy, CAApr 25, 1971 · N2495 · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK053Accident · 2 fatalClosedN.American B · Paxton, NEApr 19, 1971 · N8630H · DestroyedNTSB CHI71FBD65Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Kewanee, ILApr 19, 1971 · N6418R · Substantial damage