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 CHI71AC034Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Weston, WINov 18, 1970 · N7880P · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP025Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 205A · Castro Vlly, CANov 11, 1970 · N8167Z · DestroyedNTSB DEN71FQD13Accident · Serious injuriesClosedSquires Helico · Las Cruces, NMNov 11, 1970 · N2393 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI71AC032Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Pierceton, INNov 10, 1970 · N7795W · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK025Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Shakopee, MNNov 1, 1970 · N4150R · DestroyedNTSB IAD71AI021Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Providence Frg, VANov 1, 1970 · N3750L · DestroyedNTSB MIA71DKT15Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-2 · Opa Locka, FLOct 31, 1970 · N6761D · Substantial damageNTSB SEA71AS023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-14 · Carlyle, MTOct 30, 1970 · N4266H · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK023Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · St Cloud, MNOct 25, 1970 · N6206U · DestroyedNTSB DEN71AD019Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20A · Roggen, COOct 25, 1970 · N8316E · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK022Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Belden, NDOct 24, 1970 · N2338C · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM036Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J3C-65 · Gainesville, FLOct 23, 1970 · N30723 · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC026Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310D · Watertown, WIOct 20, 1970 · N6765T · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM032Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Mussella, GAOct 19, 1970 · N749B · DestroyedNTSB IAD71AI012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · New Castle, DEOct 16, 1970 · N7667J · DestroyedNTSB DEN71AD015Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech B35 · Evanston, WYOct 6, 1970 · N8817A · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL018Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Rialto, CAOct 5, 1970 · N8661G · DestroyedNTSB SEA71DWA21Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Meacham, OROct 4, 1970 · N9354F · DestroyedNTSB OAK71FXQ20Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Tuscarora, NVOct 2, 1970 · N512Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN041Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · No.Windham, CTSep 26, 1970 · N9012J · DestroyedNTSB LAX71DUJ28Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Willcox, AZSep 25, 1970 · N9384F · Substantial damageNTSB SEA71AS017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Spencer, IDSep 20, 1970 · N9628T · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL013Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Capistrno Bch, CASep 19, 1970 · N7852L · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM028Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Gates, TNSep 18, 1970 · N2331Q · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AF012Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Aledo, TXSep 16, 1970 · N3643D · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AN037Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Montgomery, NYSep 15, 1970 · N7810W · DestroyedNTSB OAK71FVW11Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Caliente, NVSep 9, 1970 · N9526F · Substantial damageNTSB MKC71AK014Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Aldrich, MOSep 9, 1970 · N7903R · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM024Accident · 1 fatalClosedBrittnorman BN-2A · Orocovis, PRSep 9, 1970 · N855JA · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL011Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Alpine, AZSep 6, 1970 · N1968A · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC018Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Plain, WISep 6, 1970 · N622T · DestroyedNTSB DEN71AD010Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182N · Escalante, UTSep 4, 1970 · N92928 · DestroyedNTSB UNK70X0113Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Mason City, IAAug 22, 1970 · N3714P · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP010Accident · 1 fatalClosedMaule M4-220 · San Ardo, CAAug 22, 1970 · N2002U · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AF007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150H · Victoria, TXAug 22, 1970 · N50371 · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC016Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Manteno, ILAug 22, 1970 · N5684U · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN024Accident · 1 fatalClosedErco 415-E · Lincoln, RIAug 19, 1970 · N94832 · DestroyedNTSB MIA71OM015Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · C.Engano, DRAug 12, 1970 · N7102U · DestroyedNTSB MKC71AK007Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Stover, MOAug 9, 1970 · N3494T · DestroyedNTSB SEA71DWG11Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-2 · Manson, WAAug 6, 1970 · N1657 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC71AK005Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · St John, KSAug 4, 1970 · N7525Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM020Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Georgetown, SCAug 4, 1970 · N8047Y · DestroyedNTSB OAK71AP006Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Susanville, CAAug 2, 1970 · N6044D · DestroyedNTSB SEA71AS006Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Westport, WAJul 31, 1970 · N84845 · DestroyedNTSB SEA71AS005Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Gold Beach, ORJul 31, 1970 · N5878G · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN010Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Provincetown, MAJul 20, 1970 · N6245W · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM006Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Hillsboro, TNJul 9, 1970 · N7223F · DestroyedNTSB SEA71FWA01Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAeronca 7GCB · Hillsboro, ORJul 4, 1970 · N9915Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN003Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Pelham, MAJul 4, 1970 · N5777P · DestroyedNTSB NYC70AN135Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Wilkes-Barre, PAJun 27, 1970 · N4707S · Destroyed