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 LAX70FUGU9Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBensen B8-M · Hemet, CAJun 27, 1970 · N6251 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI70FDW23Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47-J2 · Union Lake, MIJun 20, 1970 · N73271 · DestroyedNTSB MKC70AK071Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182G · Oelwein, IAJun 14, 1970 · N2391R · DestroyedNTSB IAD70AI062Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Rose Hill, NCJun 14, 1970 · N3936K · Substantial damageNTSB LAX70FUQ38Accident · Minor injuriesClosedLuscombe T-8F · Las Cruces, CAJun 11, 1970 · N2196B · Substantial damageNTSB CHI70FBD24Accident · No injuriesClosedRolladen LS-1B · Plainfield, ILJun 7, 1970 · N921WR · Substantial damageNTSB MIA70AM094Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Palm Beach, FLJun 5, 1970 · N8963J · DestroyedNTSB MKC70AK067Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Newton, IAMay 31, 1970 · N1702J · DestroyedNTSB CHI70AC082Accident · 3 fatalClosedNavion A · Evansville, WIMay 23, 1970 · N5105K · DestroyedNTSB SEA70DVQ06Accident · Minor injuriesClosedAeronca 7BCM · Ashland, ORMay 17, 1970 · N8362H · DestroyedNTSB IAD70AI060Accident · 1 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · Blue Ridge, VAMay 16, 1970 · N80792 · DestroyedNTSB FTW70AF072Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Dime Box, TXMay 11, 1970 · N5565Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL069Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Young, AZApr 28, 1970 · N2327X · DestroyedNTSB CHI70AC075Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Fond Du Lac, WIApr 28, 1970 · N5539G · DestroyedNTSB CHI70AC074Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 336 · Chicago, ILApr 28, 1970 · N3815U · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP053Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Beatty, NVApr 27, 1970 · N8164M · DestroyedNTSB NYC70AN116Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Stoughton, MAApr 24, 1970 · N3236W · DestroyedNTSB MKC70AK058Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Winner, SDApr 22, 1970 · N5949Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI70AC072Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fowler, MIApr 19, 1970 · N7815W · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP052Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Mammoth Lakes, CAApr 18, 1970 · N8519B · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP051Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · San Rafael, CAApr 18, 1970 · N4804V · DestroyedNTSB NYC70AN113Accident · 1 fatalClosedChampion 7ECA · Ashford, NYApr 18, 1970 · N1630G · DestroyedNTSB FTW70AF065Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182L · Flatonia, TXApr 18, 1970 · N3302R · DestroyedNTSB MKC70AK056Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Rosholt, SDApr 14, 1970 · N6759U · DestroyedNTSB FTW70FQD10Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Pecos, TXApr 13, 1970 · N9333V · Substantial damageNTSB MKC70AK052Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 340 · Kingman, KSApr 10, 1970 · N2340C · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM080Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172H · St Petersburg, FLApr 6, 1970 · N2506L · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM079Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Ellenton, FLApr 5, 1970 · N7796N · DestroyedNTSB FTW70DPG13Accident · No injuriesClosedSchieb L-SPTZ · Mena, ARApr 5, 1970 · N2705C · Substantial damageNTSB MKC70FCG18Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150D · Drexel, MOApr 3, 1970 · N4122U · Substantial damageNTSB FTW70AF062Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Leander, TXMar 27, 1970 · N6565V · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL061Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Colrado Cty, AZMar 26, 1970 · N4121R · DestroyedNTSB DEN70FXT07Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBrantly B-2 · Murray, UTMar 26, 1970 · N5917X · Substantial damageNTSB FTW70FPA10Accident · Serious injuriesClosedL T V Elect L-450F · Greenville, TXMar 23, 1970 · N2450F · DestroyedNTSB CHI70AC065Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Vienna, OHMar 22, 1970 · N7507J · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL060Accident · 2 fatalClosedAmer Avco AA-1 · Mt Baldy, CAMar 21, 1970 · N5994L · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP046Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Angwin, CAMar 11, 1970 · N84350 · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL056Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Keene, CAMar 10, 1970 · N8507N · DestroyedNTSB FTW70AF055Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · St Augustine, FLMar 8, 1970 · N3508W · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL055Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Douglas, AZMar 6, 1970 · N79400 · DestroyedNTSB LAX70AL052Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Summit, CAMar 4, 1970 · N9128W · DestroyedNTSB NYC70AN094Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 206A · Floral Park, NYMar 1, 1970 · N7867S · DestroyedNTSB MKC70AK047Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Mountain Grove, MOMar 1, 1970 · N2420X · DestroyedNTSB CHI70FBA10Accident · Minor injuriesClosedFulton EAA · Perrysville, INMar 1, 1970 · N9941 · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM069Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna 310P · Philadelphia, MSFeb 12, 1970 · N5930M · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM066Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Tellico Plns, TNFeb 9, 1970 · N8321P · DestroyedNTSB SEA70AS030Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182E · Dillon, MTFeb 3, 1970 · N9208X · DestroyedNTSB CHI70FDJ06Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-2 · Oshkosh, WIFeb 1, 1970 · N5158B · Substantial damageNTSB OAK70AP040Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Platina, CAJan 31, 1970 · N51144 · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP039Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion A · Kelseyville, CAJan 26, 1970 · N91479 · Destroyed