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 MIA70FKG07Accident · No injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Richmond Hill, GAJan 25, 1970 · N116R · Substantial damageNTSB MIA70AM063Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Dahlonega, GAJan 23, 1970 · N8949B · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM061Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172I · Merritt Islnd, FLJan 20, 1970 · N35403 · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM060Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Merritt Islnd, FLJan 19, 1970 · N2277A · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM057Accident · 2 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · Hickory, MSJan 16, 1970 · N521C · DestroyedNTSB OAK70AP036Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Trinity Ctr, CAJan 9, 1970 · N7960W · DestroyedNTSB ANC70AA053Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Karluk, AKJan 4, 1970 · N3143D · DestroyedNTSB DEN70AD043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Rollinsville, COJan 2, 1970 · N7104A · DestroyedNTSB MIA70AM052Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna I40A · Miami, FLJan 1, 1970 · N5611C · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0033Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B23 · Angels Camp, CADec 26, 1969 · N3565R · DestroyedNTSB ANC70A0048Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-12 · Juneau, AKDec 21, 1969 · N3013M · Substantial damageNTSB SEA70A0026Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Conrad, MTDec 19, 1969 · N4951A · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0042Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech A35 · Valley View, TXDec 18, 1969 · N8502A · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0033Accident · 2 fatalClosedAlon A-2A · Clear Lake, IADec 15, 1969 · N5646F · DestroyedNTSB OAK72AP007Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion B · Etna, CADec 11, 1969 · N4600K · DestroyedNTSB FTW70F0345Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Aiken, TXDec 11, 1969 · N8945F · DestroyedNTSB FTW70F0334Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Lampasas, TXDec 9, 1969 · N5647E · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0039Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Bellville, TXDec 8, 1969 · N84307 · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0041Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Hazelhurst, MSNov 27, 1969 · N3814L · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0037Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Saginaw, TXNov 26, 1969 · N7271T · DestroyedNTSB DCA70A0005Accident · 14 fatalClosedFairchild FH227B · Glens Falls, NYNov 19, 1969 · N7811M · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0031Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Mena, ARNov 11, 1969 · N7180T · DestroyedNTSB CHI70A0032Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Northlake, ILNov 10, 1969 · N3262W · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0027Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Esmond, ILNov 9, 1969 · N426RA · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0026Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Elizabethtown, KYNov 9, 1969 · N6475A · DestroyedNTSB DEN70A0033Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P206 · Bryce Canyon, UTNov 8, 1969 · N2502X · DestroyedNTSB CHI70A0031Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Jonestown, KYNov 8, 1969 · N3668W · DestroyedNTSB CHI70A0029Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Charlotte, MINov 8, 1969 · N6095C · DestroyedNTSB OAK70F 208Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Sierra City, CANov 7, 1969 · N4263F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX70A0028Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech M35 · Happy Jack, AZNov 7, 1969 · N9725R · DestroyedNTSB LAX70A0027Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Bouse, AZNov 6, 1969 · N5628K · DestroyedNTSB CHI70F0379Accident · No injuriesClosedScheutzow B · Columbia Sta, OHNov 4, 1969 · N592A · Substantial damageNTSB SEA79FA059Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Lester, WANov 2, 1969 · N2050N · DestroyedNTSB IAD70A0028Accident · 3 fatalClosedAero Comdr 1121 · Rural Retreat, VAOct 31, 1969 · N236JP · DestroyedNTSB FTW70F0296Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206A · New Iberia, LAOct 31, 1969 · N4043G · Substantial damageNTSB SEA70A0018Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Caldwell, IDOct 28, 1969 · N29461 · DestroyedNTSB DEN70A0030Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Vaughn, NMOct 26, 1969 · N315LH · DestroyedNTSB DEN70A0028Accident · 1 fatalClosedNavion G · Hudson, COOct 26, 1969 · N2466T · DestroyedNTSB DEN70F0150Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Aurora, COOct 25, 1969 · N1598 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC70A0019Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172C · Washington, MOOct 13, 1969 · N8388X · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0026Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech E33 · Carson City, NVOct 10, 1969 · N7693N · DestroyedNTSB SEA75AS015Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech A35-33 · Oakridge, OROct 9, 1969 · N916B · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0025Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Sonora, TXOct 6, 1969 · N6317R · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0016Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Duluth, MNOct 4, 1969 · N9924B · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0028Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jessup, GAOct 1, 1969 · N6585J · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0025Accident · 3 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Brooksville, FLSep 30, 1969 · N6673V · DestroyedNTSB ANC70A0029Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Kodiak, AKSep 27, 1969 · N29466 · DestroyedNTSB LAX70A0019Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20E · S.Luis Obispo, CASep 21, 1969 · N9126V · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0022Accident · 1 fatalClosedNavion A · Williamson, GASep 19, 1969 · N8593H · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0023Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Alturas, CASep 18, 1969 · N4072D · Destroyed