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 NYC70A0033Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Germantown, NYSep 14, 1969 · N4601L · DestroyedNTSB CHI70F0290Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech F35 · Freeland, MISep 13, 1969 · N3357C · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0018Accident · 1 fatalClosedDehavilland DH104 · San Francisco, CASep 11, 1969 · N13114 · DestroyedNTSB DEN70A0019Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Eads, COSep 9, 1969 · N4173J · DestroyedNTSB NYC70A0032Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Sandisfield, MASep 7, 1969 · N1735J · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0008Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Newton, IAAug 31, 1969 · N3149X · DestroyedNTSB MKC70A0007Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Loup City, NEAug 30, 1969 · N3306A · DestroyedNTSB MIA70D0220Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Lugoff, SCAug 29, 1969 · N8937F · Substantial damageNTSB SEA70A0010Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Newport, ORAug 14, 1969 · N2225N · DestroyedNTSB NYC70D0144Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Lake Placid, NYAug 9, 1969 · N6483R · Substantial damageNTSB UNK69X0140Accident · 1 fatalClosedMini Mustng 01 · Abbotsford, CanadaAug 8, 1969 · N9N · DestroyedNTSB MIA70F0090Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47D1 · Belzoni, MSJul 30, 1969 · N54154 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA70A0005Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D35 · Live Oak, FLJul 28, 1969 · N3471B · DestroyedNTSB IAD70A0008Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Amherstdale, WVJul 27, 1969 · N8460X · DestroyedNTSB MIA70F0184Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-5 · Largo, FLJul 23, 1969 · N4041G · DestroyedNTSB FTW70A0003Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Sulphur, LAJul 22, 1969 · N3583A · DestroyedNTSB NYC70F0074Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206A · Spring Valley, NYJul 20, 1969 · N4781R · DestroyedNTSB CHI70F0128Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 140 · Findlay, OHJul 19, 1969 · N4064N · DestroyedNTSB LAX70D0049Accident · No injuriesClosedSchweizer SGS2-3 · Chula Vista, CAJul 13, 1969 · N2498W · Substantial damageNTSB SEA70A0002Accident · 2 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · Winlock, WAJul 10, 1969 · N78155 · DestroyedNTSB MIA70D0247Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-18A · Warwick, GAJul 7, 1969 · N7165D · Substantial damageNTSB DCA70A0001Accident · 14 fatalClosedBeech B99 · Monroe, GAJul 6, 1969 · N844NS · DestroyedNTSB NYC70A0003Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech D55 · Cortland, NYJul 4, 1969 · N7900R · DestroyedNTSB NYC70A0002Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Falmouth, MAJul 1, 1969 · N6780J · DestroyedNTSB UNK69X0128Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Westwold, CanadaJun 28, 1969 · N2800V · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0053Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182C · Great Falls, MTJun 25, 1969 · N8847T · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0051Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Karval, COJun 23, 1969 · N4192L · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0072Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 95-A55 · Benicia, CAJun 19, 1969 · N8556M · DestroyedNTSB DEN70F0005Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · North Ogden, UTJun 14, 1969 · N5029W · Substantial damageNTSB CHI69A0100Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Archbold, OHJun 12, 1969 · N7156W · DestroyedNTSB SEA70F0017Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 47G-3 · Deer Lodge, MTJun 4, 1969 · N8409E · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0109Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J-3 · Reading, PAJun 4, 1969 · N42637 · DestroyedNTSB OAK69F0326Accident · Minor injuriesClosedSkyrider JR-1 · Fair Oaks, CAJun 1, 1969 · N4092B · Substantial damageNTSB NYC69A0106Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 195 · Morehouseville, NYJun 1, 1969 · N2258 · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0098Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Mackinaw Cty, MIJun 1, 1969 · N2365J · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0096Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Ofallon, ILMay 20, 1969 · N3655J · DestroyedNTSB NYC70F0013Accident · Serious injuriesClosedStinson 108-1 · Babylon, NYMay 18, 1969 · N8458K · Substantial damageNTSB DIA69A0065Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fairview, NCMay 16, 1969 · N8347W · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0067Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Temecula, CAMay 13, 1969 · N1950N · DestroyedNTSB MKC69F0428Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-16 · Adel, IAMay 11, 1969 · N5710H · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0064Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Chino, CAMay 11, 1969 · N78435 · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0076Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Waycross, GAMay 9, 1969 · N755HB · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0047Accident · Serious injuriesClosedLockheed 12A · Casper, WYMay 9, 1969 · N399X · Substantial damageNTSB MIA70D0009Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G · Groveland, FLMay 4, 1969 · N10175 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN69A0046Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Franktown, COMay 3, 1969 · N2649J · DestroyedNTSB LAX69D0326Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47D1 · Calabasas, CAApr 30, 1969 · N8116 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX69A0061Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 206A · San Diego, CAApr 30, 1969 · N1430W · DestroyedNTSB OAK70A0002Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 206 · Hyak, WAApr 29, 1969 · N8714Z · DestroyedNTSB MIA69D0459Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B-2B · Naples, FLApr 26, 1969 · N1175K · Substantial damageNTSB LAX69F0344Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Alpine, CAApr 24, 1969 · N9381F · Substantial damage