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 SEA69F0217Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B-2B · Lodge Grass, MTApr 23, 1969 · N2186U · Substantial damageNTSB CHI69F0586Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Middletown, OHApr 20, 1969 · N1493 · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0058Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 310N · Upland, CAApr 12, 1969 · N4111Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC69F0432Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269B · St Paul, MNApr 10, 1969 · N9486F · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0059Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177A · Corona, CAApr 10, 1969 · N30452 · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0072Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Devers, TXApr 9, 1969 · N3624J · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0070Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Placedo, TXApr 8, 1969 · N2555J · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0069Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310L · De Soto, TXApr 8, 1969 · N2278F · DestroyedNTSB IAD69A0053Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Emporia, VAApr 4, 1969 · N2072Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0067Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Mansfield, LAMar 30, 1969 · N5736K · DestroyedNTSB CHI69F0529Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206A · Springfield, OHMar 15, 1969 · N4008G · DestroyedNTSB CHI69F0562Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Richfield, OHMar 11, 1969 · N9248J · Substantial damageNTSB MKC69A0051Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20F · Jamestown, NDMar 2, 1969 · N9720M · DestroyedNTSB LAX69F0293Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Litchfld Pk, AZMar 2, 1969 · N2553 · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0061Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech K35 · Spicewood, TXMar 2, 1969 · N707C · DestroyedNTSB LAX69F0287Accident · Minor injuriesClosedFlug-Undfah HBV · La Jolla, CAMar 1, 1969 · N146G · Substantial damageNTSB CHI69F0521Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Lacon, ILFeb 28, 1969 · N1173 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI69A0075Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Jeffersonvlle, INFeb 28, 1969 · N1274X · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0053Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Smartville, CAFeb 18, 1969 · N8492P · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0055Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-12 · Goldfield, NVFeb 15, 1969 · N2978M · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Dunlap, NMFeb 12, 1969 · N8969X · DestroyedNTSB FTW71AF045Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Helena, ARFeb 8, 1969 · N2392J · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0046Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 95 · St.George, GAFeb 6, 1969 · N2724Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0049Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310C · High Hill, MOFeb 5, 1969 · N1792H · DestroyedNTSB ANC69A0040Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Anchorage, AKFeb 5, 1969 · N4576B · Substantial damageNTSB DIA69A0039Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Flintstone, MDFeb 2, 1969 · N7244X · DestroyedNTSB OAK69F0230Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBrantly B-2B · Benicia, CAFeb 1, 1969 · N2170U · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0044Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Pendleton, ORJan 26, 1969 · N5787P · DestroyedNTSB ANC69A0038Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 205A · Tyonek, AKJan 26, 1969 · N4048G · DestroyedNTSB MIA69F0341Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-3B · Kingsport, TNJan 18, 1969 · N204Z · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0042Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Redding, CAJan 10, 1969 · N8407R · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0043Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Kansas City, MOJan 10, 1969 · N9496F · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0038Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Jamestown, TNJan 6, 1969 · N440DL · DestroyedNTSB MKC69O0001Accident · Serious injuriesClosedMooney M20F · Parry, CanadaJan 5, 1969 · N3590N · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0037Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Melbourne, FLJan 4, 1969 · N129N · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0041Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Lodi, CAJan 1, 1969 · N8568P · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0046Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Oakdale, LADec 30, 1968 · N7702P · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0040Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20F · Danville, CADec 28, 1968 · N6458Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0039Accident · 5 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Springfield, MODec 21, 1968 · N3550X · DestroyedNTSB MIA69F0290Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr A-9B · Newton, MSDec 20, 1968 · N7696V · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0035Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mt.Laguna, CADec 19, 1968 · N1753J · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0033Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Glen Avon, CADec 19, 1968 · N6445P · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0038Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Morris, MNDec 14, 1968 · N9533D · DestroyedNTSB FTW69F0337Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Odonnell, TXDec 14, 1968 · N8926F · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0032Accident · 3 fatalClosedAero Comdr 560-F · Wolf Creek, MTDec 8, 1968 · N6257X · DestroyedNTSB FTW69F0454Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-22 · Austin, TXDec 8, 1968 · N2955P · Substantial damageNTSB UNK69X0102Accident · 1 fatalClosedDornier DO-28D · Sonderborg, DADec 6, 1968 · N7154 · DestroyedNTSB SEA69D0164Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Duvall, WADec 6, 1968 · N9347W · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL063Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Banning, CADec 1, 1968 · N2992U · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL045Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 170B · San Luis Obsp, CADec 1, 1968 · N49F · Destroyed