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 ANC69D0089Accident · No injuriesClosedDehavilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKNov 30, 1968 · N17597 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC69F0287Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAeronca 7DC · Sikeston, MONov 28, 1968 · N82685 · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0036Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Lampasas, TXNov 27, 1968 · N8153P · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0031Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Ralston, WANov 24, 1968 · N50598 · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0035Accident · 4 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Rochester, MNNov 24, 1968 · N5965Q · DestroyedNTSB NYC69F0258Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8 · Marion, MANov 23, 1968 · N59284 · DestroyedNTSB NYC69D0277Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-5 · Rochester, MANov 23, 1968 · N7815S · Substantial damageNTSB DIA69A0027Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Damascus, VANov 19, 1968 · N7141Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0052Accident · 1 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · Reed City, MINov 17, 1968 · N78061 · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0024Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Platteville, CONov 16, 1968 · N6524P · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0026Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108 · Vancouver, WANov 10, 1968 · N422C · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0031Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Victoria, KSNov 8, 1968 · N4991A · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0053Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Churchville, PANov 7, 1968 · N4946P · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0025Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Fayetteville, TNNov 4, 1968 · N8501J · DestroyedNTSB SEA69F0129Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Renton, WAOct 29, 1968 · N8772F · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0024Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Merced, CAOct 26, 1968 · N4069D · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0024Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Orangeburg, SCOct 23, 1968 · N8984S · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0027Accident · 1 fatalClosedAir-Space 18A · Marion, IAOct 20, 1968 · N6105S · DestroyedNTSB MKC6.A0026Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech T-34A · Glencoe, MNOct 16, 1968 · N10586 · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0025Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Colby, KSOct 15, 1968 · N6515Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0023Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Deland, FLOct 15, 1968 · N5033B · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Osceola, IAOct 13, 1968 · N9176W · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0024Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Georgetown, TXOct 11, 1968 · N9512W · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0023Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310L · Austin, TXOct 8, 1968 · N2219F · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0021Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Charleston, SCOct 7, 1968 · N3583W · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0019Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Mableton, GAOct 6, 1968 · N5914Z · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0015Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna T-210G · Estancia, NMOct 4, 1968 · N6846R · DestroyedNTSB OAK69F0142Accident · No injuriesClosedHiller FH1100 · Belden, CAOct 3, 1968 · N585FH · Substantial damageNTSB DIA69F0076Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Alexandria, VAOct 1, 1968 · N9428F · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0017Accident · 2 fatalClosedLuscombe 8F · Dell Rapids, SDSep 30, 1968 · N1496B · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0014Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Stewartville, MNSep 20, 1968 · N8425P · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0015Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Osteen, FLSep 20, 1968 · N7906F · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0018Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Little Rock, ARSep 16, 1968 · N605T · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0021Accident · 4 fatalClosedNavion A · Sweet Home, ORSep 14, 1968 · N8552H · DestroyedNTSB ANC69A0018Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-12 · Skwentna, AKSep 14, 1968 · N3595M · DestroyedNTSB CHI69D0275Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Andersonville, INSep 10, 1968 · N9488J · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0013Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Lake Benton, MNSep 8, 1968 · N6827B · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0026Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Dallas, PASep 2, 1968 · N5578P · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Eastman, GAAug 31, 1968 · N9302B · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0049Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Cross City, FLAug 30, 1968 · N5284W · DestroyedNTSB MKC69A0012Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Gravois Mills, MOAug 29, 1968 · N5955D · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0016Accident · 2 fatalClosedErco 415-D · Packwood, WAAug 26, 1968 · N2505H · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0015Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Dorena, ORAug 26, 1968 · N5385L · DestroyedNTSB OAK69F0123Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8 · Santa Rosa, CAAug 24, 1968 · N1697 · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Busby, MTAug 23, 1968 · N2278V · DestroyedNTSB DEN69A0009Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172E · Kamas, UTAug 20, 1968 · N3024U · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0009Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna U206C · Miami, OKAug 19, 1968 · N3996G · DestroyedNTSB MKC69F0174Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G3B1 · Custer, SDAug 18, 1968 · N6214N · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0010Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Sanderson, TXAug 17, 1968 · N2348Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0021Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Shade, OHAug 15, 1968 · N7282A · Destroyed