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 NYC69D0158Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHiller FH1100 · Breezy Point, NYAug 14, 1968 · N375FH · DestroyedNTSB ANC69A0008Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-4 · Miller House, AKAug 13, 1968 · N3093G · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0017Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney A2-A · Anderson, INAug 10, 1968 · N5487F · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0007Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Mena, ARAug 9, 1968 · N440X · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0009Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Independence, MSAug 8, 1968 · N5834Z · DestroyedNTSB NYC69F0115Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Turners Fall, MAAug 4, 1968 · N8200 · DestroyedNTSB MKC69F0150Accident · Serious injuriesClosedErcoupe 415-C · New London, MOAug 3, 1968 · N2989H · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0012Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · East Hampton, CTJul 31, 1968 · N8121S · DestroyedNTSB OAK69A0007Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182H · El Granada, CAJul 28, 1968 · N8348S · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0031Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Fayetteville, ARJul 28, 1968 · N8948P · DestroyedNTSB SEA69F0152Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Midland, ORJul 27, 1968 · NNONE · Substantial damageNTSB LAX69F0086Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Marina Del Ray, CAJul 26, 1968 · N8812F · DestroyedNTSB DIA69F0031Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBeech A23-24 · Petersburg, WVJul 21, 1968 · N5975S · Substantial damageNTSB OAK69A0005Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Lathrop Wells, NVJul 19, 1968 · N2051X · DestroyedNTSB CHI69A0007Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Fort Loramie, OHJul 18, 1968 · N4550D · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0005Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Tarkio, MTJul 14, 1968 · N1968D · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0003Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Dryden, TXJul 13, 1968 · N9092W · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0008Accident · 2 fatalClosedHelio H-391B · Royalston, MAJul 10, 1968 · N28B · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB DIA69A0001Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Chase, MDJul 5, 1968 · N9399J · DestroyedNTSB OAK69D0115Accident · Minor injuriesClosedStinson 108-1 · Watsonville, CAJul 4, 1968 · N97841 · DestroyedNTSB FTW69A0002Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D35 · Medina, TXJul 4, 1968 · N2184D · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0003Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Gasport, NYJul 3, 1968 · N7027Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0002Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 320D · Belton, SCJul 3, 1968 · N4124T · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0001Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Oracle, AZJul 3, 1968 · N6703J · DestroyedNTSB SEA68A0073Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Potlatch, IDJun 22, 1968 · N4497D · DestroyedNTSB CHI69F0067Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Fairbanks, INJun 18, 1968 · N6084A · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0134Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Gardners, PAJun 16, 1968 · N3783T · DestroyedNTSB ANC69F0088Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 180H · Wasilla, AKJun 15, 1968 · N3448Y · Substantial damageNTSB CHI68A0107Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · Rice Lake, WIJun 14, 1968 · N73258 · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0132Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Cairnbrook, PAJun 13, 1968 · N9857W · DestroyedNTSB NYC69F0033Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Branford, CTJun 9, 1968 · N4455J · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0056Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Thermopolis, WYJun 8, 1968 · N3195Q · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0127Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Woodstock, CTJun 3, 1968 · N76263 · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0125Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Berlin, NJJun 2, 1968 · N7372T · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0101Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Pomaria, SCJun 2, 1968 · N6090W · DestroyedNTSB CHI69F0008Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172D · Tecumseh, MIJun 1, 1968 · N2652U · DestroyedNTSB MIA68F0540Accident · Minor injuriesClosedSchempp SHK · Brownsboro, ALMay 30, 1968 · N801M · Substantial damageNTSB NYC68A0123Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 411 · Watertown, MAMay 29, 1968 · N7341U · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0054Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35-A33 · Brush, COMay 25, 1968 · N685V · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0097Accident · 4 fatalClosedNavion A · Eureka Sprngs, ARMay 24, 1968 · N91727 · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0120Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Johnstown, PAMay 18, 1968 · N3710P · DestroyedNTSB CHI68F0781Accident · No injuriesClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Hillsdale, ILMay 4, 1968 · N43918 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA68A0066Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Cascade, MTApr 26, 1968 · N9454B · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0116Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C-33A · Granville, PAApr 25, 1968 · N779AA · DestroyedNTSB MIA68F0508Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBaby Ace C-1 · Homestead, FLApr 25, 1968 · N54070 · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0051Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Laguna, NMApr 23, 1968 · N2744P · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0062Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 35-C33 · Clearwater, KSApr 21, 1968 · N9524Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0094Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30 · Kayenta, AZApr 21, 1968 · N4816V · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0048Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 185 · Gallup, NMApr 21, 1968 · N6348A · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0092Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Warrensburg, ILApr 19, 1968 · N1007P · Destroyed