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 CHI68A0091Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Gary, INApr 19, 1968 · N3057V · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0087Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Austin, TXApr 8, 1968 · N5942P · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0058Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Wessgtn Spg, SDApr 4, 1968 · N3437X · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0083Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-2A · Leeville, LAMar 30, 1968 · N74096 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI68A0083Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210F · Bellville, OHMar 20, 1968 · N1865F · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0044Accident · 4 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Briggsdale, COMar 11, 1968 · N6030Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0077Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172C · St.Augustine, FLMar 5, 1968 · N1868Y · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0082Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Corona, CAMar 1, 1968 · N7614M · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0078Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Medina, OHFeb 29, 1968 · N3790D · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0072Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 35-33 · Gurabo, PRFeb 26, 1968 · N9577Y · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0077Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182F · Carlsbad, CAFeb 24, 1968 · N3554U · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0039Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Eureka, UTFeb 21, 1968 · N1838F · DestroyedNTSB SEA68A0053Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna T-210F · Lamont, WAFeb 19, 1968 · N6792R · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0068Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Calera, ALFeb 17, 1968 · N2671F · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0051Accident · 4 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Lexington, NEFeb 11, 1968 · N7833V · DestroyedNTSB OAK68D0331Accident · No injuriesClosedEntwicklung 1-A · Calistoga, CAFeb 10, 1968 · N1315 · DestroyedNTSB DEN68A0036Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Aspen, COFeb 4, 1968 · N5801R · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0076Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Plainview, TXFeb 3, 1968 · N8818F · Substantial damageNTSB NYC68A0094Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mendham, NJJan 31, 1968 · N4826L · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0047Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Gary, MNJan 23, 1968 · N5707Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0064Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Liberty, INJan 21, 1968 · N4142F · DestroyedNTSB SEA68D0244Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Sandpoint, IDJan 20, 1968 · N77000 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA68A0049Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Wyola, MTJan 18, 1968 · N9389F · Substantial damageNTSB DEN68F0201Accident · Serious injuriesClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Truth-Consq, NMJan 16, 1968 · N43819 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA68A0048Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Medical Spgs, ORJan 15, 1968 · N7435P · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0062Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 170B · Tarpon Sprngs, FLJan 8, 1968 · N3156B · DestroyedNTSB ANC68A0036Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 180H · Tanana, AKJan 8, 1968 · N7921V · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0059Accident · 2 fatalClosedLuscombe 8E · Jeddo, MIJan 3, 1968 · N842B · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0066Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech 95-B55 · New Orleans La, LADec 31, 1967 · N6139V · DestroyedNTSB OAK68A0052Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 170B · Hawthorne, NVDec 30, 1967 · N3114B · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0065Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Vashti, TXDec 27, 1967 · N7097P · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0057Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Millersburg, OHDec 25, 1967 · N8160X · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0062Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBensen B8M · Rialto, CADec 23, 1967 · N1659 · Substantial damageNTSB DIA68A0042Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Robbinsville, NCDec 22, 1967 · N6238P · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0082Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · New York City, NYDec 21, 1967 · N73251 · DestroyedNTSB DIA68A0026Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Monroe, NCDec 18, 1967 · N7197W · DestroyedNTSB MIA68F0341Accident · Minor injuriesClosedLuscombe 8A · Sarasota, FLDec 14, 1967 · N45934 · DestroyedNTSB OAK68A0049Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G3B1 · Honolulu, HIDec 11, 1967 · N1346X · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0059Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Black Oak, ARDec 9, 1967 · N7657P · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0057Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Porum, OKDec 1, 1967 · N7007B · DestroyedNTSB FTW68A0056Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Enid, OKNov 30, 1967 · N6020P · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0056Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Newhall, CANov 28, 1967 · N1780F · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0052Accident · 4 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Tallahassee, FLNov 26, 1967 · N9253M · DestroyedNTSB MKC68A0034Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Aurora, MONov 23, 1967 · N6275P · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0049Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Cable, WINov 23, 1967 · N1383W · DestroyedNTSB CHI68A0048Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · South Solon, OHNov 22, 1967 · N8427W · DestroyedNTSB LAX68A0053Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Little Lake, CANov 19, 1967 · N9222J · Substantial damageNTSB LAX68A0052Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Warner Sprg, CANov 19, 1967 · N6556P · DestroyedNTSB FTW68D0395Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 172H · Junction, TXNov 18, 1967 · N3772R · DestroyedNTSB NYC68F0286Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper J-3 · Schuylerville, NYNov 5, 1967 · N42345 · Destroyed