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 DEN67A0020Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Watkins, COSep 15, 1966 · N7225B · DestroyedNTSB CHI67A0026Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · New Lexingtn, OHAug 22, 1966 · N7859P · DestroyedNTSB NYC67A0036Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Farmersvll Sta., NYAug 21, 1966 · N4205D · DestroyedNTSB MKC67A0014Accident · 2 fatalClosedWittman 11E · Glenwood, IAAug 21, 1966 · N211S · DestroyedNTSB ANC67A0023Accident · 9 fatalClosedGrumman G-21A · Juneau, AKAug 21, 1966 · N88820 · DestroyedNTSB MKC67A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Smithville, MOAug 14, 1966 · N6188T · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0024Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Flamingo, FLAug 12, 1966 · N6484E · DestroyedNTSB LAX67A0018Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150A · S.Catalina Is., CAAug 9, 1966 · N7160X · DestroyedNTSB ANC67A0015Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Northway, AKAug 9, 1966 · N9413S · DestroyedNTSB SEA67F0156Accident · Serious injuriesClosedInterstate S-1A · Pt.Townsend, WAAug 7, 1966 · N37236 · DestroyedNTSB SEA67A0009Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Seaside, ORAug 7, 1966 · N7629D · DestroyedNTSB OAK67A0019Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Kailua, HIAug 6, 1966 · N8058T · DestroyedNTSB SEA67F0101Accident · Serious injuriesClosedSchweizer 1-26B · Ketchum, IDAug 5, 1966 · N2763R · Substantial damageNTSB MKC67A0010Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-20 · Kingsdown, KSAug 5, 1966 · N7602K · DestroyedNTSB MKC67A0009Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Hunter, KSAug 5, 1966 · N6161P · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0054Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Roan Mountn, TNJul 30, 1966 · N6054Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC67F0170Accident · 1 fatalClosedBoeing A75 · Lexington, NEJul 28, 1966 · N63911 · DestroyedNTSB SEA67F0078Accident · 1 fatalClosedLuscombe 8A · Chinook, MTJul 27, 1966 · N2978K · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0012Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P206A · Opa Locka, FLJul 22, 1966 · N2676X · DestroyedNTSB NYC67A0015Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · E Taunton, MAJul 16, 1966 · N5638Z · DestroyedNTSB UNK66X0156Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G-5 · Episkopi, GreeceJul 12, 1966 · N8574F · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0001Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Dania, FLJul 4, 1966 · N2585J · DestroyedNTSB OAK67A0001Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Oaklnd Arpt, CAJul 1, 1966 · N9378F · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0102Accident · 4 fatalClosedAero Comdr 200D · Chicago, ILJun 29, 1966 · N2911T · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0153Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-2A · Cranbury, NJJun 19, 1966 · N8458E · Substantial damageNTSB MKC66A0066Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B-2 · N.Platte, NEJun 16, 1966 · N2131U · Substantial damageNTSB CHI66A0098Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Alexis, ILJun 15, 1966 · N8929P · DestroyedNTSB LAX66F0385Accident · Minor injuriesClosedNavion G · Redlands, CAJun 4, 1966 · N2497T · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0087Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Weston, COMay 31, 1966 · N2559P · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0094Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech B35 · San L.Obispo, CAMay 28, 1966 · N5190C · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0062Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Hyannis, NEMay 27, 1966 · N3215U · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0137Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Lake City, FLMay 25, 1966 · N8701G · DestroyedNTSB SEA67D0024Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Big Springs, IDMay 14, 1966 · N8108W · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0089Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Morocco, INMay 12, 1966 · N3208Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0088Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Robins, OHMay 8, 1966 · N2457X · DestroyedNTSB SEA66A0054Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-16 · Sutherlin, ORMay 6, 1966 · N5744H · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0082Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Santa Ana, CAMay 4, 1966 · N8258S · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0056Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Elk City, OKApr 29, 1966 · N2802P · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0055Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Winchester, ARApr 28, 1966 · N4261P · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0126Accident · 1 fatalClosedGoodyear Racer · St.Petersburg, FLApr 28, 1966 · N84G · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0095Accident · 2 fatalClosedLear Jet 23 · Clarendon, TXApr 23, 1966 · N235R · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0094Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Gilmer, TXApr 21, 1966 · N7651W · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0093Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 170 · Decatur, TXApr 18, 1966 · N8112A · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0045Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Gualala, CAApr 10, 1966 · N8014D · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0112Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Princeton, WVApr 5, 1966 · N2486U · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0082Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Jackson, MIApr 1, 1966 · N1118P · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0080Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney MK 20C · Freeland, MIMar 31, 1966 · N5647Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX66F0290Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 206 · Hawthorne, NVMar 29, 1966 · N5137U · Substantial damageNTSB FTW66A0082Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175A · Cabot, ARMar 27, 1966 · N6934E · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0041Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper J4 · Healdsburg, CAMar 25, 1966 · N26807 · Destroyed