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 CHI66A0078Accident · 3 fatalClosedNavion L-17B · Aroma Park, ILMar 24, 1966 · N6076V · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0068Accident · 6 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680 · Meeker, COMar 20, 1966 · N94T · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0102Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Falls Creek, PAMar 18, 1966 · N8181W · DestroyedNTSB SEA66D0256Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Gardiner, WAMar 17, 1966 · N3177N · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0069Accident · 1 fatalClosedBoeing D75A-1 · El Centro, CAMar 10, 1966 · N50756 · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0046Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Buffalo, MNFeb 27, 1966 · N3065J · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0045Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150B · Emporia, KSFeb 27, 1966 · N1253Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0094Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-2 · Immokalee, FLFeb 26, 1966 · N6761D · Substantial damageNTSB NYC66A0088Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Monticello, MEFeb 11, 1966 · N8514P · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0063Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Santa Ysabel, CAFeb 10, 1966 · N6829P · DestroyedNTSB SEA66A0043Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Bonneville, ORFeb 6, 1966 · N7067M · DestroyedNTSB DEN66D0244Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 170B · Leadville, COFeb 6, 1966 · N3507C · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0031Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Livermore, CAFeb 4, 1966 · N8184U · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0065Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech A23 · Findlay, OHFeb 3, 1966 · N3510R · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0057Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech D35 · Reno, NVJan 19, 1966 · N2974B · DestroyedNTSB LAX66F0213Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBeech F35 · Tujunga, CAJan 15, 1966 · N3392C · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0056Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Elbert, COJan 15, 1966 · N8223P · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0055Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Placitas, NMJan 15, 1966 · N8559X · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0064Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35-B33 · Mirando City, TXJan 13, 1966 · N9515Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0036Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna T-210F · Mayfield, KSJan 4, 1966 · N6708R · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0078Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Taylorsville, NCJan 2, 1966 · N7872P · DestroyedNTSB FTW66D0495Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna P206 · Edinburg, TXJan 2, 1966 · N2593X · Substantial damageNTSB SEA66A0040Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Ironside, ORDec 29, 1965 · N7675Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0035Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M-20C · Timber Lake, SDDec 22, 1965 · N7880V · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0066Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172B · Oneonta, ALDec 12, 1965 · N7543X · DestroyedNTSB CHI66F0521Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172D · Walworth, WIDec 10, 1965 · N2085Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0034Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Burr, NEDec 9, 1965 · N9584D · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0025Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Stock, CADec 1, 1965 · N2430R · DestroyedNTSB MIA66F0336Accident · No injuriesClosedErcoupe 415-C · Winchester, TNNov 28, 1965 · N3084H · Substantial damageNTSB LAX66A0043Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Oceanside, CANov 24, 1965 · N6873P · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0042Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Quartzsite, AZNov 24, 1965 · N2924P · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Payson, AZNov 24, 1965 · N9633X · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0034Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182E · Santa Fe, NMNov 20, 1965 · N3081Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Holly Grove, ARNov 19, 1965 · N3503L · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0041Accident · 8 fatalClosedLear Jet 23 · Palm Springs, CANov 14, 1965 · N243F · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0056Accident · 3 fatalClosedStinson 108-3 · Lawndale, NCNov 11, 1965 · N6733M · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0045Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Ft Stockton, TXNov 8, 1965 · N6671X · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0030Accident · 2 fatalClosedUniversal GC-1B · Council Bluffs, IANov 6, 1965 · N3832K · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0041Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Moore, OKNov 5, 1965 · N1850X · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0040Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 95-55 · Lawton, OKNov 3, 1965 · N1344Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0041Accident · 2 fatalClosedLear Jet 23 · Jackson, MIOct 21, 1965 · N804LJ · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0028Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fairfax, MNOct 19, 1965 · N7619W · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0027Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 310C · Highmore S, SDOct 18, 1965 · N1802H · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0038Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310F · Minocqua, WIOct 17, 1965 · N188RT · DestroyedNTSB CHI66F0377Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J3C-65 · Saline, MIOct 16, 1965 · N30575 · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0019Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Burson, CAOct 14, 1965 · N3697D · DestroyedNTSB NYC66F0341Accident · No injuriesClosedTaylorcraft DCO · East Berkshire, VTOct 14, 1965 · N46444 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN66A0027Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150E · Newton, IAOct 14, 1965 · N8883S · DestroyedNTSB ANC66A0017Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22S · Ketchikan, AKOct 14, 1965 · N7110D · DestroyedNTSB FTW66A0035Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182B · Tulsa, OKOct 7, 1965 · N2300G · Destroyed