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 MIA66A0038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessba 140 · Trenton, ALOct 1, 1965 · N77409 · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0031Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · White Cloud, MISep 30, 1965 · N8413U · DestroyedNTSB DEN66A0023Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Monticello, UTSep 28, 1965 · N1127W · DestroyedNTSB UNK65X1537Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeechcraft C-45H · Bao Trai, VMSep 27, 1965 · N9574Z · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0036Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Glen Burnie, MDSep 20, 1965 · N5759Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0028Accident · 1 fatalClosedAeronca 7AC · Whitewater, WISep 17, 1965 · N2334E · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0030Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172B · Englewood, FLSep 12, 1965 · N7652X · DestroyedNTSB ANC66AA011Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-2 · Council, AKSep 12, 1965 · N314C · DestroyedNTSB SEA66A0021Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion B · Judith Gap, MTSep 11, 1965 · N4400K · DestroyedNTSB OAK66A0009Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Kyburz, CASep 7, 1965 · N8282U · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0032Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108-3 · Milroy, PASep 5, 1965 · N6353M · DestroyedNTSB ANC66A0008Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-12 · Anchorage, AKSep 3, 1965 · N7196B · DestroyedNTSB FTW66F0228Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-18 · Booker, TXAug 21, 1965 · N256T · Substantial damageNTSB CHI66A0019Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M-20C · Beloit, WIAug 20, 1965 · N6701U · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0023Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182B · Logtown, MSAug 19, 1965 · N2345G · DestroyedNTSB ANC66A0005Accident · 2 fatalClosedAeronca 7DC · 40ssw Tok, AKAug 16, 1965 · N4438E · DestroyedNTSB ANC66A0003Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 47J2 · Seldovia, AKAug 13, 1965 · N73922 · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0016Accident · 1 fatalClosedLockheed P-38 · Los Olivos, CAAug 4, 1965 · N504MH · DestroyedNTSB OAK66F0091Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Concord, CAJul 25, 1965 · N2559Y · Substantial damageNTSB FTW66A0007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · 2e Chelsea, OKJul 25, 1965 · N7031A · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0014Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Parrish, ALJul 24, 1965 · N8616P · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0026Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Livingstn Manr, NYJul 22, 1965 · N8001M · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0009Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150C · Wausau, WIJul 18, 1965 · N7936Z · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0008Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Jersey City, NJJul 15, 1965 · N4536P · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0003Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Waldorf, MDJul 8, 1965 · N942OF · DestroyedNTSB LAX66A0003Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeechcraft 23 · Steamboat, NVJul 6, 1965 · N8752M · DestroyedNTSB DEN66D0108Accident · No injuriesClosedAeronca 7AC · Boulder City, NVJul 5, 1965 · N83376 · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0002Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-16 · Lake Delton, WIJul 4, 1965 · N6866K · DestroyedNTSB CHI66A0003Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Meppen, ILJun 30, 1965 · N6587X · DestroyedNTSB SEA65A0068Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Opheim, MTJun 21, 1965 · N9418T · DestroyedNTSB MIA65A0122Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeechcraft 35C · 6nw Bolivia, NCJun 18, 1965 · N1838D · DestroyedNTSB DEN65A0082Accident · 2 fatalClosedChampion 7ECA · Alcova, WYJun 16, 1965 · N11060 · DestroyedNTSB DEN65A0081Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150D · Byers, COJun 15, 1965 · N4197U · DestroyedNTSB NYC66F0005Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA12 · Weare, NHJun 13, 1965 · N7928H · DestroyedNTSB MKC65A0074Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeechcraft 35-33 · 10s Maryville, MOJun 13, 1965 · N9957R · DestroyedNTSB MKC65A0073Accident · 2 fatalClosedAeronca 7AC · Winner, SDJun 10, 1965 · N2042E · DestroyedNTSB NYC65A0144Accident · 1 fatalClosedTaylorcraft BC12D1 · Amherst, NYJun 9, 1965 · N5488M · DestroyedNTSB LAX65A0093Accident · 9 fatalClosedBeechcraft C-18S · Corona Dl Mar, CAMay 29, 1965 · N9107R · DestroyedNTSB MKC66F0004Accident · Serious injuriesClosedPiper PA-22 · Imperial, NEMay 28, 1965 · N2661P · DestroyedNTSB SEA65A0064Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182C · Forks, WAMay 26, 1965 · N8536T · DestroyedNTSB LAX65A0090Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Etiwanda, CAMay 22, 1965 · N2597U · DestroyedNTSB OAK65A0067Accident · 3 fatalClosedN American Navion · 2ne Colfax, CAMay 20, 1965 · N91544 · DestroyedNTSB MKC66A0011Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140A · Ava, MOMay 19, 1965 · N5653C · DestroyedNTSB MKC65A0066Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeechcraft 35 · Intnl Falls, MNMay 14, 1965 · N8836A · DestroyedNTSB LAX65A0088Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108-1 · Newport Beach, CAMay 10, 1965 · N8655K · DestroyedNTSB FTW65A0111Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Mabank, TXMay 9, 1965 · N4841D · DestroyedNTSB CHI65F0143Accident · Serious injuriesClosedNavion NAV-4 · Athens, OHMay 9, 1965 · N8937H · DestroyedNTSB OAK65A0066Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lake Tahoe, CAMay 8, 1965 · N8704U · DestroyedNTSB DEN65A0069Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182A · 8s Cheyenne, WYMay 3, 1965 · N9987T · DestroyedNTSB MKC65A0064Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · 4sw Holden, MOMay 2, 1965 · N8119W · Destroyed