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 UNK64X2456Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Oceanport, NJJun 23, 1964 · N4043D · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X2311Accident · 5 fatalClosedN.American F-51D · Roseburg, ORJun 15, 1964 · N1451D · DestroyedNTSB SEA76AS001Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Mineral, WAJun 15, 1964 · N4029D · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X2179Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeechcraft 95-A55 · Fresno, CAJun 7, 1964 · N1763G · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X2117Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAeronca 7DC · Hollister, CAJun 4, 1964 · N83050 · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X2113Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA24 · Mason, TXJun 4, 1964 · N5420P · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X2074Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Wells, NVJun 2, 1964 · N8821X · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X2015Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Folkstown, GAMay 30, 1964 · N5N · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X1970Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Lewiston, IDMay 27, 1964 · N4067F · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X1890Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J3F-65 · Dixie, IDMay 22, 1964 · N40912 · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1888Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 300 · Bishop, CAMay 22, 1964 · N9353F · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1835Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA30 · Eureka, CAMay 18, 1964 · N7373Y · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1816Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeechraft M-23 · Washougal, WAMay 17, 1964 · N2344J · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1794Accident · Serious injuriesClosedSchweizer SG526B · Bartow, FLMay 16, 1964 · N2751R · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X1728Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 47G2 · Huntington Bc, CAMay 11, 1964 · N2495B · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1534Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J-5A · Paulina, ORApr 30, 1964 · N28260 · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1504Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210A · Santa Cruz, CAApr 28, 1964 · N9498X · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1437Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Lilly Chapel, OHApr 24, 1964 · N92N · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1426Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Alta Loma, CAApr 23, 1964 · N615CF · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1396Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Dubois, WYApr 20, 1964 · N5831A · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X1388Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 195A · Grants, NMApr 19, 1964 · N82Q · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1355Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 185 · Elim, AKApr 17, 1964 · N9984X · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1084Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Auburn, INMar 28, 1964 · N7551W · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1025Accident · Serious injuriesClosedStinson 108 · Palmdale, CAMar 23, 1964 · N97244 · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X1018Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Wrigtwood, CAMar 22, 1964 · N5994A · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0826Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeechcraft H35 · Searchlight, NVMar 7, 1964 · N4694D · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0822Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Big Bear City, CAMar 6, 1964 · N7778T · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X0721Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 1419-2 · Gustine, CAFeb 28, 1964 · N7664B · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0704Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA24 · New Orleans, LAFeb 27, 1964 · N7871P · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0696Accident · 2 fatalClosedChampion 7GCB · Split Rock, WYFeb 26, 1964 · N9909Y · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0687Accident · 58 fatalClosedDouglas DC-8 · New Orleans, LAFeb 25, 1964 · N8607 · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0642Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBrantly B2A · Tucson, AZFeb 22, 1964 · N2138U · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X0606Accident · 1 fatalClosedSchweizer 126A · Elsinore, CAFeb 19, 1964 · N3876A · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0566Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Chicago, ILFeb 14, 1964 · N2030Z · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0553Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Provo, UTFeb 13, 1964 · N2970U · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0336Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lochiel, INJan 23, 1964 · N2753U · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0263Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310A · Agoura, CAJan 17, 1964 · N5281A · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0257Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBc65 DC65 · Francis Peak, UTJan 16, 1964 · N29616 · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0256Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBeechcraft A35 · Andytown, FLJan 16, 1964 · N8769A · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0240Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 150B · San Jose, CAJan 13, 1964 · N7294X · DestroyedNTSB UNK64X0199Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 182 · Garnet, CAJan 9, 1964 · N7197E · Substantial damageNTSB UNK64X0175Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150A · Atlanta, GAJan 6, 1964 · N7088X · Destroyed