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 LAX81FA034Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech A36 · Peach Springs, AZJan 12, 1981 · N66757 · DestroyedNTSB SEA81DYM15Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206A · Mill City, ORJan 7, 1981 · N90099 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW81FA021Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 17-30A · Iraan, TXJan 6, 1981 · N6606V · DestroyedNTSB MKC81FA012Accident · No injuriesClosedBeech F35 · Paris, TNJan 1, 1981 · N266S · Substantial damageNTSB CHI81FA014Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Harding, WIDec 30, 1980 · N190B · DestroyedNTSB NYC81DFA09Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Palenville, NYDec 26, 1980 · N4308F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX81FA026Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20K · Battle Mt, NVDec 24, 1980 · N231NX · DestroyedNTSB DEN81FA011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310K · Boulder, CODec 23, 1980 · N7058L · Substantial damageNTSB SEA81FA012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Stevenson, WADec 21, 1980 · N114PH · DestroyedNTSB CHI81FEK08Accident · No injuriesClosedRaven RX-7 · Dublin, OHDec 21, 1980 · N5711K · Substantial damageNTSB CHI81FA012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Kalkaska, MIDec 12, 1980 · N559PA · DestroyedNTSB SEA81FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Royal City, WADec 3, 1980 · N6508X · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA021Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna T210N · Tazewell, TNDec 2, 1980 · N4846C · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA021Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Oak Hill, FLDec 1, 1980 · N5178D · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FPG07Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B8M · Sherrill, ARNov 29, 1980 · N3790K · DestroyedNTSB SEA81FA009Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech 58TC · Ellensburg, WANov 27, 1980 · N24AC · DestroyedNTSB NYC81FA014Accident · 1 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · West Tisbury, MANov 25, 1980 · N80674 · DestroyedNTSB DEN81FA012Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 76 · Morgan, UTNov 23, 1980 · N6048Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FA012Accident · 3 fatalClosedAerospatle AS350 · Waxahachie, TXNov 22, 1980 · N8TV · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FA011Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 560 · Dell City, TXNov 21, 1980 · N2659B · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FA010Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech A35 · Rock Springs, TXNov 21, 1980 · N741B · DestroyedNTSB NYC81FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech H18 · Troxelville, PANov 18, 1980 · N701CC · DestroyedNTSB ANC81DAA05Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Gold King Crk, AKNov 1, 1980 · N496RA · Substantial damageNTSB MIA81FA010Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Jacksonville, FLOct 30, 1980 · N444JS · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 8KCAB · Woodland, GAOct 30, 1980 · N4108Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC81FA007Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 95-C55 · Canisteo, NYOct 29, 1980 · N171W · DestroyedNTSB DEN81DTE05Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182Q · Grand Junction, COOct 26, 1980 · N735YM · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper 601P · Wilma, FLOct 23, 1980 · N8250J · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA008Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Milledgeville, GAOct 23, 1980 · N5882M · DestroyedNTSB MKC81FA005Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 207 · Cedar Rapids, IAOct 16, 1980 · N91026 · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FA005Accident · 4 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA-5B · Madill, OKOct 16, 1980 · N28252 · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna R182 · Treasure Is, FLOct 9, 1980 · N4437R · Substantial damageNTSB LAX81FUQ01Accident · 2 fatalClosedNo.American P-510 · Lancaster, CAOct 4, 1980 · N51MP · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA001Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Cartersville, GAOct 1, 1980 · N6956N · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA126Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Hot Springs, ARSep 29, 1980 · N7839P · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA124Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech T-34B · Giddings, TXSep 27, 1980 · N46939 · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FA069Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150J · Akin, ILSep 22, 1980 · N60771 · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA102Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Anchorage, AKSep 21, 1980 · N21AA · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA116Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Goodwill, LASep 17, 1980 · N1806T · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FA140Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Long Beach, CASep 12, 1980 · N299Y · Substantial damageNTSB NYC80FGT21Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Columbia, PASep 8, 1980 · N3776N · DestroyedNTSB ATL80FA088Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Summerville, GASep 2, 1980 · N90463 · DestroyedNTSB DEN80FA059Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 206A/B · Red Lodge, MTAug 30, 1980 · N8030 · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA084Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Cordova, AKAug 13, 1980 · N2487H · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA048Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Carroll, IAAug 9, 1980 · N47741 · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FA131Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210N · Malibu, CAAug 8, 1980 · N139BB · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA100Accident · 13 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Houma, LAAug 6, 1980 · N95AL · DestroyedNTSB CHI80DA061Accident · 1 fatalClosedAeronca C-3 · Luray, INAug 1, 1980 · N16291 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC80FA061Accident · 1 fatalClosedSchweizer SGS126 · Wurtsboro, NYJul 24, 1980 · N17905 · DestroyedNTSB FTW80DPG47Accident · No injuriesClosedAeronca 7BCM · Bono, ARJul 13, 1980 · N6084V · Substantial damage