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 SEA80FA009Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Grass Valley, ORNov 28, 1979 · N7090V · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA019Accident · 1 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Post Oak, TXNov 26, 1979 · N234MA · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA010Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Columbus, NENov 25, 1979 · N6496Y · DestroyedNTSB IAD80FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Locust Grove, VANov 25, 1979 · N7650D · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA015Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Farewell, AKNov 24, 1979 · N73249 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI80FEV07Accident · 1 fatalClosedAmerican AA-1B · Charleston, ILNov 22, 1979 · N6245L · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Mountain View, MONov 21, 1979 · N732EH · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FPM03Accident · 1 fatalClosedBenson B8M · Sand Springs, OKNov 19, 1979 · N6933 · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA012Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-20 · Palmer, AKNov 15, 1979 · N9710D · Substantial damageNTSB UNK80X0102Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Melvin, IANov 11, 1979 · N2181D · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Mammoth Lakes, CANov 3, 1979 · N1942Y · Substantial damageNTSB IAD80AA008Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P337H · Benson, NCNov 2, 1979 · N5KN · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA008Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech C55 · Fordyce, AROct 25, 1979 · N9466S · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Fall Creek, WIOct 20, 1979 · N5072R · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182L · Macks Inn, IDOct 15, 1979 · N42641 · DestroyedNTSB DEN80FA003Accident · 8 fatalClosedCessna T210N · Gunnison, COOct 14, 1979 · N7618N · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ganges, MIOct 10, 1979 · N8437P · DestroyedNTSB IAD80FA002Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20J · Pikeville, TNOct 4, 1979 · N201YY · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA001Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 207 · Juneau, AKOct 3, 1979 · N1726U · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA131Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Orlando, FLSep 30, 1979 · N6116H · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA081Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Porcupine, WISep 23, 1979 · N7853E · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA087Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Hollister, CASep 21, 1979 · N9466B · DestroyedNTSB FTW79FA108Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Luling, LASep 20, 1979 · N27614 · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA125Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 369HS · Jacksonville, FLSep 19, 1979 · N8623F · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA122Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Alma, GASep 16, 1979 · N15029 · DestroyedNTSB NYC79FA090Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · No.Whitehall, PASep 5, 1979 · N6275W · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA079Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Blue Ridge, INAug 29, 1979 · N69618 · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FUG52Accident · 2 fatalClosedRand KR-2 · Thermal, CAAug 22, 1979 · N8029Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW79DRA36Accident · No injuriesClosedGrum-Amer AA-5A · Brenham, TXAug 11, 1979 · N26302 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW79DA100Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 206B · Morgan City, LAAug 11, 1979 · N5018F · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA065Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Jenkins, KYJul 26, 1979 · N9138B · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA061Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Brocton, ILJul 26, 1979 · N6217U · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA107Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Huntsville, ALJul 21, 1979 · N9181K · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA061Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Kitty Hawk, NCJul 4, 1979 · N20739 · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA057Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · St Charles, ILJul 4, 1979 · N3027Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA052Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Chenoa, ILJul 3, 1979 · N64168 · DestroyedNTSB NYC79FA049Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Flushing, NYJun 18, 1979 · N9283C · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA053Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Mackville, KYJun 1, 1979 · N1667E · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FKW14Accident · No injuriesClosedSchleicher KA8B · Benton, TNMay 26, 1979 · N170DR · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA088Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Mobile, ALMay 23, 1979 · N46460 · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA088Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Yreka, CAMay 22, 1979 · C-GXJZ · DestroyedNTSB IAD79DLQ13Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 210 · Pirates Cove, KYMay 18, 1979 · N1189Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA082Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172M · San Juan, PRMay 13, 1979 · N707AC · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA049Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Welch, WVMay 13, 1979 · N8179P · DestroyedNTSB OAK79FA029Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Livermore, CAMay 6, 1979 · N733HG · DestroyedNTSB SEA79FYM28Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 206G · The Dalles, ORApr 22, 1979 · N756SR · Substantial damageNTSB OAK79FA025Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna T210M · Tahoe City, CAApr 22, 1979 · N6721B · DestroyedNTSB FTW79FA076Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 320E · Covington, LAApr 22, 1979 · N3482Q · DestroyedNTSB OAK79FA024Accident · 6 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Dunsmuir, CAApr 16, 1979 · N2253S · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA042Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182K · Shoshone, CAApr 15, 1979 · N3078Q · Destroyed