OpenAirDocs.org

NTSB investigations, AL

26 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19642026

Where

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Latest cases

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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 ERA13FA101Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Jasper, ALThe student pilot’s poor judgment to take a multiengine airplane for which he did not have experience or permission to operate and depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.Jan 2, 2013 · N7700Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA00FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Pelham, ALThe student pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.Dec 8, 1999 · N39696 · DestroyedNTSB MIA97LA212Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters MK5A · Sylacauga, ALThe failure of the pilot to maintain main rotor rpm resulting in the helicopter descending and colliding with trees.Jul 24, 1997 · N62108 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL81FA090Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182M · Haleyville, ALJul 2, 1981 · N71859 · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA051Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Autaugaville, ALMar 1, 1981 · N7443Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA107Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Huntsville, ALJul 21, 1979 · N9181K · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA088Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech G35 · Mobile, ALMay 23, 1979 · N46460 · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA023Accident · 1 fatalClosedSikorsky S55B · Hanceville, ALNov 29, 1978 · N8307 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA101Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Courtland, ALJul 1, 1978 · N47975 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78AF019Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Dauphin Island, ALDec 17, 1977 · N6589T · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA072Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Clanton, ALJul 29, 1977 · N8663N · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM107Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna T210G · Brantley, ALSep 4, 1976 · N6826R · DestroyedNTSB IAD76AI007Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech A35 · Mumford, ALAug 10, 1975 · N559B · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM012Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech M35 · Newton, ALAug 2, 1974 · N9760R · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO49Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310Q · Montgomery, ALNov 10, 1972 · N7798Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM007Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Shelby Sprngs, ALJul 5, 1972 · N902T · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM073Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210B · Semmes, ALJan 23, 1972 · N9715X · DestroyedNTSB MIA68F0540Accident · Minor injuriesClosedSchempp SHK · Brownsboro, ALMay 30, 1968 · N801M · Substantial damageNTSB MIA68A0068Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Calera, ALFeb 17, 1968 · N2671F · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0074Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210F · Muscle Shoals, ALJan 3, 1967 · N5813F · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0072Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Manila, ALJan 2, 1967 · N8107C · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0056Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D18S · Heflin, ALNov 2, 1966 · N411Z · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0066Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172B · Oneonta, ALDec 12, 1965 · N7543X · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessba 140 · Trenton, ALOct 1, 1965 · N77409 · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0014Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Parrish, ALJul 24, 1965 · N8616P · DestroyedNTSB UNK65X0272Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Cuba, ALOct 14, 1964 · N6691E · Destroyed