NTSB investigations, FL

132 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19642026
NTSB investigations, FL per year, 1964–2026: 132 cases
19644
19655
19669
19676
19686
19696
197010
197111
19726
19735
19747
197510
19765
19777
19786
19795
19808
19815
19831
19851
19871
19951
19992
20001
20011
20081
20121
20241

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\" = 'FL' 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 DCA24LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAergility Atlis 1 · Dunnellon, FLAn intermittent electrical failure that switched two motor controllers off, resulting in a loss of hover capability and impact with the ground.May 24, 2024 · N237KG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA137Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · St Petersburg, FLThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the pilot-receiving-instruction's practice autorotation that developed a high rate of descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-receiving-instruction's improper control inputs during the…Jan 6, 2012 · N8066U · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08LA264Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Palakta, FLThe partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Aug 3, 2008 · N39758 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA01LA181Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFloback Lancair 4 · Kissimmee, FLthe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, and subsequent impact with the terrain.Jul 11, 2001 · N720BF · DestroyedNTSB MIA00FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Panama City, FLThe pilot experiencing spatial disorientation while reversing course during a dark night while over water which resul;ted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions.Mar 27, 2000 · N9204P · DestroyedNTSB ATL00LA003Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22-MARINER · West Boca Raton, FLThe flight instructor's delayed response in taking remedial action during a practice autorotation. Factors were his inadequate planned approach and his improper use of powerplant controls.Oct 25, 1999 · N2285Z · Substantial damageNTSB MIA99FA095Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech AT11/18 · Tampa, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall at too low an altitude to allow for recovery.Feb 27, 1999 · N65860 · DestroyedNTSB MIA95LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Miami, FLThe failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate engine power while maneuvering, his failure to take remedial action to recover from the resulting descent, and his decision to make a precautionary landing on the water.Mar 6, 1995 · N164BH · Substantial damageNTSB MIA87LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft BL-65 · Deland, FLThe plt stated that just after take-off, the rt wing was lifted by a x-wind & the acft stalled & crashed into the trees. The plt stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had decreased the angle of attack after take-off & had made 'a turn into…Jun 13, 1987 · N36130 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA85LA151Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Miami, FLThe plt stated that he permitted a non-plt pax to close the cabin door & he, the plt did not check it. Shortly after liftoff the landing gear was retracted & the door popped open. The pax turned in his seat to close the door & bumped the yoke forcing the acft…Apr 19, 1985 · N6984Y · Substantial damageNTSB MIA84FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172RG · Cross City, FLWhile in the vicinity of Cross City the plt requested VFR flt following from jacksonville ARTCC. While he was in radio &radar contact, the controller suddenly lost radar contact with the flt. Radar indicated that the acft made a rapid descent from the cruise…Dec 2, 1983 · N9682B · DestroyedNTSB MIA82FA112Accident · 2 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Jacksonville, FLNov 19, 1981 · N750MA · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA117Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Homestead, FLSep 19, 1981 · N1502Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA096Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Titusville, FLJul 19, 1981 · N27GD · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FLD53Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Tampa, FLJul 12, 1981 · N5319H · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA094Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-32R · Naples, FLJul 11, 1981 · N6074H · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA021Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Oak Hill, FLDec 1, 1980 · N5178D · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA010Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Jacksonville, FLOct 30, 1980 · N444JS · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper 601P · Wilma, FLOct 23, 1980 · N8250J · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna R182 · Treasure Is, FLOct 9, 1980 · N4437R · Substantial damageNTSB MIA80FA054Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Hollywood, FLApr 7, 1980 · N8707G · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA045Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Bradley Jct, FLMar 10, 1980 · N6102Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA038Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Homestead, FLFeb 25, 1980 · N76663 · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA032Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680FL · Sebring, FLFeb 14, 1980 · N662B · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA131Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Orlando, FLSep 30, 1979 · N6116H · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA125Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 369HS · Jacksonville, FLSep 19, 1979 · N8623F · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FLD55Accident · 1 fatalClosedSchleicher ASW-17 · Oviedo, FLApr 6, 1979 · N4AX · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA066Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 35A33 · St Petersburg, FLApr 5, 1979 · N848B · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA053Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · St Petersburg, FLFeb 25, 1979 · N5861Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA032Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech E33 · Arcadia, FLDec 26, 1978 · N1043A · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA024Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrumman AA-5B · Marianna, FLNov 30, 1978 · N28649 · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA015Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Ormond Beach, FLNov 20, 1978 · N733QV · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA102Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 17-31A · Lake City, FLJul 4, 1978 · N8805V · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA092Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Hernando Beach, FLJun 1, 1978 · N2291M · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA054Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Leesburg, FLMar 16, 1978 · N7488L · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA020Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Plantation, FLDec 23, 1977 · N10608 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA017Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lakeport, FLNov 29, 1977 · N5374W · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA088Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lauderhill, FLSep 16, 1977 · N7645G · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FLA36Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8-MG · St Augustine, FLJun 4, 1977 · N3120 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA77FKT41Accident · Minor injuriesClosedNaval Fcty N3N-3 · Immokalee, FLMay 16, 1977 · N45167 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA77FA043Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Ormond Beach, FLMar 13, 1977 · N8898G · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA040Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35-C33 · Fort Myers, FLMar 7, 1977 · N5862S · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA020Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B95A · Panacea, FLDec 25, 1976 · N22RL · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA016Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Clewiston, FLDec 6, 1976 · N4240P · DestroyedNTSB MIA77DA015Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 337G · Summer Haven, FLDec 1, 1976 · N72459 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA013Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Tallahassee, FLNov 27, 1976 · N4615J · DestroyedNTSB MIA76FA008Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150L · Orlando, FLNov 16, 1976 · N7511G · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM053Accident · 5 fatalClosedNavion B · Cross City, FLDec 20, 1975 · N5275K · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM049Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Cross City, FLDec 1, 1975 · N78974 · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM040Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Lake Hamilton, FLNov 2, 1975 · N1191X · Destroyed