NTSB investigations, GA

56 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19642026
NTSB investigations, GA per year, 1964–2026: 56 cases
19644
19651
19674
19682
19696
19703
19714
19725
19731
19742
19752
19761
19773
19784
19793
19806
19812
19911
20031
20041

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\" = 'GA' 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 ATL04CA170Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172R · Atlanta, GAThe intentional interuption of the flight controls in flight that resulted in a uncontrolled descent and collision with a fence.Aug 28, 2004 · N26486 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL04LA050Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBaker KR-2 · St. Marys, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during climb out which resulted in a stall and inflight collision with trees.Dec 21, 2003 · N93PC · Substantial damageNTSB ATL91FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 310 · Brunswick, GAThe incapacitation of the pilot.Jan 23, 1991 · N3602D · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA108Accident · 5 fatalClosedAero Comdr 685 · Wrens, GAAug 14, 1981 · N8007H · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA106Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Camilla, GAAug 9, 1981 · N8470F · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 8KCAB · Woodland, GAOct 30, 1980 · N4108Y · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA008Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Milledgeville, GAOct 23, 1980 · N5882M · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA001Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Cartersville, GAOct 1, 1980 · N6956N · DestroyedNTSB ATL80FA088Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601P · Summerville, GASep 2, 1980 · N90463 · DestroyedNTSB ATL80FA066Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C18S · Wassaw Is, GAJul 4, 1980 · N35MS · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA055Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrumman F8F-2 · Commerce, GAJun 18, 1980 · N9885C · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA021Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Woodbine, GADec 21, 1979 · N3802W · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA122Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Alma, GASep 16, 1979 · N15029 · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FKG30Accident · Serious injuriesClosedDehavilland DHC-1 · Fayetteville, GAApr 7, 1979 · N122LT · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA078Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jekyll Island, GAMay 7, 1978 · N47638 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA072Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech N35 · Kennesaw, GAApr 26, 1978 · N9495Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA044Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech A45 · Moultrie, GAFeb 18, 1978 · N7747C · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA042Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech C23 · Eatonton, GAJan 7, 1978 · N9BW · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA071Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172L · Vienna, GAJul 27, 1977 · N19691 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA050Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C24R · Monroe, GAApr 3, 1977 · N23969 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA042Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech M35 · Fargo, GAMar 5, 1977 · N9746R · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM086Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Lavonia, GAMay 24, 1976 · N9941Q · DestroyedNTSB MIA76AM010Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 320B · Darien, GAJul 25, 1975 · N9854L · DestroyedNTSB MIA75AM085Accident · 1 fatalClosedTemco GC-1B · Clayton, GAMay 31, 1975 · N2382B · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM093Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Folkston, GAMay 14, 1974 · N8872N · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM076Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Fairburn, GAMar 1, 1974 · N9226B · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM085Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 210H · Rome, GAFeb 15, 1973 · N5970F · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO64Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Shellman, GADec 20, 1972 · N2691C · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO52Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Porterdale, GANov 19, 1972 · N9397G · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM011Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M-20C · Texas, GAJul 25, 1972 · N5951Q · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN162Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Milan, GAJun 25, 1972 · N9286M · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM094Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210F · Jasper, GAMar 21, 1972 · N6117R · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM056Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Dalton, GADec 21, 1971 · N8014F · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM036Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech A35 · Homerville, GAOct 17, 1971 · N8544A · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM011Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Atlanta, GAAug 13, 1971 · N79407 · DestroyedNTSB MIA72AM002Accident · No injuriesClosedBoeing E75N1 · Cumming, GAJul 5, 1971 · N1935M · DestroyedNTSB MIA71AM032Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Mussella, GAOct 19, 1970 · N749B · DestroyedNTSB MIA70FKG07Accident · No injuriesClosedBensen B-8M · Richmond Hill, GAJan 25, 1970 · N116R · Substantial damageNTSB MIA70AM063Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Dahlonega, GAJan 23, 1970 · N8949B · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0028Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jessup, GAOct 1, 1969 · N6585J · DestroyedNTSB MIA70A0022Accident · 1 fatalClosedNavion A · Williamson, GASep 19, 1969 · N8593H · DestroyedNTSB MIA70D0247Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-18A · Warwick, GAJul 7, 1969 · N7165D · Substantial damageNTSB DCA70A0001Accident · 14 fatalClosedBeech B99 · Monroe, GAJul 6, 1969 · N844NS · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0076Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Waycross, GAMay 9, 1969 · N755HB · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0046Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 95 · St.George, GAFeb 6, 1969 · N2724Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0019Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Mableton, GAOct 6, 1968 · N5914Z · DestroyedNTSB MIA69A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Eastman, GAAug 31, 1968 · N9302B · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0035Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Villa Rica, GAOct 8, 1967 · N5625A · DestroyedNTSB MIA68A0028Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Robertstown, GASep 1, 1967 · N2697L · DestroyedNTSB MIA67F0545Accident · Minor injuriesClosedMooney M20C · Roopville, GAMay 5, 1967 · N6589U · Destroyed