NTSB investigations, NC

31 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19652026
NTSB investigations, NC per year, 1965–2026: 31 cases
19652
19662
19673
19691
19701
19711
19734
19741
19753
19762
19772
19792
19861
19871
19891
19991
20031
20041
20211

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\" = 'NC' 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 ERA21LA322Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDiamond DA42 · Hiddenite, NCThe flight instructor’s inability to stop the descent following a practice emergency descent for reasons that could not be determined.Aug 9, 2021 · N906ER · Substantial damageNTSB ATL05CA030Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMooney M20J · Statesville, NCthe flight instructors improper use of the flight controls on rotation during a short field takeoff resulting in the airplane becoming airborne, stall, and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the instructors failure to brief procedures for…Nov 27, 2004 · N2201 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL03FA104Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Battleboro, NCThe certified flight instructor's (CFI) failure to maintain flying speed that resulted in a stall/spin and the uncontrolled collision with the ground.Jun 8, 2003 · N578TP · Substantial damageNTSB MIA99LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182J · Franklin, NCThe failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on final approach resulting in the in-flight collision with trees and the ground.Feb 27, 1999 · N460JM · Substantial damageNTSB ATL89DMG04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportWittman, S.J. W-8 · Washington, NCPilot inadvertently stalled the airplane.Jul 17, 1989 · N74849 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87FA268Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Manteo, NCWitness observed acft settle into ocean during low level cruise flt adjacent to beach. Wx was ovrcst, indistinct horizon & calm sea. IFR flt plan had been filed but no contact was made with ATC. Engines and propeller examination did not reveal a mechanical…Sep 30, 1987 · N6343X · DestroyedNTSB ATL86FA120Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-160 · Winton, NCBefore the flt, the student plt & passengers had been socializing & drinking beer. At aprx 0200 EDT, while at a friend'shome near murfreesboro, NC, they decided to go flying. At about 0300, an acft was observed to fly over the friend's home at low alt, then…Apr 29, 1986 · N5258W · DestroyedNTSB IAD80AA008Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P337H · Benson, NCNov 2, 1979 · N5KN · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA061Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Kitty Hawk, NCJul 4, 1979 · N20739 · DestroyedNTSB IAD77DKM33Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Bryson City, NCSep 23, 1977 · N1373Z · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA025Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150M · Burlington, NCFeb 18, 1977 · N3969V · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA015Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Oxford, NCNov 28, 1976 · N360WL · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA012Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Wise, NCNov 12, 1976 · N2693T · DestroyedNTSB IAD76AI023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Harrisburg, NCOct 10, 1975 · N8893W · DestroyedNTSB IAD76AI003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Edneyville, NCJul 17, 1975 · N52208 · DestroyedNTSB IAD75FLJ23Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Raleigh, NCApr 13, 1975 · N49922 · DestroyedNTSB IAD75AI013Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Raleigh, NCSep 17, 1974 · N9441J · DestroyedNTSB IAD74DKM06Accident · Serious injuriesClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Wadesboro, NCJul 21, 1973 · N95099 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC73AN117Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Relief, NCFeb 27, 1973 · N79559 · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN113Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Marion, NCFeb 21, 1973 · N3207C · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN107Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182H · Tarboro, NCJan 28, 1973 · N3486S · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN055Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35-C33 · Black Mountain, NCOct 18, 1971 · N5845K · DestroyedNTSB IAD70AI062Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Rose Hill, NCJun 14, 1970 · N3936K · Substantial damageNTSB DIA69A0065Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fairview, NCMay 16, 1969 · N8347W · DestroyedNTSB DIA68A0042Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Robbinsville, NCDec 22, 1967 · N6238P · DestroyedNTSB DIA68A0026Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Monroe, NCDec 18, 1967 · N7197W · DestroyedNTSB DIA68A0016Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Pendleton, NCOct 10, 1967 · N5469W · DestroyedNTSB MIA67A0051Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B8M · Morrisville, NCOct 22, 1966 · N4683S · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0078Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Taylorsville, NCJan 2, 1966 · N7872P · DestroyedNTSB MIA66A0056Accident · 3 fatalClosedStinson 108-3 · Lawndale, NCNov 11, 1965 · N6733M · DestroyedNTSB MIA65A0122Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeechcraft 35C · 6nw Bolivia, NCJun 18, 1965 · N1838D · Destroyed