NTSB investigations, PA

46 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19652026
NTSB investigations, PA per year, 1965–2026: 46 cases
19653
19662
19674
19686
19691
19702
19717
19721
19731
19745
19752
19763
19772
19791
19803
19812
19931

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\" = 'PA' 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 BFO93LA180Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Scottdale, PAThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his delay in performing remedial action.Sep 19, 1993 · N88RD · Substantial damageNTSB NYC82FGT04Accident · 1 fatalClosedCarver HP-14B · Altoona, PANov 7, 1981 · N3320X · DestroyedNTSB NYC81FA070Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Easton, PAJul 1, 1981 · N54383 · DestroyedNTSB NYC81FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech H18 · Troxelville, PANov 18, 1980 · N701CC · DestroyedNTSB NYC80FGT21Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Columbia, PASep 8, 1980 · N3776N · DestroyedNTSB NYC80FA022Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 152 · Indian Head, PAJan 29, 1980 · N68326 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC79FA090Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · No.Whitehall, PASep 5, 1979 · N6275W · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FA009Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · North Wales, PANov 23, 1977 · N1018L · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA037Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna U206F · Doylestown, PAMar 13, 1977 · N35634 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC77FA014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Conneautville, PANov 20, 1976 · N80778 · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA012Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Warren Center, PANov 12, 1976 · N973A · DestroyedNTSB NYC77FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Frenchville, PAOct 17, 1976 · N4189J · DestroyedNTSB NYC76AN007Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Benton, PAJul 16, 1975 · N4843L · DestroyedNTSB NYC76AN005Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Newtown, PAJul 14, 1975 · N4030N · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN069Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Erie, PANov 28, 1974 · N2433X · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN046Accident · 1 fatalClosedN.American F-51D · Chatham, PAOct 13, 1974 · N5412V · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Bluebell, PASep 20, 1974 · N3258L · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN022Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Catasauqua, PAAug 23, 1974 · N8191L · DestroyedNTSB NYC75AN001Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Acme, PAJul 4, 1974 · N5084Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC74AN014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Huntingdon Vly, PAAug 13, 1973 · N7060G · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN157Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Spring Run, PAJun 18, 1972 · N2378Q · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN085Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Malvern, PADec 30, 1971 · N6047W · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN083Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150B · Allentown, PADec 24, 1971 · N1180Y · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN061Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Boalsburg, PAOct 31, 1971 · N9287J · DestroyedNTSB NYC72AN051Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Washingtnville, PAOct 10, 1971 · N2941R · DestroyedNTSB NYC72FGM03Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly B2B · Williamsburg, PAJul 10, 1971 · N2180U · Substantial damageNTSB IAD71AI054Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 310C · Dunlo, PAMay 27, 1971 · N1765H · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN087Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Hallstead, PAFeb 17, 1971 · N9711J · DestroyedNTSB NYC71AN063Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310P · Grove City, PANov 20, 1970 · N5789M · DestroyedNTSB NYC70AN135Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Wilkes-Barre, PAJun 27, 1970 · N4707S · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0109Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J-3 · Reading, PAJun 4, 1969 · N42637 · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0053Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Churchville, PANov 7, 1968 · N4946P · DestroyedNTSB NYC69A0026Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Dallas, PASep 2, 1968 · N5578P · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0134Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Gardners, PAJun 16, 1968 · N3783T · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0132Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Cairnbrook, PAJun 13, 1968 · N9857W · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0120Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Johnstown, PAMay 18, 1968 · N3710P · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0116Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C-33A · Granville, PAApr 25, 1968 · N779AA · DestroyedNTSB NYC68A0049Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Rothsville, PASep 21, 1967 · N6362A · DestroyedNTSB NYC67F0584Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Harrow, PAApr 6, 1967 · N1196F · DestroyedNTSB NYC67F0497Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 150 · Tyrone, PAFeb 4, 1967 · N3446J · DestroyedNTSB NYC67A0102Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Fombell, PAJan 18, 1967 · N7754F · DestroyedNTSB NYC67A0077Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech S35 · Columbia X-Rds, PANov 7, 1966 · N6030F · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0102Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Falls Creek, PAMar 18, 1966 · N8181W · DestroyedNTSB NYC66A0032Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108-3 · Milroy, PASep 5, 1965 · N6353M · DestroyedNTSB NYC65A0126Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeechcraft D50 · Hollidaysburg, PAApr 18, 1965 · N4341D · DestroyedNTSB NYC65A0124Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Philipsburg, PAApr 7, 1965 · N7335Z · Destroyed