NTSB investigations, 1970
125 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 101 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 119 |
| 1966 | 119 |
| 1967 | 125 |
| 1968 | 142 |
| 1969 | 127 |
| 1970 | 125 |
| 1971 | 136 |
| 1972 | 135 |
| 1973 | 117 |
| 1974 | 103 |
| 1975 | 99 |
| 1976 | 92 |
| 1977 | 118 |
| 1978 | 102 |
| 1979 | 93 |
| 1980 | 85 |
| 1981 | 97 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 1970
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.
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 year(c."eventDate") = 1970
AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 650)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB MKC71AK036Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Mexico, MONTSB SEA71AS030Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Amity, ORNTSB DEN71AD028Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T310P · Cheyenne, WYNTSB IAD71DIJ13Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-28 · Morgantown, WVNTSB CHI71AC042Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Effingham, ILNTSB LAX71DUQ48Accident · Serious injuriesClosedForney F-1A · Rosamond, CANTSB MKC71AK033Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Garden City, KSNTSB FTW71AF032Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108-1 · Beaumont, TXNTSB FTW71DRD29Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206A · Leeville, LANTSB MIA71AM050Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Crystal River, FLNTSB MKC71AK032Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Rapid City, SDNTSB ANC71AA031Accident · 2 fatalClosedMaule M4-210 · Anchorage, AKNTSB MKC71AK028Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182M · Kingsville, MONTSB LAX72AL021Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mcnary, AZNTSB SEA71AS027Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · St.Charles, IDNTSB NYC71AN063Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310P · Grove City, PANTSB CHI71AC034Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Weston, WINTSB OAK71AP025Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 205A · Castro Vlly, CANTSB DEN71FQD13Accident · Serious injuriesClosedSquires Helico · Las Cruces, NMNTSB CHI71AC032Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Pierceton, INNTSB MKC71AK025Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Shakopee, MNNTSB IAD71AI021Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172G · Providence Frg, VANTSB MIA71DKT15Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47G-2 · Opa Locka, FLNTSB SEA71AS023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-14 · Carlyle, MTNTSB MKC71AK023Accident · 3 fatalClosedMooney M20C · St Cloud, MNNTSB DEN71AD019Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20A · Roggen, CONTSB MKC71AK022Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Belden, NDNTSB MIA71AM036Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper J3C-65 · Gainesville, FLNTSB CHI71AC026Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310D · Watertown, WINTSB MIA71AM032Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Mussella, GANTSB IAD71AI012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · New Castle, DENTSB DEN71AD015Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech B35 · Evanston, WYNTSB LAX71AL018Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Rialto, CANTSB SEA71DWA21Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Meacham, ORNTSB OAK71FXQ20Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Tuscarora, NVNTSB NYC71AN041Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · No.Windham, CTNTSB LAX71DUJ28Accident · Minor injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Willcox, AZNTSB SEA71AS017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Spencer, IDNTSB LAX71AL013Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech V35 · Capistrno Bch, CANTSB MIA71AM028Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Gates, TNNTSB FTW71AF012Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Aledo, TXNTSB FTW71AN037Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Montgomery, NYNTSB OAK71FVW11Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269B · Caliente, NVNTSB MKC71AK014Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Aldrich, MONTSB MIA71AM024Accident · 1 fatalClosedBrittnorman BN-2A · Orocovis, PRNTSB LAX71AL011Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Alpine, AZNTSB CHI71AC018Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech J35 · Plain, WINTSB DEN71AD010Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182N · Escalante, UTNTSB UNK70X0113Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Mason City, IANTSB OAK71AP010Accident · 1 fatalClosedMaule M4-220 · San Ardo, CA