NTSB investigations, 1972

135 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations, 1972 per year, 1962–2026: 2,192 cases
1964101
1965119
1966119
1967125
1968142
1969127
1970125
1971136
1972135
1973117
1974103
197599
197692
1977118
1978102
197993
198085
198197
19823
19835
19846
198514
19865
19879
19893
19906
19917
19929
19936
19942
19955
19972
19985
19994
20007
20015
20024
20033
20044
20053
20064
20071
20085
20091
20103
20114
20122
20132
20155
20161
20181
20192
20211
20221
20244
20252
20261

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\") = 1972
    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 DCA73AZ005Accident · 99 fatalClosedLockheed 1011 · Miami, FLDec 29, 1972 · N310EA · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD029Accident · 7 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Kearney, NEDec 28, 1972 · N8915N · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC060Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Paragon, INDec 25, 1972 · N8885N · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK045Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · St.Charles, MODec 22, 1972 · N7571J · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO64Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Shellman, GADec 20, 1972 · N2691C · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Cleveland, TXDec 20, 1972 · N8589U · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF031Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Grand Prairie, TXDec 20, 1972 · N9677W · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN091Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Malone, NYDec 19, 1972 · N5754K · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK042Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Concordia, KSDec 19, 1972 · N46155 · DestroyedNTSB CHI73AC058Accident · 2 fatalClosedLear 23 · Romulus, MIDec 15, 1972 · N20M · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM060Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 58 · Anderson, SCDec 10, 1972 · N1643W · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN081Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Grand Tower, ILDec 8, 1972 · N4235T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL025Accident · 1 fatalClosedStinson 108 · Ukiah, CADec 5, 1972 · N97366 · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL023Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Dragoon, AZDec 5, 1972 · N5009S · DestroyedNTSB SEA73ASO13Accident · 1 fatalClosedLuscombe 8A · Ellensburg, WANov 28, 1972 · N1170B · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS015Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Bend, ORNov 26, 1972 · N4447J · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73DKW11Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 177 · Flagpond, TNNov 25, 1972 · N2360Y · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73AMO52Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Porterdale, GANov 19, 1972 · N9397G · DestroyedNTSB DCA73A0002Accident · 11 fatalClosedBeech G18S · Elkton, KYNov 17, 1972 · N2700S · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK039Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Fremont, NENov 12, 1972 · N5095P · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AFO18Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182K · Eliasville, TXNov 12, 1972 · N657AK · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AMO49Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 310Q · Montgomery, ALNov 10, 1972 · N7798Q · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150D · Wellman, IANov 9, 1972 · N5913T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL022Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35C33A · Santa Ynez, CANov 7, 1972 · N7953M · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF017Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680 · Dallas, TXNov 6, 1972 · N6204D · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD021Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Lindon, CONov 6, 1972 · N5006B · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK036Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Long Pine, NENov 5, 1972 · N7704F · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN063Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Mariaville, NYNov 4, 1972 · N3075R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK035Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 320F · Ashland, KSNov 4, 1972 · N9900X · DestroyedNTSB ANC73AAO32Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18A · Portage, AKNov 4, 1972 · N7287D · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD019Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 35 · Bloomfield, NMOct 29, 1972 · N3100V · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN058Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Candia, NHOct 28, 1972 · N844A · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN056Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 206A · Graysonville, MDOct 28, 1972 · N4069G · DestroyedNTSB NYC73AN055Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Keyser, WVOct 28, 1972 · N917HP · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM041Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-1 · Ocala, FLOct 16, 1972 · N8529K · DestroyedNTSB MIA73AM044Accident · 2 fatalClosedAero Comdr 680-E · No.Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)Oct 12, 1972 · N4900 · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL015Accident · 1 fatalClosedAero Comdr 200D · Wittmann, AZOct 6, 1972 · N2906T · DestroyedNTSB LAX73AL014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172F · Salome, AZOct 3, 1972 · N8342U · DestroyedNTSB DEN73AD013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 170A · Midwest, WYSep 25, 1972 · N1253D · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS007Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D55 · Mansfield, WASep 24, 1972 · N7705R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK023Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Lawton, NDSep 23, 1972 · N2900R · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK022Accident · 1 fatalClosedForney F-1A · Clearbrook, MNSep 19, 1972 · N3034G · DestroyedNTSB OAK73FXQ15Accident · 1 fatalClosedThomas BTS · Reno, NVSep 17, 1972 · N70TT · DestroyedNTSB NYC73ANO61Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Gaffney, SCSep 17, 1972 · N2218N · DestroyedNTSB CHI73DEP27Accident · No injuriesClosedGrumman G-164 · Antigo, WISep 11, 1972 · N73W · Substantial damageNTSB MIA73AM028Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney 101E · Perry, FLSep 9, 1972 · N5759Q · DestroyedNTSB SEA73AS005Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Ryderwood, WASep 8, 1972 · N3600W · DestroyedNTSB FTW73AF009Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech F35 · Ruston, LASep 4, 1972 · N5048B · DestroyedNTSB MKC73AK032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172L · Thayer, MOSep 1, 1972 · N2897Q · DestroyedNTSB CHI73DEC04Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269A · Troy, MIAug 26, 1972 · N8889F · Destroyed