NTSB investigations, 1973

117 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations, 1973 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\") = 1973
    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 IAD74AI037Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 7KCAB · Munfordville, KYDec 29, 1973 · N711RD · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC054Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech A23A · Cabery, ILDec 28, 1973 · N2303W · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP025Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech C35 · Kings Ldg, CADec 26, 1973 · N68626 · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK035Accident · 6 fatalClosedBeech 95-55 · New Salem, NDDec 24, 1973 · N9385Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF044Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Weatherford, OKDec 18, 1973 · N14099 · DestroyedNTSB OAK74DXQ17Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-28R · Lake Tahoe, CADec 16, 1973 · N5146S · Substantial damageNTSB MKC74AK032Accident · 1 fatalClosedBellanca 7GCBC · Lebanon, SDDec 15, 1973 · N12201 · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK030Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech A45 · Cabool, MODec 12, 1973 · N12271 · DestroyedNTSB SEA74FYE31Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 337A · Maynard, WADec 11, 1973 · N5313S · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL043Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 23 · Gorman, CANov 30, 1973 · N2360Z · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF037Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180B · Enid, OKNov 23, 1973 · N5083E · DestroyedNTSB ANC74AA047Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 180C · Anchorage, AKNov 23, 1973 · N4669S · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF036Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Slidell, LANov 22, 1973 · N6629J · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK025Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Columbia, MONov 19, 1973 · N2307T · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL038Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech 95-C55 · Kayenta, AZNov 18, 1973 · N2077W · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK023Accident · 1 fatalClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Fairbury, NENov 14, 1973 · N5041M · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK022Accident · 2 fatalClosedMaule M4-220 · Independence, IANov 14, 1973 · N40320 · DestroyedNTSB DEN74AD022Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Roswell, NMNov 9, 1973 · N9001P · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM040Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Columbus, MSNov 7, 1973 · N9508W · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF028Accident · 1 fatalClosedN.American AT-6G · Paris, TXNov 5, 1973 · N2885G · DestroyedNTSB IAD74AI025Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Cromwell, KYNov 4, 1973 · N3361X · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF035Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Cherokee, TXNov 4, 1973 · N79049 · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC038Accident · 2 fatalClosedAerostar 601 · Raymond, OHNov 3, 1973 · N7430S · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL029Accident · 5 fatalClosedRyan Navion F · Signal Hill, CAOct 21, 1973 · N5227K · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM039Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Kissimmee, FLOct 18, 1973 · N46575 · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM034Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Fort Pierce, FLOct 18, 1973 · N15482 · Substantial damageNTSB IAD74AI021Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lewisburg, TNOct 13, 1973 · N7108T · DestroyedNTSB LAX74OL033Accident · 9 fatalClosedSikorsky S-62A · Requena, PeruOct 11, 1973 · N316Y · Substantial damageNTSB FTW74AF021Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182A · Quail, TXOct 10, 1973 · N9970B · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC035Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20A · Summitville, OHOct 10, 1973 · N6034X · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK017Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Cassoday, KSOct 9, 1973 · N6985U · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC032Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150F · Columbiana, OHOct 8, 1973 · N8059F · DestroyedNTSB DEN74AD014Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182 · Artesia, NMOct 6, 1973 · N71227 · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC029Accident · 1 fatalClosedAerostar 601 · Chicago, ILOct 3, 1973 · N8MW · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK014Accident · 1 fatalClosedTaylorcraft BC12-D · Slayton, MNOct 2, 1973 · N96184 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX74AL024Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · Grover City, CASep 29, 1973 · N3116Z · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK013Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Council Bluf, IASep 28, 1973 · N5547P · DestroyedNTSB OAK74FVD07Accident · 1 fatalClosedW.Marra Driftr · Fremont, CASep 23, 1973 · N72WM · DestroyedNTSB CHI74AC025Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 411 · Delavan, WISep 21, 1973 · N3243R · DestroyedNTSB ANC74AA035Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150L · Birchwood, AKSep 18, 1973 · N5352Q · DestroyedNTSB ANC74AA032Accident · 2 fatalClosedGlobe GC-1B · Eureka Lodge, AKSep 15, 1973 · N3822K · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM022Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna TU206C · Laurel, MSSep 11, 1973 · 8R-GDF · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK011Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 180 · Wessington, SDSep 8, 1973 · N9170C · DestroyedNTSB MKC74AK010Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 182B · Leawood, KSSep 7, 1973 · N2430G · DestroyedNTSB LAX74DUJ16Accident · No injuriesClosedGrumman G-164A · Arlington, AZAug 27, 1973 · N4897 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC74AN014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Huntingdon Vly, PAAug 13, 1973 · N7060G · DestroyedNTSB MIA74AM014Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Gulfport, MSAug 12, 1973 · N6993P · DestroyedNTSB ANC74AA020Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Anaktuvuk Ps, AKAug 10, 1973 · N1372C · Substantial damageNTSB CHI74AC012Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182J · Chicago, ILAug 6, 1973 · N3147F · DestroyedNTSB LAX74AL008Accident · 1 fatalClosedLuscombe 8A · Ventura, CAAug 4, 1973 · N1183B · Destroyed