NTSB investigations, 1977

118 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations, 1977 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\") = 1977
    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 SEA78FA015Accident · 2 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA-5A · Anaconda, MTDec 28, 1977 · N9968U · DestroyedNTSB ANC78DAG17Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 185D · Mt.Susitna, AKDec 27, 1977 · N1553F · Substantial damageNTSB MIA78DA025Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mayaguez (Atlantic Ocean)Dec 24, 1977 · N4901J · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA020Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Plantation, FLDec 23, 1977 · N10608 · DestroyedNTSB SEA78FA014Accident · 7 fatalClosedAero Cmdr 520 · Cheshire, ORDec 22, 1977 · C-GHUN · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FA015Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeagle B206 · Greenwich, CTDec 20, 1977 · N1008B · DestroyedNTSB ANC78FA005Accident · 2 fatalClosedHiller Acft FH1100 · Anchor Point, AKDec 19, 1977 · N18845 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78AF019Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Dauphin Island, ALDec 17, 1977 · N6589T · DestroyedNTSB MKC78DCJ07Accident · Minor injuriesClosedMooney M10 · Emerson, NEDec 16, 1977 · N9525V · Substantial damageNTSB MKC78FA012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Fordland, MODec 8, 1977 · N38775 · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA018Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Dickson, TNDec 4, 1977 · N75923 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA011Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech C33 · Canton, SDDec 1, 1977 · N9435S · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA016Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Reston, VANov 30, 1977 · N6241Y · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA009Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182M · Hill City, SDNov 29, 1977 · N71026 · DestroyedNTSB MIA78FA017Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lakeport, FLNov 29, 1977 · N5374W · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FA009Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · North Wales, PANov 23, 1977 · N1018L · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA005Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech E35 · Willows, CANov 21, 1977 · N3274C · DestroyedNTSB CHI788A011Accident · 5 fatalClosedBeech P35 · New Salem, INNov 17, 1977 · N9958Y · DestroyedNTSB SEA78FA008Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Newport, WANov 13, 1977 · C-GSKO · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedStinson 108-2 · Hope, NMNov 13, 1977 · N178C · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FPG05Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-24 · Booneville, ARNov 5, 1977 · N5581P · Substantial damageNTSB SEA78FA007Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Gales Creek, ORNov 4, 1977 · N2710Q · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA004Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Willits, CANov 4, 1977 · N7330G · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FA003Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Las Vegas, NVNov 4, 1977 · N5690V · DestroyedNTSB CHI78FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Columbus, OHNov 4, 1977 · N6221S · DestroyedNTSB NYC78FHM01Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 369D · Monmouth, NJOct 27, 1977 · N8605F · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lamar, MOOct 25, 1977 · N7983N · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA004Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Blair, NEOct 23, 1977 · N55184 · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedAmer Avco AA-1B · St Louis, MOOct 23, 1977 · N1473R · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA002Accident · 2 fatalClosedGrumann AA-5A · Pierce, NEOct 23, 1977 · N9762U · DestroyedNTSB FTW78FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-30 · Wetumka, OKOct 23, 1977 · N7623Y · DestroyedNTSB IAD78FA005Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech D35 · Livingston, KYOct 15, 1977 · N2982B · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA001Accident · 2 fatalClosedNavion A · Caldwell, KSOct 6, 1977 · N91482 · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA003Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Sheridan, WYOct 4, 1977 · N5581Q · DestroyedNTSB DEN78FA002Accident · 7 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Cedar Fort, UTSep 30, 1977 · N5400F · Substantial damageNTSB OAK77FA059Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Pahala, HISep 29, 1977 · N733FZ · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA090Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Water Valley, MSSep 24, 1977 · N6677G · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FEC48Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Romeo, MISep 24, 1977 · N5194S · DestroyedNTSB LAX77DUG63Accident · Serious injuriesClosedAero Comdr 600S2R · Blythe, CASep 23, 1977 · N5502X · DestroyedNTSB IAD77DKM33Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Bryson City, NCSep 23, 1977 · N1373Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI77FA073Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech C90 · Pontiac, ILSep 23, 1977 · N23796 · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA064Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Carlsbad, CASep 22, 1977 · N732GL · DestroyedNTSB OAK77FA054Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Soda Springs, CASep 17, 1977 · N30748 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA088Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lauderhill, FLSep 16, 1977 · N7645G · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA039Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Coldwater, KSSep 15, 1977 · N29358 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA087Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Jackson, MSSep 12, 1977 · N98039 · DestroyedNTSB FTW77FA074Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Idabel, OKSep 12, 1977 · N800SC · DestroyedNTSB IAD77FA064Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Harriman, TNSep 5, 1977 · N32044 · DestroyedNTSB MIA77FA083Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Lodge, SCSep 4, 1977 · N6334W · DestroyedNTSB MKC77FA037Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Eagle Butte, SDSep 3, 1977 · N7731W · Destroyed