NTSB investigations, 1979

93 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations, 1979 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\") = 1979
    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 SEA80FTA07Accident · 1 fatalClosedScorpion 133 · Nashua, MTDec 29, 1979 · NONE · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA017Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Shawnee, KSDec 23, 1979 · N7253M · DestroyedNTSB DEN80FA014Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Grand Lake, CODec 23, 1979 · N2013P · Substantial damageNTSB MKC80FA016Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150G · Anthony, KSDec 22, 1979 · N8409J · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA028Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 65-90 · Leeville, LADec 22, 1979 · N724N · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA021Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Woodbine, GADec 21, 1979 · N3802W · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA027Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172H · Moshiem, TXDec 21, 1979 · N1792F · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA021Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Sonora, TXDec 15, 1979 · N57329 · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FA023Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Huntington Bch, CADec 9, 1979 · N20647 · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FA011Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech V35A · Sublett, IDDec 7, 1979 · N7950R · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 177 · Gary, INDec 1, 1979 · N10412 · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FA009Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Grass Valley, ORNov 28, 1979 · N7090V · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA019Accident · 1 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Post Oak, TXNov 26, 1979 · N234MA · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA010Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Columbus, NENov 25, 1979 · N6496Y · DestroyedNTSB IAD80FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Locust Grove, VANov 25, 1979 · N7650D · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA015Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G3B1 · Farewell, AKNov 24, 1979 · N73249 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI80FEV07Accident · 1 fatalClosedAmerican AA-1B · Charleston, ILNov 22, 1979 · N6245L · DestroyedNTSB MKC80FA007Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Mountain View, MONov 21, 1979 · N732EH · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FPM03Accident · 1 fatalClosedBenson B8M · Sand Springs, OKNov 19, 1979 · N6933 · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA012Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-20 · Palmer, AKNov 15, 1979 · N9710D · Substantial damageNTSB UNK80X0102Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Melvin, IANov 11, 1979 · N2181D · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20E · Mammoth Lakes, CANov 3, 1979 · N1942Y · Substantial damageNTSB IAD80AA008Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna P337H · Benson, NCNov 2, 1979 · N5KN · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA008Accident · 1 fatalClosedBeech C55 · Fordyce, AROct 25, 1979 · N9466S · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FA006Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Fall Creek, WIOct 20, 1979 · N5072R · DestroyedNTSB SEA80FA003Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 182L · Macks Inn, IDOct 15, 1979 · N42641 · DestroyedNTSB DEN80FA003Accident · 8 fatalClosedCessna T210N · Gunnison, COOct 14, 1979 · N7618N · DestroyedNTSB CHI80FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ganges, MIOct 10, 1979 · N8437P · DestroyedNTSB IAD80FA002Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20J · Pikeville, TNOct 4, 1979 · N201YY · DestroyedNTSB ANC80FA001Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 207 · Juneau, AKOct 3, 1979 · N1726U · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA131Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Orlando, FLSep 30, 1979 · N6116H · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA081Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Porcupine, WISep 23, 1979 · N7853E · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA087Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 175 · Hollister, CASep 21, 1979 · N9466B · DestroyedNTSB FTW79FA108Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-31 · Luling, LASep 20, 1979 · N27614 · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA125Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 369HS · Jacksonville, FLSep 19, 1979 · N8623F · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA122Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Alma, GASep 16, 1979 · N15029 · DestroyedNTSB NYC79FA090Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · No.Whitehall, PASep 5, 1979 · N6275W · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA079Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 310 · Blue Ridge, INAug 29, 1979 · N69618 · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FUG52Accident · 2 fatalClosedRand KR-2 · Thermal, CAAug 22, 1979 · N8029Y · DestroyedNTSB FTW79DRA36Accident · No injuriesClosedGrum-Amer AA-5A · Brenham, TXAug 11, 1979 · N26302 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW79DA100Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 206B · Morgan City, LAAug 11, 1979 · N5018F · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA065Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Jenkins, KYJul 26, 1979 · N9138B · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA061Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Brocton, ILJul 26, 1979 · N6217U · DestroyedNTSB MIA79FA107Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Huntsville, ALJul 21, 1979 · N9181K · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA061Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Kitty Hawk, NCJul 4, 1979 · N20739 · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA057Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-22 · St Charles, ILJul 4, 1979 · N3027Z · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA052Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172M · Chenoa, ILJul 3, 1979 · N64168 · DestroyedNTSB NYC79FA049Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Flushing, NYJun 18, 1979 · N9283C · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FA053Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Mackville, KYJun 1, 1979 · N1667E · DestroyedNTSB IAD79FKW14Accident · No injuriesClosedSchleicher KA8B · Benton, TNMay 26, 1979 · N170DR · Destroyed