NTSB investigations, 1981

97 cases where the phase of flight was Uncontrolled descent.

Cases per year

19622026
NTSB investigations, 1981 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\") = 1981
    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 NYC82FA014Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-23 · Owego, NYDec 31, 1981 · N22P · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FA032Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech 58 · Elko, NVDec 29, 1981 · N1537W · DestroyedNTSB MIA82DKA04Accident · 1 fatalClosedBensen B-8M · Sandin, PRDec 25, 1981 · N4627 · DestroyedNTSB FTW82FRG19Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 152 · Christine, TXDec 22, 1981 · N4856B · DestroyedNTSB MKC82FA012Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Hillsboro, KSDec 13, 1981 · N734EF · DestroyedNTSB SEA82FA012Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Brogan, ORDec 12, 1981 · N4041R · DestroyedNTSB MIA82FA019Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-60 · Sebastian (Atlantic Ocean)Dec 8, 1981 · N6897X · DestroyedNTSB SEA82FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mill City, ORDec 6, 1981 · N8415W · DestroyedNTSB SEA82FA007Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Longview, WANov 29, 1981 · N54440 · DestroyedNTSB FTW82FA025Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Ruidoso, NMNov 27, 1981 · N43981 · DestroyedNTSB MKC82FA009Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 177A · Ellinwood, KSNov 25, 1981 · N30288 · DestroyedNTSB MKC82FA006Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172N · Prairie City, IANov 24, 1981 · N737RM · DestroyedNTSB DEN82FA010Accident · 1 fatalClosedMooney M-21 · La Veta, CONov 24, 1981 · N9777M · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FA019Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210 · Susanville, CANov 22, 1981 · N5181V · DestroyedNTSB MIA82FA112Accident · 2 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Jacksonville, FLNov 19, 1981 · N750MA · DestroyedNTSB ATL82AA019Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper Advcd PAT-1 · Mathews, VANov 19, 1981 · N15PT · DestroyedNTSB CHI82FA013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 170B · Onamia, MNNov 15, 1981 · N3502C · DestroyedNTSB NYC82FGT04Accident · 1 fatalClosedCarver HP-14B · Altoona, PANov 7, 1981 · N3320X · DestroyedNTSB MKC82FA003Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 182P · Essex, IAOct 30, 1981 · N9906E · DestroyedNTSB FTW82FA017Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206L-1 · Ingleside, TXOct 30, 1981 · N5751N · DestroyedNTSB CHI82FA009Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Kerrick, MNOct 30, 1981 · N8898P · DestroyedNTSB ATL82FKQ06Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech 77 · Brandon, MSOct 23, 1981 · N6754D · DestroyedNTSB CHI82FA007Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Kokomo, INOct 22, 1981 · N21766 · DestroyedNTSB CHI82FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedBLN Works FF-7 · Delaware, OHOct 17, 1981 · N1247F · Substantial damageNTSB FTW82FA009Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Hale Center, TXOct 12, 1981 · N82195 · DestroyedNTSB FTW82FA001Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210L · Clyde, TXOct 6, 1981 · N5431V · DestroyedNTSB ATL82FA004Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Winchester, VAOct 6, 1981 · N8398N · DestroyedNTSB DCA82AA001Accident · 3 fatalClosedLearjet 24 · Felt, OKOct 1, 1981 · N44CJ · DestroyedNTSB DEN81FA068Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna T210L · Big Timber, MTSep 25, 1981 · N94136 · DestroyedNTSB SEA81FA057Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 210A · Woodland, WASep 20, 1981 · N6653X · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA117Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 150 · Homestead, FLSep 19, 1981 · N1502Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX81FA125Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna T310P · San Bernardino, CASep 11, 1981 · N5705M · DestroyedNTSB DEN81AA064Accident · 5 fatalClosedMitsubishi MU-2B · Riverton, WYSep 6, 1981 · N3ED · DestroyedNTSB FTW81FA132Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32R · Mount Hermon, LAAug 16, 1981 · N304FW · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA108Accident · 5 fatalClosedAero Comdr 685 · Wrens, GAAug 14, 1981 · N8007H · DestroyedNTSB LAX81FA116Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA-5B · Vancouver, WAAug 13, 1981 · N1565R · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA106Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Camilla, GAAug 9, 1981 · N8470F · DestroyedNTSB ANC81FA093Accident · Serious injuriesClosedDehavilland DHC-2 · Ketchikan, AKAug 7, 1981 · N31618 · DestroyedNTSB CHI81FA083Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20C · Plymouth, OHAug 3, 1981 · N6698U · DestroyedNTSB CHI81FA085Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Chicago, ILAug 2, 1981 · N7631J · DestroyedNTSB CHI81FA082Accident · 2 fatalClosedBellanca 7ECA · Delevan, ILAug 2, 1981 · N86580 · DestroyedNTSB ANC81FAA22Accident · Minor injuriesClosedPiper PA-22 · Hess Creek, AKAug 2, 1981 · N8728D · Substantial damageNTSB FTW81FA128Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Mcalester, OKJul 30, 1981 · N2209Z · DestroyedNTSB ANC81FA085Accident · 2 fatalClosedMooney M20K · Talkeetna, AKJul 28, 1981 · N231PY · DestroyedNTSB MKC81FA044Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-28R · Colo, IAJul 25, 1981 · N16328 · DestroyedNTSB MKC81FA043Accident · 4 fatalClosedBeech 58TC · Kansas City, KSJul 23, 1981 · N17705 · DestroyedNTSB ATL81FA100Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Center Grove, TNJul 23, 1981 · N5472P · DestroyedNTSB CHI81FA079Accident · 3 fatalClosedAero Comdr 100 · Columbia Stat, OHJul 21, 1981 · N3732X · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FA096Accident · 3 fatalClosedBeech B95 · Titusville, FLJul 19, 1981 · N27GD · DestroyedNTSB MIA81FLD53Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Tampa, FLJul 12, 1981 · N5319H · Destroyed