# Fatal NTSB investigations: Aircraft maintenance event

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

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## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB ERA14FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA049.md): Piper PA-23-160 · Graniteville, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2013 · N4016P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper maintenance of the airplane's fuel system, which resulted a loss of power in the left engine due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed following the loss of engine power, which…
- [NTSB WPR13FA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA417.md): Bell UH-1V · Cordes Lakes, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2013 · N22490 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper maintenance on the helicopter’s main rotor blade pitch control system, which resulted in an in-flight loss of main rotor blade pitch control, mast bumping, and mast failure.
- [NTSB CEN13LA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA433.md): Clayton Gerald H Glastar GS-1 · Columbus, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2013 · N513GC · Destroyed
  > Slippage in the engine clutch and gear reduction module and a resultant uncommanded movement of the propeller blades into reverse thrust.
- [NTSB ERA13FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA186.md): Robinson R44 · Miami, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2013 · N3101H · Destroyed
  > The mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN13FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA075.md): Hughes 369 · Childress, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2012 · N28MP · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the helicopter fuel system that resulted in erroneous fuel gauge indications and the pilot’s inadequate fuel management, both of which resulted in fuel exhaustion during a long-line hover. Also causal was the lack of company…
- [NTSB ERA12FA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA514.md): Socata TB 10 · Shirley, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2012 · N5542Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies, and the mechanic's failure to reattach the mixture control cable to the mixture control arm following maintenance of the carburetor.
- [NTSB ERA12FA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA395.md): Remos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau Remos GX · Westminster, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2012 · N206GX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to ensure that the elevator quick-fastener was properly secured, resulting in an inflight elevator control disconnect and subsequent loss of control during the ensuing emergency landing. Contributing…
- [NTSB DCA12FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12FA076.md): Hawker Hawker Hunter MK.58A · Point Mugu, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 2012 · N329AX · Destroyed
  > the pilot's decision to continue the flight with a known fuel imbalance condition that resulted in a loss of lateral control when the imbalance exceeded the known capabilities of the airplane. The fuel imbalance was due to incomplete refueling and an…
- [NTSB ERA12FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA280.md): Manzitto Michael A Mwlancair 235 · Hudson, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2012 · N235MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the airplane with known electrical system problems, which resulted in the in-flight failure of the electrical wiring interconnect system, loss of electrical power, and subsequent fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA12LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA141.md): Bowers Fly Baby 1-A · Jefferson, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2012 · N4626 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Also causal was the partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the improper installation of a magneto. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB DCA12MA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12MA020.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Dec 8, 2011 · N37SH · Destroyed
  > Sundance Helicopters’ inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, including (1) the improper reuse of a degraded self-locking nut, (2) the improper or lack of installation of a split pin, and (3) inadequate postmaintenance inspections, which resulted in the…
- [NTSB ERA12FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA017.md): Luscombe 8A · Dixie, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2011 · N41907 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the No. 2 cylinder’s connecting rod, which resulted in the disconnection of the rod and a subsequent loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454.md): North American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NV · Accident · 11 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 16, 2011 · N79111 · Substantial damage
  > The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate…
- [NTSB ERA11FA458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA458.md): Cessna 310Q · Tupelo, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2011 · N444YM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed reaction in performing the engine failure procedures and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper torquing of the B-nut…
- [NTSB ERA11FA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA406.md): Mooney M20K · Augusta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2011 · N777CV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane after maintenance personnel advised him that the airplane should not be flown because the pilot provided an incorrect propeller for installation and the subsequent failure of the propeller attachment bolts and the…
- [NTSB WPR10FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA163.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Morton, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2010 · N224GS · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure a fitting cap on the throttle and metering assembly inlet after conducting a fuel system pressure check, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN10FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA107.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 2010 · N145AG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of aircraft control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA009.md): Piper PA-12 · Burlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2009 · N2087C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's in-flight loss of control due to his failure to correctly connect the elevator control cables during the restoration/rebuild of the airplane. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's decision to perform a high-speed taxi test prior to having…
- [NTSB WPR09FA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA398.md): Cessna 152 · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2009 · N67361 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Also causal was the failure of the left magneto due to improper assembly of the drive gear during installation on the…
- [NTSB ERA09LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA184.md): Kevin Eldredge Stewart · Ocala, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2009 · N551X · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to contamination and clogging of the fuel system by a post-assembly fuel tank sealant.
- [NTSB ERA09FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA029.md): Piper PA-24 · Red Hill, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2008 · N8820P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to an improper repair to the stabilator, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the stabilator. Contributing to the accident was the descent in turbulence, at airspeeds above the maximum structural…
- [NTSB WPR09LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA022.md): Stinson 108-1 · Concrete, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2008 · N97946 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during initial climb due to the pilot's improper exhaust system maintenance, which resulted in restriction of the carburetor's air intake.
- [NTSB DCA08MA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA08MA098.md): Learjet LR60 · Columbia, SC · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 20, 2008 · N999LJ · Destroyed
  > The operator’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane’s tires, which resulted in multiple tire failures during takeoff roll due to severe underinflation, and the captain’s execution of a rejected takeoff (RTO) after V1, which was inconsistent with her…
- [NTSB CHI08MA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08MA270.md): Convair CV-580 · Columbus, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2008 · N587X · Destroyed
  > The improper (reverse) rigging of the elevator trim cables by company maintenance personnel, and their subsequent failure to discover the misrigging during required post-maintenance checks. Contributing to the accident was the captain’s inadequate…
- [NTSB LAX08LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA274.md): Killgore Velocity · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2008 · N415MK · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to the detachment of the engine supercharger drive belt. The detachment resulted from the owner/builder's inadequate installation of the supercharger system and belt-tensioning adjustment.
- [NTSB MIA08FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA122.md): Yates Lancair IV-P · Springfield, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2008 · N441L · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a loss of engine oil as a result of the installation of the wrong oil adapter O-ring seal.
- [NTSB CHI08FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA146.md): Piper PA28 · Hillsboro, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 30, 2008 · N9376W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an in-flight fire as a result of a corrosion hole in the muffler that was not identified by the mechanic. Contributing to the accident was the improper emergency procedure performed for an…
- [NTSB NYC08LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA165.md): Dragon Fly GT-500 · Paris, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2008 · N101GP · Substantial damage
  > A fuel system configuration that was not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's published guidance, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB LAX08LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA063.md): Wilson RV-7 · Nevada City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2008 · N331KM · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the fuel pump, leading to a fatigue failure of the pump's lever arm and subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '040' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence?fatal=1&page=2

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