# 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. Page 4 of 10 · 484 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB WPR18LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA221.md): Hughes 369 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2018 · N369MH · Substantial damage > The operator's improper installation of the tail rotor (TR) teeter bearings, which resulted in cascading in-flight failures of the TR components and attach hardware. - [NTSB ANC18LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA058.md): Robinson R44 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2018 · N744AK · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's application of insufficient preload on the attachment hardware for the idler gear shaft during engine overhaul, which resulted in the dismounting of the idler gear shaft assembly due to wear and deformation and the subsequent total… - [NTSB CEN18LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA300.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Le Sueur, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N9005T · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight fuel planning, during which he did not visually check the fuel quantity in the fuel tanks and instead relied on the fuel gauges that were showing erroneous fuel quantity indications, which resulted in fuel… - [NTSB CEN18LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA276.md): Beech V35 · Katy, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2018 · N228Q · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to remove a paper towel from the engine during recent maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation, the failure of a connecting rod, and a catastrophic engine failure and subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN18LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA275.md): Whittman Tailwind · Orient, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2018 · N619NT · Substantial damage > The pilot’s and the flight instructor's incorrect use of the modified mixture control, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing. Also causal was the inadequate systems knowledge of the experimental, amateur-built… - [NTSB WPR18FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA171.md): Beech A35 · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N580B · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted return to the airport following the separation of the spinner bulkhead during takeoff as a result of fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly… - [NTSB ERA18LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA178.md): Piper PA 34-200 · Umatilla, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2018 · N56213 · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel ‘s failure to complete and verify the proper installation of the main landing gear (MLG) torque links’ attachment hardware, which resulted in the right MLG torque link disconnecting and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain… - [NTSB ERA18LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA165.md): Cessna 182 · Arecibo, PR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2018 · N3889D · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly apply torque to the engine through bolts, which ultimately resulted in the crankshaft failure and the total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ANC18LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA043.md): Cessna 210 · Ramona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2018 · N9410M · Substantial damage > The failure of the engine-driven hydraulic pump due to the installation of improper cap screws, which resulted in a gap in the pump housing, a subsequent hydraulic leak, and the landing gear collapsing. - [NTSB WPR18FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA143.md): I.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N38ES · Destroyed > The pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance. - [NTSB ERA18FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA146.md): Beech 35A33 · Jacksonville, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 2018 · N486T · Destroyed > The pilot/mechanic's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, including the left muffler and heat exchanger, which precluded his detection of preexisting cracks and led to a missed opportunity to replace the components. The inadequate inspection allowed… - [NTSB ERA18FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA138.md): Piper PA32 · West Milford, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N4153R · Destroyed > An in-flight fire and total loss of engine power after takeoff due to a loose fuel line. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved fuel line by unknown personnel. - [NTSB ERA18FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA137.md): Piper PA28R · Gainesville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2018 · N4363F · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to inadequate thru-bolt and stud preload tension by undetermined maintenance personnel, which resulted in fretting between the engine crankcase halves, and the subsequent separation of the No. 2 cylinder due to the fatigue… - [NTSB ERA18LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA135.md): Heard Alan E Mosquito XE · Albion, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 24, 2018 · N911CY · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent, improper configuration of the engine fuel system, which resulted in an excessively lean air-to-fuel ratio and resulted in a loss of engine power; and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain main rotor rpm following the loss of… - [NTSB ERA18FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA084.md): Piper PA28 · Bonifay, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2018 · N3568K · Destroyed > A partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate an airplane with a known mechanical deficiency and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern that would have allowed the… - [NTSB WPR18FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA088.md): Hastings Thomas G Cirrus VK 30 · Agua Dulce, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2018 · N52TH · Substantial damage > The driveshaft fracture due to overstress loading and rotational bending as a result of the under-torqued nuts on the elastomeric couplings backing off and the subsequent in-flight separation of the horizontal fairing due to contact with the separated end of… - [NTSB ERA18IA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18IA078.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 · Memphis, TN · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Incident · Final report · Jan 28, 2018 · N894GT · Minor damage > The pilot’s failure to lock the collective pitch control after landing, and the mechanic’s failure to properly balance the collective pitch control after converting the helicopter to a single-pilot configuration, which resulted in an uncommanded collective… - [NTSB ANC18LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA020.md): Eurocopter France SA330J Puma · Pacific Ocean, Japan · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 2018 · N339EV · Substantial damage > The worn rear bearing of the freewheel unit. Contributing to the accident was the delay in analyzing an oil sample, which would have detected the increase in metal contaminants from the worn bearing. - [NTSB CEN18LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA084.md): Beech A36 · Abilene, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2018 · N3600A · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s improper maintenance of the engine, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure due the shifting/slipping of the No. 2 bearing and the subsequent oil starvation and total loss of engine power during cruise flight. - [NTSB WPR18LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA070.md): Piper PA 32-300 · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2018 · N4027W · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot/owner to ensure that the airplane was airworthy before flight. - [NTSB CEN18CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18CA072.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Norfolk, NE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 5, 2018 · N214AM · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the tail rotor drive shaft cover, which resulted in the cover departing the helicopter in flight. - [NTSB ANC18LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA018.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2006 · Lynchburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Jan 1, 2018 · N594MA · Substantial damage > The failure of the left main landing gear assembly due to a fatigue fracture along the inside circumferential weld on the trailing arm’s attachment flange, which resulted from the manufacturer’s inadequate welding of the trailing arm connecting the lower arm… - [NTSB CEN18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA032.md): Cessna T207A · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2017 · N9825M · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper in-flight fuel management and reliance on a faulty fuel gauge, which resulted in fuel starvation during approach for landing, and his failure to follow the emergency checklist after losing engine power. - [NTSB WPR18LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA018.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Blythe, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 3, 2017 · N418CP · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque an oil supply line fitting, which resulted in oil starvation, a subsequent engine failure, and an off-airport landing. - [NTSB ERA17FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA327.md): Mooney M20C · North Branford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N53CP · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss… - [NTSB CEN17LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA351.md): Cessna 340 · McKinney, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2017 · N5870M · Substantial damage > The failure of the bell crank pivot bolt which resulted in the left main landing gear collapse. Contributing to the accident was the lack of landing gear inspections in accordance with the airplane manufacturer's maintenance manuals. - [NTSB WPR17LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA190.md): Beech M35 · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2017 · N339Z · Substantial damage > The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector valve during a tank switch, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the worn condition of the fuel selector valve handle position detents and… - [NTSB ERA17LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA287.md): Cessna R182 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2017 · N9155C · Substantial damage > The improper maintenance of the landing gear system and subsequent failure of the hydraulic landing gear down return line, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the pilot’s inability to extend and lock the main landing gear. - [NTSB ERA17LA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA277.md): Piper PA28 · Canton, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2017 · N2804T · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's failure to ensure the proper throttle linkage travel clearance after the installation of an exhaust system. - [NTSB ERA17LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA275.md): Piper J3C · Salisbury, CT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2017 · N98550 · Substantial damage > An improper replacement of the crankshaft by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a failure of the crankshaft gear and total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN17LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA304.md): Roger M Allen RA2 · Hector, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2017 · N952RA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick hardware, which resulted in a loss of elevator control in flight. - [NTSB CEN17LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA312.md): Ralph Marine Devil DOG · Danville, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N165AB · Substantial damage > A separation of the left tire from its wheel because of the use of an improper substance and wheel size, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. - [NTSB WPR17LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA172.md): Cessna T210F · Llano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2017 · N6109R · Substantial damage > A failure of the turbocharger that resulted in complete depletion of the engine oil and catastrophic internal failure of the engine. Contributing to the accident was improper and/or incomplete maintenance and inspection of the turbocharger. - [NTSB ERA17TA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17TA233.md): Lawrence O Nolte Zodiac CH650B · Dover, PA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N650LN · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power as a result of the loss of all electric fuel pumps due to a loss of electric power because of the installation of an improper battery on the airplane and the use of improper charging cables on the battery. - [NTSB CEN17LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA228.md): Thompson Angel Hawk II · Homer, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N335JT · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the engine’s unresolved high operating temperatures, which resulted in failure of the distributor rotor and drive shaft, and the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during the subsequent forced landing, which resulted in… - [NTSB CEN17LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA206.md): Kenneth B Hines Nieuport 28 · Boonville, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2017 · N6165 · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to a compromised induction system. - [NTSB CEN17FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA207.md): Varga 2150A · Bowling Green, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2017 · N4635V · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of control due to impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the heat exchanger and the failure of maintenance personnel to adequately inspect and repair or replace the exchanger during the… - [NTSB WPR17FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA108.md): Piper PA 30 · Haines, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2017 · N7376Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to turn toward the inoperative engine after conducting a low-level pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform the flight and the engine… - [NTSB CEN17LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA174.md): Bell 407 · Venice, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2017 · N457PH · Substantial damage > An in-flight separation of the tip block from the tail rotor blade due to an inadequate blade repair, which resulted in a rotor imbalance sufficient to crack the gearbox attachment studs and gearbox support assembly, and inadequate postrepair test procedures,… - [NTSB CEN17LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA178.md): Cessna 182G · Manistee, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2017 · N2056R · Substantial damage > The failure of the airplane owner and maintenance personnel to follow the propeller manufacturer's recommend overhaul schedule, which resulted in a fatigue fracture of the propeller blade actuating pin and a loss of thrust in flight. - [NTSB WPR17LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA087.md): Titan Tornado I · Spanaway, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2017 · N5131H · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s improper attachment of the aileron system components, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain flight control. - [NTSB CEN17LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA150.md): Piper PA 28R-201 · Pontiac, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 9, 2017 · N36458 · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s improper securing of an unused instrument lamp socket during recent maintenance, which resulted in an electrical short of the landing gear controls and stopped the landing gear while it was transitioning to the down position and led to… - [NTSB ERA17FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA148.md): Piper PA 12 · Sanford, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2017 · N3280M · Destroyed > The incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate… - [NTSB CEN17FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA139.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Stonewall, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2017 · N4329T · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point following a loss of engine power and his inability to stop the airplane on the short, soft runway. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the airplane by the owner and the mechanic… - [NTSB WPR17LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA078.md): Swearingen SA226 · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2017 · N158WA · Substantial damage > Company maintenance personnel's failure to remove a screwdriver that was left lodged in the windshield wiper area of the forward fuselage during maintenance and subsequently became dislodged on takeoff/initial climb and collided with a left propeller blade. - [NTSB WPR17FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA074.md): Quicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to identify and correct his construction error of a critical structural component, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of multiple… - [NTSB ERA17LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA130.md): Socata TB20 · Melbourne, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2017 · N2519T · Substantial damage > Improper installation of the circlip within the nose gear strut, which resulted in the strut overextending in the wheel well and preventing the nose landing gear from extending during landing. - [NTSB ERA17LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA116.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Chatham, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2017 · N44EK · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft gear bolt during major overhaul, which resulted in the crankshaft gear disengaging from the accessory gears of the engine and a subsequent loss of power. - [NTSB ERA17LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA110.md): Piper PA28R · Bayonne, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N15745 · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the No. 3 cylinder’s hydraulic valve tappet plunger, which resulted in a failure of the No. 3 cylinder’s intake valve and the subsequent partial loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN17LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA070.md): Aeronca 15AC · Pontiac, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2016 · N1337H · Substantial damage > The improper installation of the left wheel brake torque plate by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the separation of the torque plate from the axle endplate and a loss of directional control during landing. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?page=5 ## 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."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?page=4 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.