# NTSB investigations, CA: 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR24LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA210.md): Lancair LC42-550FG · Humboldt Bay, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2024 · N141PB · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of an engine rocker cover gasket, which resulted in oil exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power during the initial climb. - [NTSB WPR23LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA349.md): Cessna 172N · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2023 · N733ZN · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps. - [NTSB WPR23LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA216.md): Cessna 172R · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2023 · N819KS · Substantial damage > A failure of the nose wheel upper torque link bolt, which resulted in a loss of steering control. Contributing to the accident were maintenance personnel’s failure to inspect and replace the fractured bolt and the pilot’s oversight of the bolt during his… - [NTSB WPR21LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA019.md): Glasair III · Hayward, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N1YX · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance and inspection of the fuel filter. - [NTSB WPR18LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA265.md): Schweizer 300CBi 269C1 · Granada Hills, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N2128T · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power that was the result of a loss of compression in the No. 1 and 4 cylinders due to damage and material separation from the exhaust valve heads, which resulted in a subsequent forced, hard landing. Contributing to the accident was… - [NTSB WPR18TA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA223.md): Zenair Zenith Stol CH750 · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 11, 2018 · N328SK · Substantial damage > The pilot's use of fuel below the required octane rating, which caused engine detonation and damage and subsequently led to oil exhaustion and a total loss of engine power in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate service/maintenance… - [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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR16LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA139.md): Cessna 140 · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2016 · N89965 · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of a bulkhead-skin joint that supported the main landing gear leg, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear. Contributing to the failure were the non-original structural configuration of the 60-year-old airplane and the… - [NTSB WPR16LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA108.md): Cessna 180 · California City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2016 · N9370C · Substantial damage > A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperly set rudder travel limits. - [NTSB WPR16LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA050.md): Moore Onex · Fresno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 10, 2016 · N1950J · Substantial damage > The pilot/builder's failure to properly align the Force One Main Bearing, which resulted in a blockage of the oil transfer hole and culminated with a total engine power loss. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to arrest the bank and sink… - [NTSB WPR14LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA225.md): Emery Mark Rotorway 162F · Merced, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2014 · N78291 · Destroyed > The helicopter pilot/owner's decision to install a belt type not recommended by the kit manufacturer in the tail rotor drive system using the incorrect tension values, which led to the belt’s in-flight failure and the subsequent loss of tail rotor drive… - [NTSB WPR14LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA062.md): Hiller UH 12E · Chowchilla, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2013 · N36MV · Substantial damage > The failure of the torsional drive coupling, which resulted in a loss of drive to the main rotor system during low-altitude flight. - [NTSB WPR13LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA216.md): Rans S-17 · Fontana, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2013 · N6171R · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to improper construction and inadequate maintenance of the fuel system and engine. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s inadvertent contact with an unseen guy wire during the landing flare. - [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 WPR11CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA157.md): Aeronca 7EC · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 11, 2011 · N2349E · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper maintenance, which resulted in a wheel separating from the airplane during takeoff, and the airplane's subsequent nose over during the landing rollout. - [NTSB WPR11LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA113.md): Piper PA-30 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2011 · N64RJ · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain the minimum single-engine control speed while on final approach for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly with a known deficiency in one engine and a loss of power in that engine for reasons that… - [NTSB WPR11LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA108.md): Piper PA-28-201T · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2011 · N47589 · Substantial damage > The failure of the left main landing gear due to the lack of lubrication. - [NTSB WPR10CA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA398.md): Kirkpatrick Buzzard · Lincoln, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2010 · N84BS · Substantial damage > A loss of control due to the mechanical disconnection of an aileron pushrod from its bellcrank as a result of the mechanic's failure to properly secure the pushrod attach hardware. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. - [NTSB WPR10LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA284.md): Piper PA-46-310P · Ontario, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2010 · N121HJ · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to the in-flight separation of the 1-3-5 cylinder induction tube elbow, which was caused by the improper installation of the induction tube elbow by maintenance personnel. - [NTSB WPR10LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA126.md): Arrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A · Escalon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2010 · N9286U · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the fatigue failure of the pneumatic fuel-to-governor control line. Also causal was the inadequate installation of the pneumatic line by maintenance personnel, and the pilot’s decision to continue flight with… - [NTSB WPR10LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA117.md): Bell 47G-4A · Shafter, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2010 · N28938 · Substantial damage > The loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and recurrent inspections required by a Service Bulletin to detect the corrosion in the counterweight. - [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 WPR09LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA369.md): Brown Michael Kitfox IV · Escondido, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2009 · N6140S · Substantial damage > A total loss of power due to an oil exhaustion induced seizure of the engine. The pilot's decision to continue flight to the original destination after becoming aware of the in-flight oil leak instead of landing at an intermediate airport to investigate the… - [NTSB WPR09LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA166.md): Reimus Sonex FR1 · Paso Robles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2009 · N1006N · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the pilot/builder’s failure to follow the engine manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and apply the correct torque to the rocker arm nuts during maintenance. - [NTSB WPR09CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA064.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Dinuba, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 16, 2008 · N1035F · Substantial damage > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly install the engine's Py line correctly, which resulted in the total loss of engine power and subsequent force landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain. - [NTSB WPR09LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA025.md): Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 · Rialto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2008 · N44848 · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to an interruption in fuel flow through an improperly assembled carburetor. - [NTSB LAX08LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA221.md): Cessna 172RG · Moorpark, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2008 · N9627B · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the throttle control cable from the throttle arm due to the operator's improper maintenance. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. - [NTSB LAX08LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA118.md): Cessna C175A · Groveland, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2008 · N6868E · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blocked fuel line that was improperly fabricated by the pilot. Also causal was the pilot's excessive ground speed during the taxi tests that resulted in an inadvertent takeoff. - [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. - [NTSB LAX08LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA055.md): Cessna 152 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2008 · N49811 · Substantial damage > Loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb due to lack of compression to a cylinder. ## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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?state=CA --- 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.