# NTSB investigations, 2016: 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 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.
- [NTSB CEN17LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA057.md): Stinson 108-3 · Ionia, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2016 · N812C · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the aft support cable on the left main landing ski due to an inadequately formed nicopress sleeve, which allowed the ski to rotate into a vertical position shortly after liftoff, and its unavoidable separation during the subsequent landing.
- [NTSB ANC17LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA007.md): Piper PA-18 · Bethel, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2016 · N83641 · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic's failure to install a whistle slot in the engine breather tube, which resulted in a frozen tube, displacement of the crankshaft oil seal, a loss of oil, and smoke in the cockpit, which led to a forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA032.md): Bell OH 58C · Cameron, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2016 · N139RD · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of a main rotor blade due to fatigue cracks. Contributing to the failure of the main rotor blade was the absence of guidance to the operator to inspect an area of the main rotor blade known to be susceptible to fatigue cracks and the…
- [NTSB CEN17LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA030.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Bloomfield, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2016 · N234PJ · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to fully torque the fuel port cap, which allowed the cap to back off in flight and interrupted fuel flow to the engine, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR17IA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17IA007.md): Short Bros SD3 60 Sherpa · Missoula, MT · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2016 · N148Z · Minor damage
  > The failure of the nose landing gear down-lock piston to engage due to paint accumulation, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse during landing. Also causal was the failure of the facility that performed the painting to comply with manufacturer…
- [NTSB ERA16LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA333.md): Ryan Navion · Hurt, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2016 · N5327K · Substantial damage
  > Incorrect installation of the oil temperature probe and an inadequate annual inspection that failed to detect leaking oil around the loose probe, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation.
- [NTSB ERA16FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA329.md): Cessna 172 · Laytonsville, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2016 · N52126 · Destroyed
  > The pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot/mechanic's failure to service the engine…
- [NTSB DCA16CA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA226.md): Bombardier DHC 8 202 · Dulles, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 24, 2016 · N366PH · Substantial damage
  > incorrect installation of the frangible towing fuse that prevented the nose landing gear from extending.
- [NTSB CEN16LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA387.md): Pahnke Vernon A Vans RV 9A · Newark, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2016 · N699RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly assemble the fuel pump, which resulted in the loss of fuel pressure and the subsequent partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR16FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA183.md): Cessna 182P · Gilbert, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2016 · N20844 · Destroyed
  > An inadvertent explosion of pyrotechnics, which were contained in a box that had been installed on the airplane's left main landing gear assembly spring leg which resulted in shrapnel striking the airplane's left wing and breaching the left wing fuel tank,…
- [NTSB CEN16LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA363.md): CGS Hawk Aero II · Holland, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2016 · N4513S · Destroyed
  > The improper installation of quick release connectors in the fuel lines, which was not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's maintenance instructions and allowed air to be introduced into the fuel system and resulted in a partial loss of engine power.…
- [NTSB WPR16FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA166.md): Douglas TA-4K · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2016 · N140EM · Destroyed
  > Foreign object debris in the engine's main fuel control unit, which restricted fuel flow and subsequently resulted in the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the installation or addition of an extra seal during the main fuel control unit…
- [NTSB ERA16LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA293.md): Cessna 150G · Shirley, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2016 · N3666J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s inadequate maintenance and inspection of the airplane, which resulted in the left elevator attachment bolt backing out of the nutplate, and partial inflight separation and damage of the elevator.
- [NTSB ERA16LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA268.md): Frank Ware Velocity TXL · Sebastian, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2016 · N916TC · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s improper setting of the aneroid adjustment.
- [NTSB CEN16LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA273.md): Brandt Sonex · Lodi, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2016 · N393SX · Substantial damage
  > The separated rocker arm assembly for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power and led to the landing gear collapsing during the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA16FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA248.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Hickory, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2016 · N427TV · Substantial damage
  > Company maintenance personnel's inappropriate removal without replacement of the safety wires on the collective lever pin screws during a recent maintenance inspection, which resulted in the screws backing out and led to a loss of collective control in flight.
- [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 ENG16IA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG16IA027.md): Boeing 757 · Jamaica, NY · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2016 · N706TW · Minor damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to ensure proper installation of a fuel tube O-ring, which resulted in an undercowl engine fire during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA16LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA191.md): Sikes Zenith CH750 Stol · Lawrenceburg, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 22, 2016 · N925PS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of control due to an improperly-rigged rudder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to implement and follow proper flight-testing plans.
- [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 CEN16LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA184.md): Cessna 150F · Ponca City, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 1, 2016 · N8619G · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the elevator bolt, which resulted in a loss of elevator control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA16LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA156.md): Atkinson Eaglet · Deland, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2016 · N5AQ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a separation of the ignition plug.
- [NTSB GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182.md): Hughes 369 · Weatherford, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2016 · N298SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic's inadequate postmaintenance and preflight inspections, which resulted in his failure to remove the antitorque pedal lock and a subsequent loss of control during hover operations.
- [NTSB ERA16FA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA144.md): Bell 206 · Pigeon Forge, TN · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2016 · N16760 · Destroyed
  > An inflight loss of engine power due to a failure of the engine fuel pump, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain during the subsequent autorotation. The failure of the engine fuel pump resulted from the absence of adequate grease leading to…
- [NTSB ERA16LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA153.md): Butterhof Anthony J Ginny B · South Harrison Township, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 2016 · N349E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic's failure to safety-wire the gascolator bale clamp, which resulted in a fuel leak and subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR16FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA072.md): Bell 206B · Honolulu, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2016 · N80918 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.
- [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…

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2016
  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?year=2016

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