# NTSB investigations, 2018: 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 CEN19LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA048.md): Vans RV 6 · Watkins, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 25, 2018 · N711KJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to apply adequate torque to a fuel line during recent maintenance, which allowed the line to loosen in flight and fuel to enter the hot engine compartment and resulted in an in-flight fire that consumed the airplane. - [NTSB ERA19LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA062.md): Mooney M20K · Paramus, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2018 · N5756W · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's improper assembly of the engine during overhaul, which resulted in lubrication restriction due to a bearing shift and the subsequent engine failure. - [NTSB ERA19LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA030.md): Piper PA28 · Simsbury, CT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2018 · N8132X · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the wheel brake system during the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and the pilot's inability to control the airplane during the landing. - [NTSB WPR19LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA010.md): Piper PA46 · Hurricane, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2018 · N413LL · Substantial damage > The mechanic’s failure to properly align the engine exhaust crossover pipe during replacement, and his supervisor’s failure to properly inspect the installation, which resulted in an in-flight fire and the loss of engine power. - [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 ERA18TA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA250.md): American AA1 · Warthen, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Sep 14, 2018 · N9218L · Substantial damage > A fuel leak from the carburetor float bowl due to a missing plug, which resulted in excessive fuel consumption and a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart on the accident flight leg… - [NTSB ERA18LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA270.md): Maule M7 · Floresville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2018 · N969AW · Substantial damage > The separation of the left inboard main landing gear (MLG) attachment bolt due to insufficient torque, which resulted in the collapse of the left MLG. - [NTSB CEN18TA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18TA330.md): Piper J3C · Friendswood, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 13, 2018 · N42218 · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to conduct a flight in an airplane that had a tailwheel with degraded locking pins, which allowed the tailwheel to unlock and swivel out of alignment and precluded the pilot from regaining directional control on the ground during a… - [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 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… ## 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") = 2018 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=2018 --- 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.