Fatal NTSB investigations
36 cases where the defining event was Flight control sys malf/fail.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '333')
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '333') ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB WPR26FA141Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportHughes 369D · Haena, HIOn March 26, 2026, about 1539 Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N715KV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Haena, Hawaii. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and three passengers were fatally…NTSB ERA25FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMX Aircraft Tech PTY MXS · Hampton, VAA counterweight plug that loosened during the accident flight, jammed the elevator, and resulted in loss of control during landing.NTSB ERA25FA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Cintrona, PRMaintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the airplane, which resulted in inflight the failure of the right aileron carry through cable due to wear, reduced effectiveness of the airplane’s ailerons, and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB CEN25FA033Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBeech 58 · Arlberg, AROn October 29, 2024, about 1426 central daylight time, a Beech 58 airplane, N811PB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Arlberg, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB WPR24FA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV-12 · Auburn, WAThe pilot’s improper installation of the control stick pushrod assemblies, which resulted in separation of the left pushrod and a total loss of roll control during flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to detect the installation error during…NTSB ERA23FA247Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Lake Worth, FLMaintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff.NTSB WPR22FA216Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 336 · Porterville, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the elevator control assembly hardware, which resulted in an in-flight disconnection of the elevator and elevator counterweight and the pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control.NTSB ERA22FA189Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19B · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot’s improper preflight assembly of the glider’s elevator control, which resulted in a loss of control on takeoff, and the pilot’s failure to complete a positive control check before the flight, which would have identified the disconnected elevator…NTSB ERA22FA015Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVelocity SE RG · Titusville, FLThe separation of the airplane’s elevator control push-pull tube, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach.NTSB CEN21FA272Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAntenor Velazco Lancair Evolution · Parker, COThe pilot’s diversion of attention following an asymmetric flap deployment, which resulted in a descent and collision with powerlines. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the flap control rod attachment bolts,…NTSB WPR20LA301Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLake LA4 · Rawlins, WYThe pilot’s decision to depart despite a known mechanical trim malfunction and with a high-density altitude and the airplane at or above its maximum gross weight.NTSB WPR20LA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hemet, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly inspect and replace damaged aileron control cables, which resulted in fatigue separation of the aileron control cable and loss of control of the aircraft.NTSB WPR20LA001Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBuckeye Breeze · Moore, UTThe pilot’s improper preflight inspection and detection of a pinch point in the steering line, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA19FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAutogyro Cavalon · Sebring, FLThe pilot's improper decision to operate the gyroplane in an unairworthy condition, which resulted in the cyclic pitch control disconnecting in flight. Contributing was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter utilizing the published…NTSB ERA18FA180Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150J · Manteo, NCA loss of control due to the banner tow rope becoming entangled with the left horizontal stabilizer in crosswind conditions.NTSB WPR17FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportApplegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CAA fatigue failure of the left aileron control rod end during aerobatic flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane.NTSB ERA17WA230Accident · 9 fatalForeign investigationGulfstream G1159A · Nueva Esparta, VenezuelaOn July 4, 2017, about 1745 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Gulfstream 1159A, Venezuela registration YV2895, descended into the Caribbean Sea northwest of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, and was presumed to be destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions…NTSB ERA17FA148Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Sanford, FLThe 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 WPR17WA039Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Juhu, IndiaNTSB ERA16FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Hickory, KYCompany 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 CEN15WA449Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationTrendak Tercel · Odorheiul Secuiesc City, RomaniaThis is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. On September 26, 2015, at an unknown time, a Trendak Tercel gyroplane, A11-DUN, impacted terrain after takeoff from an airfield near Odorheiul Secuiesc city, Harghita County, Romania.…NTSB CEN15FA425Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T310Q · Wichita, KSThe separation of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab pushrod to the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in the elevator trim tab jamming in a position outside the limits of normal travel and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR15FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Bountiful, UTThe pilot/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 a subsequent loss of control.NTSB ANC14FA050Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 12 · Anchorage, AKThe incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator control cables, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the misrigging.NTSB WPR13FA400Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCantrell LW Challenger II SP · Prineville, ORThe in-flight failure of the left elevator control torque tube. Contributing to the accident was the improper assembly of the elevator control torque tubes.NTSB WPR12LA407Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Edward R MXS · Borrego Springs, CAThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of aileron and elevator control due to the forward flight control torque tube assembly’s detachment from the forward bearing. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate…NTSB ERA12FA395Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRemos Acft Gmbh Flugzeugbau Remos GX · Westminster, MDThe 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 WPR12FA155Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugbau EA-300 · Salinas, CAA loose portable XM-GPS antenna that migrated to the tail section of the airplane and jammed the elevator bell crank. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to account for the cockpit portable GPS antenna during preflight or postflight…NTSB CEN11WA070Accident · 8 fatalForeign investigationBell 212 · Minatitlan Veracruz, MexicoThe government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL 212 helicopter that occurred on October 15, 2010. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions of…NTSB WPR10LA195Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSnow Rocket F1 · Borrego Springs, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain control due to the in-flight failure and separation of the pilot's flight control stick. The reason for the flight control stick failure could not be determined.NTSB ERA10FA195Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 · Roanoke, VAA malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR09LA202Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander Thomas P Sportsman GS-2 · El Dorado HIlls, CAThe in-flight separation of the elevator control torque tube rod end bearing from the elevator torque tube as a result of incorrectly tightened rod end bearing lock nuts.NTSB CHI08MA270Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportConvair CV-580 · Columbus, OHThe 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 MIA08LA121Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMckeehan James F Acroduster II SA750 · Panama City, FLThe pilot's inability to recover from an intentional aerobatic maneuver due to loss of aileron control. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an inadequate aileron secondary stop block against the main spar of both lower wings.NTSB LAX08LA160Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Ultralight Challenger LSS · Moses Lake, WAThe pilot's inability to maintain control due to an in-flight separation of the vertical fin as a result of the failure of the airplane's builder to properly secure the vertical fin to the fuselage.NTSB DEN08FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Sterling, KSThe loss of pitch control during cruise flight resulting from the separation of the stabilator trim actuator due to inadequate maintenenace.