NTSB investigations
358 cases where the defining event was Flight control sys malf/fail.
Cases, newest first
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.\"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."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 CEN16WA110Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationPiper PA23 · Saint François, GuadeloupeOn February 22, 2016, a Piper PA-23-250 airplane, N539EG, sank after ditching near the Saint François Airport (TFFC), Saint François, Guadeloupe (France). The pilot was not injured.This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the French…NTSB ANC16WA070Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationPiper PA-28-140 · St Andrews, CanadaOn February 13, 2016, about 2039 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, (Canadian Registration C-GQPN) was on approach to St. Andrews, MB (CYAV) with an instructor and a student on board. Prior to touch down at approximately 50 feet…NTSB CEN16IA103Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Dallas, TXThe loss of aileron trim due to the lack of separation between the cannon head on the back of autopilot cannon plug and the aileron trim tab control gear. Contributing to the incident was the lack of guidance in the airplane maintenance manual to verify…NTSB ERA16LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Marion, SCA momentary jam in the tail rotor control system from an undetermined source, resulting in a torsional fracture of the tail rotor control torque tube and a loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA16LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Dickinson, ALThe improper installation by company maintenance personnel of the securing hardware of a tail rotor driveshaft section, which resulted in that section of tail rotor driveshaft disconnecting and a complete loss of tail rotor thrust.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 GAA15CA294Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHoward DGA 15P · Englewood, COThe separation of the elevator control system linkage at a push/pull tube and cable joint, for an unknown reason, because the bolt and associated hardware securing the joint was not found for examination.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 ERA15LA374Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Thomaston, GAThe loss of tail rotor control due to a fractured pin in the tail rotor control system; the reason the pin fractured could not be determined as the fractured pin was lost in shipping.NTSB ERA15LA360Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJ. Schilling S-19 · East Falmouth, MAThe experimental airplane builder's failure to properly secure the stabilator trim tab push-pull tube’s connection, which resulted in the tube’s separation and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to detect the…NTSB CEN15LA412Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGuisinger Gary G Baby Belle · Stuart, IAThe failure of the tail rotor driveshaft for reasons that could not be determined due to the mechanically and thermally deformed fracture surface.NTSB WPR15LA249Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C - Undesignat · Mesa, AZThe disbondment of a main rotor damper, which resulted in the degradation of its damping action and led to excessive main rotor vibrations and oscillations that caused substantial damage to the helicopter in flight and led to a hard landing.NTSB CEN15LA395Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Port O'Connor, TXThe fatigue failure of the tail rotor pitch change link spherical bearing housing as a result of corrosion pitting.NTSB WPR15LA203Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C 99 · Salt Lake City, UTThe airplane’s unmanageable right yaw during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the rudder and rudder assembly did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN15LA265Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 407 · Pecan Island, LAThe fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB ANC15LA037Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3T · Skwentna, AKThe flutter failure of the right elevator servo tab due to the improper fabrication of the servo tab and maintenance personnel’s subsequent failure to detect anomalies with the servo tab.NTSB CEN15IA200Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 402A · Brickeys, ARThe in-flight separation of the attachment hardware at the elevator control pushrod due to maintenance personnel's improper reinstallation of the attachment hardware.NTSB CEN15LA182Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 400 · Levelland, TXThe in-flight separation of the left aileron's attachment hardware at the connection between the long aileron pushrod and the left aileron bellcrank. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper installation of, or failure to install, the…NTSB ENG15WA021Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 - 683 · Oslo, NorwayOn March 25, 2015, at approximately 0730 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Boeing 737-683, Norwegian registration LN-RPA, operated by Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), experienced a pitch control problem while landing on Runway 01R at Oslo Airport,…NTSB ANC15LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus AS350 B2 · Anchorage, AKThe failure of the ball bearing within the pitch change spider assembly due to its operation with no grease within the bearing, which resulted in the subsequent fracture of the spider assembly and a loss of tail rotor control authority. Also causal to the…NTSB WPR15LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Merced, CAThe separation of the flight control stick from the stub due to its improper installation.NTSB CEN15CA166Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportFunk B85C · Leonard, OKThe improper installation of the UP elevator cable turnbuckle which became disconnected during the flight.NTSB CEN15LA156Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAgusta Aerospace AW119 Mkii · Gulf of MexicoThe fracture of the tail rotor pitch change link due to excessive bearing rotational friction, which resulted from the bearings being installed in exceedance of the maximum allowable torque during the last overhaul of the pitch change link.NTSB ANC15IA006Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Nome, AKThe disengagement and subsequent binding of the right tailwheel steering cable, which disabled the rudder system.NTSB CEN15IA085Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDassault/Sud FAN JET Falcon · Shreveport, LAA short in the trim system’s wires and connector, which resulted in the elevator trim being in a full nose-down position.NTSB CEN15IA079Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna T182T · Cahokia, ILThe mechanic’s improper installation of the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in reversed elevator trim control, and his subsequent failure to detect the misrigging of the elevator cables during the postmaintenance inspection.NTSB CEN15IA076Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 182S · Springfield, ILThe improper installation of a doubler patch, which prevented the right flap from actuating and moving properly and led to the subsequent interference with the aileron.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 WPR15LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportExtra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/L · Las Vegas, NVThe failure of the rudder cable due to tension overstress as a result of the cable’s strength being compromised by wear damage, which resulted in the flight instructor’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB ERA15IA008Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna S550 · Tampa, FLThe lack of flat roller bearings in the two elevator trim tab actuators and maintenance personnel’s inadequate lubrication of the left elevator trim tab actuator, both of which resulted in the overstress fracture of the left internal screw and subsequent…NTSB CEN15WA115Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationRans S7 · Cambaie, Reunion Island, FranceNTSB ERA14CA335Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAlexander Schleicher K 7 · Mocksville, NCThe pilot's decision to install an additional cushion to elevate his passenger and his failure to insure the cushion would not interfere with the control stick movement resulting in limited movement of the elevator in flight and collision with a fence during…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 WPR14LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmery Mark Rotorway 162F · Merced, CAThe 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 ANC14LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDehavilland DHC-3T · Homer, AKThe flutter failure of the right elevator servo tab due to the improper fabrication of the servo tab and maintenance personnel’s subsequent failure to detect anomalies with the servo tab.NTSB CEN14IA172Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Traverse City, MIThe inoperative galley drain tube heater, which allowed water within the tube to freeze and led to its failure; the tube’s failure allowed water to drain onto the rudder cables and freeze and resulted in the rudder binding during landing.NTSB WPR14CA136Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportNorman Quad City Challenger · Monroe, WAThe pilot's inadequate construction of the propeller bracket, which resulted in its failure during the initial climb and the propeller subsequently departing the airplane.NTSB CEN14IA121Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 680 · Wheeling, ILThe disconnection of the left elevator trim driveshaft from the trim actuator due to the elevator trim tab drive pin becoming dislodged, which resulted in full nose-down elevator trim.NTSB WPR14CA006Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSiemens Rotorway Exec 162F · Nampa, IDA flight control malfunction during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined. No follow-up examination was conducted due to a lapse in agency funding and subsequent government shutdown.NTSB WPR14CA004Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportVenables Zenith CH701 · Snohomish, WAA jammed rudder control while maneuvering in the pattern for reasons that could not be determined. No follow-up examination was conducted due to a lapse in agency funding and subsequent government shutdown.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 ENG13WA044Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBombardier CL600 2B19 · Moscow, RussiaOn September 7, 2013 a MNG Jet charter flight, a Bombardier Canadair CL-600-2B19-7763, registration TC-EJA, landed at Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow, Russian Federation, with the nose landing gear extended and both main gear retracted. The…NTSB ERA13LA410Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188B · Woodrow, SCA failure of the right rudder pedal arm due to corrosion as a result of inadequate maintenance and inspection of the rudder pedal assembly.NTSB CEN13LA518Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 7GCB · Pearsall, TXThe failure of the rudder cable due to electrical arcing damage from contact with an unguarded battery and the pilot's subsequent loss of control during the go-around.NTSB ERA13IA396Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28RT-201 · Chesapeake, VAMaintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection and compliance with a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive, which resulted in an undetected corroded and cracked stabilator turnbuckle and the subsequent failure of the turnbuckle and loss of…NTSB DCA13WA157Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 777 · Melbourne, AustraliaThe Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Boeing 777 that occurred on August 15, 2013. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under…NTSB CEN13LA437Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28A · Danbury, TXThe loss of collective control for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive fire damage.NTSB ERA13IA326Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34 · Palm Coast, FLThe installation of an incorrect rudder trim tab control rod by unknown maintenance personnel, which resulted in the rod failing in flight due to overload and subsequent uncontrolled rudder oscillations.NTSB ERA13IA267Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Tallahassee, FLThe failure of the elevator trim cable due to fatigue cracking, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s repeated inadequate inspection of the cable.NTSB WPR13LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310R · Bakersfield, CAThe failure of the right main landing gear link assembly, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during landing.