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 CEN11LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Henryetta, OKFailure of the cyclic control system for reasons undetermined.NTSB CEN11IA156Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportSikorsky 92 · Galliano, LAThe misalignment of the retaining washer during routine maintenance, resulting in the subsequent separation of the washer and nut.NTSB ERA11IA110Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMooney M20E · St. Petersburg, FLAn inadequately maintained interior cockpit boot, which allowed a flashlight to fall through and subsequently jam the airplane's flight controls. Contributing to the incident was a lack of emphasis by government, industry, and advocacy groups that the…NTSB CEN11IA111Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Birmingham, ALThe manufacturer's inadequate initial design and inadequate subsequent modifications of the tailcone, which allowed moisture to collect and freeze around rudder cables during operations in subfreezing temperatures, resulting in a loss of rudder authority…NTSB CEN11IA108Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiaggio P180 · Columbus, OHThe failure of water to properly drain through the fuselage drain holes, thus becoming trapped and freezing around the flight control cables, which resulted in the loss of control authority to the airplane's ailerons, elevator, and rudder.NTSB CEN11IA087Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 560XL · Toledo, OHThe manufacturer's inadequate initial design and subsequent modifications of the tailcone, which allowed moisture to collect and freeze around rudder cables during flight levels above the freezing level and resulted in a loss of rudder authority. Contributing…NTSB CEN11LA048Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Waterloo, IAThe separation of a stabilator control cable turnbuckle due to stress corrosion cracking, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff.NTSB ERA11LA033Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell International 112TC · Waynesboro, GAThe pilot’s deliberate exiting of the airplane by parachute while in flight following a reported flight control malfunction that could not be verified.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 CEN10CA569Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCentral Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C · Orient, OHThe pilot's failure to disconnect the tow bridal line prior to takeoff.NTSB ERA10CA425Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRyan Navion B · Fort Myers, FLThe binding of the trim wheel on the instrument panel and the pilot’s improper decision to depart with a known mechanical deficiency.NTSB CEN10LA492Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportInfinity Infinity · Little Rock, ARThe failure of the control lanyard for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10CA398Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportKirkpatrick Buzzard · Lincoln, CAA 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 ENG10IA045Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 430 · Venice, LAThe fracture of the collective servo actuator piston rod resulting from stress corrosion cracking.NTSB WPR10LA374Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLancair 320 · Spokane, WALoss of airplane control due to the asymmetric flap condition.NTSB ERA10LA328Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportParks J L/Dreffin D Seawind 3000 · Sanibel Island, FLAn overstress failure of the elevator. Contributing to the accident was the owner/builder's modification of the experimental airplane beyond the recommendations of the kit manufacturer.NTSB CEN10IA314Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Gulf of MexicoA suspected failure of the tail rotor for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the failure of the emergency floats to properly inflate due to improper installment and inspection by maintenance personnel.NTSB CEN10RA345Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBell 412 · Campeche, MexicoOn June 1, 2010, approximately 1123 central daylight time, a Bell Helicopter model 412EP, Mexican registration XA-HSI, made a successful water landing after a loss of tail rotor control in the Gulf of Mexico near Campeche, Mexico. The helicopter was en route…NTSB WPR10LA260Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSocata TBM · Lost Hills, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain the proper…NTSB DCA10CA061Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 747 · Miami, FLimpact of the fore flap with the aft fuselage after fatigue failure of the right wing fore flap carriage assembly attachment fitting at position 6.NTSB ANC10CA037Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Port Moller, AKThe loss of the left rudder cable retaining bolt during base to final turn, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN10IA219Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Kansas City, MOThe malfunction of the airplane’s aileron control system due to ice accumulation.NTSB CEN10CA200Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuicksilver Sport 2S · Canton, TXThe airplane builder’s improper installation of the left rear wing strut eyebolt.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 CEN10IA157Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-145LR · Chicago, ILAn in-flight encounter with lightning. Contributing to the incident was the damaged and displaced tailcone bulkhead frame that inhibited the full travel of the elevator during approach.NTSB CEN10CA091Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Santa Fe, NMThe restricted elevator control movement for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10IA084Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportATR ATR72 · Dallas, TXA fatigue failure of an elevator stop bracket, which resulted in a partial jam of the elevator control. Contributing to the failure was the improper installation of shim stacks, poor alignment of the brackets, and cyclic stresses acting on the lower stop,…NTSB CEN09LA571Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMesserschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S · Thibodaux, LAThe pilot's inability to maintain control due to the mechanic's inadvertent switching of two cyclic control tubes of different lengths during maintenance.NTSB ERA09CA495Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportUnderland/Grothe/Finstrom Mmii (Must · Lantana, FLThe delay by both pilots to abort the takeoff resulting in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the unintentional forward movement of the pilot's seat resulting in interference with the control stick.NTSB CEN09LA526Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThrush S2R-T660 · Worthington, MNA fatigue failure of the elevator push-pull rod which resulted in the pilot's inability to control the aircraft's pitch attitude while landing.NTSB CEN09CA522Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A · Evansville, WIA jam of the elevator flight control for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09LA486Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGallagher Junior ACE · Oshkosh, WIThe failure of a weld joint on the right rudder pedal leading to the loss of directional control during landing.NTSB ENG09IA011Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Diyarbakir, TürkiyeAn uncommanded elevator surface deflection as a result of a left elevator PCU input arm assembly jam due to FOD lodged between the input arm assembly and the PCU housing. The FOD was a roller element from an elevator upper torque tube output crank bearing,…NTSB ERA09IA315Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Greenville, SCA pitch control malfunction 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 CEN09LA198Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Galliano, LAThe failure of the tail rotor driveshaft and coupling during engine start due to the mechanic's failure to properly reattach the tail rotor driveshaft and coupling during maintenance.NTSB WPR09IA070Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter MD 900 · Kamuela, HIThe separation of the endplate bolts for undetermined reasons, resulting in an in-flight separation of the right endplate. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's failure to provide sufficient guidance for endplate bolt installation.NTSB ERA09LA107Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMoore David DM-1 · Salters, SCA hard landing following an autorotation that resulted from the separation of the red main rotor blade cap that led to the uncontrolled movement of the cyclic, autorotation and a hard landing.NTSB WPR09LA028Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Powder River, WYA flight control system malfunction while the helicopter was maneuvering at low altitude due to the failure/separation of the rotor blade control tube.NTSB CEN09IA032Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter MD 900 · Amherst, TXThe failure of the vertical stabilizer control adapter due to reverse bending fatigue.NTSB CEN09IA003Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter MD 900 · Weatherford, TXThe failure of the vertical stabilizer control adapter due to reverse bending fatigue.NTSB ERA09IA009Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Lakeland, FLA failure of the flap actuator rod end due to low stress, high cycle fatigue, and subsequent overstress failure.NTSB NYC08LA318Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Naruna, VAThe fatigue failure of a main rotor blade drag strut.NTSB MIA08LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J5A · Atlanta, GAThe loss of pitch control due to slippage of the elevator control cable resulting from the maintenance personnel’s improper installation and inspection of the cable.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 LAX08LA251Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TU206E · Murrieta, CAA malfunction of the flight control system and loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC08LA259Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSands Thomas E Rotorway 162 · Graysville, TNA loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX08IA241Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportMD Helicopters MD 902 · Salinas, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to the fatigue failure of the threaded portion of the forward directional control cable as a result of the improper installation a lock washer.NTSB LAX08LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJonsson Sonerai · Hood River, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the emergency landing roll with a tailwind. Contributing was the partial separation of the left aileron that prompted the pilot to attempt the emergency landing.