# NTSB investigations: Flight control sys malf/fail 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. Page 4 of 9 · 410 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB ERA20LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA051.md): Parsons Two Place #1 · Naguabo, PR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2019 · N446PS · Substantial damage > A failure of the rudder attachment bolt, which resulted in the rudder’s subsequent inflight separation from the fuselage. - [NTSB DCA20IA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20IA014.md): Embraer ERJ170 · Atlanta, GA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Incident · Final report · Nov 7, 2019 · N117HQ · No damage > The captain’s use of his pitch trim switch, which had been placarded inoperative but not deactivated, resulting in the airplane pitching up when the captain was trying to trim down. The trim commands were reversed due to maintenance personnel’s incorrect… - [NTSB WPR20LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA004.md): Glaser Dirks DG500 · Marana, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2019 · N600TT · Substantial damage > The pilots’ exceedance of the glider’s never-exceed speed (VNE) during recovery from an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in a failure of the right-wing air brake control drive, asymmetrical air brake deployment, and a subsequent hard landing. - [NTSB WPR20LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA001.md): Buckeye Breeze · Moore, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2019 · N582UT · Substantial damage > The 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 DCA19WA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19WA212.md): Boeing 737 · South Africa · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Sep 2, 2019 · ZS-SJD · No damage > The government of South Africa has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a BOEING 737 airplane that occurred on September 02, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of South Africa's investigation under the… - [NTSB CEN19LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA224.md): Piper PA18 · Osceola, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2019 · N6983B · Substantial damage > The failure of the right horizontal stabilizer during takeoff, resulting in a loss of control and forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved stabilizer frame and failure of maintenance personnel to identify… - [NTSB ERA19FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA225.md): Quicksilver Mxii · Oliver Springs, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 13, 2019 · N3889Z · Substantial damage > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue to takeoff and climb after encountering an undetermined airplane control issue that he was unable to counteract, which resulted in collision with trees and subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN19LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA219.md): Fisher Flying Products Super Koala · Hazen, ND · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2019 · N220FF · Substantial damage > The airplane owner's and mechanic's improper rigging and cable tension of the aileron control system, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff. - [NTSB CEN19LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA174.md): Robinson R44 · Key West, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2019 · N1241W · Substantial damage > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the right-side tail boom mounting bolts which resulted in the failure of the bolts and an inflight separation of the tail rotor. - [NTSB DCA19LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19LA154.md): Aurora PAV · Manassas, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2019 · N83AU · Substantial damage > a loss of hover lift thrust provided by the eight lift motors due to a false on-ground rotor speed reduction command, resulting from excessive vibration. - [NTSB WPR19LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA112.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Morganza, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2019 · N599LA · Substantial damage > A loss of aircraft control due to the separation of the elevator pushrod attachment bolt. - [NTSB WPR19LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA114.md): Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 15, 2019 · N101GL · Substantial damage > The fracture of the aileron hinge strap due to fatigue crack propagation, which resulted in substantial damage to a wing rib aft of the spar at the outboard aileron cutout. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspection. - [NTSB CEN19LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA065.md): Robinson R44 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2019 · N484AB · Substantial damage > The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable. - [NTSB DCA19WA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19WA023.md): Embraer 190 · Bara, Portugal · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Nov 11, 2018 · P4-KCJ · No damage > The GPIA of Portugal has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Embraer 190 airplane that occurred on November 11, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the GPIA of Portugal's investigation under the provisions of ICAO… - [NTSB CEN19WA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA042.md): Piper PA34 · Uk, United Kingdom · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Nov 2, 2018 · G-OXFF > The government of United Kingdom has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA34 airplane that occurred on November 02, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of United Kingdom's investigation under… - [NTSB ERA19FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA034.md): Autogyro Cavalon · Sebring, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2018 · N198LT · Destroyed > The 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 ERA18LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA258.md): Beech 35 · Georgetown, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2018 · N435RB · Substantial damage > A loss of directional control during landing due to overstress failure of the left seat’s left rudder pedal arm clevis, which occurred as a result of manufacturing defects. - [NTSB WPR18LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA242.md): Bell 212 · Dardanelle, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2018 · N512TA · Substantial damage > An in-flight failure of the trunnion bearing and subsequent failure of the drive link and swashplate support, which resulted in the loss of helicopter control. - [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 CEN18LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA290.md): Bell 206 · Todd Mission, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2018 · N352CT · Substantial damage > The passenger’s inadvertent interference with the tail rotor pedals, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control during takeoff and the subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN18LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA246.md): Cessna 337 · Baldwin City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2018 · N107BL · Substantial damage > The loss of hydraulic accumulator pressure for reasons that could not be determined, which prevented the propeller from unfeathering, and the pilot's improper decision to attempt a go-around, which resulted in an off-airport landing and the airplane impacting… - [NTSB ERA18FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA180.md): Cessna 150J · Manteo, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2018 · N60111 · Destroyed > A loss of control due to the banner tow rope becoming entangled with the left horizontal stabilizer in crosswind conditions. - [NTSB CEN18LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA195.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Katy, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N67Y · Substantial damage > The loss of airplane control on takeoff due to the absence of the attachment bolt for the left aileron actuation arm. - [NTSB ERA18LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA140.md): Robinson R22 · Panama City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N923SM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly remove and secure the tie-down ropes during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the ropes becoming entangled in the rotor head swashplate and pitch control rods during flight and the subsequent loss of pitch control. - [NTSB CEN18LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA157.md): Hartline J Bon Hartline Kitfox III · Marathon, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N73BH · Substantial damage > The failure of the flaperon hinge attachment point during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of reinforcement of the hinge attachment point in accordance with the manufacturer’s service bulletin. - [NTSB CEN18WA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA399.md): Cessna 172 · Hamilton, Bermuda · Accident · Minor injuries · Foreign investigation · Apr 30, 2018 · N9085H · Substantial damage > On April 30, 2018, about 2045 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Cessna 172 M airplane, N9085H, was substantially damaged during a landing at the L. F. Wade International Airport, near Hamilton, Bermuda. The pilot sustained minor injuries.The accident… - [NTSB DCA18WA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA18WA315.md): Airbus A320 · Tallinn, Estonia · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Feb 28, 2018 · ES-SAN · Substantial damage > The Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau (AIB) has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Airbus 320, which occurred on February 28, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the AAIB investigation under the provisions of… - [NTSB CEN18LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA099.md): Beech 35 · Batesville, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2018 · N4654D · Substantial damage > An in-flight control system flutter encounter during a turbulence encounter; the reason for the flutter could not be determined. - [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 WPR18LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA047.md): Cessna 172D · Auburn, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 7, 2017 · N2351U · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB CEN18LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA044.md): Cessna 170B · Harvard, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2017 · N2766D · Substantial damage > The failure of the universal joint in the pilot-side flight control yoke due to the fatigue fracture of a rivet within the universal joint. Contributing to the universal joint failure was the universal joint design, which was prone to galling wear and seizure. - [NTSB ENG18IA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG18IA003.md): Airbus A330-243 · Seattle, WA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Incident · Final report · Nov 7, 2017 · N375HA · Minor damage > The loss of control of the left-hand engine and the subsequent thermal damage to the left wing on landing during engine reverse operation was due to a blockage of the variable stator vane torque motor filter that resulted in the engine’s electronic engine… - [NTSB GAA18CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA020.md): Cessna 150 · Pottsville, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 22, 2017 · N22092 · Substantial damage > The failure of the right rudder cable and subsequent loss of directional control during landing. - [NTSB WPR18LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA004.md): Western International Avia UH 1H · Arbuckle, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N247PV · Substantial damage > A collective control malfunction for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB ERA17LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA329.md): Cessna 402 · Nantucket, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2017 · N836GW · Substantial damage > The separation of the pushrod from the elevator trim tab actuator, which rendered controlled flight impossible. Contributing to the separation of the pushrod was the failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure it to the elevator trim tab actuator. - [NTSB DCA17WA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17WA199.md): Boeing 737 · Caracas, Venezuela · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Sep 13, 2017 · YV-268T > The DGAC of Venezuela has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Boeing 737 airplane that occurred on September 13, 2017. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the DGAC's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as… - [NTSB CEN17LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA375.md): Hiller UH 12A · Griffith, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2017 · N2686 · Substantial damage > The loss of tail rotor thrust due to a failed tail rotor driveshaft, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a hard landing. - [NTSB CEN17LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA344.md): Aviat A 1B · Prairie du Chien, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2017 · N299CA · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of the aileron hinge bracket tubing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB WPR17LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA201.md): Cobalt Aircraft Industries Co50 Valkyrie · Atwater, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2017 · N523CA · Substantial damage > A loss of aileron effectiveness due to the airplane's design configuration, which resulted in the pilot's inability to control the roll axis and led to a hard landing. - [NTSB ERA17LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA292.md): Hostein K/Hostein S Pietenpol · Albion, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 23, 2017 · N888MG · Substantial damage > Loss of directional control due to a restriction of rudder movement. - [NTSB WPR17LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA186.md): Hawker Siddeley Hunter MK.58 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2017 · N338AX · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after flying through another airplane's jet wash during an air defense exercise. - [NTSB WPR17LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA180.md): Lockheed P2V 5F · Pocatello, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2017 · N410NA · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's failure to secure hardware, which resulted in an uncommanded upward deflection of the left elevator and aft movement of the control yoke and inhibited the flight crew from adjusting the airplane's pitch attitude in flight. Contributing… - [NTSB ERA17LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA263.md): Sikorsky S-97A · Jupiter, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2017 · N971SK · Substantial damage > A design change in the helicopter's fly-by-wire control system that resulted in an increase in the sensitivity of the cyclic stick while transitioning from ground to flight mode, magnifying the pilot's control inputs, which resulted in unintentional over… - [NTSB WPR17FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA161.md): Applegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2017 · N331ST · Substantial damage > A 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 ERA17WA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA230.md): Gulfstream G1159A · Nueva Esparta, Venezuela · Accident · 9 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 4, 2017 · YV2896 · Destroyed > On 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 CEN17LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA224.md): Mckenna SD-1A · Juneau, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2017 · N31313 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s difficulty controlling the airplane due to his incorrect reinstallation of the wings, which led to a bounced precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and the mechanic to verify the wings’ angle of incidence. - [NTSB CEN17LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA216.md): William D Telfair/Zia Z Telfai Excalibur · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2017 · N78DZ · Substantial damage > The loss of pitch control due to the overload failure of the control rod. - [NTSB WPR17LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA102.md): Piper PA 18A · Coeur D'Alene, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 2017 · N245KW · Substantial damage > The loss of yaw control due to an inadequately compressed rudder swage, which resulted from inadequate maintenance and led to the separation of the forward right rudder cable. - [NTSB WPR17LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA087.md): Titan Tornado I · Spanaway, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2017 · N5131H · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s improper attachment of the aileron system components, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain flight control. - [NTSB ERA17FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA148.md): Piper PA 12 · Sanford, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2017 · N3280M · Destroyed > The 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… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?page=5 ## 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 c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '333' 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/333/sequence?page=4 --- 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.