# NTSB investigations, TX: 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN26LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA187.md): Cessna 172S · Denton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · May 13, 2026 · N2134M · Substantial damage > On May 13, 2026, about 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N2134M, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part… - [NTSB CEN25LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA086.md): American Champion 7ECA · Longview, TX · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 16, 2025 · N798L · Substantial damage > The failure of the lower hinge barrel due to fatigue cracking. Contributing to the failure of the lower hinge barrel was increased stress from end face contact likely associated with worn bushings or displaced needle bearings. - [NTSB CEN25LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA043.md): Pitts S1E · Seguin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2024 · N52B · Substantial damage > The improper construction of the rudder cable assembly by the airplane builder, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the left rudder cable during the landing roll and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control. - [NTSB CEN23LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA172.md): Piper PA-34-200 · Coldspring, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 3, 2023 · N28HE · Substantial damage > The stabilator trim rod assembly separated from the stabilator link assembly due to a missing connecting bolt, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control of the airplane. - [NTSB CEN23LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA170.md): Luscombe 8F · Palmer, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2023 · N1113B · Substantial damage > The installation of an unapproved rudder control cable, which resulted in a fatigue failure and subsequent loss of rudder control during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s inadequate inspection of the rudder control system. - [NTSB DCA22MA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22MA009.md): Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87) · Brookshire, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Oct 19, 2021 · N987AK · Destroyed > The jammed condition of both elevators, which resulted from exposure to localized, dynamic high wind while the airplane was parked and prevented the airplane from rotating during the takeoff roll. Also causal was the failure of Everts Air Cargo, the pilots’… - [NTSB CEN21LA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA346.md): HpH, Spol. S.R.O. Glasflügel 304S · Briggs, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2021 · N304AB · Substantial damage > The overstress fracture of the elevator control tube due to reduced wall thickness from water intrusion and subsequent corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a drain hole at the bottom of the elevator control tube, which allowed the tube to… - [NTSB CEN20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA259.md): Sopwith Type 9400 · Van Alstyne, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2020 · N5539 · Substantial damage > An inflight loss of aileron control due to movement of a control connector. - [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 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 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 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 CEN16CA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA359.md): Beech 58 · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 26, 2016 · N15MD · Substantial damage > The incorrect maintenance of the airplane's ventilation system which resulted in an obstruction of the elevator control system. - [NTSB CEN16LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA244.md): Pollack Quicksilver SPRINT2S · Bullard, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2016 · N250AB · Substantial damage > A loss of airplane control during landing for reasons that could not be determined, because the airplane sank and was not recovered. - [NTSB GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182.md): Hughes 369 · Weatherford, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2016 · N298SD · Substantial damage > The pilot/mechanic's inadequate postmaintenance and preflight inspections, which resulted in his failure to remove the antitorque pedal lock and a subsequent loss of control during hover operations. - [NTSB CEN16IA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16IA103.md): Cessna 560 · Dallas, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2016 · N774SB · No damage > The 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 CEN15LA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA395.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2015 · N429AR · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of the tail rotor pitch change link spherical bearing housing as a result of corrosion pitting. - [NTSB CEN15LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA182.md): Air Tractor AT 400 · Levelland, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 2015 · N136DB · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN13LA518](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA518.md): American Champion 7GCB · Pearsall, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2013 · N9967Y · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN13LA437](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA437.md): Enstrom F-28A · Danbury, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2013 · N287Q · Substantial damage > The loss of collective control for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive fire damage. - [NTSB CEN12LA525](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA525.md): Bell 214ST · Avalon, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2012 · N409SB · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly torque the retaining nut and install the cotter pin that secured the helicopter’s tail rotor counterweight bellcrank. Contributing to the accident was the lack of detailed maintenance records that documented… - [NTSB CEN12LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA120.md): Continental Copters 47G2 · Lohn, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2012 · N9021R · Substantial damage > The improper installation of the tail rotor gearbox by maintenance personnel, which led to accelerated wear of the ring and pinion gears, resulting in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent forced landing. - [NTSB CEN11LA558](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA558.md): Piper Aerostar 601P · Alpine, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2011 · N8076J · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency. - [NTSB CEN11CA438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA438.md): Cessna A188 · Castroville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2011 · N731ST · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the agricultural spraying flight. - [NTSB CEN11LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA226.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Bulverde, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2011 · N112HE · Substantial damage > The in-flight separation of the fuel cap, which impacted the helicopter’s tail rotor and resulted in the loss of tail rotor thrust. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots, who did not ensure that the fuel cap was… - [NTSB CEN10CA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA200.md): Quicksilver Sport 2S · Canton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2010 · N439MM · Substantial damage > The airplane builder’s improper installation of the left rear wing strut eyebolt. - [NTSB CEN10IA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10IA084.md): ATR ATR72 · Dallas, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2009 · N494AE · Minor damage > A 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 CEN09IA578](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA578.md): Cessna 421 · Sugar Land, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2009 · N2349S · Minor damage > The improper installation of the pitch trim cable which resulted in it making improper contact with a guard pin that led to the fatigue failure of the cable. - [NTSB CEN09IA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA032.md): MD Helicopter MD 900 · Amherst, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2008 · N902NM · Minor damage > The failure of the vertical stabilizer control adapter due to reverse bending fatigue. - [NTSB CEN09IA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA003.md): MD Helicopter MD 900 · Weatherford, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2008 · N902RN · Minor damage > The failure of the vertical stabilizer control adapter due to reverse bending fatigue. ## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND 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?state=TX --- 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.