# NTSB investigations: Aircraft structural failure

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 1 of 4 · 181 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA130.md): Textron 680A · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2026 · N519QS · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the blast fence during taxi to the runway for departure, and their inadequate inspection of the airplane after it contacted the blast fence.
- [NTSB ERA26LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA118.md): Tecnam P2006T · Homestead, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Feb 19, 2026 · N964GV · Substantial damage
  > On February 19, 2026, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Tecnam P2006T, N964GV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title…
- [NTSB ERA25MA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25MA171.md): Bell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJ · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Preliminary report · Apr 10, 2025 · N216MH · Destroyed
  > On April 10, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jersey City, New Jersey. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title…
- [NTSB DCA25LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA061.md): Lockheed 382G-44K-30 · St. Mary's, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2024 · N403LC · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the forward pressure bulkhead canted web that originated from stress corrosion cracking areas. Contributing to the failure were inspection procedures and intervals inadequate to identify the fatigue cracks.
- [NTSB DCA25WA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25WA048.md): Boeing 737 · Montreal, Canada · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 27, 2024 · C-GGWX · Substantial damage
- [NTSB DCA25LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA025.md): Boeing 737-9 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2024 · N27515 · Substantial damage
  > Brake application before all three landing gears were on the ground, which caused the failure of the right main landing gear tires and resulted in tire fragments impacting the fuselage.
- [NTSB ENG24WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG24WA036.md): Beech 200 · Egedesminde, Greenland · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 9, 2024 · TF-NLA · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA24LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA250.md): Piper PA28R · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2024 · N287ND · Substantial damage
  > Excessive side loading of the vertical stabilizer.
- [NTSB CEN24FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA179.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Marianna, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 13, 2024 · N241PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA185.md): Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Groveland, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2024 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper installation and inspection of the right lower wing strut attachment bolt, which resulted in the inflight failure of the right wing.
- [NTSB CEN24LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA162.md): American Champion 7ECA · Longview, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N793L · Substantial damage
  > The rudder post’s failure due to corrosion fatigue. Contributing to the accident were the misalignment of the rudder hinge components, which produced mechanical binding and elevated localized stress, and a compromised the protective coating, which allowed…
- [NTSB ERA23FA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA380.md): Piper PA28 · Whitesville, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 28, 2023 · N3079M · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s improper decision to continue flight into a known area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN23LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA405.md): Alisport Silent 2 Electro · Giddings, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2023 · N321AD · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with flutter during cruise flight that resulted in structural damage to the fuselage.
- [NTSB ERA23FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA340.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 17, 2023 · N9855S · Destroyed
  > The left seat instructor’s intentional maneuvering of the airplane in an aerobatic steep turn for which it was not approved, which resulted in an exceedance of the structural limitations of the airplane and an inflight breakup.
- [NTSB DCA23LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA409.md): Boeing 767-322 · Chantilly, VA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2023 · N676UA · Substantial damage
  > Improper overhaul of the trunnion cross-pin hole that resulted in the development of stress corrosion cracking and eventual failure of the right forward trunnion.
- [NTSB CEN23LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA319.md): Alisport Silent 2 Electro · Wallis, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2023 · N64JG · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the tail boom structure due to cyclic torsion overloading as of a result of flutter in the empennage. The reason for the flutter could not be determined.
- [NTSB GAA23WA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA211.md): Cessna 210 · San Luis Gaceno, Colombia · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 19, 2023 · HK5138G · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN23FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA204.md): Luce Buttercup · Lyndonville, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2023 · N18263 · Destroyed
  > An in-flight breakup due to structural overload of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR23LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA128.md): Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · Castroville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2023 · N55XJ · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR23FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA034.md): Textron 208B · Snohomish, WA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 18, 2022 · N2069B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper recovery following a departure from controlled flight after an intentional aerodynamic stall, which resulted in an exceedance of airspeed limitations, airframe overstress, and a subsequent inflight breakup.
- [NTSB ANC23FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA003.md): Airborne Windsports Edge XT-912L · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 5, 2022 · N444EZ · Substantial damage
  > Structural failure of the wing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA007.md): Seamax M-22 · East Hampton, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 6, 2022 · N46PD · Substantial damage
  > An inflight separation of the right wing as a result of the manufacturer’s application of a bolt and nut in the upper wing strut attachment point that was inconsistent with the nut design intent and usage limitations.
- [NTSB CEN22LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA442.md): Piper PA-18 · Battle Creek, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Investigation open · Sep 27, 2022 · N7207
- [NTSB DCA22WA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22WA136.md): 737 800 · Dubrovnik, Croatia · Incident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Jun 25, 2022 · G-JZBC · Minor damage
- [NTSB ANC22LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA040.md): Cessna U206F · Kodiak, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2022 · N592KB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear leg due to fatigue cracks that initiated from corrosion pitting.
- [NTSB ENG22WA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG22WA024.md): Boeing 737 · Queensland, Australia · Incident · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 26, 2022 · VH-YFZ · Minor damage
- [NTSB ERA22LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA171.md): Cessna 172 · Sparta, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 27, 2022 · N8431U · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly affix left main landing gear components, which led to the failure of the left main landing gear during the accident flight.
- [NTSB WPR22FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA100.md): Moynihan Richard D Vans RV-7A · White Hills, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 19, 2022 · N787NV · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s improper aerobatic maneuver leading to an airspeed that exceeded the airplane’s design limits, which resulted in rudder flutter and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB DCA22LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA038.md): Boeing 747-4B5F · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 29, 2021 · N705CK · Substantial damage
  > Incorrect lubrication of the foreflap fitting assembly.
- [NTSB CEN21LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA420.md): Quad City Ultralight Challenger II · Rogers City, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2021 · N778H · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the right wing’s forward lift strut from the fuselage due to a missing nylon-insert lock nut. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot’s decision to operate the airplane even though a condition inspection had not been…
- [NTSB WPR21LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA324.md): Cessna 172 · Athol, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 7, 2021 · N4110L · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the windshield during spin recovery for reasons that were not determined.
- [NTSB CEN21FA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA314.md): PZL Mielec M18 · Seiling, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 12, 2021 · N9310R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s in-flight loss of control due to the structural failure of a wing fitting and separation of the outboard wing section. Also causal were the inadequate wing fitting inspections, which failed to detect the initial corrosion and crack before it…
- [NTSB WPR21FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA266.md): Beech C90 · Wikieup, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N3688P · Destroyed
  > The failure and separation of the left wing’s outboard section due to a fatigue crack in the lower spar cap. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s decision to repair the wing spar instead of replacing it as recommended by the aircraft manufacturer.…
- [NTSB ANC21FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21FA015.md): Cessna 185 · Chitina, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 4, 2021 · N9725Z · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight breakup during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA378.md): Cessna 340 · Oklahoma City, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2020 · N5178J · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the windscreen for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR20LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA283.md): Kaman K 1200 · Pine Grove, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2020 · N314 · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight breakup resulting from contact of the left rotor system with the right rotor system after an in-flight failure of a servo flap from a left rotor blade.
- [NTSB WPR20WA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA210.md): Robinson R44 · Broome Aerodrome, Australia · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 4, 2020 · VH-NBY · Substantial damage
  > The government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on July 04, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN20WA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA237.md): Piper PA34 · Reinsfeld, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 17, 2020 · D-GEMZ · Destroyed
  > The government of Germany has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a Piper PA-34 220T airplane, German registration D-GEMZ, that occurred on June 17, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Germany's…
- [NTSB CEN20CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA220.md): Vans RV8 · Sulfer, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2020 · N44LA · Substantial damage
  > A loss of directional control as a result of a fractured landing gear attach bracket.
- [NTSB ANC20LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA059.md): Piper PA 12 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2020 · N3188M · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue fracture of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1025 carbon steel rudder post, which resulted in structural failure of the rudder. Contributing to the fatigue failure was the post’s susceptibility to fatigue cracking under normal service…
- [NTSB CEN20LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA201.md): Piper PA28 · Carlinville, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N8991W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s attempted recovery from a steep descent which inadvertently exceeded the ultimate load factor of the airframe and resulted in a low-level inflight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA20FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA086.md): Mustang II · Senoia, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 25, 2020 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s structural limitations while conducting previous aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR19FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA161.md): Lockwood Aircam · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 8, 2019 · N123GN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/builder's improper installation of the left wing during the build process, which resulted in the wing failing during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR19LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA171.md): Beech 35 · Deer Park, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 3, 2019 · N2839V · Substantial damage
  > An empennage flutter event for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA19LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA137.md): Pilatus PC12 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 24, 2019 · N944BT · Substantial damage
  > Improper maintenance of the windshield, which resulted in delamination and in-flight depressurization.
- [NTSB WPR19LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA088.md): Lancair IV · Laramie, WY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 10, 2019 · N549CJ · Substantial damage
  > An environmental stress cracking failure of the acrylic windshield, which resulted in a rapid decompression during cruise flight.
- [NTSB ERA19FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA068.md): Saberwing Saberwing · Adel, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Dec 18, 2018 · N203SW · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the fuselage, as a result of the pilot conducting maneuvers that exceeded the structural capabilities of the airplane.
- [NTSB DCA19WA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19WA044.md): Boeing 737 · Tijuana, Mexico · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 12, 2018 · XA-ADV · Minor damage
  > The DGAC of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Boeing 737 airplane that occurred on December 12, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the DGAC's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as…
- [NTSB CEN19FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA030.md): Cessna 441 · Harmon, ND · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 18, 2018 · N441CX · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in dark night conditions that resulted in an in-flight positive overload failure of the wings and the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA19LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA050.md): Ultralite Sro Stingsport · Clermont, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2018 · N494N · Substantial damage
  > An inflight failure of the airplane’s horizontal stabilizer.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/cases.md?page=2

## 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 e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '337')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/cases

---
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.