# Fatal 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.

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## Latest cases

- [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ERA18FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA240.md): Lance M Hooley Jetez · Covington, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2018 · N815EY · Destroyed
  > The improper manufacture of the left wing, which resulted in a left wing flutter event and failure at low altitude and high speed.
- [NTSB ERA18FA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA221.md): Quicksilver MXL II Sport · Westminster, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N105SE · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight fracture of a stainless steel bolt that was used to secure the upper and lower wing cables to the outer attach point at the leading edge spar of the right wing due to stress corrosion cracking, which caused the right wing to fail and precluded…
- [NTSB CEN18WA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA343.md): Piper PA25 · Namiquipa, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 1, 2018 · XB-FMA · Destroyed
  > On August 1, 2018, about 0956 hours mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 single-engine airplane, serial number 25-4177, Mexican registration XB-FMA, crashed in an agricultural field near Namiquipa, Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. The local aerial…
- [NTSB CEN18WA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA304.md): Quad City Challenger · North Bay, Canada · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 30, 2018 · C-IGKT · Substantial damage
  > On July 30, 2018, about 1500 Coordinated Universal Time, a Quad City Challenger II airplane, Canadian registration C-IGKT, crashed near Talon Lake, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed North Bay (CYYB), Ontario, and…
- [NTSB CEN18FA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA282.md): Fisher Celebrity · Patriot, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N228LC · Destroyed
  > An in-flight separation of the right wing due to upward and rearward bending that led to an overstress fracture. The reason for the upward and rearward bending could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA18FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA120.md): Piper PA28R · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 4, 2018 · N106ER · Destroyed
  > Extensive fatigue cracking in the left-wing main spar lower cap and doublers, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing. The fatigue cracks initiated and grew to a critical size due to flight and ground loads associated with flight-training…
- [NTSB WPR18FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA091.md): Piper PA34 · Minden, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2018 · N14GQ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the use of a sedating antihistamine.
- [NTSB ERA18FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA064.md): Vans RV-12 · Bonita Springs, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2018 · N262WS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's unsafe maneuvering and exceedance of the airplane's operating limitations, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the left wing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's underlying physiologic or psychiatric disease.
- [NTSB ERA17FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA265.md): North Wing Freedom · Green Township, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2017 · N2854L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight setup of the aircraft's foldable wing, during which he incorrectly attached a nylon strap loop pull handle, instead of the steel cable shackle at the end of the strap, to its mounting hook. The nylon strap failed in flight,…
- [NTSB WPR17FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA128.md): Prescot E. Wilkie RV-3 · Payette, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2017 · N177TT · Destroyed
  > The in-flight failure of the left wing due to the owner's use of improper hardware and his improper assembly of the airplane, which reduced the strength of the left wing and resulted in its subsequent failure following a sharp pullup maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR17FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA117.md): Cessna 180 · Ventura, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2017 · N3683C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's abrupt and substantial pullup maneuver while flying the airplane above the maneuvering speed, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. The reason for the pilot's maneuver could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR17FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA074.md): Quicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to identify and correct his construction error of a critical structural component, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of multiple…
- [NTSB ERA17FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA038.md): Quad City Challenger · Crescent City, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2016 · N327SH · Destroyed
  > An abrupt pitch-up maneuver following a descent, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the right wing due to the overload failure of both the forward and aft right wing attachment brackets.
- [NTSB DCA16FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16FA199.md): Bell 525 · Italy, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2016 · N525TA · Destroyed
  > A severe vibration of the helicopter that led to the crew's inability to maintain sufficient rotor rotation speed (Nr), leading to excessive main rotor blade flapping, subsequent main rotor blade contact with the tail boom, and the resultant in-flight…
- [NTSB ERA16LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA209.md): WSK PZL Mielec M 18A · Brunswick, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2016 · N2283M · Destroyed
  > The failure of the right wing due to a fatigue fracture of the right outboard wing forward spar lower fitting. Contributing to the accident was the routine operation of the airplane over its certificated maximum gross weight and the operator's improper or…
- [NTSB CEN16LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA154.md): Air Tractor AT 502 · Kilbourne, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2016 · N301LA · Destroyed
  > The failure of the operator to comply with the terminating action of the airworthiness directive, which resulted in the subsequent failure and separation of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue.
- [NTSB ERA16FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA089.md): Caughran Terry Flightstar II · Wake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2016 · N82652 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the left wing in flight due to compression loading from wing loads combined with preexisting damage.
- [NTSB WPR16FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA036.md): Barnett Allen S RV7 · Hurricane, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 10, 2015 · N307AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s aerobatic maneuver leading to airspeeds above the airplane’s never exceed speed, which resulted in rudder flutter and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA16FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA033.md): Zenith CH701 · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2015 · N56553 · Destroyed
  > An in-flight structural failure due to a severely corroded wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA16FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA001.md): Piper PA32R · Westminster, SC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2015 · N782TM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA15FA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA331.md): Cornell W F/Sahakian J A JR Giles 202 (G202) · Newburgh, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2015 · N18FJ · Destroyed
  > Separation of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers from the fuselage due to a fracture that initiated at the bond between the left horizontal stabilizer and the flange that attached the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage skin. The failure was likely…
- [NTSB CEN15LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA104.md): Baker Bobby J Safari · The Woodlands, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2015 · N416JB · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight separation of the helicopter’s horizontal stabilizer due to undetected fatigue cracking of the stabilizer spar, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR14FA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA369.md): Backovich George C G P 5 · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2014 · N501GP · Destroyed
  > The failure of the right wing under normal race loads due to an improper repair of the right wing spar that reduced its structural strength following a previous landing accident.
- [NTSB DCA14WA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA14WA151.md): Piper PA46 · Kimberley, South Africa · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 22, 2014 · ZS-LLD · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN14FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA140.md): Hillam Scott L Rans S 10 · Shepherd, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2014 · N3000V · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to attempt aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic…
- [NTSB CEN14LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA056.md): Pearson Jon M Dragonfly · Anahuac, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2013 · N975DF · Destroyed
  > The incorrect installation by the pilot, who was not a certificated mechanic or repairman, of the main rotor head bearing block, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the rotor head.
- [NTSB CEN13FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA213.md): Schleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2013 · N12053 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers in a glider not approved for such maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the degradation of the adhesive holding the wing together, which should have been detected either during the last annual…
- [NTSB CEN13FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA192.md): Sikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2013 · N574EH · Destroyed
  > Fracture of the red tail rotor blade spar, which resulted in the separation and departure of the red tail rotor blade from the helicopter and subsequent compromised tail gearbox. The red tail rotor blade was not recovered, thus the cause of the initial…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/cases.md?fatal=1&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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND 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?fatal=1

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