Fatal NTSB investigations
86 cases where the defining event was Aircraft structural failure.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 7 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
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.\"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"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."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
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 ERA25MA171Accident · 6 fatalClass 2 · MajorPreliminary reportBell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJOn 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 CEN24FA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Marianna, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA24LA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Groveland, FLThe 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 ERA23FA380Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Whitesville, KYThe flight instructor’s improper decision to continue flight into a known area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA23FA340Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Fort Pierce, FLThe 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 GAA23WA211Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 210 · San Luis Gaceno, ColombiaNTSB CEN23FA204Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLuce Buttercup · Lyndonville, NYAn in-flight breakup due to structural overload of the airplane for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR23FA034Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportTextron 208B · Snohomish, WAThe 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 ANC23FA003Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportAirborne Windsports Edge XT-912L · Mokuleia, HIStructural failure of the wing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ERA23FA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSeamax M-22 · East Hampton, NYAn 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 WPR22FA100Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMoynihan Richard D Vans RV-7A · White Hills, AZThe 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 CEN21FA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPZL Mielec M18 · Seiling, OKThe 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 WPR21FA266Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C90 · Wikieup, AZThe 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 ANC21FA015Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 185 · Chitina, AKAn in-flight breakup during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB WPR20LA283Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKaman K 1200 · Pine Grove, ORAn 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 WPR20WA210Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R44 · Broome Aerodrome, AustraliaThe 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 CEN20WA237Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA34 · Reinsfeld, GermanyThe 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 CEN20LA201Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Carlinville, ILThe 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 ERA20FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMustang II · Senoia, GAThe 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 WPR19FA161Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportLockwood Aircam · Hemet, CAThe pilot/builder's improper installation of the left wing during the build process, which resulted in the wing failing during takeoff.NTSB ERA19FA068Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportSaberwing Saberwing · Adel, GAThe in-flight failure of the fuselage, as a result of the pilot conducting maneuvers that exceeded the structural capabilities of the airplane.NTSB CEN19FA030Accident · 3 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 441 · Harmon, NDThe 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 ERA18FA240Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLance M Hooley Jetez · Covington, TNThe improper manufacture of the left wing, which resulted in a left wing flutter event and failure at low altitude and high speed.NTSB ERA18FA221Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II Sport · Westminster, MDThe 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 CEN18WA343Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Namiquipa, MexicoOn 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 CEN18WA304Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationQuad City Challenger · North Bay, CanadaOn 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 CEN18FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFisher Celebrity · Patriot, INAn 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 ERA18FA120Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Daytona Beach, FLExtensive 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 WPR18FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Minden, NVThe 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 ERA18FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV-12 · Bonita Springs, FLThe 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 ERA17FA265Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Freedom · Green Township, NJThe 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 WPR17FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPrescot E. Wilkie RV-3 · Payette, IDThe 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 WPR17FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Ventura, CAThe 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 WPR17FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CAThe 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 ERA17FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Crescent City, FLAn 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 DCA16FA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell 525 · Italy, TXA 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 ERA16LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M 18A · Brunswick, NCThe 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 CEN16LA154Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502 · Kilbourne, LAThe 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 ERA16FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCaughran Terry Flightstar II · Wake, VAFailure of the left wing in flight due to compression loading from wing loads combined with preexisting damage.NTSB WPR16FA036Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBarnett Allen S RV7 · Hurricane, UTThe 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 ERA16FA033Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith CH701 · Okeechobee, FLAn in-flight structural failure due to a severely corroded wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA16FA001Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Westminster, SCThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA15FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCornell W F/Sahakian J A JR Giles 202 (G202) · Newburgh, NYSeparation 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 CEN15LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBaker Bobby J Safari · The Woodlands, TXAn 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 WPR14FA369Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBackovich George C G P 5 · Reno, NVThe 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 DCA14WA151Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA46 · Kimberley, South AfricaNTSB CEN14FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHillam Scott L Rans S 10 · Shepherd, TXThe 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 CEN14LA056Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPearson Jon M Dragonfly · Anahuac, TXThe 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 CEN13FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TXThe 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 CEN13FA192Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LAFracture 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…