# 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 6 · 290 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA203.md): Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 · Soap Lake, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2026 · N157AJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper preflight assembly of the glider's wing attachment system, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure during flight.
- [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 WPR25LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA101.md): Hughes OH-6A · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 22, 2025 · N4191T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and structural damage to the tail boom and subsequent failure of the tail rotor drive system.
- [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 WPR24LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA319.md): Bell 206L · Fern Prairie, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2024 · N9984K · Substantial damage
  > An aeroelastic interaction between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and nodal beam system, which resulted in oscillations that exceeded the design limits of the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the main rotor blade manufacturer to…
- [NTSB ENG24WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG24WA036.md): Beech 200 · Egedesminde, Greenland · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 9, 2024 · TF-NLA · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN24FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA248.md): Rotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 5, 2024 · N51017 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.
- [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 ERA24FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA217.md): Beech V35 · Franklin, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2024 · N47WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s flight into convective weather, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a subsequent inflight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of accurate weather intensity depiction on the…
- [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 ERA24FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA209.md): Rockwell International 690A · Palmyra, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 5, 2024 · N690BM · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control following an encounter with structural icing, which resulted in an inflight breakup of the airplane.
- [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 CEN24FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA160.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Hartsburg, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 16, 2024 · N451MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the…
- [NTSB ERA24FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA176.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.
- [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 WPR23LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA317.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N503JA · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.
- [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 WPR23LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA255.md): Avia Stroitel AC-5M · North Plains, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N40233 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the motor glider, which resulted in an inflight overstress separation of the right wing during a high-speed, high-wing-load spiral dive recovery. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately manufactured wing…
- [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 ERA23FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA219.md): Cessna 182 · Reliance, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 7, 2023 · N725AS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in…
- [NTSB ERA23FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA209.md): Cessna 177B · Watkinsville, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2023 · N123DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an in-flight overload separation of the right wing during the uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.
- [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 WPR22FA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA345.md): Piper PA46 · Seligman, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 13, 2022 · N43605 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, and in-flight breakup.
- [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 WPR22LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA183.md): Pyka Pelican · Winters, CA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N605PK · Substantial damage
  > Delamination of the uncrewed aircraft systems’ right wing skin surfaces from the wing spar that resulted in a spin and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA169.md): Bearhawk LSA · Kalispell, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2022 · N1908A · Substantial damage
  > An excessive pitch control input for undetermined reasons while the airplane was operating above maneuvering speed, which led to a structural failure of the right wing during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the poor construction quality of the…
- [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 WPR22LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA136.md): Downer Bellanca 14-19-2 · Prosser, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 26, 2022 · N7658B · Substantial damage
  > An inadequately welded elevator attachment lug, which caused the elevator to partially detach from its bellcrank, resulting in flutter and structural damage.
- [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 ERA22LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA123.md): Britten-Norman BN-2A-9 · Culebra, PR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 15, 2022 · N821RR · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to arrest the descent rate during the non-standard approach, which resulted in a hard landing and failure of the right-wing structure. Contributing was the flight instructor’s selection of a challenging approach for initial training.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '337' 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/337/sequence

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