# 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. Page 1 of 4 · 155 cases ## 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 CEN21FA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA360.md): Mooney M20M · Victoria, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 7, 2021 · N9156Z · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during final approach, which led to a spiral dive that overstressed the airplane and resulted in 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 ERA20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA315.md): Vans RV9 · Steinhatchee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N4889R · Destroyed > The failure of the air traffic controller to provide hazardous weather information to the pilot, resulting in the flight’s encounter with strong updraft conditions, an inflight loss of airplane control, and an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s… - [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 ERA20FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA021.md): Piper PA28R · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 30, 2019 · N56258 · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum pump and its associated instruments. - [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 ERA19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA188.md): Piper PA46 · Castalia, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2019 · N709CH · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to navigate around hazardous weather, resulting in the penetration of a thunderstorm, a loss of airplane control, and an inflight breakup. The air traffic controller’s failure to provide the pilot with adequate and timely weather… - [NTSB WPR19FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA123.md): Robinson R44 · Kailua, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2019 · N808NV · Destroyed > The helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor… - [NTSB CEN19FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA094.md): Cessna T337 · Longview, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2019 · N922EJ · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue flight into convective weather conditions, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its maximum maneuvering speed and the subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… - [NTSB ERA19LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA072.md): Piper PA46 · Mayport, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2018 · N307JM · Destroyed > An in-flight loss of control following an encounter with supercooled large droplet icing conditions, which ultimately resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent inflight breakup. Also causal was the pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed… - [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 CEN19FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA004.md): Piper PA32RT · Poolville, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N221MC · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation and the exceedance of the structural capabilities of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in instrument conditions. - [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 CEN18LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA012.md): Globe GC 1A · Los Lunas, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 2017 · N90365 · Substantial damage > The loss of directional control during takeoff and impact with a steel culvert. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.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 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?fatal=1 --- 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.