# 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 2 of 6 · 290 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [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 ERA21LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA014.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Rural Hall, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2020 · N227PF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and improper recovery from an unusual attitude, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [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 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 CEN20CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA033.md): Piper PA18 · Kerrville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 23, 2019 · N530AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the landing flare, which resulted in a loss of directional control and ground-loop.
- [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 CEN19LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA251.md): Ryan Navion · Chicago, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N27AW · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the left main landing gear upper side brace assembly during landing due to reverse bending fatigue as a result of the incomplete penetration of the circumferential weld during initial production of the component.
- [NTSB CEN19LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA215.md): Beech 65 · Sidney, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2019 · N62069 · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the outboard left wing, which allowed electrical arcing and leaking of the fuel sending unit and subsequently resulted in ignition of fuel vapors and an explosion of the outboard left wing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA183.md): Piper PA24 · Greeley, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 24, 2019 · N5866P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in failure of the right main landing gear and a subsequent loss of control.
- [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
- [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 WPR18LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA177.md): Schempp Hirth Flugzeugbau Arcus M · Richfield, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2018 · N16DN · Destroyed
  > An inflight loss of control and subsequent inflight breakup for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA221.md): Beech 58 · Baton Rouge, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2018 · N190RS · Substantial damage
  > The improper insulation of the anticollision light wiring, which resulted in the ignition of combustible fuel vapors in the outboard section of the right wing; the source of the fuel leak could not be determined due to fire damage.
- [NTSB GAA18CA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA329.md): Dobbs George Coot · Malone, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2018 · N100TN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to take off with a known structural issue, which resulted in hull damage.
- [NTSB GAA18CA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA321.md): Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 1, 2018 · N203KL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during a water landing.
- [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 ENG18RA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG18RA012.md): Embraer ERJ190 · Mar Del Plata, Argentina · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Jan 29, 2018 · LV-CID · Minor damage
  > The Junta de Investigacion de Accidentes de Avicion Civil (JIAAC) Republica Argentina has notified the NTSB of an incident involving an Embraer ERJ 190 which occurred on January 29, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a US Accredited Representative to assist the…
- [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 GAA18LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18LA062.md): Diamond Aircraft Ind DA 40 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N965DS · Substantial damage
  > A coyote strike and the subsequent operation of the airplane, which led to internal composite wing structure damage.
- [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.
- [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 ERA17FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA222.md): Piper PA23 · Chatsworth, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2017 · N44HJ · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?page=3

## 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?page=2

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