# 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 3 of 6 · 290 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB CEN17FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA231.md): Gefa-Flug AS-105-GD · Hartford, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2017 · G-SUNA · Destroyed > The overpressurization failure of the airship envelope as a result of the airship's encounter with gusty wind conditions and thermal activity. Contributing to the accident was the jammed Plexiglass venting panel. - [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 ERA17FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA145.md): Pipistrel Virus SW · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2017 · N155CL · Destroyed > The pilot's intentional flight into an area of known convective thunderstorm activity, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. - [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 WPR17LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA034.md): Bell OH 58A · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 4, 2016 · N916PD · Substantial damage > The failure of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue. - [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 WPR16LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA150.md): Beech 65 A90 · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2016 · N256TA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin. Also causal to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow prescribed spin… - [NTSB CEN16FA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA276.md): Piper PA 30 · Plainfield, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2016 · N7409Y · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an en route climb near convective activity, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, an uncontrolled descent, and a subsequent in-flight breakup due to an exceedance of the airplane's design load… - [NTSB ANC16LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA048.md): Stinson 108 · Haines, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2016 · N343C · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a ground loop and overstress failure of the left main landing gear wheel axle. - [NTSB WPR16LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA141.md): Luscombe 8A · Minden, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2016 · N2759K · Substantial damage > The failure of a main landing gear leg during takeoff due to corrosion, which resulted in a nose-over during the subsequent landing on a grassy area. - [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 DCA16CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA197.md): Facebook UK Aquila · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2016 · N565AQ · Substantial damage > a structural failure of the wing as a result of exceeding the airspeed envelope due to wind gusts which were beyond the capabilities of the autopilot. Contributing to the accident was an insufficient amount of drag to track the glideslope in the presence of… - [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 ERA16FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA176.md): Beech V35 · Syosset, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 2016 · N440H · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control while operating in instrument meteorological conditions with only a partial instrument panel due to a failure of the airplane's vacuum pump. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's spatial disorientation and the… - [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 CEN16LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA108.md): Cessna LC41-550FG · Grand Junction, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2016 · N10580 · Substantial damage > Failure of the right main tire for reasons that could not be determined because the tire was not available for examination. - [NTSB DCA16LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16LA096.md): Lockheed 382G · Iliamna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2016 · N401LC · 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 crack. - [NTSB WPR16FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA054.md): Cessna 525 · Cedar Fort, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2016 · N711BX · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident… - [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 WPR16FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA041.md): Piper PA 32RT-300T · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2015 · N36402 · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct and continue the flight despite forecast and en route instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which were not conducive to safe operation under visual flight rules. Also causal to the accident was the… - [NTSB GAA16CA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA080.md): Aviat A1 · Broadus, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 13, 2015 · N29712 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires while flying at a low altitude resulting in a wire strike, a loss of airplane control, and the consequent impact with terrain. - [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 CEN16LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA027.md): Bell 407 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2015 · N496AE · Substantial damage > The failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a requirement to inspect the tail rotor assembly for security in the helicopter manufacturer's maintenance manual… - [NTSB GAA16CA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA039.md): Bell 407 · Cameron, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 30, 2015 · N420PH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to remove a main rotor blade tiedown, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade when the engine was started. - [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 CEN15WA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA364.md): MX MX2 · Châteauneuf-sur-Cher, France · Accident · Minor injuries · Foreign investigation · Aug 16, 2015 · N88MX · Destroyed - [NTSB CEN15FA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA268.md): Piper PA 32 · Cuba, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2015 · N2966X · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in his loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane's design limits, and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reliance on onboard… - [NTSB DCA15CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA117.md): Titan Aerospace Holdings Solara 50 · Otto, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 1, 2015 · N950TA · Destroyed > structural failure of the left wing due to an overspeed condition. - [NTSB ERA15LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA328.md): Gulfstream Aerospace G IV · Caribbean Sea, A1 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2015 · N450KK · Substantial damage > The in-flight failure of the cabin pressurization relief/safety valve (CPRV) due to an obstruction of the CPRV static port, which allowed the airplane to overpressurize. The reason for the initial overpressurization condition could not be determined. - [NTSB WPR15LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA142.md): Schleicher ASW 27 · Reno, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2015 · N27QV · Substantial damage > The glider's encounter with severe turbulent atmospheric conditions after the pilot inadvertently entered clouds, which led to his inability to maintain a proper airspeed and the subsequent in-flight breakup of the glider. - [NTSB WPR15FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA140.md): Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2015 · N476VB · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and structural failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from his use of diphenhydramine. - [NTSB ENG15RA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG15RA012.md): Robinson R44 - II · Waikaia, New Zealand · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Jan 23, 2015 · ZK-HPC · Substantial damage > On January 23, 2015, a Robinson R44 II experienced a severe in-flight vibration, after which the pilot successfully landed the helicopter. A subsequent inspection found a crack on one of the main rotor blades. This incident is being investigated by the New… - [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 ERA15LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA044.md): Itec Maverick · Dunnellon, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2014 · N356MV · Destroyed > A cell blowout in the fabric wing, which resulted in an asymmetrical loss of lift and a subsequent loss of aircraft 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 WPR14LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA361.md): Travel Air C 4000 · Williams, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2014 · N9952 · Substantial damage > The failure of the elevator control tube due to corrosion, which resulted in a loss of elevator control and collision with terrain. - [NTSB CEN14LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA351.md): Cessna 152 · Denton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2014 · N49785 · Substantial damage > The in-flight failure of the right wing’s rear spar. - [NTSB ERA14LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA293.md): Schweizer 269C-1 · Allentown, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2014 · N152CC · Substantial damage > Inadequate inspection and maintenance of the helicopter’s landing gear dampers, which resulted in ground resonance during helicopter shutdown. - [NTSB WPR14LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA238.md): Skykits Savannah VGW · Helena, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2014 · N472WM · Substantial damage > The overload failure of the nosewheel fork retaining bolts during landing, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB WPR14LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA179.md): Coulter Hugh Clarke Pulsar XP Series I · Bremerton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2014 · N452PC · Substantial damage > Fatigue failure of the nose landing gear retention and pivot shaft, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the nose gear wheel and tire assembly. - [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 CEN14LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA196.md): Piper PA 46-350P · West Chicago, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2014 · N1972M · Substantial damage > The failure of the nose gear actuator attachment to the engine mount due to overstress, which resulted in the loss of directional control during landing. - [NTSB ERA14FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA168.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Brunswick, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2014 · N923RS · Destroyed > An inflight failure of the airplane's only operating vacuum pump, which resulted in the loss of attitude information provided by vacuum-driven flight instruments. Also causal was the pilots' failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating in… - [NTSB WPR14LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA130.md): Grumman G164 - A · Caruthers, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2014 · N72ES · Substantial damage > An undetected fatigue crack in the landing gear leg, which initiated at an electrical arc-induced damage site of undetermined origin and resulted in landing gear failure. Contributing to the severity of damage to the airplane was the close proximity of an… - [NTSB ENG14IA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG14IA016.md): Douglas C 118A · Emmonak, AK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2014 · N351CE · Minor damage > The fatigue failure of the lower wing skin due to aging mechanisms. Contributing to the failure were lower wing skin inspection procedures insufficient to identify the crack. - [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 WPR14LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA104.md): Simpson Amphibeous Trike/No · Chehalis, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2014 · N440LS · Substantial damage > The failure of the left wing prong. - [NTSB ERA14FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA077.md): Piper PA-30 · Biglerville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2013 · N8372Y · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?page=4 ## 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=3 --- 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.