# 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 4 of 6 · 290 cases ## Cases, newest first - [NTSB CEN14IA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14IA085.md): Beech E90 · Eau Claire, WI · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2013 · N60BA · Minor damage > The failure of the copilot’s windshield inner layer due to a peel chip that developed as a result of mechanical and thermal expansion stresses. - [NTSB ERA14MA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14MA060.md): Fairchild SA227-AC · La Alianza, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2013 · N831BC · Destroyed > The flight crew's excessive elevator input during a rapid descent under night lighting conditions, which resulted in the overstress and breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was an initial loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be… - [NTSB CEN14FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA064.md): Cessna T210 · Cedaredge, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2013 · N6832B · Destroyed > The pilot's spatial disorientation while operating in dark night conditions in snow showers and his subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in overstress of the airplane and an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the loss of control was… - [NTSB CEN14LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA056.md): Pearson Jon M Dragonfly · Anahuac, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2013 · N975DF · Destroyed > The 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 CEN14FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA009.md): Cessna 500 · Derby, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2013 · N610ED · Destroyed > The airplane's encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing, and the pilot's increased workload and subsequent disorientation while maneuvering in instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with malfunctioning flight instruments,… - [NTSB ERA13FA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA424.md): Brown Robert K RV7A · Hamilton Township, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2013 · N174BK · Destroyed > The pilot's improper aerobatic maneuver that resulted in a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane's design limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane. - [NTSB WPR13LA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA404.md): Bell 47G5 · King City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2013 · N7836S · Substantial damage > The failure of the helicopter’s center frame tube due to a fatigue crack and corrosion originating from a welded surface. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the helicopter during its most recent 100-hour… - [NTSB CEN13LA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA514.md): Challenger II · Emporia, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2013 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The right wing’s folding up in flight for reasons that could not be determined because an examination did not reveal any abnormalities with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. - [NTSB ERA13FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA253.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Johnstown, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 2013 · N31743 · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ENG13IA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG13IA027.md): Boeing 747 · Atlanta, GA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 19, 2013 · B18701 · Minor damage > Failure of the right inboard foreflap outboard fitting due to fatigue and bearing anomalies on the sequence carriages which resulted in the partial separation of the right inboard foreflap. Contributing to the incident was the failure of maintenance personnel… - [NTSB ERA13LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA199.md): Maxfly Inc/Mckay WM Searey · Polk City, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2013 · N914WM · Substantial damage > The improper installation of incorrect attachment hardware by maintenance personnel during an undocumented repair, which resulted in an in-flight structural failure and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the covering of the… - [NTSB ERA13LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA198.md): Franke Russell J Searey · Polk City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2013 · N92319 · Substantial damage > An inadvertent encounter with the water wake from a larger amphibious airplane before takeoff and the pilot's subsequent inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane during which he failed to note damage caused by the wake encounter. - [NTSB CEN13FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA213.md): Schleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2013 · N12053 · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN13FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA192.md): Sikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2013 · N574EH · Destroyed > Fracture 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… - [NTSB CEN13LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA186.md): Fisher Michael E Celebrity · Terrell, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 2013 · N70785 · Destroyed > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limits while performing aerobatic maneuvers. - [NTSB WPR13FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA123.md): Avions Fairey Tipsy Nipper T-66 · Winters, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2013 · N1959N · Substantial damage > The airplane's impact with a turkey vulture in cruise flight, which resulted in the structural failure of the right wing and the subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB WPR13FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA086.md): Beech V35A · Woody, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2013 · N35SD · Destroyed > An in-flight encounter with icing conditions during descent, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall followed by an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ERA13RA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13RA106.md): Boeing-Vertol 234 · Pucallpa, Peru, Peru · Accident · 7 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 7, 2013 · N241CH · Destroyed > On January 7, 2013, about 2002 universal coordinated time (1502 local time), a Boeing-Vertol 234, N241CH, operated by Columbia Helicopters Peru, S.A.C., was destroyed during an inflight breakup and subsequent impact with terrain near Pucallpa, Peru. The U.S.… - [NTSB CEN13FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA105.md): Beech E-90 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2012 · N67PS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after encountering icing conditions and heavy to extreme turbulence and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s design limit, which led to an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB CEN13LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA071.md): Scott Ironsides · East Troy, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2012 · N1879 · Substantial damage > Failure of the steel weld fittings on the right main landing gear. - [NTSB WPR13LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA050.md): Sater Coot A-Amphib · San Andreas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2012 · N8VS · Substantial damage > The pilot's excessive flight control inputs, which led to flight that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane and resulted in structural failure of both wings. - [NTSB ERA13LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA065.md): Beech C90A · Roanoke, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2012 · N702DK · Substantial damage > The failure of the right main landing gear bearing actuator support brackets. Contributing to the accident was the owner's and operator's failure to comply with the airplane manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin and the Federal Aviation Administration's… - [NTSB WPR13FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA037.md): Cessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2012 · N700EM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to regain airplane control following a sudden rapid descent during cruise, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to make the flight with a failed vacuum pump, particularly at high… - [NTSB CEN12FA628](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA628.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Bullard, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 2012 · N4842P · Substantial damage > The pilot's maneuver, which exceeded the airplane's structural limit and resulted in an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB WPR12LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA396.md): Beech G35 · Oceano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2012 · N4454D · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the design maneuvering speed during descent in turbulence, which resulted in structural damage to the aft fuselage. - [NTSB ERA12LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA537.md): Quad City Ultralights Challenger II · Ocala, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2012 · N2481P · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent overstress of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer section of the right wing. - [NTSB CEN12CA600](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA600.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Columbus, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 26, 2012 · N904LA · Substantial damage > The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack. - [NTSB DCA12IA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12IA113.md): Boeing 737-3H4 · El Paso, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2012 · N379SW · Minor damage > the rupture of the nose landing gear hydraulic line that resulted from abrasions due to contact with the nose landing gear tire. Contributing to the incident was the incorrect installation of union and restrictor on the actuator. - [NTSB ANC12FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12FA066.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2012 · N432LT · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions likely leading to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and in-flight structural failure. - [NTSB ERA12FA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA433.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · New Site, MS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2012 · N4386F · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to operate into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the inadvertent penetration of a severe thunderstorm, a subsequent loss of control, and in-flight breakup of the airplane. - [NTSB CEN12IA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12IA377.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Lacon, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2012 · N4350T · Minor damage > The propeller blade’s failure due to a fatigue crack that originated from a surface gouge that resulted from foreign object damage to the propeller blade that occurred at an unknown time. - [NTSB ERA12FA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA385.md): Pilatus PC-12/47 · Lake Wales, FL · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2012 · N950KA · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane while climbing to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) following disconnect of the autopilot. The reason for the autopilot disconnect could not be determined during… - [NTSB ERA12FA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA376.md): Hawker Beechcraft A36 · Macon, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 2012 · N976S · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue flight into an area of known thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in actual instrument meteorological conditions and his reliance on datalink… - [NTSB CEN12LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA247.md): Hughes 269A · Grinnell, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 2012 · N69HJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper liftoff technique, which resulted in ground resonance, and the pilot's delayed recognition of the ground resonance. - [NTSB WPR12FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA164.md): Cessna 320D · Green River, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2012 · N32EG · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and a subsequent in-flight structural failure. - [NTSB CEN12FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA196.md): Beech 35 · Glencoe, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 2012 · N3871N · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the design limits of the airplane being exceeded and an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB WPR12LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA115.md): Texas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Farmington, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2012 · N43921 · Substantial damage > The in-flight separation of the wood portion of one main rotor blade while maneuvering at low level, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. - [NTSB CEN12FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA164.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Albany, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2012 · N7147P · Substantial damage > The loss of flight instrumentation due to a failed vacuum pump while flying a night without a discernable horizon, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and an in-flight loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the continued… - [NTSB CEN12LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA218.md): Cessna 182A · New Philadelphia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2012 · N20DE · Substantial damage > The inadequate maintenance of the wheel attachment bolts, which resulted in the left wheel separating from the landing gear during landing due to ductile overstress fractures. - [NTSB ERA12LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA131.md): Haney John F B Seastar XP · Willimantic, CT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2012 · N667JH · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an installed manufacturer-recommended carburetor heat system. - [NTSB ERA12FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA115.md): Socata TBM 700 · Morristown, NJ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2011 · N731CA · Destroyed > The airplane’s encounter with unforecasted severe icing conditions that were characterized by high ice accretion rates and the pilot's failure to use his command authority to depart the icing conditions in an expeditious manner, which resulted in a loss of… - [NTSB CEN12FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA108.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Bryan, TX · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2011 · N3590T · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe weather, which resulted in the airplane’s left wing failing in positive overload. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information that he received on his in-cockpit… - [NTSB CEN12FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA098.md): Socata TB21 · Silverton, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2011 · N25153 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to embark on a flight through forecasted instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent flight into IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent maneuvering of the airplane… - [NTSB WPR12MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12MA034.md): Eurocopter EC 130 B4 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2011 · N11QV · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while operating in marginal weather conditions, which resulted in the impact of the horizontal stabilizer and lower forward portion of the fenestron with ground and/or vegetation and led to… - [NTSB ERA12FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA018.md): Berger Michael A Waiex · Washington, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2011 · N75654 · Substantial damage > The in-flight failure of the aircraft’s Y-tail attachment structure during maneuvering flight due to overload. Contributing to the accident was, the kit manufacturer’s use of 14 CFR Part 23, Appendix A design guidelines intended for a conventional tail… - [NTSB CEN12FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA001.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Philip, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2011 · N266CY · Destroyed > The in-flight separation of the main rotor mast following a mast bumping event. The reason for the mast bumping event could not be determined due to postaccident damage. - [NTSB WPR11LA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA459.md): Mcarthur Steen Skybolt · Greenleaf, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2011 · N77VW · Substantial damage > Structural failure of the upper left wing during aerobatic flight. - [NTSB WPR11MA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11MA454.md): North American/Aero Classics P-51D · Reno, NV · Accident · 11 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Sep 16, 2011 · N79111 · Substantial damage > The reduced stiffness of the elevator trim tab system that allowed aerodynamic flutter to occur at racing speeds. The reduced stiffness was a result of deteriorated locknut inserts that allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose and to initiate… - [NTSB ERA11FA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA431.md): Beech G35 · Byron, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 2011 · N156RP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s sustained flight at airspeeds in excess of the airplane's never exceed speed during a steep descent, which resulted in a subsequent in-flight structural failure due to overstress. - [NTSB ERA11LA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA415.md): Polaris Polar Star · Dewees Island, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2011 · UNREG · Substantial damage > The non-certificated pilot’s operation of the unregistered airplane while impaired by alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s performance of aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the aircraft, which resulted in failure of… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?page=5 ## 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=4 --- 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.