# 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 5 of 6 · 290 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CEN11FA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA422.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Del Valle, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2011 · N7779M · Substantial damage
  > The divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for reasons that cannot be determined because the pilot’s control inputs leading up to the event are unknown, resulting in mast bumping and main rotor blade separation.
- [NTSB WPR11LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA265.md): Aerovodochody L-29 Delfin · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2011 · N37KF · Substantial damage
  > The failure of a modified engine mount to keep the engine properly aligned, which resulted in partial failure of the rudder support structure due to the deflection of the jet engine exhaust.
- [NTSB CEN11LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA352.md): Aero Commander 100-180 · Athens, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 2011 · N4016X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in the flare which resulted in a stall and a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR11FA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA228.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 2011 · N93577 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into an area of known adverse weather, which resulted in an accumulation of structural ice that led to a loss of control and in-flight breakup. Also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning.
- [NTSB WPR11FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA225.md): P&M Pegasus Quik 912S · Hanalei, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 2011 · N705PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued operation of the aircraft with deteriorated wing fabric and his aggressive maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in the right wing fabric’s failure during flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loading of the aircraft…
- [NTSB CEN11IA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA280.md): Beech 90B · Chickasha, OK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2011 · N37OU · Minor damage
  > The mechanic's improper installation of the aileron.
- [NTSB DCA11MA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11MA039.md): Boeing 737 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Major investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2011 · N632SW · Substantial damage
  > the improper installation of the fuselage crown skin panel at the S-4L lap joint during the manufacturing process, which resulted in multiple site damage fatigue cracking and eventual failure of the lower skin panel. Contributing to the injuries was flight…
- [NTSB WPR11LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA172.md): Beech G35 · Whidbey Island, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 19, 2011 · N4211D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to prioritize flying over navigation due to his diverted attention, which allowed the airplane to near a restricted area, which, in turn, led the pilot to enter a rapid avoidance maneuver and subsequently lose airplane control.…
- [NTSB WPR11FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA155.md): Muse KR2 · Newberry Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2011 · N122B · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with severe turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB CEN11LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA209.md): Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 · Kingsville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N6196L · Substantial damage
  > A pre-existing crack in the front spar of the right horizontal stabilizer near a riveted fitting, causing it to fail and separate from the airplane in flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel comply with existing service…
- [NTSB ERA11LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA141.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2011 · N31NW · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight overload failure of the left elevator inboard balance weight rib for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR11LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA081.md): Apollo AS-III · Poipu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2010 · N157AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's lack of compliance with manufacturer's guidance for care and handling of the aircraft combined with incomplete preflight inspections, which resulted in an undetected material failure of the nose cone.
- [NTSB ERA11GA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11GA066.md): Cessna M337B · Avon Park, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Nov 18, 2010 · N1309 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unexpected intense rain shower with severe turbulence at night.
- [NTSB CEN11LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA050.md): Mcfarland Bill Challenger II · Praire Du Sac, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2010 · N448WM · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the fuselage-mounted wing strut attachment fitting for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the separation of the left wing of the airplane.
- [NTSB DCA11FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA11FA004.md): Boeing 757-223 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2010 · N626AA · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the fuselage crown skin due to incorrect manufacturing of the crown skin panel that resulted in a skin thickness less than the manufacturer-specified thickness.
- [NTSB CEN10LA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA560.md): Schweizer 269C · Schaumburg, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2010 · N34LB · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the left aft cluster fitting assembly following the loss of torque on the lock nut due to a manufacturing defect.
- [NTSB WPR10FA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA440.md): Hiller UH 12E · Kamiah, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N67264 · Substantial damage
  > In-flight impact of a passenger's metal clipboard with the helicopter’s tail rotor, which resulted in destruction of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The original location of the clipboard and how it became free could not be…
- [NTSB ANC10LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA081.md): Stinson 108-2 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2010 · N9569K · Substantial damage
  > The overstress fracture and failure of a main landing gear wheel during landing, resulting in the right wing striking the ground.
- [NTSB WPR10FA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA397.md): Aero Commander 500-B · Burns, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2010 · N500FV · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after entering those conditions.
- [NTSB ERA10LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA405.md): Glines Sportsman GS-2 · Morrisville, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2010 · N546SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of fuel pressure for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA353.md): Topdog Ultralights TOP DOG 582 · Eagle Point, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2010 · N82047 · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the left wingtip.
- [NTSB CEN10LA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA414.md): Wogenstahl Wallace L Wogenstahl 281 MR · Mount Cory, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2010 · N5281R · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the rivets at the aft fuselage bulkhead which resulted in the pilot not having full elevator control on landing.
- [NTSB CEN10CA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA376.md): Wells Terry Hula Girl · Wellington, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2010 · N301TW · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the inadequate design of the engine cowling.
- [NTSB CEN10LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA339.md): Airborne Windsport Edge · Ft. Lupton, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2010 · N55857 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot intentionally performed prohibited aerobatic maneuvers that damaged the carriage wing attachment hang point and collapsed the wing.
- [NTSB WPR10LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA306.md): Luscombe 11A · Merced, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2010 · N1606B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control during cruise flight due to the failure of the elevator trim tab as a result of missing hardware for the elevator control cable bellcrank to elevator torque tube attachment bracket.
- [NTSB CEN10FA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA316.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Umpire, AR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6076H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN10LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA315.md): Beech 1900D · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2010 · N195GL · Substantial damage
  > The pre-existent damage of the right-hand landing gear actuator attachment lug which led to fatigue cracking and eventual overload failure resulting in a collapsed gear upon landing.
- [NTSB ANC10CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA051.md): Stinson 108-1 · Galena, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2010 · N136SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in a ground-loop, and collapse of the right main landing gear.
- [NTSB CEN10FA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA291.md): Bell 222 · Midlothian, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 2010 · N515MK · Substantial damage
  > The fracture of a swashplate drive pin as a result of hydrogen embrittlement due to an unknown source, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the main rotor system during cruise flight.
- [NTSB ANC10LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA026.md): Cessna 170B · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2010 · N3492C · Substantial damage
  > The structural failure of the right main landing gear leg, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear.
- [NTSB CEN10LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA198.md): American Champion 7KCAB · Greeley, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2010 · N5065X · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of the wing fabric for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA10FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA140.md): Cessna T337G · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2010 · N12NA · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to adhere to the airplane’s operating limitations, which resulted in overload failure of the right wing. Findings of the investigation were the adverse effects of multiple supplemental type certificates (STC) to the airframe wing structure…
- [NTSB WPR10LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA104.md): Airborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2010 · N155TD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ENG10IA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG10IA016.md): Douglas DC8 · Cincinnati (CVG), OH · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2010 · N803DH · Minor damage
  > Failure of the NLG cylinder occurred by intergranular rupture; coincidental to a chrome plating crack. The failure origin occurred along the inner surface of the cylinder and then propagated by stress corrosion cracking to the outer surface. A secondary crack…
- [NTSB ERA10LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA107.md): Maule M5 · LaGrange, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2009 · N51620 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR10LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA060.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369E · Kahuku, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2009 · N551CR · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the landing gear strut and maintenance personnel’s failure to perform an adequate inspection of the landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA10FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA062.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Dennisville, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N4499T · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and overcontrol of the airplane and the subsequent in-flight structural failure. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN10FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA044.md): Beech A36 · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2009 · N91TD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to this accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in flying in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB CEN10FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA027.md): Commander 114-B · Adrian, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2009 · N6025U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation while on an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ENG10WA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG10WA004.md): Boeing 737 · Melbourne Airport, Australia · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 19, 2009 · VH-VUI · Minor damage
  > On October 20, 2009, at 0900 local time, a Virgin Blue Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane, registration VH-VUI, experienced a failure of the right main landing gear outboard wheel assembly during landing at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Australia. No one was…
- [NTSB ENG09RA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG09RA019.md): Boeing 737 · Kuching, Malaysia · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 2, 2009 · 9M-MMR · Minor damage
  > On October 2, 2009, about 0818 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) a Malaysia Airlines, Boeing 737-400 airplane, registration 9M-MMR, suffered a collapsed left main landing gear during pushback from the gate at Kuching International Airport, Kuching, Sarawak,…
- [NTSB CEN09LA611](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA611.md): Mckenna James E AVID-CATAL · Inks Lake, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2009 · N1945J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.
- [NTSB WPR09LA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA453.md): Quad City Challenger II · Redlands, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2009 · N732LS · Substantial damage
  > Structural failure of the right wing during the landing approach due to the separation of the wing's fabric covering.
- [NTSB ENG09IA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG09IA014.md): Boeing 737 · Los Angeles, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2009 · N670SW · Minor damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear inboard axle due to fatigue cracking as a result of fretting damage in one of the brake mounting bolt holes.
- [NTSB CEN09LA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA565.md): Bell UH-1B · Arvilla, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2009 · N204JB · Substantial damage
  > The aircraft owner/mechanic/pilot's installation of an improper tail boom assembly and the resulting fatigue failure of the tail boom's attach fittings.
- [NTSB ERA09LA502](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA502.md): M-Squared Sprint 1000 · Madeira Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2009 · N185SQ · Substantial damage
  > A loss of torque to the gearbox engine-side coupling flange bolts, which resulted in separation of the gearbox and propeller from the engine and the subsequent severing of the airplane's tail structure.
- [NTSB CEN09CA577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA577.md): Ketonen Schreder · Ionia, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 5, 2009 · N161HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain control of the glider during the aero-tow launch.
- [NTSB ERA09LA492](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA492.md): Bond Neal O S-9 · Saylorsburg, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2009 · N463NB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s excessive flight control inputs that resulted in an overload failure of the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer.
- [NTSB CEN09CA552](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA552.md): Cessna 150F · Abilene, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2009 · N8312G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate crosswind landing technique, resulting in an excessive side load on the left landing gear that led to an overload failure of its axle.
- [NTSB ERA09FA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA487.md): Socata TB20 · Pavo, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2009 · N654GT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with embedded intense thunderstorms, heavy rain, and severe to extreme turbulence, resulting in an in-flight separation of the left wing due to overstress.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?page=6

## 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=5

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