# NTSB investigations, CA: 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR23LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA317.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2023 · N503JA · Substantial damage > The separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage. - [NTSB WPR23LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA128.md): Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · Castroville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2023 · N55XJ · Substantial damage > A failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of control. - [NTSB WPR22LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA183.md): Pyka Pelican · Winters, CA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N605PK · Substantial damage > Delamination of the uncrewed aircraft systems’ right wing skin surfaces from the wing spar that resulted in a spin and impact with terrain. - [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR09FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA234.md): Upton Bakeng Duce · Ramona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2009 · N86YP · Substantial damage > An in-flight separation of the right wing, which resulted from the pilot's performance of a maneuver that produced aerodynamic loads that exceeded the wing spar’s degraded strength. The wing spar strength degradation was due to the builder's failure to comply… - [NTSB WPR09FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA192.md): Piper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB LAX08FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA047.md): Beechcraft V35B · Selma, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2008 · N4662M · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in the in-flight break-up of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing factors included the pilot's impairment due to multiple medical conditions and due to recent use of alcohol. ## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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?state=CA --- 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.