# NTSB investigations, TX: 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 DCA25LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA025.md): Boeing 737-9 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2024 · N27515 · Substantial damage
  > Brake application before all three landing gears were on the ground, which caused the failure of the right main landing gear tires and resulted in tire fragments impacting the fuselage.
- [NTSB CEN24LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA162.md): American Champion 7ECA · Longview, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N793L · Substantial damage
  > The rudder post’s failure due to corrosion fatigue. Contributing to the accident were the misalignment of the rudder hinge components, which produced mechanical binding and elevated localized stress, and a compromised the protective coating, which allowed…
- [NTSB CEN23LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA405.md): Alisport Silent 2 Electro · Giddings, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2023 · N321AD · Substantial damage
  > The glider’s encounter with flutter during cruise flight that resulted in structural damage to the fuselage.
- [NTSB CEN23LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA319.md): Alisport Silent 2 Electro · Wallis, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2023 · N64JG · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the tail boom structure due to cyclic torsion overloading as of a result of flutter in the empennage. The reason for the flutter could not be determined.
- [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 CEN09CA521](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA521.md): Maule M-4-220C · Abernathy, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2009 · N11EN · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the fuselage's tube structure due to corrosion during a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN09LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA379.md): Urban Air Sro UFM-13 · Bourne Stage, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2009 · N17UA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the aircraft’s placarded never-exceed speed (Vne), resulting in aerodynamic flutter in the empennage and the subsequent in-flight structural failure of the aft portion of the fuselage.
- [NTSB CEN09CA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA268.md): Luscombe 8 · Terrell, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 22, 2009 · N2330K · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the landing gear due to undetected corrosion.
- [NTSB CEN09FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA087.md): Beech C90 · Rocksprings, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2008 · N43KM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly configure the pressurization controls, resulting in his impairment and subsequent incapacitation due to hypoxia.

## 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" = 'TX' 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=TX

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