NTSB investigations
290 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft structural failure.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ANC09LA083Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · McCarthy, AKThe separation of the right main landing gear wheel from the airplane during landing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inability to control the airplane.NTSB WPR09FA391Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportNavion Navion A · Adrian, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an exceedence of the design stress limits of the aircraft and led to an in-flight structural failure.NTSB CEN09CA521Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMaule M-4-220C · Abernathy, TXThe failure of the fuselage's tube structure due to corrosion during a hard landing.NTSB ENG09IA009Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-3B7 · Charlotte (CLT), NCThe failure of the left hand main landing gear was caused by heat induced cracks resulting from abusive grinding/polishing of the chrome plate that was applied during the last overhaul.NTSB DCA09FA065Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Charleston, WVFuselage skin failure due to preexisting fatigue at a chemically milled step.NTSB ERA09LA392Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNoles Vance L Vans RV7A · Sanderson, FLThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions with convective activity and thunderstorms. Contributing to the accident was his failure to get an adequate weather briefing.NTSB ERA09FA389Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Gulf of MexicoThe 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 WPR09LA318Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASW 27-18E · Ephrata, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during flight and his exceedance of the glider’s design limits during an attempted recovery from a spin.NTSB CEN09LA379Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportUrban Air Sro UFM-13 · Bourne Stage, TXThe 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 CEN09FA340Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5B · Humbird, WIThe pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB WPR09FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportUpton Bakeng Duce · Ramona, CAAn 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 ERA09FA273Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportExplorer Aeronautique Ecoflyer · Lebanon, NYThe in-flight separation of the left wing due to failure of one of the inboard attachments to the fuselage.NTSB CEN09CA268Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Terrell, TXThe failure of the landing gear due to undetected corrosion.NTSB WPR09FA192Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB WPR09FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStephenson Zodiac 601 XL · Antelope Island, UTThe in-flight failure of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and the lack of aileron counterbalances.NTSB WPR09FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, IDThe student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…NTSB ERA09MA157Accident · 6 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 206H · Quebradillas, PRThe pilot exceeded the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight break up while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions.NTSB WPR09FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-400 · Volcano, HIThe pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.NTSB DCA09MA026Accident · Serious injuriesClass 1 · MajorFinal reportAirbus A320 · Weehawken, NJThe ingestion of large birds into each engine, which resulted in an almost total loss of thrust in both engines and the subsequent ditching on the Hudson River. Contributing to the fuselage damage and resulting unavailability of the aft slide/rafts were (1)…NTSB CEN09FA087Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech C90 · Rocksprings, TXThe pilot's failure to properly configure the pressurization controls, resulting in his impairment and subsequent incapacitation due to hypoxia.NTSB ERA09FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Sebring, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the design stress limitations of the airplane.NTSB ERA09FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Red Hill, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to an improper repair to the stabilator, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the stabilator. Contributing to the accident was the descent in turbulence, at airspeeds above the maximum structural…NTSB ENG08IA042IncidentIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Chicago, ILThe right nose landing gear axle's failure from intergranular and fatigue cracking due to an earlier bearing failure.NTSB SEA08FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDebus J / Mountain S / Bowes E DEBUS-CASST-SNOSHOO · Reno, NVThe movement of the airplane’s modified horizontal stabilizer trim system during an intentional high speed aerobatic maneuver that resulted in exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and an in-flight structural failure. Contrubuting to the…NTSB LAX08LA253Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLong Lancair ES · Cliffdell, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while in cruise flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was turbulence and clouds.NTSB NYC08FA260Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23 · Highlands, NCThe pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to comply with FAA directives regarding issuance of precipitation location and…NTSB ENG08IA051Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Phoenix (PHX), AZThe failure of the MLG was due to cracking in the cylinder wall resulting from a fatigue mechanism which initiated at, and near the inner diameter (ID) surface, with propagation through the wall toward the outer diameter(OD) surface. Crack initiation was due…NTSB CHI08LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMaggs Lancair 4P · Alhambra, ILThe pilot's decision to continue the flight into an area of known thunderstorm activity and the in-flight structural failure of the airplane.NTSB CHI08FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35 · Bristol, OHThe loss of control during cruise flight in instrument conditions due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ENG08IA025IncidentIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing MD-11 · Singapore, SingaporeThe Center Landing gear (CLG) strut failed due to intergranular (IG) cracking resulted from a contamination of the surface from the chemical used to clean that area prior to painting.NTSB SEA08LA110Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Blanding, UTThe fatigue failure of the right main landing gear leg during the landing roll.NTSB NYC08FA158Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportChech Aircraft Works Spol Sro CH 601 XL RTF · Polk City, FLThe in-flight failure of the left wing for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX08LA083Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGulfstream-Schweizer G-164B · Genesee, IDThe in-flight failure of the rudder attachment point due to severe corrosion, which made directional control of the airplane not possible during landing.NTSB DCA08IA048Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-200 · Richmond, VAThe installed wing panel clips failed due to fatigue, likely caused by the incorrect installation of the fasteners in response to SB 757-57-0027. Contributing to the incorrect installation was the SB's lack of clarity in the instructions and figures on the…NTSB NYC08FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta II · Wilmington, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain proper rotor rpm after a partial loss of engine power.NTSB DEN08LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSpartan 7W · Santa Fe, NMFatigue failure of the right main landing gear, rendering directional control impossible and causing an overload failure of the left main landing gear.NTSB SEA08LA090Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-C1 · Spanish Fork, UTThe fatigue failure of the nose wheel fork assembly attachment stud/bolt during takeoff initial climb, and the collapse of the nose gear during landing.NTSB CHI08CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 140 · Poplar Grove, ILThe left wing skin "fabric patch" separated from the wing ribs and spars for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX08FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeechcraft V35B · Selma, CAThe 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.NTSB DFW08FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAero Commander 500B · Tulsa, OKThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation and the pilot exceeding the design/stress limits of the aircraft. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's reported gyro problem, the dark night conditions , and prevailing instrument…