NTSB investigations, CA

27 cases where the sequence of events included Aircraft structural failure.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations, CA per year, 2008–2026: 27 cases
20081
20094
20102
20111
20124
20133
20142
20152
20162
20172
20191
20221
20232

Latest cases

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.\"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"

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.

NTSB WPR23LA317Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Fullerton, CAThe separation of the stabilator actuator from the stabilator tab, which resulted in pitch control surface flutter and structural damage.Aug 8, 2023 · N503JA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA128Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · Castroville, CAA 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.Mar 12, 2023 · N55XJ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA183AccidentClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPyka Pelican · Winters, CADelamination of the uncrewed aircraft systems’ right wing skin surfaces from the wing spar that resulted in a spin and impact with terrain.May 14, 2022 · N605PK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA161Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportLockwood Aircam · Hemet, CAThe pilot/builder's improper installation of the left wing during the build process, which resulted in the wing failing during takeoff.Jun 8, 2019 · N123GN · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Ventura, CAThe 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.Jun 1, 2017 · N3683C · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver MXL II · Hesperia, CAThe 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…Mar 7, 2017 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH 58A · Sacramento, CAThe failure of the vertical stabilizer due to fatigue.Dec 4, 2016 · N916PD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA150Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 65 A90 · Byron, CAThe 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…Jul 24, 2016 · N256TA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16FA041Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32RT-300T · Bakersfield, CAThe 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…Dec 19, 2015 · N36402 · DestroyedNTSB WPR15FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver Enterprises MXL II · Petaluma, CAThe 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.Apr 3, 2015 · N476VB · DestroyedNTSB WPR14LA361Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTravel Air C 4000 · Williams, CAThe failure of the elevator control tube due to corrosion, which resulted in a loss of elevator control and collision with terrain.Aug 30, 2014 · N9952 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA130Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G164 - A · Caruthers, CAAn 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…Feb 28, 2014 · N72ES · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13LA404Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G5 · King City, CAThe 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…Sep 11, 2013 · N7836S · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAvions Fairey Tipsy Nipper T-66 · Winters, CAThe 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.Feb 14, 2013 · N1959N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35A · Woody, CAAn 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.Jan 7, 2013 · N35SD · DestroyedNTSB WPR13LA050Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSater Coot A-Amphib · San Andreas, CAThe 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.Nov 23, 2012 · N8VS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Shaver Lake, CAThe 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…Nov 11, 2012 · N700EM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA396Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Oceano, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the design maneuvering speed during descent in turbulence, which resulted in structural damage to the aft fuselage.Aug 31, 2012 · N4454D · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Farmington, CAThe 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.Feb 22, 2012 · N43921 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11FA155Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMuse KR2 · Newberry Springs, CAThe 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.Mar 7, 2011 · N122B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA306Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 11A · Merced, CAThe 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.Jun 19, 2010 · N1606B · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA104Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CAThe pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.Jan 9, 2010 · N155TD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA453Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Challenger II · Redlands, CAStructural failure of the right wing during the landing approach due to the separation of the wing's fabric covering.Sep 16, 2009 · N732LS · Substantial damageNTSB ENG09IA014Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Los Angeles, CAThe 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.Sep 8, 2009 · N670SW · Minor damageNTSB 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…May 9, 2009 · N86YP · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jan 18, 2008 · N4662M · Substantial damage