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NTSB investigations, 2009

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

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

20082026

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Latest cases

Query with 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2009 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

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 year(c.\"eventDate\") = 2009
    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.

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 year(c."eventDate") = 2009
  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

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 ERA10LA107Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMaule M5 · LaGrange, GAThe failure of the right main landing gear for undetermined reasons.Dec 6, 2009 · N51620 · Substantial damage NTSB WPR10LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369E · Kahuku, HIThe fatigue failure of the landing gear strut and maintenance personnel’s failure to perform an adequate inspection of the landing gear.Nov 20, 2009 · N551CR · Substantial damage NTSB ERA10FA062Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Dennisville, NJThe 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…Nov 14, 2009 · N4499T · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10FA044Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Spring Branch, TXThe 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.Nov 8, 2009 · N91TD · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCommander 114-B · Adrian, MIThe pilot did not maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation while on an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions.Oct 23, 2009 · N6025U · Substantial damage NTSB ENG10WA004Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Melbourne Airport, AustraliaOn 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…Oct 19, 2009 · VH-VUI · Minor damage NTSB ENG09RA019Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationBoeing 737 · Kuching, MalaysiaOn 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,…Oct 2, 2009 · 9M-MMR · Minor damage NTSB CEN09LA611Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMckenna James E AVID-CATAL · Inks Lake, TXThe pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.Sep 30, 2009 · N1945J · Substantial damage NTSB 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 damage NTSB 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 damage NTSB CEN09LA565Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Arvilla, NDThe aircraft owner/mechanic/pilot's installation of an improper tail boom assembly and the resulting fatigue failure of the tail boom's attach fittings.Sep 6, 2009 · N204JB · Substantial damage NTSB ERA09LA502Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportM-Squared Sprint 1000 · Madeira Beach, FLA 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.Sep 5, 2009 · N185SQ · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09CA577Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportKetonen Schreder · Ionia, MIThe pilot failed to maintain control of the glider during the aero-tow launch.Sep 5, 2009 · N161HP · Substantial damage NTSB ERA09LA492Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBond Neal O S-9 · Saylorsburg, PAThe pilot’s excessive flight control inputs that resulted in an overload failure of the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer.Aug 30, 2009 · N463NB · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09CA552Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150F · Abilene, KSThe 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.Aug 29, 2009 · N8312G · Substantial damage NTSB ERA09FA487Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB20 · Pavo, GAThe 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.Aug 27, 2009 · N654GT · Substantial damage 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.Aug 16, 2009 · N8209U · Substantial damage 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.Aug 7, 2009 · N4898K · Substantial damage 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.Jul 25, 2009 · N11EN · Substantial damage 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.Jul 15, 2009 · N506AU · Minor damage NTSB DCA09FA065Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Charleston, WVFuselage skin failure due to preexisting fatigue at a chemically milled step.Jul 13, 2009 · N387SW · Substantial damage 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.Jul 8, 2009 · N774US · Substantial damage 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.Jul 8, 2009 · N4467D · Destroyed 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.Jun 29, 2009 · N129TD · Substantial damage 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.Jun 23, 2009 · N17UA · Substantial damage 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.Jun 7, 2009 · N448DM · Substantial damage 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…May 9, 2009 · N86YP · Substantial damage 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.Apr 27, 2009 · C-IOFL · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09CA268Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportLuscombe 8 · Terrell, TXThe failure of the landing gear due to undetected corrosion.Apr 22, 2009 · N2330K · Substantial damage 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.Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · Destroyed 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.Mar 3, 2009 · N3683X · Substantial damage 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…Feb 16, 2009 · N8810P · Destroyed 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.Feb 8, 2009 · N118ME · Destroyed 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.Jan 16, 2009 · N777WN · Destroyed 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)…Jan 15, 2009 · N106US · Substantial damage