# Fatal NTSB investigations: Part(s) separation from AC 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 ERA26FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA239.md): Blessing RV-3A · Lakeland, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 15, 2026 · N696DB · Substantial damage > On June 15, 2026, about 1955 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van’s RV-3A, N696DB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of… - [NTSB DCA26MA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26MA024.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Louisville, KY · Accident · 14 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Preliminary report · Nov 4, 2025 · N259UP · Destroyed > On November 4, 2025, about 1714 eastern standard time (EST), United Parcel Service (UPS) flight 2976, a Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) MD-11F airplane, N259UP, was destroyed after it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad… - [NTSB ERA25LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA002.md): Fokker D Viii Replica · Rhinebeck, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Oct 5, 2024 · N94100 · Destroyed > On October 5, 2024, about 1456 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Coughlin Fokker D-VIII Replica, N94100, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Old Rhinebeck Airport (NY94), Rhinebeck, New York. The commercial pilot was… - [NTSB ERA24FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA075.md): Hughes Helicopters 369E · Miami, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 27, 2023 · N757TB · Substantial damage > Main rotor contact with the tail boom for unknown reasons, resulting in the separation of the tail boom. - [NTSB WPR23FA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA351.md): Golden Circle T Bird · Arlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2023 · UNREG · Substantial damage > A failure of the forward left wing spar due to an improper repair, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing. Contributing to the accident was improper maintenance by splicing the wing spar. - [NTSB GAA23WA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA139.md): Cessna 206 · Santa Ana del Yucuma, Bolivia · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 26, 2023 · CP-2625 · Destroyed - [NTSB WPR23LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA112.md): Star Lite SL1 · Corning, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2023 · UNREG · Destroyed > The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an inflight separation of the left wing and subsequent impact with the terrain. - [NTSB GAA22WA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA173.md): Rockwell 690 · Charallave, Venezuela · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Foreign · Apr 30, 2022 · YV3502 · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA21FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA195.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Eden, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 28, 2021 · N53DE · Destroyed > The impact of the main rotor blades with the tail boom during low-altitude maneuvers, which severed the tail rotor drive shaft and resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. - [NTSB WPR20LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA224.md): Hiller UH 12D · Mehama, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2020 · N2297W · Destroyed > An in-flight separation of a tail rotor blade due to fatigue cracking and overstress, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact. - [NTSB WPR20LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA130.md): Bell UH 1H · Mesa, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 24, 2020 · N3276T · Substantial damage > An in-flight separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the airframe due to fatigue failure of the gearbox attachment studs, resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact. Contributing to the accident were 1) the improper application… - [NTSB CEN19WA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19WA289.md): Capella XS · San Juan del Puerto, Spain · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 23, 2019 · EC-YTA · Substantial damage > On August 23, 2019, about 1905 hours universal coordinated time, an amateur-built Capella XS airplane, Spanish registration EC-YTA, impacted terrain after an inflight separation of a wing near San Juan del Puerto, Spain. The pilot was fatally injured, and the… - [NTSB CEN18FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA258.md): Bell 47G · Arlington, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2018 · N96195 · Substantial damage > The inflight separation of the upper transmission due to the thread failure of transmission housing attachment bolts, which were installed on the helicopter with thread damage from a prior installation. - [NTSB WPR18FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA143.md): I.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N38ES · Destroyed > The pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance. - [NTSB ERA17FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA050.md): Curtiss JN4 · Williamson, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2016 · N1662 · Destroyed > The in-flight failure of the propeller due to excessive engine vibration loads and the use of an incorrectly-sized propeller, which resulted in a fatigue crack of the leading edge strip. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate repair of the propeller… - [NTSB CEN17FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA035.md): Stamper RV-10 · Dubois, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2016 · N924WY · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low… - [NTSB CEN15LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA399.md): Weatherly 620B · Hancock, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2015 · N2005C · Destroyed > The in-flight failure of the left wing lower forward attach point under normal loading conditions due to corrosion and fatigue cracking in the center section hinge brackets. Contributing to the accident was the operator's inadequate maintenance and overweight… - [NTSB CEN15WA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15WA193.md): Rans S6 - ES · Tan Rouge, Réunion · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Mar 30, 2015 · N974GQ · Destroyed > On March 30, 2015, about 0630 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Rans S6-ES airplane, French registration 974-GQ, impacted terrain near Tan Rouge, Reunion. The pilot and passenger on board were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local flight… - [NTSB WPR15LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA092.md): Alexander RV-7 · Seabeck, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 26, 2015 · N747BA · Destroyed > A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane impacted water, and the majority of the wreckage was not recovered. - [NTSB CEN14LA508](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA508.md): Brupbacher Chris CB2000 · Reserve, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2014 · N5002E · Destroyed > The failure of the flight control rod bearing due to an undetected preexisting corrosion-induced crack, which resulted in the main rotor blades going to full pitch and the rotor mast folding; this allowed the pusher propeller to strike and sever the tail. - [NTSB ERA14FA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA421.md): Klaas Development Lancair IV P · Ooltewah, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2014 · N541EM · Substantial damage > The inadequate torque of the propeller mounting bolts and inspection of the propeller, which resulted in the fatigue fracture of the bolts and a subsequent in-flight separation of the propeller assembly. - [NTSB CEN14LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA305.md): Bollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2014 · N108BC · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to the in-flight separation of the propeller blades for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB WPR14LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA096.md): Morrisey 2150 · Pismo Beach, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2014 · N5102V · Destroyed > The in-flight separation of a wing for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered from the ocean. - [NTSB CEN14FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA072.md): Biesemeier David I Smyth Sidewinder · Boulder, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2013 · N3786A · Destroyed > The pilot’s abrupt maneuver, which exceeded the structural limits of the left wing and resulted in its in-flight separation. - [NTSB WPR13FA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA417.md): Bell UH-1V · Cordes Lakes, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2013 · N22490 · Destroyed > The pilot's improper maintenance on the helicopter’s main rotor blade pitch control system, which resulted in an in-flight loss of main rotor blade pitch control, mast bumping, and mast failure. - [NTSB WPR13FA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA411.md): Bell UH 1B · Detroit, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2013 · N204UH · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of the upper two tailboom attachment points, which resulted in the tailboom separating from the fuselage during logging operations. Contributing to the accident was poor maintenance throughout the helicopter’s operational life. - [NTSB ERA13FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA186.md): Robinson R44 · Miami, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2013 · N3101H · Destroyed > The mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB ERA13FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Apollo Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 2012 · N2626N · Substantial damage > Mast bumping for reasons that could not be determined because one main rotor blade was not recovered. - [NTSB WPR13FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA056.md): Mcdaniel RV-6-CH · Scio, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2012 · N424D · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to perform aerobatics in an airplane that was prohibited from aerobatics as stated in its operating limitations document, which resulted in the failure of the right wing spar. - [NTSB DCA12MA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12MA020.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Dec 8, 2011 · N37SH · Destroyed > Sundance Helicopters’ inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, including (1) the improper reuse of a degraded self-locking nut, (2) the improper or lack of installation of a split pin, and (3) inadequate postmaintenance inspections, which resulted in the… - [NTSB ERA11WA470](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11WA470.md): Piper PA30 · Region del Bio Bio, Chile · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 20, 2011 · CC-CTT · Substantial damage > On August 20, 2011, at 1650 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-30, Chilean registration CC-CTT, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, after its right wing separated in-flight while maneuvering, over Region del Bio Bio, Chile. The pilot and… - [NTSB ERA11FA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA406.md): Mooney M20K · Augusta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2011 · N777CV · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane after maintenance personnel advised him that the airplane should not be flown because the pilot provided an incorrect propeller for installation and the subsequent failure of the propeller attachment bolts and the… - [NTSB CEN11FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA253.md): Piper PA46-350P · Monroe, MI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2011 · N619VH · Substantial damage > The pilot's demonstration of poor judgment by attempting a high-speed pass several feet above the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the runway. - [NTSB WPR10FA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA440.md): Hiller UH 12E · Kamiah, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N67264 · Substantial damage > In-flight impact of a passenger's metal clipboard with the helicopter’s tail rotor, which resulted in destruction of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The original location of the clipboard and how it became free could not be… - [NTSB WPR10LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA381.md): Advertising Mgmt & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2010 · N444YP · Substantial damage > The pilot did not close and secure the right passenger door, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the door and subsequent loss of engine power due to the door’s collision with the rear-mounted engine assembly. - [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 CEN10FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA042.md): Zenith Zodiac 601 XL · Agnos, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2009 · N538CJ · Destroyed > The in-flight separation of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and strength and the lack of aileron counterbalances. - [NTSB CEN09WA612](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA612.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Barcelona, Spain · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 22, 2009 · EC-IOJ · Destroyed > On June 22, 2009 a Eurocopter AS350B3, Spanish registration EC-IOJ was destroyed while filling the fire attack system with water during a fire extinguishing operation. The pilot and passenger both were killed. According to several witness statements, the… - [NTSB WPR09FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA104.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Fillmore, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 31, 2009 · N4160A · Substantial damage > An in-flight break-up while maneuvering as a result of the main rotor blades diverging from the normal plane of rotation and severing the tailboom. The underlying reason for the main rotor divergence could not be determined. - [NTSB SEA08LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA149.md): Van Heeswyk Lightning · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2008 · N62JV · Substantial damage > The insufficient clamping force resulting in a fatigue fracture of the propeller extension attachment bolts and subsequent separation of the propeller assembly in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to… ## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '338') ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/cases?fatal=1 --- 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.