Fatal NTSB investigations
40 cases where the defining event was Part(s) separation from AC.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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.\"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"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."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
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 ERA26FA239Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBlessing RV-3A · Lakeland, FLOn 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 DCA26MA024Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorPreliminary reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-11F · Louisville, KYOn 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 ERA25LA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportFokker D Viii Replica · Rhinebeck, NYOn 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 ERA24FA075Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportHughes Helicopters 369E · Miami, FLMain rotor contact with the tail boom for unknown reasons, resulting in the separation of the tail boom.NTSB WPR23FA351Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGolden Circle T Bird · Arlington, WAA 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 GAA23WA139Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna 206 · Santa Ana del Yucuma, BoliviaNTSB WPR23LA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStar Lite SL1 · Corning, CAThe 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 GAA22WA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · ForeignRockwell 690 · Charallave, VenezuelaNTSB ERA21FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Eden, NCThe 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 WPR20LA224Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH 12D · Mehama, ORAn 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 WPR20LA130Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH 1H · Mesa, AZAn 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 CEN19WA289Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCapella XS · San Juan del Puerto, SpainOn 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 CEN18FA258Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G · Arlington, INThe 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 WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe 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 ERA17FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCurtiss JN4 · Williamson, GAThe 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 CEN17FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportStamper RV-10 · Dubois, WYThe 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 CEN15LA399Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWeatherly 620B · Hancock, WIThe 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 CEN15WA193Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRans S6 - ES · Tan Rouge, RéunionOn 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 WPR15LA092Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander RV-7 · Seabeck, WAA 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 CEN14LA508Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrupbacher Chris CB2000 · Reserve, LAThe 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 ERA14FA421Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportKlaas Development Lancair IV P · Ooltewah, TNThe 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 CEN14LA305Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IAThe 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 WPR14LA096Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMorrisey 2150 · Pismo Beach, CAThe in-flight separation of a wing for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered from the ocean.NTSB CEN14FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBiesemeier David I Smyth Sidewinder · Boulder, COThe pilot’s abrupt maneuver, which exceeded the structural limits of the left wing and resulted in its in-flight separation.NTSB WPR13FA417Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1V · Cordes Lakes, AZThe 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 WPR13FA411Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH 1B · Detroit, ORThe 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 ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe 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 ERA13FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Apollo Beach, FLMast bumping for reasons that could not be determined because one main rotor blade was not recovered.NTSB WPR13FA056Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdaniel RV-6-CH · Scio, ORThe 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 DCA12MA020Accident · 5 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NVSundance 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 ERA11WA470Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA30 · Region del Bio Bio, ChileOn 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 ERA11FA406Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20K · Augusta, GAThe 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 CEN11FA253Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-350P · Monroe, MIThe 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 WPR10FA440Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Kamiah, IDIn-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 WPR10LA381Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAdvertising Mgmt & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5 · San Diego, CAThe 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 CEN10FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Midlothian, TXThe 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 CEN10FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith Zodiac 601 XL · Agnos, ARThe 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 CEN09WA612Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS350 · Barcelona, SpainOn 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 WPR09FA104Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Fillmore, CAAn 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 SEA08LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportVan Heeswyk Lightning · Marana, AZThe 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…