# 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. Page 1 of 3 · 126 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA241.md): Cessna 177RG · Morrison, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 17, 2026 · N7637V · Substantial damage > On June 17, 2026, about 1215 central daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N7637V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Morrison, Tennessee. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title… - [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 ERA26FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA178.md): Mooney M20J · Ironton, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Apr 17, 2026 · N205MK · Substantial damage > On April 17, 2026, about 1414 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N205MK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ironton, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91… - [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 ERA25MA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25MA171.md): Bell 206L-4 · Jersey City, NJ · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Preliminary report · Apr 10, 2025 · N216MH · Destroyed > On April 10, 2025, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, N216MH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jersey City, New Jersey. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title… - [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 ERA24FA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA310.md): Williams John Titan T-51 Mustang · Geneva, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N751TX · Substantial damage > A sudden propeller overspeed and subsequent separation of the propeller blades and hub, while maneuvering at high speed and at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree during the subsequent forced landing attempt. - [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damage > An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB CEN24FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA248.md): Rotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 5, 2024 · N51017 · Destroyed > The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades. - [NTSB ERA24FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA283.md): Piper PA46 · Trout Creek, NY · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N85PG · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control in flight due to spatial disorientation during a climb to cruise altitude in instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was… - [NTSB ERA24FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA274.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Martin, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 25, 2024 · N325RA · Substantial damage > On June 25, 2024, about 0820 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, Inc. AT-502A, N325RA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Martin, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title… - [NTSB CEN24FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA179.md): Piper PA46-500TP · Marianna, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 13, 2024 · N241PM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ANC24FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA029.md): Douglas C54D · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 23, 2024 · N3054V · Destroyed > A loss of power of the No. 1 engine for reasons that could not be determined, and the incorrect installation of a B-nut fitting in the propeller feathering system, which allowed engine oil to spray onto the exhaust system when the propeller was feathered… - [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 ERA23FA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA357.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Kingston, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 31, 2023 · N2356M · Substantial damage > A loss of control, which resulted in the main rotor blade severing the tail boom, for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB ERA23FA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA352.md): Eurocopter EC135 · Pompano Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2023 · N109BC · Destroyed > An inflight fire outside of the engine firewalls, likely from overheating of the No. 1 engine for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a partial tailboom separation. - [NTSB ERA23FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA330.md): Cessna P210 · Junction City, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 10, 2023 · N210JT · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued flight into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the penetration of a severe thunderstorm, the pilot’s loss of airplane control, and the airplane’s subsequent in-flight breakup. - [NTSB CEN23FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA220.md): Vans RV7 · Gibbon, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 2, 2023 · N977RV · Destroyed > The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control. - [NTSB ERA23FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA219.md): Cessna 182 · Reliance, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 7, 2023 · N725AS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s operation of the airplane in… - [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 WPR23FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N424SW · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control. - [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 WPR22FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA264.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Seguin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 22, 2022 · N8542W · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude after being distracted when the engine cowling opened during flight, which led to a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB WPR22LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA253.md): Cessna P210N · Buffalo, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2022 · N731BJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with convective turbulence and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight breakup. - [NTSB WPR22FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA184.md): Bruce R Prouse M24 Orion Plus · Cape Girardeau, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 22, 2022 · N590DM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain controlled flight, which resulted in a hard left roll, excessive blade flapping and a subsequent in-flight separation of the right horizontal stabilizer. - [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 ERA22FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA207.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Elba, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2022 · N507TJ · Substantial damage > The pilots’ inappropriate flight control inputs while in vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the flight. - [NTSB CEN22FA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA151.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 25, 2022 · N514CD · Destroyed > A loss of helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom in flight, tail boom separation, and an uncontrolled descent. - [NTSB ERA22FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA036.md): Vans RV4 · Chattahoochee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N479JJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy before takeoff, allowing the canopy to open and then separate in flight, which resulted in the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined based on the… - [NTSB ERA21FA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA317.md): Rotorway Exec 162F · Argyle, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 7, 2021 · N162KJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade. - [NTSB WPR21FA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA300.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Colusa, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 1, 2021 · N7000J · Destroyed > The pilot’s abrupt flight control input that led to mast bumping and a subsequent in-flight breakup. - [NTSB CEN21FA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA314.md): PZL Mielec M18 · Seiling, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 12, 2021 · N9310R · Destroyed > The pilot’s in-flight loss of control due to the structural failure of a wing fitting and separation of the outboard wing section. Also causal were the inadequate wing fitting inspections, which failed to detect the initial corrosion and crack before it… - [NTSB ERA21LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA269.md): Garlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Alpine, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2021 · N372NS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in main rotor blade impact with a fiber-optic cable, a loss of control, and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA21FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA233.md): Bhi H60 Helicopters UH-60A · Leesburg, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 25, 2021 · N9FH · Destroyed > The failure of the water tank snorkel support structure, which allowed the snorkel to contact the main rotor blades. Contributing to the accident was insufficient Federal Aviation Administration oversight of the supplemental type certificate process for the… - [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 ERA20LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA206.md): Piper PA 31T · Eatonton, GA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2020 · N135VE · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, which placed the airplane in an unusual attitude from which the pilot could not recover. Contributing to the accident was the convective and… - [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 ERA20FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA118.md): Piper PA46 · Bishop, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 3, 2020 · N43368 · Destroyed > The pilot’s encounter with a rain shower updraft and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an inflight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information on his in-cockpit weather… - [NTSB ERA20FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA074.md): Robinson R66 · Mechanicsburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 10, 2020 · N450MC · Destroyed > A severe left roll excursion after the onset of pitch and roll oscillations, which were not arrested by the pilot for undetermined reasons. This resulted in main rotor blade contact with the airframe and a subsequent inflight breakup of the helicopter. - [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 ERA19FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA142.md): Robinson R44 II · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2019 · N4046J · Substantial damage > Contamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR19FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA079.md): Cessna 414 · Yorba Linda, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 3, 2019 · N414RS · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while climbing due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s design stress limits and subsequent in-flight break-up.… - [NTSB ERA19LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA012.md): Piper PA34 · Westhampton Beach, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2018 · N593MS · Destroyed > The instructor's decision to conduct and continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions with a known flight instrument anomaly, which resulted in spatial disorientation, causing a loss of airplane control and subsequent… - [NTSB ERA18FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA240.md): Lance M Hooley Jetez · Covington, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2018 · N815EY · Destroyed > The improper manufacture of the left wing, which resulted in a left wing flutter event and failure at low altitude and high speed. - [NTSB CEN18FA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA282.md): Fisher Celebrity · Patriot, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2018 · N228LC · Destroyed > An in-flight separation of the right wing due to upward and rearward bending that led to an overstress fracture. The reason for the upward and rearward bending could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB WPR18FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA195.md): Cessna 172 · Deer Park, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 13, 2018 · N24442 · Substantial damage > An in-flight breakup as a result of the airplane exceeding the structural strength of the airplane during a rapid descent that the flight instructor was unable to recover from following a collision with a large bird. - [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 WPR18FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA171.md): Beech A35 · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 15, 2018 · N580B · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted return to the airport following the separation of the spinner bulkhead during takeoff as a result of fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to fly… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?fatal=1&page=2 ## 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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '338' 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 ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence?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.