NTSB investigations

72 cases where NTSB found Aircraft structures, general.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 72 cases
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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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '010300'))
  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 CEN26LA131Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Challenger · Van Burensburg, ILPropeller separation due to failure of the propeller attachment bolts.Feb 28, 2026 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA105Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Edgemont, SDThe pilot’s failure to properly identify the proper anchor point for the supplemental harness and the crew’s incorrect use of the restraint system structure as an anchor point, which resulted in the separation of the structure.Feb 27, 2025 · N6555C · No damageNTSB CEN25LA090Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRutan Long-EZ · Sparta, ILAn onboard fire for unknown reasons.Feb 1, 2025 · N88LE · DestroyedNTSB CEN24LA317Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV8 · Guthrie, OKA loss of engine power due to the separation and ingestion of an air filter retaining bracket into the engine cylinder.Aug 15, 2024 · N184DC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA270Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R172E · Hillrose, COThe binding of the left flap due to improper maintenance.Jul 6, 2024 · N23788 · Minor damageNTSB ERA24FA283Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46 · Trout Creek, NYThe 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…Jun 30, 2024 · N85PG · DestroyedNTSB WPR24LA122Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180A · Nordman, IDMaintenance personnel's improper installation of the left main landing gear wheel assembly, which resulted in a loss of torque and subsequent separation of the wheel and axle assembly from the main landing gear leg during landing.Apr 4, 2024 · N5281D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA23 · Louisville, KYThe failure of maintenance personnel to thoroughly inspect and repair the worn-out panel fasteners and fastener holes.Feb 1, 2024 · N1317P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA094Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 208 · Dulles, VAThe pilot-in-command’s approach to the critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in a vibration the flight crew improperly identified as an engine issue and resulted in the subsequent off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was…Jan 19, 2024 · N1983X · Minor damageNTSB ERA23FA382Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith William S Smith Cozy Mark IV · Cullman, ALThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s improper installation of engine…Sep 29, 2023 · N95SF · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA380Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Whitesville, KYThe flight instructor’s improper decision to continue flight into a known area of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.Sep 28, 2023 · N3079M · DestroyedNTSB WPR23LA336Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Compton, CAAn overstress fracture of the pilot’s seat, which resulted in the loss of control during takeoff and the pilot’s inadvertent movement of the fuel selector and subsequent partial loss of engine power.Sep 3, 2023 · N7199K · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna P210 · Junction City, GAThe 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.Aug 10, 2023 · N210JT · DestroyedNTSB CEN23LA200Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportFlight Design Ctsw · Gregory, MIThe pilot’s improper landing flare that resulted in a hard, bounced landing and subsequent overstress failure of the nose landing gear.May 23, 2023 · N165CT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA302Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGoddard Dick Sim Bensen B-8M · Corona, CAThe fatigue failure of the engine mount resulting in a loss of engine power and directional control while maneuvering.Aug 13, 2022 · N532KB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA348Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCASA C212 · Raeford, NCThe airplane’s encounter with windshear during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the right main landing gear, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to leave his seat in flight, which resulted in his fall from the airplane.Jul 29, 2022 · N497CA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA264Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Seguin, TXThe 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…Jul 22, 2022 · N8542W · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA171Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Sparta, TNMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly affix left main landing gear components, which led to the failure of the left main landing gear during the accident flight.Mar 27, 2022 · N8431U · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA070Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310J · Inola, OKThe loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.Dec 12, 2021 · N3187L · DestroyedNTSB CEN22LA006Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Delta, MOThe pilot’s inadequate inflight planning and his failure to see and avoid a wire which resulted in contact with the wire and subsequent ground impact.Oct 5, 2021 · N266RK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA379Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHawker Beechcraft 400A · Charleston, SCThe in-flight separation of the left engine’s four-panel cowling for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.Sep 14, 2021 · N100FN · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 17, 2020 · N2297W · DestroyedNTSB 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…Apr 24, 2020 · N3276T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA120Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28 · Lake, MSThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s loss of control while flying in dark night instrument meteorological weather conditions with convective activity, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its structural limitations and experiencing an in-flight breakup.…Apr 13, 2019 · N4890L · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA079Accident · 5 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 414 · Yorba Linda, CAThe 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.…Feb 3, 2019 · N414RS · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Poolville, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation and the exceedance of the structural capabilities of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in instrument conditions.Oct 12, 2018 · N221MC · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA171Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBeech A35 · Hesperia, CAThe 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…Jun 15, 2018 · N580B · DestroyedNTSB CEN18LA146Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T303 · Pine Ridge, SDThe airplane’s inadvertent encounter with severe icing conditions during descent, which resulted in structural icing, the pilot’s inability to maintain altitude, and an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was an incomplete preflight weather…Apr 24, 2018 · N9746C · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Minden, NVThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the use of a sedating antihistamine.Feb 19, 2018 · N14GQ · DestroyedNTSB CEN18FA023Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech V35B · Alva, OKThe flight instructor's and pilot's failure to recognize that a high descent rate had developed on short final, likely due to their distraction by an open engine cowling, and the unexpected strong pitch-down force during flap extension due to the installation…Nov 4, 2017 · N777PH · DestroyedNTSB ERA17FA222Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA23 · Chatsworth, GAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an encounter with severe convective activity, spatial disorientation, a loss of airplane control, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.…Jul 1, 2017 · N44HJ · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA248Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Catawba, WIA loss of control and subsequent in-flight breakup for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Jul 1, 2017 · N2655B · DestroyedNTSB GAA16LA525Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Davis, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the seatbelt anchor bracket.Sep 18, 2016 · N76284 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16FA361Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 46-310P · Chariton, IAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the…Sep 7, 2016 · N465JM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWSK PZL Mielec M 18A · Brunswick, NCThe failure of the right wing due to a fatigue fracture of the right outboard wing forward spar lower fitting. Contributing to the accident was the routine operation of the airplane over its certificated maximum gross weight and the operator's improper or…Jun 10, 2016 · N2283M · DestroyedNTSB CEN16LA108Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna LC41-550FG · Grand Junction, COFailure of the right main tire for reasons that could not be determined because the tire was not available for examination.Feb 24, 2016 · N10580 · 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 GAA15CA266Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportSchweizer G 164B · Paxton, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground.Sep 16, 2015 · N3628Z · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA043Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportShort Bros SD 360-300 · Greer, SCThe fuel truck driver's inattention, which resulted in backing over a warning cone and into the horizontal stabilizer of the airplane.Apr 16, 2015 · N688AN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBaker Bobby J Safari · The Woodlands, TXAn in-flight separation of the helicopter’s horizontal stabilizer due to undetected fatigue cracking of the stabilizer spar, which resulted in a loss of control.Jan 16, 2015 · N416JB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA024Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Xenia, OHThe failure of the seat track mechanism, which led the pilot to inadvertently apply aft yoke and lift his feet off the rudder pedals and resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.Oct 19, 2014 · N79534 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 560 · Walton, INThe inflight separation of the upper and lower right engine cowlings for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.Dec 2, 2013 · N810QS · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Sep 16, 2013 · N204UH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13LA398Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStrong Dream Machine · Bieber, CAThe pilot’s inability to maintain aircraft control during takeoff after several suspension lines became entangled in, and were subsequently severed by, the propeller blades.Sep 3, 2013 · N9032Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA253Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Johnstown, NYThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup.May 24, 2013 · N31743 · DestroyedNTSB ERA13LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAndrews Zodiac · Collegedale, TNThe pilot's failure to ensure that his seatbelt was fastened and the pilots' failure to ensure that the canopy was latched properly, which resulted in the pilot's ejection from the cockpit following the opening of the canopy and the subsequent in-flight upset.Mar 29, 2013 · N999NA · Minor damageNTSB CEN13FA130Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRaytheon 58 · Maxwell, NEThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing and the subsequent loss of airplane control.Jan 11, 2013 · N36VE · DestroyedNTSB WPR13FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-31T1 · Ely, NVThe pilot’s failure to regain airplane control following a sudden rapid descent during cruise flight, which resulted in an exceedance of the design stress limits of the aircraft and led to an in-flight structural failure.Dec 15, 2012 · N93CN · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after encountering icing conditions and heavy to extreme turbulence and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s design limit, which led to an in-flight breakup.Dec 15, 2012 · N67PS · 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 damage