# NTSB investigations: Wing structure

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 5 · 206 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA203.md): Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 · Soap Lake, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2026 · N157AJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper preflight assembly of the glider's wing attachment system, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure during flight.
- [NTSB WPR25LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA209.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Colorado City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2025 · N209ZM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s never-exceed speed (VNE) during maneuvering, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left flaperon.
- [NTSB ERA25LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA087.md): Cessna 172K · Southport, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 19, 2024 · N7085G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision, which resulted in the subsequent overstress of the airplane during recovery.
- [NTSB WPR25LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA029.md): Daher TBM700 · Pinedale, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 29, 2024 · N885CA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was free of snow contamination before takeoff and to follow the manufacturer’s anti-icing procedure during continued snowfall, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control shortly after liftoff.…
- [NTSB DCA25LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA25LA025.md): Boeing 737-9 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2024 · N27515 · Substantial damage
  > Brake application before all three landing gears were on the ground, which caused the failure of the right main landing gear tires and resulted in tire fragments impacting the fuselage.
- [NTSB ERA24FA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA395.md): Evolution Revo · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 25, 2024 · N889HT · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s failure to ensure the haul back cable was securely connected to the “J” hook prior to departing on the accident flight, which resulted in the cable becoming disconnected and the wings folding up during flight.
- [NTSB DCA24LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA293.md): Boeing 747-4HQF · Istanbul, Türkiye · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2024 · N782CK · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of multiple hinge ribs associated with the right outboard aileron, which resulted in abnormal aileron movement and airframe vibration. Contributing to the failure was the mis-rigged condition of the right outboard aileron, which increased…
- [NTSB DCA24LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA245.md): Boeing 737 · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2024 · N853DN · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > Delta Air Lines flight 2046 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between their airplane and Delta Air Lines flight 2046 as they turned onto a perpendicular taxiway.
- [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 ERA24LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA185.md): Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly · Groveland, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2024 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper installation and inspection of the right lower wing strut attachment bolt, which resulted in the inflight failure of the right wing.
- [NTSB CEN24FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA160.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Hartsburg, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 16, 2024 · N451MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the…
- [NTSB ENG24LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG24LA012.md): British Aerospace BAE 146 Series 200A · Missoula, MT · Incident · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 1, 2024 · N474NA · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The use of a new long term fire retardant with a chemical composition incompatible with the retardant previously in use for the integration-operational field evaluation without adequate testing and qualification.
- [NTSB ANC24FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA008.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Anchor Point, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N1880P · Destroyed
  > An impact to the left wing, at an undetermined time, for reasons that could not be determined, which partially separated the left wing and rendered the airplane uncontrollable.
- [NTSB WPR24FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA052.md): Remos Remos GX · Taylor, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 6, 2023 · N449RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt takeoff with frost covering the airplane’s wings, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [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 ERA23FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA340.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 17, 2023 · N9855S · Destroyed
  > The left seat instructor’s intentional maneuvering of the airplane in an aerobatic steep turn for which it was not approved, which resulted in an exceedance of the structural limitations of the airplane and an inflight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN23LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA335.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Tyler, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2023 · N7094Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA255.md): Avia Stroitel AC-5M · North Plains, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N40233 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the motor glider, which resulted in an inflight overstress separation of the right wing during a high-speed, high-wing-load spiral dive recovery. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately manufactured wing…
- [NTSB ERA23LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA271.md): Cessna 172 · Seymore, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2023 · N12395 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the wing flaps for a soft-field takeoff on a short runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN23FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA204.md): Luce Buttercup · Lyndonville, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2023 · N18263 · Destroyed
  > An in-flight breakup due to structural overload of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA23FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA209.md): Cessna 177B · Watkinsville, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2023 · N123DS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an in-flight overload separation of the right wing during the uncontrolled descent.
- [NTSB WPR23LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA128.md): Jones Jay D Cassutt M 11 · Castroville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2023 · N55XJ · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the outboard trailing edge rib in the left wing, which resulted in a separation of the left aileron and a loss of 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 WPR23FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA080.md): Embraer Executive EMB-505 · Provo, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 2, 2023 · N555NR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to deice the airplane before takeoff in weather conditions conducive to ice accumulation, which resulted in an ice-contaminated wing and subsequent stall during takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC23FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA003.md): Airborne Windsports Edge XT-912L · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 5, 2022 · N444EZ · Substantial damage
  > Structural failure of the wing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA007.md): Seamax M-22 · East Hampton, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 6, 2022 · N46PD · Substantial damage
  > An inflight separation of the right wing as a result of the manufacturer’s application of a bolt and nut in the upper wing strut attachment point that was inconsistent with the nut design intent and usage limitations.
- [NTSB ERA22LA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA427.md): Northwing Design Apache Sport · Southern Shores, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2022 · N3283N · Substantial damage
  > A loss of aircraft control due to movement of the outer portion of the right wing fabric and displacement of wing ribs for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA22FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA320.md): Knight AA Nieuport 28 · Basehor, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 18, 2022 · N6170 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s incorrect installation of the left-wing strut, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot could not recover.
- [NTSB WPR22LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA183.md): Pyka Pelican · Winters, CA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N605PK · Substantial damage
  > Delamination of the uncrewed aircraft systems’ right wing skin surfaces from the wing spar that resulted in a spin and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA169.md): Bearhawk LSA · Kalispell, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 30, 2022 · N1908A · Substantial damage
  > An excessive pitch control input for undetermined reasons while the airplane was operating above maneuvering speed, which led to a structural failure of the right wing during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the poor construction quality of the…
- [NTSB WPR22LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA149.md): Dietrich Ryan S-4 Coyote 1 · Chula Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 8, 2022 · N3156D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner and maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the right wing’s aft lift strut to the right wing, which resulted in a loss of lift during takeoff, an uncommanded right roll, and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA124.md): Cessna 172RG · Rocky Mount, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 6, 2022 · N9382D · Substantial damage
  > An inflight collision with a bird, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
- [NTSB ERA22LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA116.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 5, 2022 · N1454Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flap setting, which resulted in a collision with trees during a takeoff attempt from a short grass field.
- [NTSB ERA22LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA084.md): Cessna 172S · Midland, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2021 · N2100S · Substantial damage
  > Collision with a bird in flight, which resulted in damage to the right-wing leading-edge spar.
- [NTSB DCA22LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA038.md): Boeing 747-4B5F · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 29, 2021 · N705CK · Substantial damage
  > Incorrect lubrication of the foreflap fitting assembly.
- [NTSB CEN21LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA420.md): Quad City Ultralight Challenger II · Rogers City, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2021 · N778H · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the right wing’s forward lift strut from the fuselage due to a missing nylon-insert lock nut. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot’s decision to operate the airplane even though a condition inspection had not been…
- [NTSB CEN21FA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA360.md): Mooney M20M · Victoria, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 7, 2021 · N9156Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during final approach, which led to a spiral dive that overstressed the airplane and resulted in an 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 WPR21FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA266.md): Beech C90 · Wikieup, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N3688P · Destroyed
  > The failure and separation of the left wing’s outboard section due to a fatigue crack in the lower spar cap. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s decision to repair the wing spar instead of replacing it as recommended by the aircraft manufacturer.…
- [NTSB WPR21LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA204.md): Mcclure B J Glasair III · Eugene, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2021 · N54CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the approach to landing due to an asymmetrical flap deployment for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN21FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA199.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Port Aransas, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2021 · N587CD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA21LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA177.md): Forisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II · Worcester, MA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2021 · N61EF · Substantial damage
  > Binding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn.
- [NTSB ERA21LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA051.md): J&J Ultralights Sea-Wing · Placida, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 22, 2020 · N947RC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner’s improper preflight inspection of the weight-shift trike, which resulted in a loss of control at takeoff due to an improperly adjusted wingtip.
- [NTSB ERA21LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA014.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Rural Hall, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2020 · N227PF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and improper recovery from an unusual attitude, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA20LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA315.md): Vans RV9 · Steinhatchee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N4889R · Destroyed
  > The failure of the air traffic controller to provide hazardous weather information to the pilot, resulting in the flight’s encounter with strong updraft conditions, an inflight loss of airplane control, and an in-flight breakup. Contributing was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA20CA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA243.md): Piper PA28 · Greenwood, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2020 · N6958J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked airplane while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the parked airplane's position over the double-yellow taxiway edge lines and into the taxiway object-free movement area.
- [NTSB CEN20LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA201.md): Piper PA28 · Carlinville, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N8991W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s attempted recovery from a steep descent which inadvertently exceeded the ultimate load factor of the airframe and resulted in a low-level inflight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN20CA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA184.md): Rhoads, Larry E Sopwith Baby · Lee's Summit, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2020 · N41LR · Substantial damage
  > The airplane builder's improper installation of the lower right wing which resulted in an uncommanded left roll and the subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR20LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA004.md): Glaser Dirks DG500 · Marana, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2019 · N600TT · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ exceedance of the glider’s never-exceed speed (VNE) during recovery from an intentional aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in a failure of the right-wing air brake control drive, asymmetrical air brake deployment, and a subsequent hard landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010357/cases.md?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."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '010357'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010357/cases

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