NTSB investigations

43 cases where NTSB found Spar (on wing).

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 43 cases
20082
20095
20102
20111
20125
20135
20143
20153
20161
20172
20183
20191
20213
20235
20242

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\", '01035711'))
  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 CEN24FA179Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Marianna, ARThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in an in-flight breakup.May 13, 2024 · N241PM · Substantial damageNTSB ENG24LA012IncidentClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBritish Aerospace BAE 146 Series 200A · Missoula, MTThe 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.Mar 1, 2024 · N474NA · 2 aircraft · Minor damageNTSB ANC24FA008Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-18-150 · Anchor Point, AKAn 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.Dec 8, 2023 · N1880P · DestroyedNTSB 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.Sep 22, 2023 · UNREG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA340Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Fort Pierce, FLThe 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.Aug 17, 2023 · N9855S · DestroyedNTSB WPR23LA255Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAvia Stroitel AC-5M · North Plains, ORThe 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…Jul 5, 2023 · N40233 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA209Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177B · Watkinsville, GAThe 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.Apr 26, 2023 · N123DS · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Midland, VACollision with a bird in flight, which resulted in damage to the right-wing leading-edge spar.Dec 3, 2021 · N2100S · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21FA360Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMooney M20M · Victoria, MNThe 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.Aug 7, 2021 · N9156Z · DestroyedNTSB WPR21FA266Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech C90 · Wikieup, AZThe 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.…Jul 10, 2021 · N3688P · DestroyedNTSB WPR19LA170Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJames Experimental Cub · Stanley, IDOverstress failure of the right-wing spar due to an encounter with turbulence.Jun 13, 2019 · N9WU · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 1900C · Sioux Falls, SDFailure of the right main landing gear drag brace bolt for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Apr 30, 2018 · N172GA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA120Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA28R · Daytona Beach, FLExtensive fatigue cracking in the left-wing main spar lower cap and doublers, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing. The fatigue cracks initiated and grew to a critical size due to flight and ground loads associated with flight-training…Apr 4, 2018 · N106ER · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVans RV-12 · Bonita Springs, FLThe pilot's unsafe maneuvering and exceedance of the airplane's operating limitations, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the left wing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's underlying physiologic or psychiatric disease.Jan 22, 2018 · N262WS · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPrescot E. Wilkie RV-3 · Payette, IDThe in-flight failure of the left wing due to the owner's use of improper hardware and his improper assembly of the airplane, which reduced the strength of the left wing and resulted in its subsequent failure following a sharp pullup maneuver.Jun 17, 2017 · N177TT · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA117Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Ventura, CAThe pilot's abrupt and substantial pullup maneuver while flying the airplane above the maneuvering speed, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. The reason for the pilot's maneuver could not be determined based on the available evidence.Jun 1, 2017 · N3683C · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCaughran Terry Flightstar II · Wake, VAFailure of the left wing in flight due to compression loading from wing loads combined with preexisting damage.Jan 14, 2016 · N82652 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA15CA117Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportTitan Aerospace Holdings Solara 50 · Otto, NMstructural failure of the left wing due to an overspeed condition.May 1, 2015 · N950TA · DestroyedNTSB WPR15LA142Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW 27 · Reno, NVThe glider's encounter with severe turbulent atmospheric conditions after the pilot inadvertently entered clouds, which led to his inability to maintain a proper airspeed and the subsequent in-flight breakup of the glider.Apr 5, 2015 · N27QV · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportQuicksilver Enterprises MXL II · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and structural failure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from his use of diphenhydramine.Apr 3, 2015 · N476VB · DestroyedNTSB WPR14FA369Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBackovich George C G P 5 · Reno, NVThe failure of the right wing under normal race loads due to an improper repair of the right wing spar that reduced its structural strength following a previous landing accident.Sep 8, 2014 · N501GP · DestroyedNTSB CEN14LA351Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Denton, TXThe in-flight failure of the right wing’s rear spar.Jul 5, 2014 · N49785 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14FA140Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHillam Scott L Rans S 10 · Shepherd, TXThe noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to attempt aerobatic maneuvers that exceeded the airplane’s design limitations, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic…Feb 16, 2014 · N3000V · DestroyedNTSB ERA14MA060Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportFairchild SA227-AC · La Alianza, PRThe flight crew's excessive elevator input during a rapid descent under night lighting conditions, which resulted in the overstress and breakup of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was an initial loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be…Dec 3, 2013 · N831BC · DestroyedNTSB 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.Nov 27, 2013 · N3786A · DestroyedNTSB DCA14CA031Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDe Havilland DHC8 - 102 · Philadelphia, PAan inadvertent encounter with several birds during approach that resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.Nov 25, 2013 · N808EX · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210 · Cedaredge, COThe pilot's spatial disorientation while operating in dark night conditions in snow showers and his subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in overstress of the airplane and an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the loss of control was…Nov 20, 2013 · N6832B · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA213Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers in a glider not approved for such maneuvers. Contributing to the accident was the degradation of the adhesive holding the wing together, which should have been detected either during the last annual…Mar 30, 2013 · N12053 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA071Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGreen Gary E Thorp T-18 · Pahokee, FLThe descent and overstress of the airplane during the descent, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane.Dec 1, 2012 · N118GG · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Nov 26, 2012 · N424D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12LA537Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportQuad City Ultralights Challenger II · Ocala, FLThe pilot's inadvertent overstress of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer section of the right wing.Aug 30, 2012 · N2481P · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12FA421Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E90 · Karnack, TXThe pilot's inadvertent flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in the loss of airplane control and the subsequent exceedance of the airplane's design limits and in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control…Jul 7, 2012 · N987GM · DestroyedNTSB CEN12LA349Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFlower Roger P J D · Spring Valley, OHThe in-flight failure of the left wing spar, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing.Jun 9, 2012 · N9010T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12FA098Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB21 · Silverton, COThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to embark on a flight through forecasted instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his subsequent flight into IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent maneuvering of the airplane…Dec 3, 2011 · N25153 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10FA140Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T337G · Farmingdale, NJThe pilots’ failure to adhere to the airplane’s operating limitations, which resulted in overload failure of the right wing. Findings of the investigation were the adverse effects of multiple supplemental type certificates (STC) to the airframe wing structure…Feb 15, 2010 · N12NA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10LA104Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CAThe pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.Jan 9, 2010 · N155TD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA318Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASW 27-18E · Ephrata, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during flight and his exceedance of the glider’s design limits during an attempted recovery from a spin.Jun 29, 2009 · N129TD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportUpton Bakeng Duce · Ramona, CAAn in-flight separation of the right wing, which resulted from the pilot's performance of a maneuver that produced aerodynamic loads that exceeded the wing spar’s degraded strength. The wing spar strength degradation was due to the builder's failure to comply…May 9, 2009 · N86YP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA192Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · DestroyedNTSB WPR09CA182Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Snohomish, WAAn in-flight collision with a crow.Apr 4, 2009 · N4915F · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGlaser-Dirks DG-400 · Volcano, HIThe pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.Jan 16, 2009 · N777WN · DestroyedNTSB ERA09FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-D · Sebring, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the design stress limitations of the airplane.Dec 13, 2008 · N99154 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA08FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportDebus J / Mountain S / Bowes E DEBUS-CASST-SNOSHOO · Reno, NVThe movement of the airplane’s modified horizontal stabilizer trim system during an intentional high speed aerobatic maneuver that resulted in exceedence of the design stress limits of the airplane and an in-flight structural failure. Contrubuting to the…Sep 6, 2008 · N102MB · Substantial damage