# NTSB investigations: Spar (on wing)

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.

## Latest cases

- [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR19LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA170.md): James Experimental Cub · Stanley, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2019 · N9WU · Substantial damage
  > Overstress failure of the right-wing spar due to an encounter with turbulence.
- [NTSB CEN18LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA164.md): Beech 1900C · Sioux Falls, SD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N172GA · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the right main landing gear drag brace bolt for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA18FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA120.md): Piper PA28R · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 4, 2018 · N106ER · Destroyed
  > Extensive 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…
- [NTSB ERA18FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA064.md): Vans RV-12 · Bonita Springs, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2018 · N262WS · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR17FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA128.md): Prescot E. Wilkie RV-3 · Payette, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2017 · N177TT · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR17FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA117.md): Cessna 180 · Ventura, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2017 · N3683C · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA16FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA089.md): Caughran Terry Flightstar II · Wake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2016 · N82652 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the left wing in flight due to compression loading from wing loads combined with preexisting damage.
- [NTSB DCA15CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA117.md): Titan Aerospace Holdings Solara 50 · Otto, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 1, 2015 · N950TA · Destroyed
  > structural failure of the left wing due to an overspeed condition.
- [NTSB WPR15LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA142.md): Schleicher ASW 27 · Reno, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2015 · N27QV · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR15FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA140.md): Quicksilver Enterprises MXL II · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 2015 · N476VB · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR14FA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA369.md): Backovich George C G P 5 · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2014 · N501GP · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN14LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA351.md): Cessna 152 · Denton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2014 · N49785 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the right wing’s rear spar.
- [NTSB CEN14FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA140.md): Hillam Scott L Rans S 10 · Shepherd, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2014 · N3000V · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA14MA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14MA060.md): Fairchild SA227-AC · La Alianza, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2013 · N831BC · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN14FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA072.md): Biesemeier David I Smyth Sidewinder · Boulder, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2013 · N3786A · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s abrupt maneuver, which exceeded the structural limits of the left wing and resulted in its in-flight separation.
- [NTSB DCA14CA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA14CA031.md): De Havilland DHC8 - 102 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 25, 2013 · N808EX · Substantial damage
  > an inadvertent encounter with several birds during approach that resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN14FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA064.md): Cessna T210 · Cedaredge, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2013 · N6832B · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN13FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA213.md): Schleicher Alexander · Littlefield, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2013 · N12053 · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA13FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA071.md): Green Gary E Thorp T-18 · Pahokee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2012 · N118GG · Substantial damage
  > The descent and overstress of the airplane during the descent, which resulted in the in-flight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR13FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA056.md): Mcdaniel RV-6-CH · Scio, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2012 · N424D · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA12LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA537.md): Quad City Ultralights Challenger II · Ocala, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2012 · N2481P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent overstress of the airplane, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the outer section of the right wing.
- [NTSB CEN12FA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA421.md): Beech E90 · Karnack, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2012 · N987GM · Destroyed
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN12LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA349.md): Flower Roger P J D · Spring Valley, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2012 · N9010T · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the left wing spar, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing.
- [NTSB CEN12FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA098.md): Socata TB21 · Silverton, CO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2011 · N25153 · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA10FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA140.md): Cessna T337G · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2010 · N12NA · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB WPR10LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA104.md): Airborne Streak 2 · Lake Isabella, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2010 · N155TD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s performance of prohibited aerobatic flight maneuvers that exceeded the structural limits of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB WPR09LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA318.md): Alexander Schleicher ASW 27-18E · Ephrata, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2009 · N129TD · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR09FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA234.md): Upton Bakeng Duce · Ramona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2009 · N86YP · Substantial damage
  > An 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…
- [NTSB WPR09FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA192.md): Piper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB WPR09CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA182.md): Cessna 172S · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2009 · N4915F · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a crow.
- [NTSB WPR09FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA089.md): Glaser-Dirks DG-400 · Volcano, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2009 · N777WN · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of pitch control and subsequent exceedance of the glider's airspeed limit for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA09FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA087.md): Ercoupe 415-D · Sebring, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2008 · N99154 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the design stress limitations of the airplane.
- [NTSB SEA08FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA196.md): Debus J / Mountain S / Bowes E DEBUS-CASST-SNOSHOO · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2008 · N102MB · Substantial damage
  > The 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…

## 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", '01035711'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711/cases

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