NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure

Cases
21
In the probable cause
20 (95%)
Fatal cases
12
NTSB code
01035740

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026
Cases with Attach fittings (on wing) per year: 21 cases
20092
20102
20111
20132
20151
20163
20171
20182
20191
20212
20222
20241
20261
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01035740') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In the same cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '01035740'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '01035740') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 21

NTSB WPR26LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPzl-Swidnik PW-5 · Soap Lake, WAThe 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.May 23, 2026 · N157AJ · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA395Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEvolution Revo · Zephyrhills, FLThe 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.Sep 25, 2024 · N889HT · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA007Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSeamax M-22 · East Hampton, NYAn 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.Oct 6, 2022 · N46PD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA320Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportKnight AA Nieuport 28 · Basehor, KSThe 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.Jul 18, 2022 · N6170 · DestroyedNTSB CEN21LA420Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportQuad City Ultralight Challenger II · Rogers City, MIThe 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…Sep 11, 2021 · N778H · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21FA314Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPZL Mielec M18 · Seiling, OKThe 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…Jul 12, 2021 · N9310R · DestroyedNTSB WPR20LA004Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGlaser Dirks DG500 · Marana, AZThe 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.Oct 6, 2019 · N600TT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA282Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFisher Celebrity · Patriot, INAn 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.Jul 19, 2018 · N228LC · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportI.C.A.-Brasov IS 29D · Avenal, CAThe pilot's improper installation of the wings onto the glider, which resulted in an in-flight wing separation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited familiarity with the design and a lack of reliable assembly guidance.May 19, 2018 · N38ES · DestroyedNTSB ERA17FA265Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNorth Wing Freedom · Green Township, NJThe pilot's improper preflight setup of the aircraft's foldable wing, during which he incorrectly attached a nylon strap loop pull handle, instead of the steel cable shackle at the end of the strap, to its mounting hook. The nylon strap failed in flight,…Aug 6, 2017 · N2854L · Substantial damage
See all 21 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\", '01035740'))
  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.