Ailerons

NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure

Cases
12
In the probable cause
9 (75%)
Fatal cases
3
NTSB code
01035751

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 Ailerons per year: 12 cases
20081
20092
20101
20113
20161
20211
20242
20251
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\", '01035751') 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\", '01035751'))
  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\", '01035751') 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 · 12

NTSB WPR25LA209Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPipistrel Alpha Trainer · Colorado City, AZThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s never-exceed speed (VNE) during maneuvering, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left flaperon.Jul 11, 2025 · N209ZM · Substantial damageNTSB DCA24LA293Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 747-4HQF · Istanbul, TürkiyeThe 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…Aug 17, 2024 · N782CK · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24FA029Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportDouglas C54D · Fairbanks, AKA 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…Apr 23, 2024 · N3054V · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA177Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportForisch Edward Bushby Mustang M II · Worcester, MABinding of the left aileron bellcrank push/pull rod, which resulted in an uncommanded right turn.Apr 6, 2021 · N61EF · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA244Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPollack Quicksilver SPRINT2S · Bullard, TXA loss of airplane control during landing for reasons that could not be determined, because the airplane sank and was not recovered.Jul 3, 2016 · N250AB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA218Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-500TP · Rock Springs, WYThe overstress fracture of the right aileron midspan hinge bracket due to modal vibrations created by a deflated right main landing gear tire during the takeoff roll.May 3, 2011 · N46ME · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11IA280Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBeech 90B · Chickasha, OKThe mechanic's improper installation of the aileron.Apr 11, 2011 · N37OU · Minor damageNTSB CEN11LA192Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech E-90 · Des Moines, IAThe improper installation of the right aileron by maintenance personnel.Feb 15, 2011 · N51DN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA162Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMaule M-6-235 · Bennett, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while maneuvering.Jan 30, 2010 · N7613X · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportZenith Zodiac 601 XL · Agnos, ARThe in-flight separation of both wings due to aileron flutter. The aileron flutter was the result of inadequate wing stiffness and strength and the lack of aileron counterbalances.Nov 6, 2009 · N538CJ · Destroyed
See all 12 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\", '01035751'))
  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.