NTSB investigations
476 cases where NTSB found Aircraft propeller/rotor.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 50 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2012 | 39 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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\", '0104')) 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.
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", '0104')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN26LA081Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEla ELA10 · Morris, ILThe pilot’s failure obtain the proper rotor rpm before applying power for the takeoff roll which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR26LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Las Vegas, NVTail rotor blade impact from an unidentified object at an undetermined time.NTSB WPR25LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Park City, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an approach to landing in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA25LA236Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSting Sport TL-2000 · Dunavant, VAThe inflight failure of the propeller due to its exceedance of the manufacturer’s overhaul requirement.NTSB ANC25LA028Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Royal Kunia, HIImproper alteration of the crankshaft propeller flange at an unknown time, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.NTSB CEN25LA117Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-7A · Plainview, TXThe improper machining of the propeller blade bearing seat, which resulted in an inflight propeller blade fatigue failure. Contributing to the accident was the improper machining of the propeller hub and propeller blade root and machining surface quality…NTSB WPR25LA096Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150J · Minersville, UTThe failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue that originated from an impact pit sustained at an unknown time. Contributing to the accident was the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to detect and repair the impact pit before painting the propeller,…NTSB WPR25LA093Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Moab, UTThe inflight collision with debris during takeoff.NTSB ERA25LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Waycross, GAAn encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN25LA013Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRotorway Exec · Plymouth, INA loss of control due to the failed forward tail rotor belt as a result of the owner’s failure to follow the helicopter manufacturer’s tail rotor belt replacement recommendations.NTSB WPR25LA010Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom Helicopter 280C · Vale, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN25LA007Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Richmond, TXThe partial separation of a portion of the propeller spinner and its mounting bulkhead along with the upper cowl fairing while in a full-power climb.NTSB WPR24LA319Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L · Fern Prairie, WAAn aeroelastic interaction between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and nodal beam system, which resulted in oscillations that exceeded the design limits of the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the main rotor blade manufacturer to…NTSB CEN24LA358Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Canton, MIFatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.NTSB ANC24LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Honolulu, HIA failure of the flex plate yoke flange assembly due to incorrectly torqued bolts. Contributing was the maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the tail rotor flex plate assembly.NTSB ERA24LA332Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131 · Red Hook, NYThe Great Lakes pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the Bucker Jungmann while maneuvering during an air show, which resulted in a midair collision, the inability of the Bucker Jungmann to maintain altitude, and its subsequent forced landing.NTSB WPR24LA260Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKitfox Series V · La Grande, ORSeparation of the propeller blades from progressive damage at the blade roots due to overtightening of the hub bolts.NTSB ERA24FA310Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWilliams John Titan T-51 Mustang · Geneva, OHA sudden propeller overspeed and subsequent separation of the propeller blades and hub, while maneuvering at high speed and at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree during the subsequent forced landing attempt.NTSB WPR24LA243Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot’s low-speed, high-power maneuvering in high density altitude and near maximum gross weight, which resulted in an uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB ANC24LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportDehavilland DHC-2T · Petersville, AKAn in-flight loss of thrust due to an uncommanded feathering of the propeller for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA24LA303Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJones LONG-EZ · Thomasville, GAThe pilot reported that he was maneuvering around weather at 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl) when he made a rapid descent to 3,500 ft msl to remain clear of clouds. He reported that he did not exceed the airplane’s maneuvering speed during the descent, and…NTSB CEN24FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KSThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.NTSB ERA24LA276Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSnyder Searey · New Ipswich, NHA total loss of engine power due to the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly separating from its attach points and impacting the propeller.NTSB ERA24LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRotorway Exec · Alva, FLA loss of tail rotor control as a result of unsecured tail rotor drive belt tensioner bolts.NTSB ERA24LA223Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeechcraft TC-12B · Lehigh Acres, FLThe asymmetric reverse thrust during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined, resulting in the flightcrew’s inability to maintain directional control and a subsequent runway excursion.NTSB ERA24LA208Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAdmore International Jets Aircam · DeLand, FLThe uncommanded movement of the left propeller into reverse during approach for undetermined reasons, resulting in an in-flight loss of control of the airplane at low altitude during approach.NTSB ERA24LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Plant City, FLThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR24LA134Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Tracy, CAA loss of collective control authority due to fatigue failure of the collective servo cylinder extension arms from corrosion pitting.NTSB ANC24LA017Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMD Helicopter 369E/500E · Kekaha, HIMaintenance personnel’s noncompliance with maintenance manual procedures that required the removal of the overrunning clutch output bearing during the regreasing procedure, which resulted in inadequate regreasing of the bearing and the subsequent failure of…NTSB CEN24LA187Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAviat A1 · Poole, NEThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to configure the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB ANC24LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Glacier View, AKA sudden stoppage of the tail rotor for unknown reasons, which resulted in the tortional overload failure of the tail rotor driveshaft.NTSB WPR24LA067Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · El Centro, CAAn in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment between the flex plate and the forward driveshaft coupling.…NTSB WPR24FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeauchamp Norm Kitfox · Eloy, AZThe separation of a propeller blade during the initial climb due to insufficient blade retention forces. Contributing to the accident was the propeller blade retention design, manufacturing defects that prevented the propeller from achieving adequate grip…NTSB CEN24LA061Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421C · McGregor, TXThe failure of the spring pin in the right propeller governor, which precluded the pilot from controlling the propeller pitch to maintain engine rpm, resulting in a loss of engine thrust, excessive drag, and the subsequent forced landing to a field.NTSB CEN24LA038Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBede BD-4 · Lowell, INFatigue cracking of the propeller blade root, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the propeller blade from its root. Contributing to the accident was the improper machining of the blade root threads, which resulted in chatter/ratchet marks that…NTSB CEN24LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMagni M24 · Mount Sterling, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain gyroplane control on the downwind leg, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction.NTSB ERA23LA369Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 · Fargo, GAThe separation of the outer span of a tail rotor blade during flight as a result of localized intergranular corrosion due to a diminished protective coating at a critical location on the tail rotor blade surface that, combined with cyclic loading, resulted in…NTSB CEN23LA385Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 206 · Hibbing, MNThe ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness…NTSB WPR23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Guernsey, CAThe pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact…NTSB ERA23LA326Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Elberon, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.NTSB DCA23LA397Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSupernal SUP83-1 · California City, CAA loss of control in flight due to a loss of electrical power to one of the lift-motors.NTSB WPR23LA283Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech C35 · Rock Springs, WYMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the propeller pitch control rod castellated nut hardware, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the pitch control bearing and subsequent loss of engine RPM and thrust.NTSB ERA23LA293Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Waldorf, MDFatigue failure of the overrunning clutch outer race and a subsequent inflight loss of power due to abnormal bending loads as a result of improper reassembly of the clutch subassembly following maintenance and the presence of microcracks on the clutch’s outer…NTSB ERA23LA289Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269A · Anderson, SCThe mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.NTSB ERA23LA279Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEdmisten Robert Eugene SR Rans S-14 Airaile · Bonaire, GAThe pilot’s failure to properly adjust the propeller’s pitch angle, which resulted in a loss of thrust and an inability to maintain altitude.NTSB ERA23FA274Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Claxton, GAThe flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power.NTSB CEN23LA199Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Abbeville, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN23FA183Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Brady, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne. Contributing to the crash were the pilot’s various physical…NTSB ERA23LA228Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bradenton, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during landing which resulted in a premature landing on uneven ground and a subsequent rollover.