# NTSB investigations: Hydraulic fluid

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 ERA25LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA314.md): Piper PA32R · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2025 · N990DM · Substantial damage
  > An inflight loss of hydraulic fluid from the landing gear system through a cracked fitting, which resulted in a landing gear collapse upon touchdown.
- [NTSB WPR25LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA178.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Vancouver, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 4, 2025 · N9404N · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the brake system during landing due to a hydraulic fluid leak, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA24LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA051.md): Lancair 235 · Stuart, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 28, 2023 · N235N · Substantial damage
  > A landing gear collapse due to a hydraulic fluid leak in the landing gear system.
- [NTSB WPR23LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA076.md): Cessna 210N · Morgan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2022 · N210CU · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the brake system O-rings on the left landing gear trunnion, which allowed the hydraulic fluid to drain from the left brake system, resulting in a runway excursion and impact with a fence.
- [NTSB WPR22LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA341.md): Cessna 750 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 7, 2022 · N15TZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to depart on the accident flight with a known hydraulic leak, resulting in an in-flight hydraulic system failure, and the pilot’s attempt to land during an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a loss of control during the…
- [NTSB WPR21LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA362.md): Maule MX-7-235 · Ontario, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 28, 2021 · N235X · Substantial damage
  > A loss of hydraulic fluid and failure of the right brake for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR20LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA172.md): Ayres S2R · Imperial, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2020 · N2245S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control during a landing roll due to a failure of the main O-ring in the right brake assembly, which resulted in a loss of brake pressure and subsequent brake failure.
- [NTSB WPR20LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA104.md): Piper PA46 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 28, 2020 · N304LA · Substantial damage
  > The failure to properly service the hydraulic power pack prevented a normal landing gear extension. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the landing gear emergency release valve to function properly for reasons that could not be determined based on…
- [NTSB ANC20LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA013.md): Piper PA31 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 12, 2020 · N4112K · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of a hydraulic line at the right main landing gear (MLG) unlock actuator, which resulted in a total loss of system hydraulic pressure and failure of the landing gear to extend. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the…
- [NTSB ERA19LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA239.md): Cessna 210 · Chattanooga, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2019 · N2362F · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the airplane’s landing gear system, which resulted in a hydraulic fluid leak and insufficient pressure to extend and lock the landing gear during the accident flight.
- [NTSB CEN18LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA349.md): North American T-28B · Minneapolis, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 2018 · N215SF · Destroyed
  > The fire during approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in impact with terrain during approach for a precautionary landing.
- [NTSB ANC18LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA043.md): Cessna 210 · Ramona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2018 · N9410M · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine-driven hydraulic pump due to the installation of improper cap screws, which resulted in a gap in the pump housing, a subsequent hydraulic leak, and the landing gear collapsing.
- [NTSB ERA18LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA176.md): Cessna 337 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 29, 2018 · N86507 · Substantial damage
  > An area of pitting and corrosion on the surface of the aluminum hydraulic line connecting the emergency handle/pump to the electric hydraulic pump, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic pressure and the pilot’s inability to extend the landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA18LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA067.md): Cessna 172RG · Martinsburg, WV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2018 · N9415B · Substantial damage
  > A hydraulic leak in the right main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the main landing gear not extending.
- [NTSB ANC18LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA019.md): Cessna 210 · Juneau, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 14, 2018 · N3607Y · Substantial damage
  > A loss of hydraulic fluid due to a fatigue failure of the right main landing gear hydraulic actuator, which resulted in the pilot's inability to fully extend the landing gear and a main landing gear collapse during the landing roll.
- [NTSB ANC17LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA005.md): Cessna A185 · Ninilchik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2016 · N4918Q · Substantial damage
  > A loss of brake system fluid due to leaks in the o-rings, which resulted in asymmetrical braking and a subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB CEN17LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA022.md): Cessna T210L · Pflugerville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2016 · N210LC · Substantial damage
  > Landing gear collapse upon landing due to a hydraulic leak that led to insufficient pressure to fully extend and lock the gear in a down position.
- [NTSB ANC15LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA048.md): Cessna 210 · Juneau, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2015 · N3607Y · Substantial damage
  > A loss of hydraulic fluid due to a fractured left main landing gear hydraulic actuator as a result of a fatigue crack, which led to the landing gear collapsing upon touchdown.
- [NTSB CEN13FA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA415.md): Bell UH-1H · Dove Creek, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2013 · N775AR · Substantial damage
  > Pilot-induced oscillations caused by the loss of hydraulic assist of the flight controls due to an excessive loss of hydraulic fluid during a critical phase of flight, which resulted in ground impact. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate analysis of…
- [NTSB WPR13LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA322.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Albany, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2013 · N8606W · Substantial damage
  > The loss of hydraulic fluid, which rendered the brakes ineffective. The reason for the loss of hydraulic fluid could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR13LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA274.md): Cessna T210L · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2013 · N94086 · Substantial damage
  > A hydraulic fluid leak in the nose landing gear actuator rod seal, which prevented the hydraulic system from building up sufficient pressure to fully retract or extend the main landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA13LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA058.md): Cessna 172RG · Lexington, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2012 · N9985B · Substantial damage
  > The rupture of the landing gear’s hydraulic pressure hose, which resulted in the depletion of all of the hydraulic fluid, and the inability of the landing gear to raise or lower. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved hydraulic…
- [NTSB WPR12LA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA430.md): Cessna 150F · Snohomish, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2012 · N8130F · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the right wheel brake hydraulic line during the landing roll, which rendered the brake system inoperative.
- [NTSB CEN11IA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA379.md): Bombardier CL-600-2B19 · Milwaukee, WI · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2011 · N866AS · Minor damage
  > The failure of the right main landing gear (MLG) to extend normally, which resulted from the combination of a slightly worn uplock pin, the operation of the hydraulic pumps below their specified operating pressures, and contamination within the landing gear…
- [NTSB CEN11FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA193.md): Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP · Appleton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2011 · N535GA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot flying's (PF) decision to land on a shorter-than-recommended runway with a known left hydraulic system failure rather than go around as suggested by the pilot-not-flying, his failure to immediately apply emergency brakes following the detection of…
- [NTSB ERA11LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA011.md): Grumman G164 · Edison, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2010 · N48417 · Substantial damage
  > Leakage of hydraulic fluid from the internal fuselage line fitting, resulting in a subsequent loss of the right brake’s effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN10LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA389.md): Cessna 210 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2010 · N2157S · Substantial damage
  > The failure of a hydraulic fluid line, which caused a loss of hydraulic pressure to the landing gear extension system and resulted in the partial collapse of the right main landing gear during touchdown.
- [NTSB WPR10LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA319.md): Pridmore Lancair IV · Caldwell, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2010 · N86PB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to ensure that a hydraulic line fitting was adequately secured during a conditional inspection, which resulted in a leak and subsequent on-ground fire.
- [NTSB CEN09IA618](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA618.md): Bell 230 · Peoria, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2009 · N880SF · No damage
  > The loss of the number one hydraulic system fluid and hydraulic pressure during cruise due to the failure of the bolts that secure the hydraulic pump's cover.
- [NTSB ERA09IA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09IA338.md): Bombardier CL-600-2B1 · Atlanta, GA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2009 · N857AS · Minor damage
  > The failure of the left main landing gear to extend due to high levels of particulate contamination in the hydraulic fluid.
- [NTSB WPR09CA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA017.md): Piper L-4 · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 19, 2008 · N87117 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > Another airplanes total loss of wheel brakes while taxing which resulted in the pilot of the other aircraft colliding with a standing aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the other airplanes low brake hydraulic fluid.
- [NTSB NYC08LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA273.md): Ouzts Rodney Rutan-LongEZ · Winder, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2008 · N622EZ · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the left brake due to contamination of the brake fluid.
- [NTSB MIA08LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA053.md): Cessna C-172RG · Chamblee, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 2008 · N6562V · Substantial damage
  > A cracked nose gear actuator o-ring resulting in hydraulic fluid exhaustion, and collapse of the main gear.

## 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", '01071015'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071015/cases

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.