# NTSB investigations: Post maintenance inspection

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.

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## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA009.md): Cessna 182H · Smithfield, RI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2025 · N1998X · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper rigging of the elevator trim system, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the maintenance personnel and pilot’s failure to perform adequate post maintenance/preflight inspections.
- [NTSB WPR25FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA146.md): Cessna 177RG · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 1, 2025 · N52156 · Substantial damage
  > An improperly tightened B-nut fitting at the fuel flow divider, which resulted in a fuel leak and loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect and correct the discrepancy.
- [NTSB ERA24LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA179.md): Cessna R172 · Rocky Mount, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2024 · N3FR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and mechanic’s failure to identify and completely eliminate the water and debris contamination present in the airplane’s fuel system before embarking on the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB DCA24LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA24LA079.md): Boeing 747-87UF · Miami, FL · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2024 · N859GT · Minor damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper installation and inspection of the port M borescope plug, which resulted in an engine fire.
- [NTSB ERA23LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA225.md): Mooney M20K · Hillsborough Township, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N262MK · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s failure to ensure that the ignition harnesses were properly secured and the pilot’s inappropriate pitch control inputs, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and…
- [NTSB ERA23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA002.md): Aeronca 7AC · Murray, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2022 · N3005E · Substantial damage
  > The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator cables by maintenance personnel and their subsequent failure to verify that the rigging was correct during post-maintenance checks and the pilot's inadequate preflight check.
- [NTSB CEN22FA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA419.md): Piper PA-28R-201 · Conway, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 14, 2022 · N62FC · Destroyed
  > The mechanic’s failure to install the required gasket on the vacuum pump drive pad in accordance with the maintenance manual, which resulted in oil exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the Director of…
- [NTSB ERA22FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA257.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Fairfield, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 4, 2022 · N98ZA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the tail rotor crosshead drive plate and the failure of maintenance personnel, the maintenance pilot, and the accident pilot to detect the error, which led to the helicopter’s loss of tail rotor…
- [NTSB ERA22LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA231.md): Eurocopter AS355 · Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 19, 2022 · N448JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatched engine cowling opening and being struck by a main rotor blade during flight. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the cowling following…
- [NTSB ANC22FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA018.md): Sikorsky S-61N · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 22, 2022 · N615CK · Destroyed
  > The improper installation of the fore/aft primary servo by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the attaching hardware backing out and which subsequently rendered the helicopter uncontrollable. Contributing to the accident was the company’s quality…
- [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 CEN21FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA272.md): Antenor Velazco Lancair Evolution · Parker, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 16, 2021 · N704AK · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s diversion of attention following an asymmetric flap deployment, which resulted in a descent and collision with powerlines. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the flap control rod attachment bolts,…
- [NTSB ERA21LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA223.md): Zenith Zodiac 601 XL · McKenzie, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2021 · N493TG · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation and inspection of the propeller, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.
- [NTSB CEN20LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA377.md): Stinson 108-3 · Coleman, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2020 · N909C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper installation of the generator drive gear, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA20CA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA246.md): Piper PA22 · Cortland, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2020 · N2716P · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic’s incorrect rigging of the aileron control cables, which resulted in a reversal of aileron control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff. Also causal was the mechanic’s inadequate post-maintenance inspection and the pilot's inadequate…
- [NTSB DCA20LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20LA107.md): Boeing 737 · Victorville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 19, 2020 · N820TJ · Substantial damage
  > Improper installation of dorsal fin attach bolts which caused the dorsal fin to separate during flight, substantially damaging the left horizontal stabilizer.
- [NTSB DCA20LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20LA047.md): Boeing 737-824 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 23, 2019 · N87513 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s excessive grinding of the left main landing gear’s aft trunnion pin during its initial overhaul, which caused heat damage to the base metal and led to the fatigue crack that caused the pin to fail during the accident flight.…
- [NTSB ERA20LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA008.md): Raytheon Hawker · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2019 · N86MN · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the nose landing gear assembly, which resulted in separation of the actuator arm and the failure of a nose landing gear to lock in place.
- [NTSB CEN19LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA215.md): Beech 65 · Sidney, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2019 · N62069 · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the outboard left wing, which allowed electrical arcing and leaking of the fuel sending unit and subsequently resulted in ignition of fuel vapors and an explosion of the outboard left wing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA074.md): Cirrus SR22 · Sand Creek, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 21, 2018 · N579CP · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic's failure to properly secure the air reference line, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA18LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA178.md): Piper PA 34-200 · Umatilla, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2018 · N56213 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel ‘s failure to complete and verify the proper installation of the main landing gear (MLG) torque links’ attachment hardware, which resulted in the right MLG torque link disconnecting and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain…
- [NTSB WPR18LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA147.md): Bell UH 1H · Olympia, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2018 · N111DR · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor thrust due to the improper installation of the tail rotor assembly by maintenance personnel resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter as he began transition into forward flight from a hover, which resulted in…
- [NTSB ERA17FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA327.md): Mooney M20C · North Branford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N53CP · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss…
- [NTSB WPR17LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA164.md): Piper PA 28R-180 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2017 · N4594J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's incorrect installation of the aileron control cables and subsequent failure to verify proper aileron functionality following the maintenance, which resulted in roll control that was opposite of that commanded by the pilot, and the…
- [NTSB CEN17LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA224.md): Mckenna SD-1A · Juneau, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2017 · N31313 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s difficulty controlling the airplane due to his incorrect reinstallation of the wings, which led to a bounced precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and the mechanic to verify the wings’ angle of incidence.
- [NTSB ERA17FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA148.md): Piper PA 12 · Sanford, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2017 · N3280M · Destroyed
  > The incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate…
- [NTSB WPR17LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA078.md): Swearingen SA226 · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2017 · N158WA · Substantial damage
  > Company maintenance personnel's failure to remove a screwdriver that was left lodged in the windshield wiper area of the forward fuselage during maintenance and subsequently became dislodged on takeoff/initial climb and collided with a left propeller blade.
- [NTSB CEN16LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA251.md): Champion 7EC · Placedo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2016 · N9891B · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate annual inspection of the fuel system that failed to detect a deteriorated fuel line and a misrigged fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s…
- [NTSB CEN16LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA184.md): Cessna 150F · Ponca City, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 1, 2016 · N8619G · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's improper installation of the elevator bolt, which resulted in a loss of elevator control during landing.
- [NTSB GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182.md): Hughes 369 · Weatherford, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2016 · N298SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic's inadequate postmaintenance and preflight inspections, which resulted in his failure to remove the antitorque pedal lock and a subsequent loss of control during hover operations.
- [NTSB GAA16CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA088.md): Day William L Minicoupe · Middle River, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 20, 2015 · N853WD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect installation of the rudder horn and failure to properly inspect the installation, which led to a loss of directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR15LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA159.md): Garlick UH-1B · Kettle Falls, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 2015 · N46969 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to foreign object (towel) ingestion. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate postmaintenance inspection of the engine.
- [NTSB WPR15FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA158.md): Piper PA 46 350P · Spokane, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 7, 2015 · N962DA · Destroyed
  > The mechanic's incorrect installation of two aileron cables and the subsequent inadequate functional checks of the aileron system before flight by both the mechanic and the pilot, which prevented proper roll control from the cockpit, resulting in the pilot's…
- [NTSB ERA15IA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15IA198.md): Dassault-Breguet Mystere Falcon 900 · Orlando, FL · Incident · No injuries · Class 2 · Incident · Final report · Apr 16, 2015 · N610RL · Minor damage
  > Unknown maintenance personnel’s inadequate securing of a wiring bundle during a maintenance, repair, or modification event, which led to chafing of the wiring bundle, an electrical short and arcing, and a subsequent in-flight fire.
- [NTSB ERA15FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA128.md): Piper PA28 · Greensboro, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 11, 2015 · N5985U · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power after takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of excessive wear of the fuel selector valve. Also causal was the owner/operator and maintenance personnel's inadequate maintenance, and inadequate postmaintenance inspection.
- [NTSB CEN15IA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15IA079.md): Cessna T182T · Cahokia, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2014 · N93CL · No damage
  > The mechanic’s improper installation of the elevator trim actuator, which resulted in reversed elevator trim control, and his subsequent failure to detect the misrigging of the elevator cables during the postmaintenance inspection.
- [NTSB WPR14LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA345.md): Piper PA 28-236 · Salmon, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2014 · N2190H · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper surface preparation of the accessory mount pad for the installation of the engine’s dry vacuum pump, which resulted in the loss of engine oil, oil pressure, and engine power during flight. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB WPR14LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA201.md): Schweizer G 164B · Biggs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2014 · N3633C · Substantial damage
  > The assembler’s improper fabrication of a fuel line (hose) and the subsequent failure to verify that it was not occluded, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA14LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA098.md): Israel Aircraft Industries Gulfstream 200 · Savannah, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2014 · N720QS · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the auxiliary power unit service door before returning the airplane to service, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder.
- [NTSB ERA14LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA015.md): Piper PA-22-135 · Selinsgrove, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2013 · N170JH · Substantial damage
  > The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator cables by maintenance personnel and their subsequent failure to verify that the rigging was correct during postmaintenance checks and the pilot's inadequate preflight check.
- [NTSB WPR13LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA222.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Honolulu, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 2013 · N5ZK · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic’s failure to properly inspect the helicopter following maintenance performed by an apprentice, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the improper rigging of the mixture control assembly.
- [NTSB ERA13LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA188.md): Cessna 402C · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2013 · VQ-TIN · Substantial damage
  > The disconnection of the nose landing gear actuator, which resulted in the subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the repair station’s inadequate maintenance, postmaintenance inspection process, and oversight of the…
- [NTSB CEN13LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA208.md): Cessna 421C · Amarillo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2013 · N805DC · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to detect the misadjustment of the left landing gear actuator's switch after recent maintenance, which prevented the landing gear from locking in the extended position and resulted in the landing gear collapsing during landing.
- [NTSB ERA12IA550](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12IA550.md): Cessna 402C · Nantucket, MA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2012 · N769EA · Minor damage
  > Company maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with the airplane manufacturer’s service instructions by not removing the cracked drag brace from service nor inspecting the repaired drag brace at the appropriate interval, which resulted in the failure of…
- [NTSB WPR12CA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA257.md): Cessna 182A · Colfax, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 11, 2012 · N4715D · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the missing carburetor drain plug, which had not been secured with safety wire.
- [NTSB ERA12LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA141.md): Bowers Fly Baby 1-A · Jefferson, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2012 · N4626 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Also causal was the partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the improper installation of a magneto. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB DCA12MA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12MA020.md): Eurocopter France AS350B2 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Dec 8, 2011 · N37SH · Destroyed
  > Sundance Helicopters’ inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, including (1) the improper reuse of a degraded self-locking nut, (2) the improper or lack of installation of a split pin, and (3) inadequate postmaintenance inspections, which resulted in the…
- [NTSB CEN11IA615](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11IA615.md): Bombardier CL-600-2B19 · Baton Rouge, LA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2011 · N875AS · Minor damage
  > The improperly installed upper attachment bolt in the left main landing gear uplock assembly, which led to the failure of the left main landing gear to extend before landing. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel's lack of training on the…
- [NTSB CEN11CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA062.md): Cessna 172 · Pineville, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 9, 2010 · N9747L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic’s improper inspection of the airplane following the engine installation.
- [NTSB WPR10FA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA371.md): American Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2010 · N509AM · Substantial damage
  > The repair station technician did not properly install the fuel inlet union during reassembly of the engine; the operator’s maintenance personnel did not adequately inspect the technician's work; and the pilot who performed the post maintenance check flight…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?page=2

## 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", '02061515'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases

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