# NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG: Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction

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.

Page 1 of 2 · 94 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB DEN08LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA038.md): Rotorway Exec 162-F · New Century, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2007 · N46110 · Substantial damage
  > While on approach the tail rotor spar failed due to metal fatigue.
- [NTSB DFW08CA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA016.md): Ward RC 350 HP · Magnolia, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2007 · N901RC · Destroyed
  > The in-flight fire and loss of engine power as a result of a ruptured fuel line for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX07CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA266.md): American Air Racing Thunder Mustang · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 4, 2007 · N351F · Destroyed
  > Fire resulting from vegetation contacting hot brakes following an aborted takeoff.
- [NTSB CHI07LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA273.md): Terpstra Exec 162F · Winamac, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2007 · N428JT · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate installation of the horizontal stabilizer bracket by the pilot, the fatigue fracture seperation of vertical stabilizer bracket during cruise flight, and the aircraft control not possible by the pilot.
- [NTSB LAX07LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA210.md): Aviation International Rotors CH-54A · Los Olivos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2007 · N44094 · Substantial damage
  > The company mechanic's inadequately performed maintenance and inspection, which resulted in a flight control malfunction and loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CHI07CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA152.md): Cessna 421C · Kokomo, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 22, 2007 · N85SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not obtaining proper alignment with the runway during the emergency landing after takeoff, which imparted an excessive side load on the landing gear. Factors contributing to the accident were the unstabilized approach and engine shutdown due to the…
- [NTSB CHI07CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA124.md): Wilkinson Daniel V Rotorway Exec 90 · Kalamazoo, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 28, 2007 · N52988 · Destroyed
  > The failure of the sprag clutch which resulted in the disengagement of the drive unit and the pilot's misjudged landing during the autorotation. A factor was the low altitude at which the failure occurred.
- [NTSB DEN07LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA044.md): Marino Exec 162F-1995 · Baldwin City, KS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2007 · N113JD · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the tail rotor drive belt for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB CHI06LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA273.md): Daub Pawnee Chief · McCook, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 2006 · N565CH · Destroyed
  > The failure of a welded joint at a cyclic control cable bracket located on the main rotor mast which made control of the helicopter impossible for the pilot.
- [NTSB NYC06LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA224.md): Garlick OH-58A · East Bridgewate, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2006 · N802JB · No damage
  > The completion center's installation of the incorrect (shorter) release cable, and the ground crewmember's improper movement under the flight path during a bin transfer.
- [NTSB CHI06LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA260.md): Endless Skies L164 · Durand, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2006 · N2627J · Substantial damage
  > The kit builder's improper installation of the aileron bracket leading to the aileron flutter during cruise that resulted in the wing spars' failure.
- [NTSB LAX06LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA270.md): Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G109 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2006 · N39262 · Substantial damage
  > The failure and separation of one propeller blade for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA06LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA133.md): Nanchang China CJ-6 · Brewster, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2006 · N8120H · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine's three planetary gears for undetermined reasons. A factor contributing to the accident was the tree orchard.
- [NTSB CHI06LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA112.md): Dassault Falcon 2000 · Stilesville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2006 · N722JB · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the left engine cowling during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI06LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA088.md): Irwin Sonex 2180 · Rockford, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 2006 · N514KP · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the restricted movement of the throttle cable during cruise flight. A factor in the accident was the trees contacted during the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX06LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA105.md): Hooker Zodiac 601XL · Oakdale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2006 · N105RH · Destroyed
  > the structural failure of the wings for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI05FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA272.md): Mitsubishi MU-2B-36 · West Memphis, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2005 · N103RC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper in-flight decision not to land at the departure runway or other available airports during the emergency descent, and his failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle and terrain. Contributing factors were a false engine fire warning…
- [NTSB ATL05CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA053.md): Bennett Ra Oliver Zodiac CH 601 HDS · Mt. Olive, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 26, 2005 · N2521B · Substantial damage
  > Rupture of the engine's cooling system radiator, which allowed steam to fill the cockpit.
- [NTSB SEA05LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA133.md): Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C · Hyak, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2004 · N39TJ · Destroyed
  > The loss of aircraft control during climb to cruise due to an undetermined flight control malfunction.
- [NTSB SEA05LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA008.md): Higgins Acro-Sport II · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2004 · N214JH · Substantial damage
  > The airplane's wood propeller separated from the airplane during cruise. A factor was the ditch that the airplane impacted during the landing roll subsequent to the forced landing.
- [NTSB MIA04LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA058.md): Ortmayer/Parson none · Bunnell, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 2004 · N69EP · Substantial damage
  > The owner/pilot mechanic's failure to comply with a manufacture notice to replace the rotor blades and hub bar assembly, resulting in a failure of the hub bar to hub bar wing attaching bolt and separation of a main rotor blade.
- [NTSB LAX04FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA150.md): Ercoupe 415-C · Oakdale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2004 · N93707 · Destroyed
  > the in-flight separation of the main spar due to corrosion in the wing center section not detectable by inspection methods described in manufacturer's service bulletins and FAA Airworthiness Directives.
- [NTSB NYC04LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA079.md): Geoffrion Rotorway Exec 162 · Medina, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 29, 2004 · N198BG · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the helicopter's tail rotor drive system for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX03LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA267.md): Petz Flying Boat · Tracy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2003 · N1216Z · Destroyed
  > The inadequate design of the engine exhaust system and inappropriate selection of propeller materials by the designer/builder, which resulted in separation of the propeller blades during takeoff/initial climb, and a subsequent in-flight collision with terrain…
- [NTSB DEN03FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA138.md): Wright Hughes 1-B · Yellowstone Nat, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2003 · N258Y · Destroyed
  > The in-flight loss of a propeller counterweight, followed by the pilot's loss of aircraft control during a forced landing attempt and subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground.
- [NTSB CHI03LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA230.md): Murch Rotec Rally 3 · Searcy, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2003 · N317RE · Substantial damage
  > The frayed rudder cable that failed during the turn to final. A factor was the ditch the airplane encountered during the forced landing.
- [NTSB SEA03LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA202.md): North American P-51D · Jerome, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2003 · N2869D · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction of the cooling system pressure relief valve and the pilot's failure to follow procedures. An engine over temperature, a coolant leak as a result of a relief valve failure, an obstructed windshield which was covered with coolant fluid, and an…
- [NTSB MIA03LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA138.md): WSK PZL Mielec M-18A · Belle Glade, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2003 · N82120 · Substantial damage
  > The inability of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane following a blown right main landing gear tire during the takeoff roll, resulting in the airplane rolling into soft terrain and subsequent nose over. A factor in the accident was the…
- [NTSB FTW03LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA115.md): Cessna FA150K · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2003 · N922SZ · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the elevator trim tab.
- [NTSB LAX03FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA102.md): Mitchell CH-801 · Nicholas, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 2003 · N235RJ · Destroyed
  > an in-flight structural failure due to the pilot exceeding the design limitations of the airplane. Drug impairment was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX03LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA092.md): Everett BD-10 · Dana Point, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2003 · N7FF · Destroyed
  > in-flight breakup of the experimental airplane for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB DEN03FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA034.md): Yakovlev YAK 52 · Midway, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2003 · N2256J · Destroyed
  > The malfunction of the elevator control as a result of a jammed elevator control bell crank, rendering control of the airplane impossible. A contributing factor was the foreign object (nut) damage.
- [NTSB LAX03LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA011.md): Rotorway 162F · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2002 · N162AZ · Destroyed
  > the failure of the secondary drive shaft.
- [NTSB CHI02LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA286.md): Bailey DSA-1 · Washington, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2002 · N304MB · Substantial damage
  > The selection of unsuitable terrain and the failure of the oil pressure gage line. Factors were, the pilot/owners failure to obtain an annual condition inspection, and the corn crop.
- [NTSB LAX02LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA283.md): Minkler Venture M20 · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2002 · N360 · Destroyed
  > the overload failure of the horizontal stabilizers and elevators due to a pilot induced oscillation at a speed at or above Vne, which exceeded the design stress limits of the structure. Also causal was the intentional alteration by an unknown person or…
- [NTSB CHI02LA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA277.md): Grumman-Schweizer G-164B · Martin, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2002 · N48417 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight and his inability to abort the takeoff due to the obscured windshield. Contributing to the accident was the bent hopper latch and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB IAD02IA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02IA076.md): Fairchild Dornier DO-328-300 · New York, NY · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2002 · N409FJ · No damage
  > The partial loss of flight display information for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MIA02LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA139.md): Interavia E-3 · Santa Rosa Bch, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2002 · N1535G · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the canopy for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA02LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA130.md): Thurmond Moni · Laurel, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2002 · N9104S · Substantial damage
  > Undertorqued mounting bolts which resulted in fatigue to the wooden propeller blade and subsequent in flight separation of one of the blades while in cruise flight. An improper installation of the propeller assembly and soft terrain encountered during the…
- [NTSB FTW02LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA187.md): Lidster Wittman Tailwind W-8 · Mesquite, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2002 · N14VK · Destroyed
  > The in-flight separation of the outboard portion of the left wing due to the failure of the wing spar resulting from the builder's improper installation of a wing that did not meet the drawing specifications.
- [NTSB FTW02LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA167.md): Aero Commander 500-S · La Porte, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2002 · N98TT · Substantial damage
  > The failure of a hydraulic line, which resulted in the loss of the brakes.
- [NTSB LAX02LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA121.md): Rotorway Exec 165F · Chandler, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2002 · N21901 · Substantial damage
  > The tail rotor drive system failure as a result of incorrect installation procedures by the manufacturer's personnel.
- [NTSB ATL02LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA055.md): Krejci S-51D · Port St. Lucie, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2002 · N51KK · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in an attempt to return to landing area (Emergency/ departure airport.) This resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Factor to the accident was a partial loss…
- [NTSB LAX02LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA043.md): Rominger Zic Zac Bird · Marina, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 2001 · N204ED · Destroyed
  > the failure the right wing spar and the subsequent separation of the right wing. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate maintenance, and the weakened wing structure due to a preexisting fuel tank leak.
- [NTSB LAX01FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA071.md): Worldwide Aeros 40B · Oakland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2001 · N819AC · Substantial damage
  > One or both of the rear ballonet air relief valves remained in an open position for undetermined reasons, which caused an out-of-balance trim condition; also causal was the flight crew’s decision to the fly the airship with a known deficiency (the inoperative…
- [NTSB SEA01LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA008.md): Wildman Adventurer · Yelm, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2000 · N567AW · Destroyed
  > A main rotor blade strike (impact) with both a pusher propeller blade and the rudder during an unknown phase of operation resulting in a loss of control and uncontrolled descent to terrain.
- [NTSB CHI00LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA215.md): Lutke Rotoway Exec 90 · Kalamazoo, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2000 · N1183M · Substantial damage
  > the loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of the top engine mount and the subsequent loss of the main rotor drive belt tension. A factor was the confined area landing zone.
- [NTSB DEN00LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA132.md): Spencer Long EZE · Farmington, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2000 · N51EZ · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the coolant recovery system, resulting in overheating of the engine. A factor was the soft ground on which the forced landing was made.
- [NTSB LAX00LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA245.md): Garlick HH-1K · Live Oak, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 29, 2000 · N896RP · Destroyed
  > The inadequate lubrication of the tail rotor drive shaft coupling by unknown maintenance personnel that resulted in the in-flight failure and separation of the helicopter's tail boom.
- [NTSB LAX00LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA173.md): Rotorway Exec 162F · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2000 · N21901 · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance inspection of the secondary shaft which resulted in its fatigue failure that emanated from a corroded circumferential score mark. A factor was the fence that the pilot flared to avoid, resulting in a hard landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=99999&occurrence=130&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 x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=99999&occurrence=130

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