# NTSB investigations, 1990: 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 3 · 134 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CHI91LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA046.md): Luscombe 8E · Mundelein, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1990 · N71207 · Substantial damage
  > Landing gear tire failure and directional control not maintained by the pic/cfi.
- [NTSB FTW91LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA023.md): Bell 206L-1 · W.Cameron 266 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1990 · N5753B · Destroyed
  > Failure of the helicopter's aft landing gear crosstube assembly due to fatigue.
- [NTSB SEA91LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA028.md): Aerospatiale SA316B · Vernal, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1990 · N316BS · Destroyed
  > A malfunction/failure of the helicopter's main rotor lead-lag damper.
- [NTSB NYC91LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA040.md): Enstrom F-28C · Easton, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1990 · N4953X · Destroyed
  > An inflight failure of the left side cabin mount bracket which resulted in a loss of lateral cyclic control. Factors related to the accident were: an incomplete inspection of the helicopter following a hard landing with a blade strike.
- [NTSB MIA91GA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91GA034.md): Asta N22S · Homestead Afb, FL · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Nov 28, 1990 · N5056D · Substantial damage
  > The bending overstress failure of the left main landing screwjack at an undetermined time during flight for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX91LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA038.md): Aerostar S-77A · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1990 · N3605T · Substantial damage
  > Strength degradation of the kevlar suspension cables, due to previous heat damage. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the quick release line to release, and susceptibility of kevlar suspension cables to heat.
- [NTSB LAX91LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA028.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1990 · N39776 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the main landing gear trunion attach fitting for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB BFO91LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA012.md): Taylor Rotorway Executive · Keysville, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1990 · N514RT · Substantial damage
  > A jammed engine throttle cable. Factors related to the accident are inadequate maintenance inspection and low rotor RPM.
- [NTSB ATL91IA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91IA017.md): Fokker F28 MK0100 · Atlanta, GA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 1990 · N850US · No damage
  > Frozen moisture in the stabilizer actuator hydraulic servo valve which resulted in reduced movement of the servo valve and limited its ability to respond to flight control inputs. The lack of response from the servo valve resulted in the jammed stabilizer…
- [NTSB MIA91FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA023.md): Cessna 421B · Flamingo, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1990 · N21ST · Destroyed
  > An undetermined airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, which resulted in a fuel fed fire in the left wing.
- [NTSB ATL91FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA013.md): Bell 47J-2 · Gatlinburg, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1990 · N49DA · Destroyed
  > The accident was inadequate maintenance of the helicopter, allowing a tail rotor drive shaft bearing to exceed wear limits. This resulted in high loads on the tail rotor drive shaft, and the resulting fatigue failure of the drive shaft.
- [NTSB CHI91LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA017.md): Cessna 172 · Portage, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1990 · N738AP · Substantial damage
  > The PIC became lost and disorientated and performed a premature precautionary landing.
- [NTSB ATL91FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA006.md): Olsen-Gordon Veri EZE · Hohenwald, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 1990 · N9327A · Destroyed
  > The failure of the left rudder control cable which rendered the airplane uncontrollable.
- [NTSB NYC91DNC01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DNC01.md): Skytek Skyseeker MK II · Chapman, ME · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Oct 13, 1990 · UNREG · Destroyed
  > In-flight failure of the outboard section of the wing, and the loss of aircraft control. Due to the unauthorized structural modification by the pilot/owner.
- [NTSB BFO91LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA003.md): Mooney M20M · Culpeper, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1990 · N987CM · Destroyed
  > Intergranular cracking (fatigue) failure of the exhaust clamp, which resulted in a disconnected exhaust manifold (tailpipe), and subsequent fire in the engine compartment.
- [NTSB CHI91DER01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER01.md): Cessna 206 · South St. Paul, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Oct 4, 1990 · N35889 · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent deployment of the drag parachute. Related factors are the pilot's improper remedial action, habit interference, and the reduced aircraft controllability.
- [NTSB CHI90LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA276.md): Mooney M20E · Morrison, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 1990 · N7197U · Substantial damage
  > Improper maintenance of the propeller blade by unknown persons and the subsequent failure of the blade in fatigue during cruise flight. A factor was: unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB MIA90FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA190.md): Ayres S2R-T34 · Thornton, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1990 · N4017B · Destroyed
  > The improper drilling of a hole in the spar cap by a mechanic resulting in the initiation of fatigue cracking in the spar cap and subsequent failure of the spar cap and inflight separation of the wing.
- [NTSB BFO90FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA079.md): Hughes 269C · Jefferson, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1990 · N1094D · Destroyed
  > The failure of the tail rotor drive transmission system due to a worn tail rotor splined drive sleeve, and inadequate maintenance and/or inspection by the operator. Contributing to the loss of control was the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor…
- [NTSB LAX90DXQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DXQ05.md): Glaser-Dirks DG 400/17 · Truckee, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N567DA · Substantial damage
  > The uncommanded deployment of the right spoiler system due to the absence of a spring pin not fitted to the quick disconnect as recommended which resulted in the pilot losing control of the glider during a critical phase of flight.
- [NTSB ATL90IA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90IA177.md): Fairchild SA 227 · Morrisville, NC · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1990 · N619AV · No damage
  > The fatigue failure of the rudder trim control rod end.
- [NTSB LAX90LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA328.md): Cessna 152 · Hayward, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1990 · N46326 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the airplane's main landing gear bolt/nut plate attachment assembly. Contributing factors related to the improper installation (threading) of the gear bolt/nut assembly.
- [NTSB ATL90LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA173.md): Cessna A188B · Hertsboro, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1990 · N8677G · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the propeller blade which resulted from improper overhaul procedures, and the absence of oil in the propeller hub which would allow the detection of blade cracks.
- [NTSB DEN90IA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90IA189.md): Boeing 737-222 · Denver, CO · Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1990 · N9044U · No damage
  > The failure of the flight crew to follow emergency procedures/directives. Factors were the failure of the aircraft electrical system (relays) and the failure of the company to provide a jetway operator.
- [NTSB FTW90FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA183.md): Hughes 269A · Kingsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1990 · N403SD · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the left flange on the tail boom saddle fitting.
- [NTSB FTW90DPJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ12.md): Massegee Rebel 300 · El Reno, OK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 17, 1990 · N469RR · Destroyed
  > Failure of the elevator control rod at the bell crank.
- [NTSB FTW90DRA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA10.md): Lockheed PV-2 · Conroe, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 16, 1990 · N7428C · Destroyed
  > The engine starter remained engaged after engine start and the electrical system overheat.
- [NTSB FTW90DPJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ11.md): Dooley Mustang MII · Cashion, OK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 15, 1990 · N7015A · Destroyed
  > The separation of a 14 inch section of one propeller blade due to previous damage.
- [NTSB DEN90LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA187.md): Piper PA-22-160 · Springdale, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 1990 · N86483 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot's loss of control of the aircraft, during landing, due to mechanical malfunction of the tailwheel assembly.
- [NTSB ATL90LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA171.md): Grumman G-164A · Americus, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1990 · N7905 · Destroyed
  > A low cycle fatigue failure of the left main landing gear spring.
- [NTSB CHI90LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA261.md): Piper PA-601P · Monroe, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1990 · N321GB · Substantial damage
  > A fatigue fracture of the torque link on the right landing gear strut scissor assembly.
- [NTSB CHI90LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA260.md): Cessna 152 · Garrison, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1990 · N714TR · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate inspection of the aircraft.
- [NTSB BFO90DID02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90DID02.md): Cessna 182R · Evington, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Sep 9, 1990 · N4944H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft because of spatial disorientation. A contributing cause is failure of the vacuum system.
- [NTSB LAX90LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA314.md): Cessna 172P · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1990 · N51362 · Substantial damage
  > A disconnect of the throttle control.
- [NTSB ANC90LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA173.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Glacier Island, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1990 · N393HM · Substantial damage
  > Undetermined mechanical failure(s) that resulted in loss of engine power, smoke in the cockpit, and a subsequent emergency descent for a forced landing (ditching) at sea. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
- [NTSB FTW90LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA162.md): Piper PA28-201T · Heber Springs, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1990 · N2082Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to conduct a thorough preflight and his attempt to execute a turn at high speed.
- [NTSB CHI90DEX02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEX02.md): Johnson Quickie 299 · Delphi, IN · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 26, 1990 · N42LQ · Substantial damage
  > Pilot/mechanic's improper installation of the rudder cable turnbuckles.
- [NTSB FTW90IA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90IA169.md): Embraer EMB-120 · College Station, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1990 · N33701 · No damage
  > Propeller and engine (powerplant) overspeed.
- [NTSB LAX90LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA296.md): Cessna 182H · Temecula, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1990 · N2355X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight that resulted in his continuing flight with an inoperative alternator.
- [NTSB ANC90LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA145.md): Cessna 185B · Mcgrath, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1990 · N2550Z · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the left inside wheel bearing, for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC90LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA193.md): Schweizer SGS 1-35 · Erwinna, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 1990 · N34461 · Destroyed
  > Inadvertent release of the tow line at low altitude. A contributing factor was the landing in unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB NYC90LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA191.md): Cessna 150 · Salem, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1990 · N7983F · Substantial damage
  > The airplane overran the end of the runway into a corn field after an aborted takeoff, due to the engine cowling door opening. Contributing to the accident was pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA90IA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90IA161.md): Boeing 727-224 · Belgrade, MT · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1990 · N69735 · Minor damage
  > The malfunction of the starter control valve.
- [NTSB LAX90LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA288.md): Cessna 421 · Concord, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1990 · N76SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the electrical system failure checklist. Contributing to this accident was the total electrical failure for undetermined reasons and the landing gear being unlocked.
- [NTSB LAX90DVM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVM03.md): Illi Thunder Gull · Calif Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Aug 8, 1990 · N2223E · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement of the pilot from use of a drug (cocaine), and the pilot allowing the design stress limits of the aircraft to be exceeded, while maneuvering, which resulted in overload failure of the wing spar & wing separation.
- [NTSB ANC90LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA136.md): Cessna 185 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 1990 · N5246E · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the right main landing gear spring upon landing.
- [NTSB CHI90DTG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DTG02.md): Hiller UH-12-E · Garrison, ND · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 4, 1990 · N133HA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the helicopter tail rotor control cable. A factor related to the accident was the chafing of the tail rotor control cable.
- [NTSB LAX90LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA272.md): Stinson L-5B · Victorville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1990 · N1718M · Substantial damage
  > The oil gauge line 'b' nut backed off, and the pilot failed to maintain airspeed.
- [NTSB NYC90DNA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DNA04.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Hanson, MA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Aug 1, 1990 · N34691 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter due to the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft.
- [NTSB BFO90LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA065.md): Robinson R22 · Paducah, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1990 · N9017S · Substantial damage
  > The loss of tail rotor thrust due to improper part installation.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=1990&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 year(c."eventDate") = 1990
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE 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?occurrence=130&year=1990

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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.
