# NTSB investigations, 2003: 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 · 140 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB LAX04LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA079.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2003 · N53879 · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the pin that secured the right rudder pedal to the brake cylinder arm due to improper installation of the pin. Also causal was the manufacturer's confusing maintenance instructions regarding the installation of the right rudder pedal pin and…
- [NTSB ATL04IA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04IA067.md): Sabreliner NA-265-60 · Birminghham, AL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2003 · N124DC · No damage
  > The lack of lubrication of the right main wheel bearing which resulted in the overheating.
- [NTSB CHI04LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA046.md): Beech 95-B55 · St. Paul, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2003 · N221Q · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the worm drive bearing that resulted in the failure of the landing gear extension/retraction gearbox, which ultimately resulted in the extension of the landing gear not being possible. A factor to the accident was the airport sign that the…
- [NTSB DEN04IA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04IA026.md): Boeing 737-3M8 · Denver, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2003 · N303FL · No damage
  > The restricted movement of the flight control yoke and tiller wheel steering for reasons undetermined.
- [NTSB SEA04FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04FA022.md): Beech S35 · Warren, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2003 · N10BX · Destroyed
  > The vacuum pump failure and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident included the instrument meteorological weather conditions and the pilot's improper recovery from the descent.
- [NTSB LAX04TA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA052.md): Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Nov 25, 2003 · N846BP · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction of the rotor drive system due to improper maintenance, which resulted in the uncoupling of the drive shaft during takeoff-initial climb. A factor associated with the accident is the undertorqued drive system bolts.
- [NTSB ATL04IA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04IA048.md): Cessna 560XL · Savannah, GA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2003 · N632QS · Minor damage
  > The malfunction of the nose wheel gear for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC04LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA040.md): Beech H-18 · Westminster, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2003 · N22XL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a failure of one propeller system. Factors in the accident were the failure to perform maintenance inspection and the failure of a bolt in the left propeller blade system.
- [NTSB SEA04LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA019.md): Kaman K-600 · Nordman, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2003 · N286M · Substantial damage
  > The total failure of the helicopter's right main rotor shaft while in an ascending hover due to the propagation of a fatigue crack that initiated in a corrosion pit on the surface of a slot in the wall of the subject shaft. Factors include accumulation of…
- [NTSB FTW04FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA025.md): Beech A45 · Montgomery, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2003 · N44KK · Destroyed
  > The non-compliance with applicable Airworthiness Directives which required wing spar inspections, and the continued operation of the aircraft beyond the compliance time extension granted as per the approved alternate means of compliance (AMOC). Also causal…
- [NTSB CHI04LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA032.md): Hughes TH-55A · West Lafayette, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2003 · N9240D · Substantial damage
  > The fractured cluster fitting resulting in a loss of directional control during initial climb and the improper repair of cluster fitting by unknown personnel. The night conditions were a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW04IA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04IA023.md): Bell 407 · Eugene Is. 27 · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2003 · N405PH · Minor damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the failure of the 3rd stage turbine wheel and subsequent catastrophic failure of the turbine assembly.
- [NTSB ANC04LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA011.md): Cessna 402 · Galena, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2003 · N402ET · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination and freezing of the landing gear actuator that prevented the extension of the right main landing gear, resulting in a gear-up landing. Factors contributing to the accident were freezing temperatures at the accident location, and inadequate…
- [NTSB CHI04FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA031.md): Cessna 560XL · Wheeling, IL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2003 · N789CN · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew's intentional operation with know deficiencies in the aircraft and their delay in aborting the takeoff when a no-takeoff warning was presented. An additional cause was the crew's failure to comply with flight manual procedures concerning…
- [NTSB ATL04LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA035.md): Cessna 210D · Millington, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2003 · N3728Y · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction of the main hydraulic landing gear system actuator resulting in an emergency gear up landing.
- [NTSB LAX04LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA035.md): Eurocopter AS350 B3 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2003 · N820NA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent activation of the hydraulic test switch, which resulted in a loss of the hydraulic system pressure, and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB ATL04IA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04IA028.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Fayetteville, NC · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N39541 · Minor damage
  > Flight control elevator attachment turnbuckle corrosion and fracture resulting in the loss of aircraft control in flight.
- [NTSB DEN04IA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04IA014.md): Learjet 45 · Denver, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2003 · N420FX · No damage
  > the failure of the airplane's spoiler system when used as speed brakes due to high resistances in the spoilers' actuator coils.
- [NTSB CHI04IA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04IA018.md): Enstrom F-28C · Lapeer, MI · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2003 · N77HX · Minor damage
  > Complete failure of the right anti-torque cable while on final approach for landing. A factor was the diminished tail rotor control resulting from the broken cable.
- [NTSB LAX04LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA021.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 2003 · N9338W · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Also causal, was the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to secure the right side of the engine cowling prior to departure.
- [NTSB LAX04LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA020.md): Cessna 170 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 2003 · N3979V · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to determine the security of his seat, and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB ANC04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA004.md): Cessna 195B · North Pole, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2003 · N3050B · Substantial damage
  > A fracture of the left brake master cylinder actuator rod, which resulted in failure of the left brake, a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground loop during landing, and the separation of the left main landing gear strut due to fatigue. Factors…
- [NTSB MIA04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA004.md): Airbus Industrie A-319-112 · Tampa, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2003 · N764US · No damage
  > An intermittent fault with the airplane's Brake Steering Control Unit (BSCU) for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a momentary loss of brakes and steering, and a serious injury to a flight attendant during the resultant sudden stop during taxi for…
- [NTSB LAX04TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA017.md): MD Helicopter 900 · Fredonia, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 16, 2003 · N179PA · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the fatigue fracture and separation of the force limiting control rod (an integral part of the anti-torque system), which resulted in the helicopter's uncommanded yaw/spin and subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CHI04LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA009.md): Beech A33 · Grandview, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2003 · N471T · Substantial damage
  > Separation of the fuel selector handle which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was the hay bale that the airplane contacted during the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX04LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA011.md): Cessna 172RG · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N6543V · Substantial damage
  > The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin.
- [NTSB DEN04IA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04IA012.md): McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 · Denver, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N375FE · Minor damage
  > the manufacturer's improper installation of the inboard slat drive mechanism's lower left hand anti-torque strut, which resulted in the axial migration of the rod-end bearing, the binding of the anti-torque strut, and the subsequent activation of the slat…
- [NTSB SEA04IA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04IA010.md): Boeing 747-100 · Lyon, France · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2003 · N479EV · Minor damage
  > An undetermined malfunction in an aircraft system while in cruise flight leading to a fire in the engine number four B Loop portion (Card A16) of the fire detection controls cardfile.
- [NTSB FTW04LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA001.md): Bratton Experimental Homebuilt Swearingen SX300 · Floresville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2003 · N301SX · Substantial damage
  > The separation of one propeller blade while in cruise flight. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX03LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA290.md): Cessna 172RG · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2003 · N9564B · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly.
- [NTSB ATL03LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA151.md): Sheppard S-2 · Obion, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2003 · N39S · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the elevator control pushrod, that resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with ground.
- [NTSB ATL03LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA150.md): Sherman Holie Freebird · Newnan, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2003 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the aileron control rod, and subsequent loss of control in-flight.
- [NTSB DCA03IA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA03IA058.md): McDonnell Douglas MD-80 · Dfw, TX · Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2003 · N462AA · No damage
  > The improper maintenance of the tailcone evacuation system, which prevented the evacuation slide from inflating during an evacuation due to smoke/fumes in the cabin.
- [NTSB DEN03LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA156.md): Cessna R182 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2003 · N6078C · Substantial damage
  > the nose wheel separating from the airplane during the precautionary landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the missing nose gear axle through-bolt and the missing cotter pin.
- [NTSB CHI03LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA314.md): Cessna 182S · Joliet, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2003 · N775WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot not performing a go-around when the other airplane taxied onto the landing runway, which resulted in the pilot not attaining the proper touchdown point. Factors to the accident include the failure of the alternator, the complete loss of electrical…
- [NTSB LAX03LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA291.md): Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · Lone Pine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2003 · N71DA · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate assembly of the glider and improper preflight inspection, which resulted in an inadvertent deployment of the spoilers. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. His diverted attention to the control problems…
- [NTSB SEA03LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA201.md): Cessna 172S · Anacortes, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2003 · N3555L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot attempting to taxi the airplane with a known system deficiency. Factors include worn wheel brakes and a drainage ditch.
- [NTSB ANC03LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA128.md): Cessna 206 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2003 · N275F · Substantial damage
  > A failure of an attaching bolt that allowed the nose wheel fork to separate from the nose gear strut, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was rough/uneven terrain.
- [NTSB SEA03LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA187.md): Cessna 172RG · Blanchard, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2003 · N6368R · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine oil as a result of the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft set screw and the lack of a safety wire on the hex head (oil) plug. A contributing factor was the rough and uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CHI03LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA318.md): Dixon Glasair II · Columbia, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2003 · N817CD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. Contributing factors were the open cabin door, the grass runway and the soft terrain adjacent to the runway.
- [NTSB CHI03IA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03IA300.md): Cessna 650 · Rapid City, SD · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2003 · N651EJ · No damage
  > The in-flight failure of the right wing aileron cable during cruise.
- [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 SEA03LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA180.md): Lancair LC41 · Bend, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2003 · N166PD · Destroyed
  > The inadequate design of the drogue chute mechanical jettison system, which resulted in its failure to separate from the aircraft during in-flight spin recovery tests, and the incorrectly wired drogue chute cable cutter activation unit, which resulted in the…
- [NTSB MIA03IA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03IA168.md): Boeing 757-223 · Miami, FL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 2003 · N609AA · Minor damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel from the aircraft operator to identify a missing left main landing gear truck beam shield and damage to the left main landing gear truck beam which resulted in the fracture of the truck beam as a result of stress corrosion…
- [NTSB CHI03LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA265.md): Cessna 188B · Monette, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 2003 · N5647G · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the right brake and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. A factor associated with the accident was the ditch.
- [NTSB ATL03LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA132.md): Stinson 108-2 · Camilla, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2003 · N936D · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction (locking) of the left brake piston during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over.
- [NTSB CHI03FA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA277.md): Bell TH-13T · Light, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2003 · N38CD · Substantial damage
  > The total failure and seizure of the main rotor transmission while in cruise flight leading to the helicopter’s impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CHI03IA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03IA293.md): Bell 230 · Wilmington, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2003 · N880SF · Minor damage
  > The material defect during the manufacture of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank and the bellcrank's subsequent failure due to a fatigue fracture.
- [NTSB LAX03IA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03IA259.md): Airbus A340-300 · Honolulu, HI · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2003 · C-FYKX · Minor damage
  > the failure of the center landing gear tires as a result of low tire pressure.
- [NTSB DEN03LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA144.md): Luscombe 8E · Longmont, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2003 · N1614K · Substantial damage
  > Separation of the landing gear tire valve stem resulting in the left main tire deflating, and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=2003&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") = 2003
  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=2003

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