NTSB investigations
81 cases where the first occurrence was “Propeller failure/malfunction”.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 131) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 131) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB NYC98IA106Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBeech 1900D · Syracuse, NYImproper maintenance which resulted in a cross threaded\ mistapped counterweight bolt hole, and the subsequent failure of the propeller counterweight clamp assembly. Also causal was the inadequate inspection of the counterweight clamp threads by maintenance…NTSB LAX98LA033Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco YMF-5 · Sedona, AZThe failure and separation of the propeller for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX97FA291Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHefner Pitts S1S · Van Nuys, CAthe operation of the propeller beyond the design rpm limitations and the resultant gyroscopic loads from aerobatics. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a required instrument panel rpm restriction for the propeller mandated by an airworthiness…NTSB LAX97LA245Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportClassic Waco YMF-5 · Pahoa, HILoss of the propeller retaining nut and associated hardware for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-502A · Chesterville, TXan undetermined malfunction/failure of the propeller reversing system.NTSB ANC97LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech G18S · Nome, AKfracture of a propeller blade tip.NTSB ANC97FA024Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-4A · Sparrevohn, AKloss of the right engine propeller control oil, which led to an overspeed of the right engine and propeller, and necessitated a shut-down of the right engine; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/distance from terrain during visual approach…NTSB LAX97LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech N35 · Holbrook, AZfatigue failure of the propeller hub, which resulted in separation of the propeller assembly and reduction of aircraft control. Also causal was: the resultant lack of compliance with Airworthiness Directive (AD) 89-26-08, due to ambiguous and unclear wording…NTSB FTW96LA350Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHardy Quickie Q-200 · Hudson, COdelamination of a propeller blade. A factor relating to the accident was: the terrain condition in the emergency landing area (soft/sandy berm and ditch).NTSB CHI96FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportLancair 320 · Fond Du Lac, WIthe fatigue in the propeller flange with soft material and oversized lightening holes. A factor was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft due to the exceeded weight and balance which led to a stall/spin.NTSB FTW96LA318Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSteward Breezy · Owasso, OKthe pilot's failure to secure his cargo prior to departure. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.NTSB ANC96LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 18 · Fairbanks, AKThe malfunction of the propeller control unit on the right engine.NTSB MIA96LA173Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-150 · Knoxville, TNFatigue failure of the blade No. 1 hub arm of the left propeller.NTSB LAX96LA142Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTaylorcraft DC-65 · Fremont, CAthe in-flight separation of a portion of one wooden propeller blade due to undetected dry rot in the wood fibers.NTSB BFO96LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Hurlock, MDinadequate inspection by maintenance personnel which failed to detect a fatigue crack, and resulted in an in-flight crankshaft fracture and propeller assembly separation. A related factor was the deep snow encountered during the subsequent forced landing.NTSB LAX96FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech S35 · Oxnard, CAfailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during a missed approach, after encountering an undetermined propeller malfunction, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the…NTSB BFO96LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Lebanon, VAfailure of the propeller blade due to fatigue cracking originating from corrosion damage. A related factor was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing.NTSB SEA96LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNord Stampe SV4C · Cottage Grove, ORA propeller blade separation due to inadequate material. The lack of a suitable area for the forced landing was a factor.NTSB FTW96FA009Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRupe RV-4 · Longmont, COthe installation of an unapproved metal propeller which led to a fatigue failure of a blade and loss of aircraft control.NTSB ANC95IA173Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Gustavus, AKfatigue failure of the propeller blade due to previous foreign object damage.NTSB LAX95LA314Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Marana, AZthe pilot's poor installation of the propeller which allowed the propeller to become loose, and the pilot's improper emergency procedure by feathering the wrong propeller.NTSB ANC95IA151Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Juneau, AKfailure and separation of the propeller blade due to foreign object damage and fatigue.NTSB DCA95MA054Accident · 8 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportEmbraer EMB-120RT · Carrollton, GAthe in-flight fatigue fracture and separation of a propeller blade resulting in distortion of the left engine nacelle, causing excessive drag, loss of wing lift, and reduced directional control of the airplane. The fracture was caused by a fatigue crack from…NTSB ANC95LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-160 · Port Alsworth, AKAn in-flight separation of a propeller blade, which resulted in a severe vibration, shutdown of the engine, and a forced landing in alder bushes.NTSB NYC95LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportField VARI-EZE · Malone, NYfailure of the propeller speed reduction unit due to an inadequate design change by the manufacturer, which resulted in a complete loss of thrust. A factor was the rough terrain.NTSB LAX95LA058Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRender LONG-EZ · Kailua-Kona, HIa delamination of the wooden propeller.NTSB FTW95LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFighter Escort Wings P-51D · Seymour, TXThe failure of the propeller speed unit. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB FTW95FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcmurtrie Jurca MJ-10 · Bartlesville, OKAn inadvertent pilot-induced stall at too low an altitude to effect a safe recovery. Factors were the malfunctioning propeller system and the uncommanded feathering of the propeller.NTSB CHI94FA340Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech E95A · Poplar Grove, ILAircraft control not maintained by the pilot when he began his turn from base leg to final approach. Factors associated with this accident were the fatigue failure of a propeller blade, improper maintenance overhaul of the propeller, and a material defect in…NTSB LAX94LA361Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportNorth American P-51D · Reno, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted forced landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of a propeller blade-feathering oil seal which leaked oil on the windshield, obscuring the pilot's vision.NTSB LAX94LA259Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMascari Discovery S-12 · Salinas, CAThe failure of the muffler assembly due to preexisting cracking in the oxidized area of the weld, with subsequent damage and separation of the propeller and reduction gear box. A related factor was the excessive taxispeed which resulted in the airplane…