Research papers

In-Flight Separation of Wings Involving Cessna 401 Pilot Owner

In-flight breakup of a Cessna 401 over Decatur, GA, July 2018. The NTSB determined that fatigue cracking in the lower spar cap propagated to critical length undetected through the inspection program.

In-Flight Breakup of Helicopter Air Tour Operations

Helicopter air-tour fatal crashes — Hawaii + Grand Canyon series. Special investigation report into the safety record of helicopter air-tour operations.

Loss of Control on Takeoff in Icing Conditions — Citation 560XL

Cessna Citation 560XL fatal takeoff icing accident, March 2018. Investigation of a Citation 560XL loss-of-control takeoff accident in icing conditions.

Crash of Atlas Air Flight 3591, Boeing 767-300 (N1217A)

Atlas Air 3591 crashed into Trinity Bay, Texas, February 23, 2019. Investigation of the in-flight loss-of-control crash of Atlas Air 3591 into Trinity Bay, Texas.

Loss of Engine Power and Subsequent Ditching of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380

Southwest 1380 (B737-700) Philadelphia, April 17, 2018 — uncontained engine failure, passenger fatality. Examines the uncontained failure of a CFM56-7B fan blade due to high-cycle fatigue that breached the engine inlet c…

In-Flight Breakup of Bell 525 Relentless Helicopter

Bell 525 prototype helicopter in-flight breakup near Italy, TX, July 6, 2016 — 2 fatalities. Investigation of the developmental-flight-test in-flight breakup of a Bell 525 Relentless prototype.

Embraer ERJ 175 Runway Excursion at Charlotte Douglas

Republic Airline ERJ-175 runway excursion CLT, January 2018. Examines a low-energy runway excursion involving misuse of autobrakes + thrust reverser response after a high-crosswind landing on a contaminated runway.

Atlas Air Flight 3591 Boeing 767 Loss of Control (preliminary)

Atlas Air 3591 / Boeing 767-300 / Trinity Bay TX (Feb 23 2019) — preliminary. Preliminary investigation findings; superseded by the AAR-21/01 final report.

Loss of Control on Approach Atlas Air 5Y3591 N7500A

Multiple loss-of-control approach investigations. Series of approach-loss-of-control case studies bundled into one report — examines somatogravic illusion + mode-confusion contributors in turbulent encounters during carg…

Crash during a Nighttime Nonprecision Instrument Approach — UPS 1354

UPS Flight 1354 (A300-600F) Birmingham AL, August 14, 2013. Investigation of UPS 1354 crash short of runway 18 at Birmingham. NTSB found unstabilized approach + flight crew fatigue + airline scheduling practices contribu…

Descent Below Visual Glidepath and Impact with Seawall — Asiana 214

Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (B777-200ER) San Francisco SFO, July 6, 2013 — 3 fatalities. Investigation of the short-of-runway crash of Asiana 214 at SFO.

Loss of Thrust in Both Engines After Encountering a Flock of Birds — US Airways 1549

US Airways 1549 (A320) Hudson River ditching, January 15, 2009. NTSB investigation of the successful ditching of US Airways 1549 in the Hudson River after a Canada Goose strike disabled both CFM56 engines.

Loss of Control on Approach — Colgan Air Flight 3407

Colgan Air 3407 / Continental Connection (Q400) Buffalo NY, February 12, 2009 — 50 fatalities. Definitive investigation of the Colgan 3407 stall-stick-pusher crash on approach to Buffalo.

Attempted Takeoff from Wrong Runway — Comair Flight 5191

Comair 5191 (CRJ-100) Lexington KY, August 27, 2006 — 49 fatalities. Investigation of the wrong-runway takeoff at Lexington Blue Grass.

In-Flight Separation of Vertical Stabilizer — American Airlines Flight 587

American Airlines 587 (A300-605R) Belle Harbor, NY, November 12, 2001 — 265 fatalities. Investigation of the post-takeoff in-flight breakup of American 587 over Belle Harbor.

Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean — Alaska 261

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 (MD-83) Pacific Ocean, January 31, 2000 — 88 fatalities. Definitive investigation of the Alaska 261 pitch-runaway-and-loss-of-control crash.

Runway Overrun During Landing — American 1420

American 1420 (MD-82) Little Rock AR, June 1, 1999 — 11 fatalities. Investigation of the rejected-landing / runway-overrun crash of American 1420 at Little Rock during thunderstorm.