24) In flight breakup
16 fatal accidents on record
In this accident, the pilot flies into severe weather which causes an exceedance of the maximum structural load limit of the aircraft. Typically, a portion of the tail breaks first, followed by one or more wings. The pilot and passengers are most always alive and conscious for the resulting fall which can last 2 minutes or more.
Trend
- Accidents per quarter
- Rolling 12-month average
| Period | Accidents | Rolling 12-month average per quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Q2 2025 | 2 | 1 |
| Q3 2025 | 1 | 0.8 |
| Q4 2025 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Q1 2026 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Q2 2026 | 3 | 1 |
| Q3 2026 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Q4 2026 QTD | 1 | 1.5 |
Lessons
Short reads from the DTSB lesson library for this category.
No lessons for this category yet.
Practice scenarios
What to practice to keep this from happening to you. Fly drills with a qualified instructor at a safe altitude, or in a simulator.
No practice scenarios for this category yet.
Recent accidents in this category
Piper PA-46-350P JetPROP DLX | N931TT
24) In flight breakupNTSB: Preliminary
Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II | N212ML
24) In flight breakupPiper PA-24-250 Comanche | N8422P
24) In flight breakupComp Air CA6-WB | N82BT
24) In flight breakupVan’s RV-3A | N696DB
24) In flight breakupPiper PA-32-300 | N8502N
24) In flight breakup