In-flight breakup

An in-flight breakup or mid-air breakup is a catastrophic failure of an aircraft structure that causes it to break apart in mid-air.

Faults in the design or manufacturing of the aircraft can create weak points or stress concentrations in the structure. Constant use and repeated loading and unloading cycles on the aircraft can lead to fatigue cracking.^[1]

Additionally, pilot error or adverse weather conditions can cause the aircraft to experience more extreme conditions than those it was designed to tolerate.^[2][3]

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