# Fatal NTSB investigations: Fuel related 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA243.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bowie, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 21, 2026 · N249WF · Substantial damage > On June 20, 2026, about 2328 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N249WF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bowie, Maryland. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code… - [NTSB CEN26LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA190.md): Downer 14-19-3 · Forney, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · May 16, 2026 · N7NL · Substantial damage > On May 16, 2026, about 0010 central daylight time, a Downer 14-19-3 airplane, N7NL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Forney, Texas. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. A second passenger initially survived… - [NTSB ERA23FA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA370.md): Ercoupe 415 · Fitzgerald, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N2796H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to perform pre-takeoff engine runup and carburetor heat check procedures, which resulted in rotation with inadequate climb performance, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical… - [NTSB ERA23LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA342.md): Beech C23 · Greer, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2023 · N9360S · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the formation of carburetor ice, resulting in reduced climb capability. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during the emergency descent, which… - [NTSB WPR23FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA258.md): Cessna 172N · San Rafael, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N4922G · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent. - [NTSB CEN23FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA284.md): Piper PA-30 · Sherman, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N4743M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA23FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA249.md): Cessna 182 · Plymouth, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 28, 2023 · N8775X · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB CEN23FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA077.md): Cessna 150H · Auburn, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 12, 2023 · N22859 · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control after a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing while maneuvering for forced landing in dark night visual meteorological conditions. - [NTSB CEN22FA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA405.md): Cirrus SR22 · Tomball, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 1, 2022 · N420SS · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight, which allowed for an unintentional movement of the mixture control to the cutoff position that remained unnoticed until the airplane lost engine power due to fuel starvation and descended below the… - [NTSB ERA22FA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA226.md): Cessna 172H · Miami, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N8845Z · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. - [NTSB WPR22FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA173.md): Blue Side UP Comp AIR 8 SS52 · Grasmere, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 8, 2022 · N801DT · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB WPR22FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA022.md): Cessna 172 · Ukiah, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 28, 2021 · N1870V · Substantial damage > A power interruption due to water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in the student pilot aborting the takeoff and landing hard. Contributing to the accident were a leak in the left fuel tank that allowed water to enter and damage to the fuel tank that… - [NTSB ERA21FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA237.md): Beech A23 · Pinnacle, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 1, 2021 · N8780M · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB ERA21FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA232.md): Gulfstream American AA-5A · Crossville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 25, 2021 · N26889 · Destroyed > A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat following the initial loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA21LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA080.md): Socata TB10 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 17, 2020 · N5547Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in environmental conditions favorable for serious carburetor ice during a prolonged wait with the engine at a low power setting before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.… - [NTSB ERA21LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA071.md): Anthony Mattioli AR-1 · San Mateo, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2020 · N11TG · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. - [NTSB ERA21FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA029.md): Cessna 172 · Dunnellon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N724BC · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control. - [NTSB ERA20LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA271.md): American AA 5 · Dunnellon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2020 · N7192L · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of improper installation and inspection of the airplane’s fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of certification and knowledge in aircraft maintenance. - [NTSB WPR20LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA123.md): Cessna TU206 · Auburn, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2020 · N756TH · Destroyed > The total loss of engine power after takeoff due to water contamination of the fuel. - [NTSB WPR20FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA065.md): Cessna T310 · Roy, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 15, 2020 · N5805M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of power to the left engine due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow the one-engine inoperative checklist and maintain the… - [NTSB ERA20FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA026.md): Piper PA32R · Paducah, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 1, 2019 · N181AG · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to fully seat the fuel selector in the proper tank position during the descent for landing, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA19FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA124.md): Piper PA31 · Madeira, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 2019 · N400JM · Substantial damage > Fuel starvation to the left engine and the resulting loss of engine power to that engine, and a loss of airplane control due to the pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed. - [NTSB CEN19FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA009.md): Robinson R22 · Fulton, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2018 · N923SH · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, the pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat, and the pilot's delay in entering an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in a main rotor stall due to low rotor rpm and an… - [NTSB CEN18WA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18WA312.md): Steen Skybolt · Fratauti, Romania · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 4, 2018 · D-EHHH · 2 aircraft · Destroyed - [NTSB CEN18FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA139.md): Wittman W10 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 2018 · N625JS · Destroyed > An in-flight fire and subsequent total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive impact and fire damage, followed by a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB WPR18FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA093.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2018 · N707DF · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an attempted return to the runway following a total loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the excessive amount of… - [NTSB ERA18WA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA047.md): Cessna T210 · West End, Bahamas · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 14, 2017 · N727TJ · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA18WA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18WA014.md): Beech E33A · São José do Rio Preto, Brazil · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 9, 2017 · PT-DDB · Substantial damage > On September 10, 2017, about 1525 coordinated universal time, a Beechcraft E33-A, Brazilian registration PT-DDB, struck a residence while conducting a go around near São José do Rio Preto State Airport (SBSR), Brazil. The airplane was substantially damaged,… - [NTSB WPR17FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA047.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Pedro, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2017 · N702JJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm following the loss of engine… - [NTSB ERA17FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA001.md): Culver PQ 14A · Hickory, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2016 · N4648V · Destroyed > The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of automobile gasoline, which increased the likelihood of carburetor icing. - [NTSB ERA16LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA258.md): Piper PA24 · Westwood, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2016 · N11MT · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel in the selected fuel tank and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB WPR16FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA126.md): Piper PA 23-150 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2016 · N1270P · Destroyed > The failure of the left engine due to water contamination and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain single-engine minimum control airspeed, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total and recent… - [NTSB WPR16FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA102.md): Beech G35 · Surprise, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 7, 2016 · N4401D · Substantial damage > The mechanic's failure to properly secure the bolt connecting the throttle cable to the carburetor during the installation of the carburetor, which resulted in a loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA15FA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA221.md): BR Legend Turbine Legend · West Columbia, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 23, 2015 · N42BR · Destroyed > An engine flame-out due to fuel starvation as the result of an improperly-installed auxiliary fuel pump fitting, and the pilot's failure to promptly feather the propeller following the engine-flame out, which resulted in decreased glide capability and impact… - [NTSB ANC15FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA021.md): Cessna 180 · Whittier, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2015 · N9247C · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue flight into known icing conditions, contrary to the airplane’s limitations, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to icing. - [NTSB WPR15FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA081.md): Gibbs Lancair 320 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2015 · N7ZL · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to take off despite low fuel alerts, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which… - [NTSB WPR14FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA094.md): Beech B36TC · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2013 · N36ML · Destroyed > The pilot’s continued flight into known light-to-moderate icing conditions over mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to induction icing. - [NTSB ERA13FA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA348.md): Beech D55 · Conway, SC · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2013 · N7641N · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control, which resulted from his failure to follow the loss of single engine power checklist procedures after a total loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper… - [NTSB CEN13FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA030.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Maryland Heights, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2012 · N55620 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. - [NTSB DCA12FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12FA076.md): Hawker Hawker Hunter MK.58A · Point Mugu, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 2012 · N329AX · Destroyed > the pilot's decision to continue the flight with a known fuel imbalance condition that resulted in a loss of lateral control when the imbalance exceeded the known capabilities of the airplane. The fuel imbalance was due to incomplete refueling and an… - [NTSB CEN12FA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA152.md): Varga 2150A · Frankston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2012 · N8293J · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice, which resulted in the pilot ditching the airplane into the lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision not to apply carburetor heat. - [NTSB WPR09MA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09MA159.md): Pilatus PC-12/45 · Butte, MT · Accident · 14 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Mar 22, 2009 · N128CM · Substantial damage > (1) the pilot's failure to ensure that a fuel system icing inhibitor was added to the fuel before the flights on the day of the accident; (2) his failure to take appropriate remedial actions after a low fuel pressure state (resulting from icing within the… - [NTSB DFW08FA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA228.md): American Champion 7GCBC · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2008 · N571JH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain safe flying airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. - [NTSB SEA08FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA185.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Olalla, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2008 · N301MA · Destroyed > The complete loss of engine power due to the accumulation of ice in the carburetor as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. ## 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 c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '190' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence?fatal=1 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.