# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 WPR25LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA175.md): Cessna 182P · Hyampom, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2025 · N78720 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and a subsequent impact with terrain during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA037.md): Cessna 172I · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2024 · N46028 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation.
- [NTSB WPR24LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA212.md): Piper PA31 · Lemoore, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2024 · C-GJBG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent emergency landing.
- [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 WPR23LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA202.md): Mooney M-18C 55 · Napa, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2023 · N201MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and a subsequent impact with terrain during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA156.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2023 · N8376W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during an extended ground delay before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB WPR22LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA076.md): Cessna 172H · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2022 · N8056L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to remove all water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the condition of the fuel caps, which allowed…
- [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 WPR21LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA342.md): Beech 58 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2021 · N162DF · Substantial damage
  > The fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR21LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA329.md): Cessna 150D · Chino, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2021 · N4375U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR20LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA259.md): Rutan Vari EZE · Kelso Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2020 · N2ZE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR20LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA126.md): Cessna 152 · Corona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 19, 2020 · N6306P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [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 WPR20CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA060.md): Cessna 150 · Twentynine Palms, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 4, 2020 · N45069 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's poor preflight planning, during which he failed to verify the proper procedure to activate the runway lights; his inability to locate the airport without lighting; and the airplane’s subsequent low-fuel state as he circled looking for the airport,…
- [NTSB WPR19LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA050.md): Piper PA28 · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 23, 2018 · N15321 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a loose carburetor bowl.
- [NTSB WPR19LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA017.md): Cessna 180 · Cottonwood, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 30, 2018 · N6414X · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during a reduced-power approach descent.
- [NTSB WPR19LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA003.md): Piper PA28 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2018 · N2250S · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel.
- [NTSB WPR18TA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA157.md): Cessna 182D · Crescent Mills, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · May 18, 2018 · N9163X · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the development of carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR18TA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA122.md): Wilhelm Puslar · Salton City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 18, 2018 · N332RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the loss of engine power emergency procedures, which likely would have restored engine…
- [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 WPR18LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA056.md): Cessna 150L · Perris, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 25, 2017 · N6627G · Substantial damage
  > The presence of debris in the carburetor and blockage of the fuel delivery system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of maintenance to the carburetor.
- [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 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 WPR16LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA125.md): Bell 206 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2016 · N1076Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight weather planning, fuel planning, and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's initiation of the landing flare at a high altitude,…
- [NTSB WPR16FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA103.md): Piper PA28 · Pomona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 2016 · N5046W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [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 WPR14LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA208.md): Cessna 182P · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 2014 · N21048 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in cruise flight while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR13LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA212.md): Boeing A75N1 · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2013 · N985SS · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination and partially blocked fuel screens.
- [NTSB WPR12LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA367.md): Aeronca 11AC · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2012 · N9409E · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power on approach for landing due to a combination of the low fuel level and fuel contamination.
- [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 WPR09LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA161.md): Brown Barnett J4B · Sheridan, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2009 · N35JB · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
- [NTSB WPR09CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA078.md): Cessna 150L · Pescadero, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 11, 2009 · N21999 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and preparation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a suitable area for a forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX08CA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA295.md): Miltenberger Family Fun · Adin, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 10, 2008 · N903PD · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
- [NTSB SEA08LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA195.md): Lancair Propjet · Camarillo, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2008 · N750PJ · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to air within the fuel system.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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?state=CA

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