Fatal NTSB investigations
44 cases where the sequence of events included Fuel related.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA26FA243Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bowie, MDOn 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 CEN26LA190Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportDowner 14-19-3 · Forney, TXOn 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 ERA23FA370Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportErcoupe 415 · Fitzgerald, GAThe 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 ERA23LA342Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech C23 · Greer, SCA 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 WPR23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · San Rafael, CAThe 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 CEN23FA284Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Sherman, TXThe 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 ERA23FA249Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182 · Plymouth, NYA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA077Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 150H · Auburn, NEThe 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 CEN22FA405Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCirrus SR22 · Tomball, TXThe 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 ERA22FA226Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172H · Miami, FLA 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 WPR22FA173Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBlue Side UP Comp AIR 8 SS52 · Grasmere, IDThe 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 WPR22FA022Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Ukiah, CAA 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 ERA21FA237Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech A23 · Pinnacle, NCThe flight instructor’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ERA21FA232Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGulfstream American AA-5A · Crossville, TNA 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 ERA21LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSocata TB10 · Pembroke Pines, FLThe 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 ERA21LA071Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAnthony Mattioli AR-1 · San Mateo, FLA loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB ERA21FA029Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Dunnellon, FLA 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 ERA20LA271Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican AA 5 · Dunnellon, FLA 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 WPR20LA123Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna TU206 · Auburn, CAThe total loss of engine power after takeoff due to water contamination of the fuel.NTSB WPR20FA065Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna T310 · Roy, UTThe 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 ERA20FA026Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32R · Paducah, KYThe 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 ERA19FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA31 · Madeira, OHFuel 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 CEN19FA009Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 · Fulton, MOA 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 CEN18WA312Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationSteen Skybolt · Fratauti, RomaniaNTSB CEN18FA139Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWittman W10 · San Antonio, TXAn 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 WPR18FA093Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22T · San Diego, CAThe 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 ERA18WA047Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignCessna T210 · West End, BahamasNTSB ERA18WA014Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBeech E33A · São José do Rio Preto, BrazilOn 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 WPR17FA047Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · San Pedro, CAThe 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 ERA17FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCulver PQ 14A · Hickory, NCThe 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 ERA16LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24 · Westwood, MAThe 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 WPR16FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23-150 · Hayward, CAThe 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 WPR16FA102Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech G35 · Surprise, AZThe 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 ERA15FA221Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBR Legend Turbine Legend · West Columbia, SCAn 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 ANC15FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 180 · Whittier, AKThe 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 WPR15FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGibbs Lancair 320 · Van Nuys, CAThe 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 WPR14FA094Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Yellow Pine, IDThe 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 ERA13FA348Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech D55 · Conway, SCThe 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 CEN13FA030Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Maryland Heights, MOThe 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 DCA12FA076Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHawker Hawker Hunter MK.58A · Point Mugu, CAthe 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 CEN12FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportVarga 2150A · Frankston, TXThe 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 WPR09MA159Accident · 14 fatalClass 1 · MajorFinal reportPilatus PC-12/45 · Butte, MT(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 DFW08FA228Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 7GCBC · Wichita Falls, TXThe 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 SEA08FA185Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta II · Olalla, WAThe 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.