# Fuel starvation - Type: NTSB defining event - NTSB code: 191 - CICTT category: Fuel - Defining event in: 571 cases - In the sequence of: 733 cases - Fatal cases: 61 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/cases.md - Cases with it anywhere in the sequence: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191 ## Cases per year (defining / in the sequence) - 2008: 23 / 37 - 2009: 37 / 49 - 2010: 23 / 35 - 2011: 29 / 48 - 2012: 27 / 39 - 2013: 14 / 22 - 2014: 21 / 26 - 2015: 24 / 30 - 2016: 23 / 29 - 2017: 33 / 45 - 2018: 30 / 39 - 2019: 30 / 37 - 2020: 35 / 40 - 2021: 38 / 47 - 2022: 45 / 51 - 2023: 49 / 58 - 2024: 49 / 59 - 2025: 26 / 27 - 2026: 15 / 15 ## Phase of flight - Initial climb: 124 cases - Enroute-cruise: 110 cases - Enroute: 61 cases - Approach-VFR pattern final: 49 cases - Approach: 49 cases - Takeoff: 39 cases - Maneuvering: 25 cases - Enroute-descent: 22 cases - Approach-VFR pattern downwind: 20 cases - Approach-VFR pattern base: 15 cases ## In the probable cause of these cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 381 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 195 cases - [Fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823) (Aircraft): 101 cases - [Fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030) (Personnel issues): 95 cases - [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 39 cases - [Use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030) (Personnel issues): 38 cases - [Fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820) (Aircraft): 36 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 35 cases - [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 30 cases - [Fuel system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800) (Aircraft): 30 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 15 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 15 cases - [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 11 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 10 cases - [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300): 8 cases - [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260): 8 cases - [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a): 8 cases - [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235): 7 cases - [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181): 6 cases - [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c): 6 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB CEN27LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN27LA012), Oct 10, 2026: Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-C1 (N96YY), Flint, MI, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB WPR27LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27LA018), Oct 5, 2026: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B (N12CK), Yuma, AZ, investigation ongoing - [NTSB CEN26LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA319), Sep 13, 2026: Beech K35 (N6071E), Wausau, WI, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ERA26LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA323), Sep 1, 2026: Mooney M-20 (N3706N), Stanfield, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing on uneven terrain. - [NTSB WPR26LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA280), Jul 24, 2026: Harmon Rocket II (C-FCPG), Glasgow, MT, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ANC26LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA076), Jul 22, 2026: Cessna 180K (N180LW), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB CEN26LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA250), Jul 9, 2026: Glasair I RG (N141CG), Utica, MN, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB WPR26LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA240), Jun 27, 2026: Bellanca 17-30A (N501CR), Santa Paula, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA26FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA230), Jun 6, 2026: Cessna 150 (N156KA), Kissimmee, FL, substantial damage, investigation ongoing - [NTSB CEN26LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA221), May 20, 2026: Rockwell International S-2R (N4990X), Gause, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the separated wing fuel tank screen and sealant debris in the fuel tank. NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- 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.