# Fatal NTSB investigations: Fuel starvation 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. Page 1 of 2 · 89 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN25FA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA364.md): Beech K35 · Cambridge, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 4, 2025 · N6021E · Substantial damage > On September 4, 2025, about 1105 central daylight time, a Beech K35 airplane, N6021E, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Cambridge, Minnesota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code… - [NTSB ERA24FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA326.md): Schweizer 269C · West Carthage, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 27, 2024 · N61486 · Substantial damage > On July 27, 2024, about 1242 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N61486, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Carthage, New York. The private pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code… - [NTSB ERA24FA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA305.md): Cessna 402 · Easton, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 16, 2024 · N7875E · Substantial damage > On July 16, 2024, about 0932 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402B, N7875E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Easton, Maryland. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of… - [NTSB CEN24FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA240.md): Cessna 414A · McKinney, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 27, 2024 · N414BS · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to attempt continued flight after a loss of left engine power with usable runway remaining and his subsequent failure to follow the emergency procedures and maintain air minimum control speed, which resulted in a loss of control.… - [NTSB ERA24FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA265.md): Vans RV6 · Methuen, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2024 · N715PA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to manage the available fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB CEN24FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA215.md): Piper PA28 · Clinton, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 10, 2024 · N1039X · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s or flight instructor’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector valve between the Left Tank and Off… - [NTSB ERA24FA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA127.md): Piper PA32RT · Nashville, TN · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 5, 2024 · C-FBWH · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper placement of the fuel selector during the approach and landing, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA24FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA102.md): Piper PA-24 · Eufaula, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 31, 2024 · N5520P · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning/management. - [NTSB CEN24LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA020.md): Piper PA 46-350P · Pierre, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 23, 2023 · N92884 · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper configuration of the automatic fuel transfer system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the header tank’s fuel quantity. - [NTSB CEN23FA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA401.md): Cessna 150K · Huntsville, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 6, 2023 · N6059G · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by a fuel system blockage, and the flight instructor’s subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed after the loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of… - [NTSB ERA23FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA274.md): Piper PA-30 · Claxton, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N7240Y · Substantial damage > The flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power. - [NTSB WPR23LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA192.md): Viking Air DHC-6-400 · Half Moon Bay, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2023 · N153QS · Substantial damage > The failure of the ferry fuel tank system to transfer fuel during a trans-Pacific flight for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent ditching into the water. - [NTSB CEN23FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA173.md): Cessna 310D · Ennis, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 6, 2023 · N6798T · Destroyed > The partial loss of right engine power due to reduced fuel flow as a result of the contamination of the fuel screen. - [NTSB CEN23FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA139.md): Beech 58P · Lubbock, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 17, 2023 · N2061K · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to ensure a proper fuel selector position before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of left engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the loss of left engine… - [NTSB ERA23FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA136.md): Piper PA-22-150 · Blue Ridge, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 5, 2023 · N3410Z · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation due to the improper positioning of the fuel selector. - [NTSB CEN23FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA074.md): Beech M35 · Fayetteville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 6, 2023 · N673V · Destroyed > The pilot’s mismanagement of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA23FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA087.md): Mooney M20B · Kellyton, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 13, 2022 · N74586 · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB WPR22FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA265.md): North American T-28B · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2022 · N787AS · Substantial damage > A loss of power due to an unmaintained carburetor diaphragm and inoperative electric fuel pump that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine. - [NTSB DCA22FA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22FA157.md): Beech A35 · Centralia, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2022 · N8466A · Substantial damage > The pilot’s unsuccessful attempt to switch fuel tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the uninstalled fuel selector handle warning device. - [NTSB WPR22FA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA198.md): Beech 77 · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2022 · N18244 · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cinderblock wall while performing a go-around. - [NTSB WPR22LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA061.md): Moul Willis RV-3 · Bermuda Dunes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2021 · N9YY · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. - [NTSB CEN22FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA021.md): Beech B36TC · Lena, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 27, 2021 · N75RM · Substantial damage > Impairment and subsequent incapacitation of the pilot for reasons that could not be determined. The incapacitation resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Likely contributing was pilot hypoxia due to altitude exposure, possibly worsened by… - [NTSB ERA22FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA026.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Walterboro, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 22, 2021 · N1652H · Destroyed > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB CEN21LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA151.md): Beech 35 · Palestine, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 6, 2021 · N3394V · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the flight crew incorrectly placing the fuel selector between fuel tank detents, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a placard on the fuel selector, the lack of obvious fuel tank… - [NTSB WPR21FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA044.md): Piper PA38 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2020 · N6380A · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation. - [NTSB ERA21FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA010.md): Czech Sport Cruiser · Waterloo, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 7, 2020 · N251SC · Substantial damage > The improper configuration of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation following the failure of the electric fuel pump. - [NTSB CEN20LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA373.md): Piper PA24 · Midland, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2020 · N5939P · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB CEN20LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA172.md): Cessna T210L · Burleson, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 7, 2020 · N2074S · Destroyed > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB ERA20LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA132.md): Cessna 310 · Charleston, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 21, 2020 · N8080M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s fuel mismanagement during flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB ERA19FA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA250.md): Beech 95B55 · Wilmington, DE · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 18, 2019 · N678DM · Substantial damage > The pilots’ failure to place the left fuel selector into the proper position, which resulted in a total loss of the left engine’s power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was their failure to properly secure the left engine and their failure to maintain… - [NTSB CEN19FA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA191.md): Piper J3C · Elyria, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2019 · N98527 · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN19FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA170.md): Piper PA28 · Huntsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2019 · N9754J · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector to the "off" position. - [NTSB ERA19FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA193.md): Cessna 182 · Maitland, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2019 · N3051Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB ANC19FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA021.md): Bradshaw / McCauley Giles G-202 · Wasilla, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 30, 2019 · N202AK · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control after the partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was a contamination of the fuel system, which likely seized the electric fuel pump and restricted fuel flow to the engine. - [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 CEN18FA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA371.md): Cessna 340A · Port Huron, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · C-GLKX · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation; the pilot's inadequate flight planning; the pilot's failure to secure the right engine following the loss of power; and his failure to properly… - [NTSB CEN18FA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA336.md): Cessna 172 · Rhome, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N2893Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation when organic debris restricted available fuel to the carburetor, and the pilot's impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol, which… - [NTSB ERA18FA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA152.md): Cessna 140 · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2018 · N89864 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning back to the runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the… - [NTSB ERA18MA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18MA099.md): American Eurocopter AS350B2 · New York, NY · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Mar 11, 2018 · N350LH · Substantial damage > Liberty Helicopters Inc.'s use of a NYONair-provided passenger harness/tether system, which caught on and activated the floor-mounted engine fuel shutoff lever and resulted in the in-flight loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching. Contributing to… - [NTSB ANC18FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA022.md): Beech 35 A33 · Helenwood, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2018 · N9378Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the air start checklist. - [NTSB CEN18FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA049.md): Raytheon B36TC · Chesterfield, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2017 · N679EA · Destroyed > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB CEN18FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA030.md): Temco GC 1B · Pineville, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2017 · N2363B · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the unporting of the fuel during a right turn due to the auxiliary fuel tanks' improper configuration. - [NTSB ERA18FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA012.md): Beech 35C33 · Whiteville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2017 · N293GC · Substantial damage > The pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and his delayed reaction to the loss of engine power, which led to impact with trees as he was attempting to switch fuel tanks.… - [NTSB CEN17FA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA364.md): Beech C35 · Camden, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2017 · N5958C · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to return to the runway instead of landing straight ahead when the engine lost power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's… - [NTSB ERA17FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA327.md): Mooney M20C · North Branford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N53CP · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of foreign object debris in the fuel selector valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of a low cruising altitude, which reduced the available time to troubleshoot the loss… - [NTSB WPR17FA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA152.md): Jansen Pazmany PL 2 · El Monte, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2017 · N186EJ · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Also causal was the pilot's decision to return to the runway following the loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain airspeed… - [NTSB ERA17FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA172.md): Piper PA31 · Colton, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 4, 2017 · C-GQAM · Destroyed > The pilot's incapacitation for unknown reasons, which resulted in an overflight of his destination, a subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and collision with terrain. - [NTSB ERA17FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA112.md): Piper PA38 · East Haven, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2017 · N2452C · Destroyed > The failure of the fuel selector valve in a position that restricted fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the operator's failure to effectively detect and resolve the… - [NTSB CEN17FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA085.md): Cessna 172 · Jay, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2017 · N5639A · Substantial damage > The pilot's negligent maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in improper fuel management, fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power during takeoff due to a missing securing pin in the fuel selector handle, and a subsequent forced landing on unsuitable… - [NTSB WPR17LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA054.md): Johnson Harmon Rocket · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2017 · N275JS · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of a failure of internal components of the fuel servo. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?fatal=1&page=2 ## 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" = '191' 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/191/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.