# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 · 73 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA240.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2026 · N501CR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA092.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Shafter, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2025 · N8535N · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing was the student pilot and flight instructors’ failure to utilize carburetor heat.
- [NTSB WPR25LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA069.md): Sling Sling LSA · Carson, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 22, 2024 · N519CV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to conduct a prolonged slip against warnings specified in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA011.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Corcoran, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2024 · N243LA · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper manipulation of the condition lever during flight, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA154.md): Cessna 172G · Lakeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 16, 2024 · N4448L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of carburetor ice.
- [NTSB WPR23LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA197.md): Cessna 210 · Redding, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2023 · N9433T · Substantial damage
  > A fuel leak caused by an age-degraded fuel pressure sender hose, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.
- [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 WPR23LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA159.md): Vashon Ranger R7 · Upland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2023 · N349VR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper selection of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a collision with the airport boundary fence during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA131.md): Maule M-4-220C · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 18, 2023 · N40635 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR23LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA077.md): Beech V35B · Livermore, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 25, 2022 · N65Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent use of the mixture control instead of the throttle, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR23LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA074.md): Royse Ralph L Glasair · Cottonwood, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 17, 2022 · N9YA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s fuel mismanagement which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA296.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2022 · N841AD · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s partial loss of engine power during the landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in an off airport landing and subsequent fire.
- [NTSB WPR22LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA271.md): Piper PA-32-301 · San Jose, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2022 · N300BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and an impact with terrain.
- [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 WPR22LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA268.md): Piper J3C-65 · Huntington Beach, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 22, 2022 · N3666K · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing was the pilot’s delayed decision to switch fuel tanks.
- [NTSB WPR22LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA259.md): Socata TB21 · San Marcos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2022 · N718TB · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the mechanical fuel pump due to internal friction for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA243.md): Mooney M20C · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2022 · N6416U · Substantial damage
  > Fuel starvation due to an inappropriately maintained and modified fuel selector valve.
- [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 WPR21LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA368.md): Air Tractor AT-602 · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 21, 2022 · N8521V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR22LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA126.md): Cessna T210L · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 14, 2022 · N94001 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent collision with a fence during landing.
- [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 WPR21LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA248.md): Dewsnup Dave Zenair CH 701 SP · Chester, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2021 · N41XY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly position of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA146.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2002 Sierra · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 28, 2021 · N656DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA075.md): Beech 35 · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 28, 2020 · N5474D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [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 WPR21LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA019.md): Glasair III · Hayward, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N1YX · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance and inspection of the fuel filter.
- [NTSB WPR21LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA012.md): Cessna 150 · Bishop, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 11, 2020 · N22963 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to the pilot’s inadvertent closure of the mixture control which starved the engine of fuel and resulted in a hard landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA234.md): Montana Coyote · Jamul, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2020 · N125MC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to an obstructed fuel line and fuel starvation, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a fence. Contributing to the accident was the long duration of aircraft storage that allowed for contaminants to develop and…
- [NTSB WPR18LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA278.md): Howard DGA 15P · Kernville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2018 · N9471H · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR18LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA128.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164C · Maxwell, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 29, 2018 · N6674K · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to an uncommanded closing of the fuel shutoff valve, which terminated fuel to the engine. The reason for the fuel shutoff valve’s closure could not be determined based on the available information.
- [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 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 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 GAA17CA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA367.md): Cessna 182 · San Martin, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2017 · N524BF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath on approach for landing, which resulted in an impact with a guard rail and post. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was onboard for nonlevel flight, which…
- [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.
- [NTSB WPR17LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA011.md): Mooney M20J · Coalinga, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2016 · N201EU · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR16LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA113.md): Beech C23 · Delano, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2016 · N3724Y · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 WPR15LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA123.md): Goudie Fisher Classic · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 2015 · N417LG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate planning for the test flight, which resulted in insufficient altitude and no suitable place to land in the event of an emergency.
- [NTSB WPR14CA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA388.md): Lundak Robert Kitfox IV · Sonoma, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 24, 2014 · N99FL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel management which resulted in an engine failure due to fuel starvation and subsequent collision with power lines during the forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR14LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA329.md): Christen Industries Pitts S 2B · Oceanside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2014 · N88EW · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
- [NTSB WPR14LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA117.md): Beech A45 · Hollister, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2014 · N666 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel management.
- [NTSB WPR13CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA120.md): Bell 206B · Shandon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 10, 2013 · N802KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR12LA441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA441.md): Team MINI-MAX · Chula Vista, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2012 · N1532W · Substantial damage
  > A complete loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to an unsecured fuel filter, which moved in flight and kinked the flexible fuel line, severely restricting the fuel flow to the carburetor. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate…
- [NTSB WPR12CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA358.md): Boughner R 80 Tiger Moth · Ramona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2012 · N615SX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR12CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA340.md): Piper PA-22-160 · McKinleyville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2012 · N3442Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the accident airplane make and model and his lack of knowledge regarding the fuel system.
- [NTSB WPR12LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA315.md): Piper PA-32S-300 · Adelanto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2012 · N5212S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which was aborted due to fuel starvation as a result of an inadvertent in-flight activation of the fuel drain activation lever by the passenger. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB WPR12LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA246.md): Beech B36TC · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 2012 · N8234M · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, his failure to properly diagnose the loss of engine power, and his failure to follow the appropriate emergency…
- [NTSB WPR12LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA188.md): Hawker Beech V35B · Coalinga, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2012 · N2841W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR12LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA185.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Cloverdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2012 · N80SV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power during climb due to fuel starvation.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?state=CA&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."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" = '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?state=CA

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