# NTSB investigations, 2018: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA19TA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA042.md): Mooney M20C · Wildwood, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 10, 2018 · N78870 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to initiate a 180° turn following the loss of power.
- [NTSB ERA19LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA014.md): Hargrove Hummel Ultra Cruiser · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2018 · N245AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to activate the airplane’s auxiliary fuel pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident were the impairing effects of the pilot’s medication on his performance.
- [NTSB GAA19CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA034.md): Just Just Aircraft (Highl · Monroe, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N488VG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper engine modification and operation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate approach path, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway.
- [NTSB CEN19LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA007.md): Grumman AA5 · Refugio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N81383 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper inflight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an…
- [NTSB ANC19CA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19CA003.md): Cessna 207 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 11, 2018 · N6492H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power, and her subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land at a nearby airstrip.
- [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 GAA18CA574](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA574.md): Piper PA24 · Crewe, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 29, 2018 · N6148P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation…
- [NTSB WPR18LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA271.md): Cessna TU206 · Brenham, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2018 · N756NN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management during the landing approach, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was his failure to follow the published emergency procedures after the loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA18CA565](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA565.md): De Havilland DHC 2 · Igiugig, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2018 · N121AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank for takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN18LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA381.md): Piper PA28 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2018 · N8003W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's mismanagement of the fuel selector valve during the simulated forced landing demonstration and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision to ensure the fuel selector was properly set, which resulted in a loss of engine power and…
- [NTSB CEN18LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA373.md): Cessna T310 · Laramie, WY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N376J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly adjust the fuel/air mixtures, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power to both engines due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing to a field.
- [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 CEN18LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA354.md): Beech 35 · Bowman, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2018 · N666WW · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN18LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA351.md): Cessna P210 · Delaware, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2018 · N4842K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction of the formation flight.
- [NTSB ANC18LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA066.md): Cessna A185F · Kaktovik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N8041R · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a steep turn with a low fuel state.
- [NTSB WPR18TA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA236.md): Piper PA28 · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Aug 21, 2018 · N98146 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the flight instructor's inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA18LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA227.md): Beech 35 · Mayport, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N1330Z · Substantial damage
  > The failure of a fuel line due to improper installation of a fuel flow sensor, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [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 CEN18LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA317.md): Cessna 120 · Pomona, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2018 · N76524 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA18TA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA203.md): Beech C90 · Lecanto, FL · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 26, 2018 · N717X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to turn on the fuel transfer pumps in accordance with the published checklists, which resulted in a dual loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB GAA18CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA454.md): Cessna 172 · Meadow Lakes, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2018 · N171Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s selection of the wrong fuel tank for departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN18LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA285.md): Smith AEROSTAR601 · Baton Rouge, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2018 · N327BK · Substantial damage
  > The loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from corrosion debris in the fuel lines. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s and pilot’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane before the flight.
- [NTSB CEN18LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA275.md): Whittman Tailwind · Orient, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2018 · N619NT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s and the flight instructor's incorrect use of the modified mixture control, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing. Also causal was the inadequate systems knowledge of the experimental, amateur-built…
- [NTSB CEN18LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA260.md): Bell 206 · Bentley, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2018 · N224KM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the maneuvering flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ANC18LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA051.md): Piper PA18 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2018 · N7675D · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in impact with and subsequent sliding across terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA209.md): Luscombe 8A · Longview, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2018 · N72066 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat for takeoff, which resulted in an interruption of continuous fuel flow to the engine and a loss of engine power during climb. Also causal was the lack of required placarding warning of the need to use full carburetor…
- [NTSB GAA18CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA307.md): Piper PA28 · Butler, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2018 · N95410 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [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 CEN18LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA156.md): Laminar Lancair 360 · Woodward, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N92WL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-rated passenger’s inadvertent contact with and closure of the emergency fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the accident…
- [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 GAA18CA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA233.md): Mooney M20F · Bulberde, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 19, 2018 · N3535X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane landing long and fast, and the pilot’s subsequent decision to steer the airplane off the side of the runway to avoid a runway overrun.
- [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 CEN18LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA142.md): Cessna T210N · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 2018 · N6988N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA113.md): Fairchild Funk M62C F 23A · Columbia, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2018 · N1131Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent selection of the fuel selector handle to the off position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA18LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA111.md): Cessna 210 · Shelburne, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2018 · N761DV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [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 ERA18TA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA076.md): Vertical Aviation Technologies 260L Hummingbird · Harrisville, NY · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jan 28, 2018 · N4045 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of an electric fuel pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during cruise flight.
- [NTSB WPR18LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA070.md): Piper PA 32-300 · Reno, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2018 · N4027W · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot/owner to ensure that the airplane was airworthy before flight.

## 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 year(c."eventDate") = 2018
  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?year=2018

---
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.