# NTSB investigations, 2020: 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 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 ERA21LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA087.md): Piper PA46 · Naples, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 19, 2020 · N662TC · Substantial damage
  > The inadvertent activation of the unguarded ferry tank fuel selector valve, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA21LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA075.md): Kolb Firestar · Durham, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2020 · N7094T · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a degraded fuel primer check valve.
- [NTSB ERA21LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA062.md): Ercoupe 415 · South Boston, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2020 · N2674H · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of a fuel filter screen cover gasket, which resulted in its failure, fuel starvation, and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the unapproved fuel sight gauge, which obscured…
- [NTSB CEN21LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA068.md): Piper PA28 · French Lick, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 28, 2020 · N5242W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [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 ANC21LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA006.md): Pilatus PC12 · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 6, 2020 · N400PW · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN21LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA046.md): Navion A · Fremont, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2020 · N4856K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector during takeoff, which was not in accordance with the preflight checklist and resulted in fuel starvation, a subsequent total loss of engine power, and an aerodynamic stall during an attempted forced…
- [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 ERA21LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA022.md): Champion 7FC · Moneta, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 14, 2020 · N7532E · Substantial damage
  > The fight instructor’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector handle was in the correct position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA21LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA018.md): Zenith Stol CH801 · Apison, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 12, 2020 · N801TP · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of an incorrectly placarded fuel selector.
- [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 ERA21LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA031.md): Sparrowhawk II · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2020 · N40380 · Substantial damage
  > A ruptured fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine and a total loss of engine power.
- [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 CEN21LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA050.md): Bellanca 1730 · San Saba, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 5, 2020 · N7333V · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA21LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA005.md): Fokker DR1 · Wake, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2020 · N512FH · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of the improper installation of the ram air fuel vent tube, which resulted in the tube separating from the airplane during taxi and subsequent negative pressure inside the fuel tank.
- [NTSB CEN20LA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA421.md): Beech A36 · Lago Vista, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2020 · N104RK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel system which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack…
- [NTSB CEN20LA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA424.md): Kitfox Speedster · Leadville, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 24, 2020 · N525PP · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s improper maintenance.
- [NTSB CEN20LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA420.md): Beech V35 · Terrell, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 24, 2020 · N3958A · Substantial damage
  > Fuel starvation due to a fuel system leak, which resulted in a loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing on unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA317.md): Piper PA25 · Destin, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Sep 10, 2020 · N7366Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to manage the available fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [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 ERA20LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA261.md): Cessna 177RG · Salinas, PR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2020 · N1813Q · Substantial damage
  > Contamination and corrosion within the fuel system that resulted in a blockage, starvation of fuel to the engine, and the total loss of engine power.
- [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 ERA20LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA258.md): Cessna 182 · Pottstown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2020 · N4092D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was onboard for nonlevel flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN20LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA290.md): Piper PA22 · Loveland, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2020 · N4816A · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation
- [NTSB CEN20LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA263.md): Piper PA32 · Eveleth, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2020 · N4079R · Destroyed
  > The seizure of the airplane’s engine-driven fuel pump due to internal contamination, which led to a total loss of engine power. The source of the contamination could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA252.md): Piper PA28R · Denver, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N811MS · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during climbout due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
- [NTSB CEN20LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA245.md): Cessna 182 · Winfield, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 24, 2020 · N958HP · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which led to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude at which the loss of engine power occurred.
- [NTSB CEN20CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA181.md): Cessna 172 · Colchester, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2020 · N92036 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight.
- [NTSB WPR20LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA147.md): Cessna 172 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2020 · N63931 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot improper fuel management, which resulted in running the left fuel tank empty and a subsequent total 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 ERA20LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA164.md): Piper PA32RT · Meridianville, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2020 · N772SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's slip maneuver with a less than full fuel tank selected, which resulted in unporting of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA20LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA160.md): Hughes 369 · Pylesville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 25, 2020 · N9159F · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of unporting of the fuel tank supply pickup while the helicopter was maneuvered to move a conductor wire. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter’s inappropriate configuration for the type of…
- [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 ERA20LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA122.md): Beech V35 · Destin, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 8, 2020 · N581U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR20LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA096.md): Lightning Avion Eab Arion Lightning · Jerome, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 26, 2020 · N1XF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and the pilot’s loss of airplane control during an emergency descent, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA20WA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA135.md): Piper PA32 · Fort-de-France, Martinique · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Feb 16, 2020 · F-OKGO · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN20LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA078.md): Navion Navion · Fort Smith, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2020 · N1011M · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate inspection of the fuel selector valve, which was degraded, allowed fuel to leak, and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA20LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA069.md): Glassair I · Mount Sterling, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 6, 2020 · N118CV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN20LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA053.md): Cessna T210 · Ada, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 1, 2020 · N94227 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and preflight fuel planning.

## 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") = 2020
  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=2020

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