# Fatal NTSB investigations: Fuel exhaustion

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 · 90 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26FA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA228.md): Textron 680A · Laredo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 17, 2026 · N523QS · Substantial damage
  > On June 16, 2026, at 2200 central daylight time, a Textron Aviation Inc 680A, N523QS, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in Laredo, Texas. The captain received serious injuries, the first officer received minor injuries, one…
- [NTSB CEN26LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA190.md): Downer 14-19-3 · Forney, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · May 16, 2026 · N7NL · Substantial damage
  > On May 16, 2026, about 0010 central daylight time, a Downer 14-19-3 airplane, N7NL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Forney, Texas. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. A second passenger initially survived…
- [NTSB ERA25FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA069.md): Vans RV-12IS · Homosassa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 7, 2024 · N702DP · Substantial damage
  > On December 6, 2024, about 2004 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS, N702DP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Homosassa, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight…
- [NTSB ERA25FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA008.md): Cessna 336 · Savannah, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Oct 14, 2024 · N336LV · Substantial damage
  > On October 13, 2024, about 2230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 336, N336LV, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Savannah, Georgia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and a pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight…
- [NTSB GAA24WA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA285.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Nassau, Bahamas · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Sep 12, 2024 · N555MH · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR24FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA123.md): Ayres S2R-G10 · Derner, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 9, 2024 · N40261 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor his fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and the airplane’s impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA037.md): Cessna P210N · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 16, 2023 · N1400 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate flight and fuel planning and his decision to fly in night instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of recent instrument flight.
- [NTSB CEN23FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA258.md): Cessna 177 · Hot Springs, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 26, 2023 · N3138T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning and inflight fuel mismanagement, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in the…
- [NTSB ERA23FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA252.md): Cessna 180 · Harrisburg, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 31, 2023 · N3178D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with terrain and objects.
- [NTSB CEN22FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA298.md): Piper PA-24-250 · St. Jacob, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2022 · N5235P · Destroyed
  > The inadequate maintenance of the airplane fuel system that resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
- [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 CEN22FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA082.md): Cessna 172 · Hardy, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 26, 2021 · N5798T · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to fuel…
- [NTSB WPR21FA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA352.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Page, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2021 · N3906X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel planning for a cross-country flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR21LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA097.md): Cessna 170A · Port Angeles, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 27, 2021 · N9114A · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel planning.
- [NTSB ERA21FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA029.md): Cessna 172 · Dunnellon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2020 · N724BC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA020.md): Aero Commander 100 · Citra, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 14, 2020 · N631PF · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate preflight planning likely due to impairment from ethanol, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was his improper decision to depart from an unlit airstrip in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA20LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA313.md): Beech A36 · Jackson, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2020 · N74HS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.
- [NTSB CEN20LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA370.md): Piper PA24 · Bryan, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2020 · N7469P · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power on takeoff due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA20LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA297.md): Rockwell 500 · Pembroke Park, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 28, 2020 · N900DT · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the fuel exhaustion was the fatigue fracture of an electrical wire in the tank unit or fuel transmitter, which likely resulted in an inaccurate fuel quantity indication.
- [NTSB WPR20LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA249.md): North American Navion · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2020 · N225HJ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper fuel planning and failure to see and avoid the communications tower support guy wire.
- [NTSB ERA20LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA197.md): Schweizer 269C-1 · Ozark, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 30, 2020 · N9421P · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight school’s inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s fuel quantity and caution systems.
- [NTSB ERA20FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA124.md): Cessna 177RG · Sterling, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 11, 2020 · N1572H · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA20FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA119.md): American AA 1 · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2020 · N5757L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…
- [NTSB ERA20FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA063.md): Vans Vans RV-6 · Cullman, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 5, 2020 · N420PW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to return to the runway after…
- [NTSB WPR20FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA015.md): Mooney M20J · American Falls, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 25, 2019 · N201BJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an aerodynamic stall following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN19FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA236.md): Beech 95B55 · Chadron, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N8910U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel was on board before departing and his in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA19FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA155.md): Bellanca 1730 · Henderson, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 23, 2019 · N9693E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack at a low altitude, in the airport traffic pattern, following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing…
- [NTSB CEN19FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA124.md): Beech 58 · Kerrville, TX · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Apr 22, 2019 · N501CE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow the one-engine inoperative checklist and maintain the airplane's minimum…
- [NTSB CEN19FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA093.md): Piper PA28 · Summersville, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2019 · N7369W · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel monitoring.
- [NTSB WPR19LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA063.md): Piper PA22 · Kingman, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Jan 13, 2019 · N9227D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to secure the fuel caps, which led to the fuel being siphoned overboard, fuel exhaustion, and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN19FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA005.md): Piper PA28 · Cartersville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2018 · N180QT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning and his decision to continue flight without stopping for fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN18FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA384.md): Cessna 150 · Festus, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2018 · N7152S · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to initiate and continue the…
- [NTSB WPR18FA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA249.md): Cessna 150L · Pacoima, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2018 · N10789 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to fuel exhaustion, and the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack when the flight instructor made an abrupt turn back toward the runway, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin at an…
- [NTSB CEN18FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA236.md): Cessna P210N · Detroit, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2018 · N3896P · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot's failure to divert earlier in the flight to another airport to ensure that the airplane had an adequate fuel reserve, and the malfunction of the landing gear extension system for…
- [NTSB CEN18FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA088.md): Cessna 172F · Williamsport, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2018 · N8559U · Destroyed
  > The pilot's mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and descent and collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA17FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA299.md): Grumman AA1 · Portland, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2017 · N8866L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA17FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA232.md): Morrisey 2150A · Honesdale, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N917JL · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of two psychoactive substances, which led to his impaired decision to attempt to takeoff after engine issues became evident.
- [NTSB ANC17FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA018.md): Cessna R172K · Nome, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2017 · N736AS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to conduct multiple visual approaches to the destination airport despite the night instrument meteorological conditions; the airplane's low fuel state at that time, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel…
- [NTSB ERA17WA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA059.md): Embraer EMB710 · Novo Progresso, Brazil · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 24, 2016 · PT-NCJ · Substantial damage
  > On November 24, 2016, about 2040 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB-710C, Brazilian registration PT-NCJ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain on approach to an unregistered landing strip in a quarry near Novo Progresso, State of Para,…
- [NTSB CEN16LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA236.md): Cessna 150L · Detroit, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2016 · N6622G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s disregard of the banner-tow operator's policy regarding the maximum allowable flight duration, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA109.md): Piper PA28 · Port Jefferson, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2016 · N29099 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA108.md): Beech A36 · Marshville, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2016 · N61WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was his failure to have a properly secured shoulder harness at the time of the accident.
- [NTSB CEN16FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA083.md): Cessna 172N · Gilmer, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2016 · N737EZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate traffic pattern altitude and distance from the…
- [NTSB ERA16FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA005.md): Piper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2015 · N4313E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student…
- [NTSB WPR15FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA200.md): Maniscalco Great Lakes · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2015 · N7LM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall/spin at too low an altitude to allow recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper…
- [NTSB WPR15FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA081.md): Gibbs Lancair 320 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2015 · N7ZL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to take off despite low fuel alerts, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which…
- [NTSB ERA14LA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA424.md): Socata TBM 700 · Caribbean Sea, A1 · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2014 · N900KN · Destroyed
  > The design of the cabin pressurization system, which made it prone to unnecessary shutdown, combined with a checklist design that prioritized troubleshooting over ensuring that the pilot was sufficiently protected from hypoxia. This resulted in a loss of…
- [NTSB ERA14WA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14WA393.md): Cessna 340A · Freeport, Bahamas · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 18, 2014 · N340MM · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA14FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA260.md): Grumman American Avn. AA1B · Chester, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 23, 2014 · N8890L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate inflight fuel monitoring, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the loose fuel cap, which allowed fuel to syphon out in flight.
- [NTSB CEN14FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA219.md): Bellanca 17 30A · Sweetwater, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2014 · N9759E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate inflight fuel management, which led to a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion or starvation.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/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" = '192' 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/192/sequence?fatal=1

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