# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 · 66 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA323.md): Beech E-55 · Mecca, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Aug 30, 2026 · N333W · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR26LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA293.md): P Z L -Warszawa-Cnpsl PZL-104 Wilga 35A · Ukiah, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Aug 7, 2026 · N113AS · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR26LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA268.md): Piper PA-18 · Colusa, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N7590K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and in-flight decision making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR26LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA173.md): Pipistrel Alpha Trainer · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2026 · N143AW · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR26LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA065.md): Cessna 150F · Temecula, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2025 · N8155S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR25LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA073.md): Cessna 150D · Temple City, CA · Accident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 6, 2025 · N5943T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s unfamiliarity with the fuel quantities the fuel measuring dip stick measured and inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR24LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA218.md): TL Ultralight Sting RG · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 26, 2024 · N912RG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was a fuel quantity indication that was inconsistent with the actual fuel state of the airplane, which likely led the pilot to overestimate the amount of fuel remaining onboard.
- [NTSB WPR24LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA212.md): Piper PA31 · Lemoore, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2024 · C-GJBG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper in-flight decision making which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent emergency landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA167.md): Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard MK IV · Modesto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 2, 2024 · N7522U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was a malfunctioning fuel selector at low fuel levels.
- [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 WPR24LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA114.md): Mooney M20K · Farmington, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N38RK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning that resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 WPR23LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA118.md): Bell UH-1B · Orland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 2, 2023 · N234SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA308.md): Cessna 195 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2022 · N1097D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to verify the fuel quantity prior to departure, which led to a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 WPR21LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA200.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C · Glenn, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2021 · N6596K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA022.md): Piper J3-C65 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 23, 2020 · N98615 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR20CA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA199.md): Beech D 45 · Ione, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 3, 2020 · N341MR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA117.md): Cessna 177RG · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 5, 2020 · N98SW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard for the planned flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB GAA19CA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA446.md): Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar · Tracy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2019 · N409EV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent emergency landing and collision with a tree.
- [NTSB GAA19CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA426.md): North American T28 · Hollister, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 20, 2019 · N28CU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [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 WPR18LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA246.md): Cessna 140 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 31, 2018 · N2167V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.
- [NTSB WPR18LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA233.md): Blue Oak CCK-1865 · Deadwood, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2018 · N14CK · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's failure to ensure that the left-wing fuel cap was secure before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor fuel levels while in flight.
- [NTSB WPR18CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA096.md): Bell 47G · Pixley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 28, 2018 · N7800S · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the flight due to impending…
- [NTSB WPR17LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA212.md): Mooney M20E · Glendale, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2017 · N34BE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and improper decision to not refuel before the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA17CA505](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA505.md): Cessna 177RG · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2017 · N8053G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB GAA17CA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA305.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164 · Maxwell, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 26, 2017 · N6674K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to visually check the fuel quantity during the preflight inspection and ensure that sufficient fuel was onboard for the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB GAA17CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA230.md): Cessna 180 · Manchester, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2017 · N7945V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA17CA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA098.md): Cessna 182 · Apple Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 19, 2016 · N5954B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a subsequent hard, off-airport landing and nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR17LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA018.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 1C · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 2016 · N9556U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was available for the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA330.md): Cessna 152 · Clearlake Oaks, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 22, 2016 · N67889 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's deviation from his original flight plan, which resulted in becoming lost in mountainous terrain at night, fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a collision with power lines during a forced landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA230.md): Bell 412 · Whittier, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 17, 2015 · N412LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to appropriately monitor the helicopter's fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and an autorotation with a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR15LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA240.md): Stinson SR 9B · Chula Vista, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2015 · N17154 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s failure to verify the fuel quantity before the flight.
- [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 WPR15LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA160.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A · Maxwell, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2015 · N8875H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 WPR14LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA237.md): Craig W Sherman Super Glasair TT · Madera, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2014 · N400MC · Substantial damage
  > The loosening of a B-nut in the fuel system which resulted in a rapid, undetected fuel leak and subsequent fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR14LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA056.md): Cessna T210 - F · Oceanside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2013 · N6186R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to determine the actual onboard fuel quantity before beginning the flight, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's habitual reliance solely on the cockpit fuel…
- [NTSB WPR13LA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA383.md): Piper PA-38 · Madera, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2013 · N2578L · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in the airplane departing with insufficient fuel to complete the planned flight, and their failure to recognize that discrepancy en route, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel…
- [NTSB WPR13CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA163.md): Cessna 172G · Temecula, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 22, 2013 · N5931R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR13LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA125.md): Temco D-16A · Heber, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2013 · N716T · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight and fuel planning.
- [NTSB WPR13CA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA103.md): Cessna 150J · Porterville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 18, 2013 · N50690 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR12CA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA370.md): Cessna 150G · Madera, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 26, 2012 · N6346S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR11LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA373.md): Rotorway Exec · Chino Hills, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2011 · N162CT · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of both the owner's and the pilot's failure to determine or monitor the remaining fuel quantity during the flight. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's lack of fuel consumption…
- [NTSB WPR11LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA254.md): Cessna 177 · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2011 · N2301Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight verification of the fuel quantity and his inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR11FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA054.md): Beech 19A · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2010 · N6064N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR10LA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA408.md): Beech V35B · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2010 · N67311 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during descent due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel cap was secured during the preflight inspection.
- [NTSB WPR10LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA345.md): Cessna 177 · Chino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2010 · N3295T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning which resulted in a loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR10CA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA311.md): Cessna 172F · Rancho Murieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2010 · N8793U · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/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" = '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?state=CA

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