# NTSB investigations, 2021: 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.

## Latest cases

- [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 GAA22WA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA074.md): Cessna 177 · Gauteng Province, South Africa · Accident · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 7, 2021 · ZS-EZM · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA22LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA053.md): Cessna 182P · Ringwood, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 4, 2021 · N423LL · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s failure to secure the left wing’s fuel cap.
- [NTSB CEN22LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA036.md): Cessna 177 · Hudson Oaks, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N29615 · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s improper fuel planning.
- [NTSB ERA22LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA037.md): Piper PA-30 · Waverly, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 29, 2021 · N30SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper pre-flight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power to both engines due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR22LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA024.md): Cessna 182Q · St Ignatius, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 24, 2021 · N25WX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN21LA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA461.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Hancock, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2021 · N130GH · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly manage the fuel on board the airplane and his failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA21LA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA383.md): Cessna 172 · Miramar, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2021 · N4118L · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the flight instructor’s injury was her failure to wear the shoulder harness.
- [NTSB ERA21LA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA392.md): Piper PA-16 · Greensboro, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2021 · N5656H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and fuel system inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [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 CEN21LA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA418.md): Piper PA-44-180 · Magnolia, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 12, 2021 · N740FT · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
- [NTSB CEN21LA419](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA419.md): Thatcher CX4 · Marshalltown, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2021 · N306TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly determine the correct fuel quantity during preflight inspection that resulted in a loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN21LA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA406.md): Cessna A185F · Kingsley, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2021 · N7574N · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of an unsecured fuel bladder, which reduced the fuel capacity of the affected tank.
- [NTSB ERA21LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA393.md): Vans RV8 · Delray, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2021 · N388RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN21LA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA386.md): Acro Sport II · Fishers, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2021 · N169BF · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of leaking fuel from a loose fuel inlet fitting to the fuel control unit.
- [NTSB CEN21LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA362.md): Air Tractor AT-502B · Topeka, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 6, 2021 · N502CP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue low-level aerial application flight maneuvers after the low fuel warning light illuminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN21LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA365.md): Vans RV6 · Urbana, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 1, 2021 · N443JB · 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 WPR21LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA293.md): Enstrom F-28A · Mountain Home, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2021 · N46MU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent hard landing on uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA302.md): Piper Aerostar 600A · Wichita, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 2, 2021 · N10HK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel planning and management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA21LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA307.md): Cessna 150 · Carrollton, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 1, 2021 · N561QL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s incorrect preflight planning and poor in-flight planning, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the damage was the inadvertent encounter with a hole during the forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN21LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA296.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B · Hoxie, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 29, 2021 · N6611K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure an adequate fuel supply for the intended flight.
- [NTSB CEN21LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA278.md): Cessna 152 · Bridgeport, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2021 · N68851 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inaccurate estimate of the fuel level during his preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA21LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA228.md): Robert Trembly JA20 Highlander · Central City, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2021 · N743BT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly secure the left wing fuel cap before flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 CEN21LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA231.md): Cessna 150J · Madison, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 28, 2021 · N5578G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper fuel planning which led to fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN21LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA191.md): Cessna 150 · Caro, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2021 · N22005 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB WPR21LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA184.md): Cessna 182K · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 18, 2021 · N2548R · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [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 ERA21LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA098.md): Cessna 421B · Old Bethpage, NY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 10, 2021 · N421DP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.

## 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") = 2021
  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?year=2021

---
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.