NTSB investigations

202 cases where the defining event was Fuel contamination.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 202 cases
200813
200911
201018
201112
20129
201313
20148
201521
20169
201715
20189
201912
202010
20216
202210
202314
202410
20252

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '193')
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB CEN26LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Taylor, TXThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination.Dec 26, 2025 · N172BX · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA315Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPatriot CX1900A · Centreville, ALThe pilot’s failure to detect and remove water contamination from the airplane’s fuel system before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb.Aug 20, 2025 · N150SP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172L · El Monte, CAA total loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.Oct 7, 2024 · N7869G · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24FA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 206 · Chalkyitsik, AKA loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to ensure replacement filters were available for use during refueling operations.Sep 24, 2024 · N8255Q · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA316Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185E · Eveleth, MNWater contamination of the fuel system which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight.Aug 14, 2024 · N2248T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA291Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAyres S2R-G6 · Antioch, NEA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an undetermined source.Jul 26, 2024 · N6136Z · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA257Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Zephyrhills, FLA partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination that resulted from corrosion and loose corrosion debris in the carburetor, which restricted fuel flow to the engine.Jun 8, 2024 · N15363 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · San Diego, CAA partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.Jun 1, 2024 · N1259M · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA184Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22 · Enderlin, NDThe pilot’s failure to properly inspect and sump the fuel system before the flight and the maintenance personnel’s inadequate maintenance of the fuel system which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power due to the contamination of…May 13, 2024 · N669A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA179Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna R172 · Rocky Mount, NCThe pilot and mechanic’s failure to identify and completely eliminate the water and debris contamination present in the airplane’s fuel system before embarking on the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Apr 15, 2024 · N3FR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA106Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Whitethorn, CAA total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.Mar 8, 2024 · N2824M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA103Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportGrumman American Avn. GA-7 · Coatesville, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel, and his subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual maintenance inspection, during which maintenance…Feb 1, 2024 · N887CC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA056Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV8 · Corona, CAFuel contamination from the pilot’s improper application of a sealant to the fuel tank, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on takeoff.Dec 16, 2023 · N6948L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA022Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20E · Pembroke Pines, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.Oct 26, 2023 · N1953Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA349Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172N · Compton, CAThe total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps.Sep 20, 2023 · N733ZN · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA297Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Blanchard, IDFuel contamination, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The source of the contamination could not be determined.Jul 30, 2023 · N613SS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marble Falls, TXA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an unknown source.Jul 9, 2023 · N163RK · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA290Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Clearwater, FLThe pilot’s improper preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination (water).Jul 5, 2023 · N8579W · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA220Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nephi, UTA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance.Jun 8, 2023 · N7318Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA183Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Vodochody L-39ZA · Barnhart, TXA total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel from an undetermined source.May 2, 2023 · N343WT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA167Occurrence · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGates Learjet 35A · Page, AZThe fueler’s inadvertent addition of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to the FSII reservoir on the fuel truck, and its subsequent mixture with the JET A that was used to fuel the airplane, resulting in a total loss of power to the right engine and a partial loss of…Apr 24, 2023 · N135SH · No damageNTSB CEN23LA153Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRyan Navion A · New Waverly, TXA total loss of engine power as a result of fuel contamination.Apr 12, 2023 · N4229K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA147Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Wade, OKThe total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.Mar 29, 2023 · N82851 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA163Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportLarry F Preiss AR-1 · Gainesville, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel that resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent impact with a wire and terrain during an attempted forced landing.Mar 25, 2023 · N47AR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA117Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Buford, GAWater contamination in the fuel system that was not observed during the preflight inspection, resulting in a total loss of engine power and forced landing.Jan 24, 2023 · N7470R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTaylorcraft BL-65 · Wasilla, AKThe pilot's failure to remove all water from the fuel tank, which resulted in fuel contamination and a subsequent partial loss of engine power.Jan 14, 2023 · N29886 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA097Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA24 · Athens, GAThe pilot’s failure to detect water in the fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power.Dec 29, 2022 · N9026P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Milan, GAThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination.Oct 4, 2022 · N7494Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA351Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSmith Aerostar 600 · South Haven Charter Township, MIA loss of power to the left engine due to contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to properly configure the airplane for flight with one engine inoperative.Aug 2, 2022 · N9784Q · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA266Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Sarasota, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a loss of engine power on approach.Jun 13, 2022 · N9577L · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCzech Sport Aircraft A S Sportcruiser · Hillsboro, ORA missing fuel filler cap O-ring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel.Jun 7, 2022 · N565L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA258Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D1 · Pittsboro, NCThe student pilot, and flight instructor’s, inadequate preflight inspection, during which they failed to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Jun 3, 2022 · N44374 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA228Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Allport, ARA partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from foreign object debris. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to follow the manufacturer’s required airframe fuel filter inspection interval.Jun 1, 2022 · N5007R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA194Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140B · Panama City, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance and inspection of the airplane and engine by maintenance personnel, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and runup.Apr 18, 2022 · N8891N · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA128Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRyan L17 · Livingston, ILA total loss of engine power due to fuel injection system contamination from an unknown source.Feb 20, 2022 · N5042K · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA130Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32R · Washington, NCThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.Feb 16, 2022 · N114BR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Oxford, NCA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.Oct 3, 2021 · N7333A · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA219Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech B24R · New Lenox, ILThe total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot’s improper fueling of the airplane.May 13, 2021 · N9199S · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA206Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 170B · Curtis, NEWater contamination of the airplane’s fuel supply which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Apr 19, 2021 · N2955D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA169Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150L · Hardwick Township, NJThe pilot’s inadequate prefight inspection, during which he failed to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Mar 30, 2021 · N6544G · Substantial damageNTSB DCA21WA102IncidentClass 5 · ForeignMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Maiquetia, VenezuelaMar 18, 2021 · YV3445 · No damageNTSB CEN21LA133Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander S2R · Alamo, TXThe partial loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.Feb 9, 2021 · N5679X · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA059Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA38 · Pembroke Pines, FLA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.Dec 2, 2020 · N2420F · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA055Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · San Bernardino, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection.Nov 14, 2020 · N757PY · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA015Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 152 · South Hill, WAThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel supply had been completely drained of water, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to water contamination.Oct 15, 2020 · N6585L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA325Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportErcoupe F 1 · West Kingston, RIThe pilot’s failure to conduct a proper preflight inspection and ensure the fuel was uncontaminated, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and forced landing.Sep 21, 2020 · N3000G · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20LA093Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA22 · Homer, AKThe total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the fuel tank filler necks, which resulted in water intrusion into the fuel tanks.Sep 14, 2020 · N8875C · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA316Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hebron, NEA loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fuel tanks prior to flight.Jul 27, 2020 · N771GB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA198Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-24-180 · Humboldt, TNA partial loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.May 29, 2020 · N6989P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20LA179Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Land O Lakes, FLThe partial loss of engine power due to a contaminated fuel system and the pilot’s improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a known deficiency in engine power.May 12, 2020 · N711JA · Destroyed