# NTSB investigations: Fuel contamination

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 3 of 5 · 203 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CEN16LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA064.md): Cessna 305A · Sulphur, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2015 · N5312G · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing to a wet field.
- [NTSB WPR16LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA021.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Sedro-Woolley, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2015 · N510PA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of naphthenate fuel contamination, which blocked the fuel flow through the start pump.
- [NTSB ERA16LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA018.md): Cessna 172 · Campobello, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2015 · N6636A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination.
- [NTSB CEN15LA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA436.md): Beech C35 · Belen, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2015 · N1990D · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel system.
- [NTSB CEN15LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA423.md): Bell 206B · Woodville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N648CA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel tanks and the operator’s inadequate inspection of the fuel supply truck that did not detect water…
- [NTSB ERA15LA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA301.md): Cessna 172 · Kissimmee, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2015 · N8370X · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA15CA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA295.md): Stol JA30 Superstol · West Union, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2015 · N556TW · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to water contamination in the fuel.
- [NTSB ERA15LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA265.md): Luscombe 8A · Mount Dora, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2015 · N28864 · Substantial damage
  > Excessive particulate contamination in the fuel tank, which resulted in the interruption of the fuel flow to the engine and a partial loss of power. The source of the contamination could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN15FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA287.md): Piper PA 24-250 · Quinlan, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 2015 · N6168P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the wing's critical angle-of-attack being exceeded and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot's…
- [NTSB ERA15CA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA256.md): Cessna 170 · Raymond, MS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2015 · N4027V · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB CEN15FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA269.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fredericksburg, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2015 · N6552L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the mechanic's…
- [NTSB CEN15LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA226.md): Air Tractor AT 502B · Dighton, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 2015 · N879JA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the Preflight checklist and his inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA15FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA208.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 2015 · N5802V · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel manifold, which resulted in a collision with terrain shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN15LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA205.md): Pitts Model 12 · Burneyville, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 2015 · N12DR · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system.
- [NTSB WPR15LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA146.md): Cessna 172M · Hilo, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2015 · N12842 · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination in the fuel system due to the flight instructor’s and pilot receiving instruction’s failure to drain all the water from the system during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA15CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA020.md): Cessna 150 · Flushing, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 24, 2015 · N7987E · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight.
- [NTSB CEN15LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA177.md): Ercoupe 415 C · St Jacob, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2015 · N87EV · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during the go-around due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB WPR15LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA111.md): Piper PA46 - 350P · Spokane, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2015 · CGVZW · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to the refueler’s incorrect refueling of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the fixed-base operator’s improper fueling nozzle, which facilitated the use of an incorrect fuel, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight…
- [NTSB WPR15LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA104.md): Scottish Bulldog - 120 121 · Hayward, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2015 · N706BD · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system.
- [NTSB WPR14LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA371.md): Ayres S2R T34 · Buckeye, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2014 · N3097F · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel.
- [NTSB CEN14LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA390.md): Bell 206B · Bennet, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2014 · N240SJ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the fuel storage tank.
- [NTSB CEN14CA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA391.md): Continental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Osage, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2014 · N161SH · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter without resolving the fuel…
- [NTSB CEN14FA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA337.md): Piper PA30 · Harrison, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2014 · N7762Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during initial climb because he failed to correctly compensate for the loss of power in the left engine. Contributing to the accident was water contamination in the fuel and the lack of an adequate preflight…
- [NTSB WPR14FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA158.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Green River, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2014 · N13HG · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel contamination while maneuvering at a low altitude and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the contamination.
- [NTSB CEN14LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA120.md): Cessna 414A · Ashland, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 23, 2014 · N414CJ · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of both engines due to water contamination.
- [NTSB WPR14LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA099.md): Piper PA 24-250 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2014 · N6570P · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to sump the fuel tanks, which resulted in water contamination, a partial loss of engine power during takeoff, and collision with a taxiing airplane during the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC14CA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA014.md): Cessna 170 - B · Nome, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 4, 2014 · N8177A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA14FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA066.md): Texas Helicopter M74L · Sebring, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2013 · N1001N · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power as a result of contamination of the engine’s fuel supply, and the pilot’s impaired performance due to his use of diphenhydramine, which resulted in his inability to complete a forced or precautionary autorotative landing…
- [NTSB CEN13FA496](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA496.md): Mooney M20J · Kansas City, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2013 · N9201R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to attempt continued flight after a momentary loss of engine power with usable runway remaining. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's premature retraction of the landing gear, the loss of engine power due to fuel system…
- [NTSB CEN13LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA487.md): Bell 206B · Albers, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2013 · N804LA · Substantial damage
  > Fuel contamination, which resulted in the loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN13CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA481.md): Super 18 S18-STD · Humboldt, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2013 · N230AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent addition of water into the fuel system and his improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB CEN13FA432](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA432.md): Piper PA-30 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2013 · N8306Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after a loss of left engine power due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a proper preflight that could have detected water accumulation in the fuel system before takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN13LA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA417.md): Piper PA-22-125 · Mapleton, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2013 · N663A · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA396.md): Bell 47D1 · Lake Ozark, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2013 · N78900 · Substantial damage
  > The improper rebuild and maintenance of the helicopter and inadequate subsequent inspections, which resulted in undetected fuel contamination and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight.
- [NTSB WPR13FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA281.md): Piper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2013 · N830SS · Substantial damage
  > A loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN13LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA354.md): Cessna 152 · Carrizo Springs, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2013 · N49108 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to identify the water contamination of the fuel system during his preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the airplane’s initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA13LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA276.md): Cessna 170 · Plainville, CT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2013 · N2585V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s overflight of the landing runway during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight which resulted in his failure to detect water contamination of the fuel system.
- [NTSB CEN13CA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA315.md): Cub Crafters CCK · Cookson, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 3, 2013 · N319MA · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to check the fuel during the preflight, and failure to check the fuel storage tank’s fuel filter/water separator.
- [NTSB CEN13LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA260.md): Cessna A188B · Lyons, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 7, 2013 · N731JF · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the fuel contamination.
- [NTSB WPR13FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA141.md): Maule M5 · Woodinville, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2013 · N17PR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA13FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA055.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Jackson, MS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2012 · N717RL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in his failure to note the water in the fuel tank due to condensation, which subsequently shut down the engine in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB CEN12FA654](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA654.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Roanoke, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2012 · N4567J · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel's failure to adequately correct the water contamination effects. Contributing to the severity of the occupants' injuries was the lack of…
- [NTSB WPR12CA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA350.md): Cessna 152 · Eastvale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 10, 2012 · N94185 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of both pilots to ensure that no water was present in the fuel, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power and a forced off-field landing.
- [NTSB CEN12CA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA469.md): Purtee Kevin M Pietenpol Aircamper · Broadhead, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 22, 2012 · N899KP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during takeoff, and his decision to initiate a turn back to the runway with insufficient airspeed, which resulted…
- [NTSB CEN12LA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA483.md): Eipper Quicksilver MXL II · Goodrich, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2012 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The operation of an unregistered and unairworthy airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot’s improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water/debris…
- [NTSB ERA12LA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA440.md): Cessna 170 · Panama City, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2012 · N2561V · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, the pilot/owner's inadequate preflight inspection of his airplane, and his failure to maintain airplane control after the engine failure.
- [NTSB ERA12LA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA397.md): Cessna 170 · Biddeford, ME · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2012 · N3812V · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA12LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA186.md): Cessna 150J · Jasper, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2012 · N60276 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' inadequate preflight inspection that failed to detect water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN12LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA128.md): Sanderson Pitts Special SPS-1 · Revere, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2012 · N330BL · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination and the inadequate design of the fuel system.
- [NTSB WPR12LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA070.md): Ryan Navion · Concord, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2011 · N4398K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane and the subsequent total loss of engine power as a result of debris and water contamination in the fuel system.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/cases.md?page=4

## 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."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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/cases?page=3

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