NTSB investigations
225 cases where the sequence of events included Fuel contamination.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 17 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '193' 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"
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.
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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '193' 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
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
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.NTSB ERA25LA324Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · New Smyrna Beach, FLMaintenance personnel’s failure to detect and address water contamination of the airplane’s fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN25LA101Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 177A · Farlinville, KSA loss of engine power that resulted from fuel contamination when it was treated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (antiseptic) that contained water. Contributing to the accident were vague fuel treatment instructions provided by the operator.NTSB WPR25LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172L · El Monte, CAA total loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN24LA291Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAyres S2R-G6 · Antioch, NEA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an undetermined source.NTSB ERA24FA308Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B-60 · Vienna Center, OHThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a single-engine go-around. Also contributing to the accident was fuel system contamination, which resulted in detonation and a total loss of left engine power.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR24LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · San Diego, CAA partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.NTSB 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…NTSB 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.NTSB WPR24LA106Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Whitethorn, CAA total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.NTSB 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…NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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).NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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…NTSB CEN23LA153Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRyan Navion A · New Waverly, TXA total loss of engine power as a result of fuel contamination.NTSB CEN23LA147Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Wade, OKThe total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB ERA22LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWhittridge Twinstarr · Indian Trail, NCA blockage of the fuel filter inlet by a piece of debris, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN22LA128Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRyan L17 · Livingston, ILA total loss of engine power due to fuel injection system contamination from an unknown source.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN22LA115Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Olathe, KSThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR22FA022Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Ukiah, CAA power interruption due to water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in the student pilot aborting the takeoff and landing hard. Contributing to the accident were a leak in the left fuel tank that allowed water to enter and damage to the fuel tank that…NTSB WPR22LA014Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAvid Mark IV · Payette, IDA total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an outlet screen on the fuel system header tank.NTSB ERA22LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150 · Oxford, NCA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB ERA21LA170Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20C · College Park, MDImproper maintenance of the airplane by its owners and their failure to have qualified maintenance personnel determine the root cause of water infiltration into the fuel system. Also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to…NTSB 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.NTSB DCA21WA102IncidentClass 5 · ForeignMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Maiquetia, VenezuelaNTSB ERA21LA132Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150G · Indian Head, MDThe pilot’s failure to detect water in the fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing was the flight instructor’s mismanagement of the precautionary landing approach.