# Fatal 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ANC24FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA102.md): Cessna 206 · Chalkyitsik, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 24, 2024 · N8255Q · Substantial damage > A 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 ERA24FA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA308.md): Beech B-60 · Vienna Center, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2024 · N23553 · Destroyed > The 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 ERA24FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA103.md): Grumman American Avn. GA-7 · Coatesville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N887CC · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR24FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA056.md): Vans RV8 · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 16, 2023 · N6948L · Substantial damage > Fuel 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 ERA23FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA163.md): Larry F Preiss AR-1 · Gainesville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 25, 2023 · N47AR · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA22FA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA351.md): Smith Aerostar 600 · South Haven Charter Township, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 2, 2022 · N9784Q · Destroyed > A 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 WPR22FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA022.md): Cessna 172 · Ukiah, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 28, 2021 · N1870V · Substantial damage > A 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 ERA20LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA179.md): Beech F33 · Land O Lakes, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2020 · N711JA · Destroyed > The 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. - [NTSB CEN20FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA002.md): Piper Aerostar 602P · Kokomo, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2019 · N326CW · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a dual engine power loss caused by the line service technician fueling the airplane with the wrong fuel, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.… - [NTSB CEN19FA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA325.md): Cessna A185 · Conroe, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 21, 2019 · C-GOZJ · Destroyed > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water, and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted return to the airport shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB ANC19FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA021.md): Bradshaw / McCauley Giles G-202 · Wasilla, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 30, 2019 · N202AK · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control after the partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was a contamination of the fuel system, which likely seized the electric fuel pump and restricted fuel flow to the engine. - [NTSB ERA17LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA280.md): Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo · Quinton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2017 · N319TA · Substantial damage > The flight instructor and commercial pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in water contamination of the fuel supply, and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN16FA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA290.md): Flight Design Ctls · Fond du Lac, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2016 · N527TS · Substantial damage > Carburetor contamination following exposure to water in the fuel, which resulted in a carburetor malfunction and a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of airplane control that resulted in a stall. - [NTSB WPR16FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA126.md): Piper PA 23-150 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2016 · N1270P · Destroyed > The failure of the left engine due to water contamination and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain single-engine minimum control airspeed, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total and recent… - [NTSB ERA16WA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16WA129.md): Enstrom F28 · Globitsy, Russia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 24, 2016 · RA-2348G · Substantial damage > On February 24, 2016, about 1754 hours local, an Enstrom F-28A, RA-2348G, registered to the City of Saint-Petersburg, Russia, operated by a private individual, impacted terrain near Globitsy Township, Lomonosov District, Leningrad Region, Russia. Visual… - [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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ERA12FA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA262.md): Beech 58 · Calhoun, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2012 · N9448Q · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain airplane control after experiencing a loss of power from the left engine due to water contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane and… - [NTSB WPR11FA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA331.md): Mooney M20F · Winslow, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2011 · N3534X · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control. - [NTSB WPR11FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA166.md): Beech 200 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2011 · N849BM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a momentary interruption of power from the left engine during the initial takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the power interruption due to water contamination of the fuel,… - [NTSB CEN10FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA122.md): Piper PA-30 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2010 · N8501Y · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to detect water contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the worn and loose fuel caps, which allowed water to enter the fuel tanks. - [NTSB CEN09LA597](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA597.md): Piper PA-12 · Columbia, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2009 · N3234M · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which included low ceilings and fog, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power as a result of water… - [NTSB ERA09LA448](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA448.md): Kociemba Robert H T-Bird II · Keymar, MD · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2009 · N90458 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. - [NTSB ERA09LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA184.md): Kevin Eldredge Stewart · Ocala, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2009 · N551X · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to contamination and clogging of the fuel system by a post-assembly fuel tank sealant. - [NTSB ERA09LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA182.md): Moore Glenn Moronca · Burgaw, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2009 · N404AF · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the pilot's operation of the airplane with a deteriorated fuel tank. ## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND 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 ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence?fatal=1 --- 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.