# 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 2 of 5 · 225 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB CEN21LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA133.md): Aero Commander S2R · Alamo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2021 · N5679X · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.
- [NTSB ERA21LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA059.md): Piper PA38 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 2, 2020 · N2420F · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB WPR21LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA055.md): Cessna 152 · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2020 · N757PY · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB WPR21LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA015.md): Cessna 152 · South Hill, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2020 · N6585L · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA20LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA325.md): Ercoupe F 1 · West Kingston, RI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2020 · N3000G · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ANC20LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA093.md): Piper PA22 · Homer, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2020 · N8875C · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN20CA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA316.md): Robinson R44 · Hebron, NE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2020 · N771GB · Substantial damage
  > A 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.
- [NTSB ERA20LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA261.md): Cessna 177RG · Salinas, PR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2020 · N1813Q · Substantial damage
  > Contamination and corrosion within the fuel system that resulted in a blockage, starvation of fuel to the engine, and the total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA20LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA198.md): Piper PA-24-180 · Humboldt, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2020 · N6989P · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.
- [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 CEN20LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA132.md): Cessna T210 · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2020 · N5553C · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the fuel, due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, and the pilot’s decision to conduct a steep turn at low altitude to return to the runway rather than land straight ahead, which…
- [NTSB CEN20LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA063.md): Piel CP301 · Paulding, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 17, 2020 · N4120 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of engine power. The loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation due to the degraded fuel tank and fuel contamination.
- [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 ERA20TA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20TA005.md): Silverlight AR-1 · Fort Meade, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Oct 3, 2019 · N463JW · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that failed to detect water contamination of the fuel and resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight.
- [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 CEN19LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA311.md): Cessna 172 · Grassy Butte, ND · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2019 · N5347T · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, and the pilot's failure to conduct a preflight inspection.
- [NTSB CEN19LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA252.md): Piper PA28 · Miami, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2019 · N5915U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's and student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system for water contamination, which resulted in a loss of engine power during takeoff and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA19TA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA235.md): Cessna 152 · Wakefield, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jul 25, 2019 · N47028 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect and remove all water from fuel, and maintenance personnel’s unapproved repair of the right wing fuel cap, which resulted in fuel contamination and a subsequent partial loss of engine power…
- [NTSB CEN19LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA244.md): Air Tractor AT 602 · Walls, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N50634 · Substantial damage
  > The improper fuel servicing of the airplane, which resulted in water contamination of the airplane's fuel supply and a subsequent loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA19LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA224.md): Zenith CH601 · Carlisle, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2019 · N601MR · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to remove all the water from the airplane's fuel system.
- [NTSB ERA19LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA202.md): Aeronca S7EC · Jasper, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N4349C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB WPR19LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA160.md): Cessna 150 · Davis City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 7, 2019 · N6617F · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to proceed with the flight after discovering the contaminated…
- [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 ERA19IA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19IA178.md): Cessna 550 · Savannah, GA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Incident · Final report · May 9, 2019 · N744AT · No damage
  > The lineman's inadvertent introduction of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to the fuel truck fuel system icing inhibitor reservoir, which resulted in fuel contamination and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the fixed-base operator's…
- [NTSB CEN19LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA129.md): Piper PA 23 · Sulphur Spring, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 27, 2019 · N233P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the water contamination in the left fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of power in the left engine. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of power in the right engine…
- [NTSB ANC19LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA006.md): Cessna 172 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2018 · N2809L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing flare, which resulted in the wing striking the runway. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power, which resulted from fuel contamination.
- [NTSB WPR18LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA280.md): Mooney M20J · Kapolei, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 21, 2018 · N66201 · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to water in the fuel lines.
- [NTSB WPR18LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA268.md): Piper PA24 · Upland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2018 · N7472P · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA18LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA242.md): Stinson 108 · Indiana, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2018 · N4059C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of debris contamination of the fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN18LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA285.md): Smith AEROSTAR601 · Baton Rouge, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2018 · N327BK · Substantial damage
  > The loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from corrosion debris in the fuel lines. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s and pilot’s inadequate maintenance of the airplane before the flight.
- [NTSB CEN18LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA181.md): Vans RV7A · Hanover Park, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N667AZ · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to water contamination of the fuel system.
- [NTSB ERA18LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA145.md): Piper PA28 · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 7, 2018 · N80813 · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination of the fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA18CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA160.md): Cessna 172 · England, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2018 · N1889Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to detect water in the fuel system during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power during departure and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA113.md): Aero Commander 100-180 · Deport, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 2018 · N3733X · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's inadequate maintenance of the fuel caps.
- [NTSB ERA18LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA073.md): Aero Commander 680 F · Lapine, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2018 · N900L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff after a total loss of left engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in impact with trees. Contributing to the accident were the mechanic's failure to properly flush the fuel…
- [NTSB WPR18LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA042.md): Cessna 152 · Everett, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2017 · N714TD · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to ensure that water was sufficiently drained from the fuel system, which resulted in total loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing and impact with objects.
- [NTSB ERA18CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18CA035.md): Driggers Quillan E Titan Tornado · Mechanicsville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 29, 2017 · N50F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA17LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA336.md): Cessna 152 · Winder, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2017 · N53393 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in undetected water in the fuel system and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA17LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA334.md): Mcmillan Joel L Avid SW 65 · Darlington, SC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2017 · N65SW · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a clogged fuel filter.
- [NTSB ERA17LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA333.md): Buschmann/Vanzee Vari EZ · Ambler, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2017 · N830S · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination of the fuel that was not detected during a preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [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 ERA17LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA254.md): Cessna 152 · Tamarac, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2017 · N714UY · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the airplane's fuel system was free of water contamination before departing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA234.md): Cessna 172 · Cape Coral, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N2492U · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that detected, but did not fully resolve, the water contamination of the fuel system.
- [NTSB CEN17LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA251.md): Cody Hawkins JA30 Superstol · Ponca City, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N2463H · Substantial damage
  > Contamination of the fuel system, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent off-airport landing.
- [NTSB ANC17CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17CA044.md): Brantly B2 · St. Michael, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2017 · N5955X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate supervision of the refueling process, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination in the helicopter’s fuel system from the fuel drum and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN17LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA241.md): Cessna 172 · Fulton, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2017 · N6474B · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system.
- [NTSB CEN17LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA202.md): Piper PA36 · El Campo, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2017 · N3711E · Substantial damage
  > Foam contamination in the fuel injector nozzles from deteriorated foam baffles and water in the fuel flow divider, the combination of which resulted in the loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN17LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA153.md): Cessna 152 · La Porte, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2017 · N95551 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that did not detect water contamination.
- [NTSB WPR17LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA075.md): Hughes 369A · (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2017 · N805LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to detect the presence of water in the helicopter fuel system before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delayed recognition of the power loss and late…
- [NTSB CEN17LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA073.md): Cirrus SR22 · Meeker, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2017 · N5VK · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an undetermined source.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?page=3

## 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 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?page=2

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