# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 WPR25LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA004.md): Cessna 172L · El Monte, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2024 · N7869G · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.
- [NTSB WPR24LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA174.md): Beech 35-C33A · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2024 · N1259M · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.
- [NTSB WPR24LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA106.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Whitethorn, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 8, 2024 · N2824M · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.
- [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 WPR23LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA349.md): Cessna 172N · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2023 · N733ZN · Substantial damage
  > The 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 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 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 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 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 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 WPR16LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA101.md): Antonov AN2 · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 2016 · N2AN · Substantial damage
  > The mechanic’s failure to inspect the fine fuel filter gascolator as required during the most recent inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [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 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 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 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.
- [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 WPR11LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA150.md): Cessna 140A · Newark, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N5351C · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection to identify and remove the water.
- [NTSB WPR10LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA119.md): Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · La Quinta, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2010 · N243SC · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to water contamination in the fuel.
- [NTSB WPR10LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA083.md): Piper PA-22-160 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2009 · N9547D · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB LAX08CA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA228.md): Schweizer G-164B · Alturas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2008 · N3633B · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from a fuel system contamination and a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the rough terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08CA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA094.md): Ercoupe 415-D · Riverside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 20, 2008 · N3942H · Substantial damage
  > Water contamination of the fuel system due to the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to adequately drain the water from the fuel system.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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?state=CA

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