# NTSB investigations, FL: 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 ERA25LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA324.md): Cessna 172 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2025 · N1607F · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance 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 ERA24LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA257.md): Piper PA28 · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N15363 · Substantial damage
  > A 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 ERA24LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA022.md): Mooney M20E · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2023 · N1953Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA23LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA290.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Clearwater, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N8579W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination (water).
- [NTSB ERA22LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA266.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-5 · Sarasota, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2022 · N9577L · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA22LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA194.md): Piper PA-28-140B · Panama City, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2022 · N8891N · Substantial damage
  > A 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ERA16LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA230.md): Piper PA28 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2016 · N9836W · 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 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 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 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 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 ERA12LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA009.md): Cessna 150L · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2011 · N11280 · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system that was not detected because of the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
- [NTSB ERA11LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA065.md): Cessna 172 · Hobe Sound, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2010 · N8306B · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination in the carburetor.
- [NTSB ERA11CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA020.md): Mooney M20E · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2010 · N5743Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to water contaminated fuel.
- [NTSB ERA10LA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA457.md): Aero Commander 560E · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N175SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines during climb due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB ERA09LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA357.md): Luscombe 8 · Chipley, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2009 · N41915 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of power due to the use of automotive gasoline that contained ethanol, which was prohibited by the operating limitations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's failure to obtain and comply with the applicable operating limitations.
- [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 ERA09LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA015.md): Cessna 172 · Kissimmee, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2008 · N734BL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was a fuel tank cap that did not seal properly.
- [NTSB MIA08CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA171.md): Cessna 152 · Ormond Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 23, 2008 · N65436 · Substantial damage
  > Both pilots' inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel.
- [NTSB NYC08LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA213.md): Marrin Pitts S-1 · St. Petersburg, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2008 · N347MM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was improper maintenance practices during the construction of the airplane, which resulted in…
- [NTSB NYC08CA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA161.md): Cessna 152K · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 14, 2008 · N67334 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

## 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" = 'FL' 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=FL

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