Fatal NTSB investigations
35 cases where the sequence of events included Fuel contamination.
Cases per year
| 2009 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
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.\"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"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."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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ERA20LA179Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33 · Land O Lakes, FLThe 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 CEN20FA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper Aerostar 602P · Kokomo, INThe 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 CEN19FA325Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna A185 · Conroe, TXA 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 ANC19FA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBradshaw / McCauley Giles G-202 · Wasilla, AKThe 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 ERA17LA280Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo · Quinton, VAThe 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 CEN16FA290Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFlight Design Ctls · Fond du Lac, WICarburetor 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 WPR16FA126Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 23-150 · Hayward, CAThe 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 ERA16WA129Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationEnstrom F28 · Globitsy, RussiaOn 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 CEN15FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Quinlan, TXThe 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 CEN15FA269Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5 · Fredericksburg, TXThe 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 ERA15FA208Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-300 · Atlanta, GAA partial loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel manifold, which resulted in a collision with terrain shortly after takeoff.NTSB WPR15LA111Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA46 - 350P · Spokane, WAA 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 WPR14FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Green River, UTA 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 ERA14FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter M74L · Sebring, FLA 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 CEN13FA496Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Kansas City, MOThe 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 CEN13FA432Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe 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 WPR13FA281Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, IDA 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 WPR13FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMaule M5 · Woodinville, WAThe 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 ERA13FA055Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Jackson, MSThe 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 CEN12FA654Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Roanoke, TXThe 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 ERA12FA262Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Calhoun, KYThe 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 WPR11FA331Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20F · Winslow, AZA 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 WPR11FA166Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 200 · Long Beach, CAThe 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 CEN10FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe 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 CEN09LA597Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-12 · Columbia, MOThe 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 ERA09LA448Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKociemba Robert H T-Bird II · Keymar, MDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB ERA09LA184Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportKevin Eldredge Stewart · Ocala, FLA loss of engine power due to contamination and clogging of the fuel system by a post-assembly fuel tank sealant.NTSB ERA09LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Glenn Moronca · Burgaw, NCA 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.