NTSB investigations
225 cases where the sequence of events included Fuel contamination.
Cases, newest first
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.\"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."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 CEN17LA009Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Smart Solutions Lancair Evolution · Iola, KSWater contamination of the fuel due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which led to a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to complete the engine-out checklist, which resulted in an excessive loss of…NTSB WPR16FA176Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 310N · Wickenburg, AZTotal loss of power to the right engine during takeoff due to a fuel contaminant, which blocked the fuel flow transducer and resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.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 WPR16LA133Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Salmon, IDA loss of engine power due to water in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection that failed to eliminate water from the fuel system.NTSB ERA16LA230Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination.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 CEN16LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20 · Little Rock, ARA loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel.NTSB CEN16LA180Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B · Lyons Point, LAA total loss of engine power due to debris contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB WPR16LA101Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAntonov AN2 · San Bernardino, CAThe 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 ERA16LA126Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20 · Pottstown, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination and a subsequent off-airport landing.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 GAA16CA102Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18A · Girdwood, AKFuel contamination resulting in the loss of engine power, a forced landing on a highway, and subsequent right wing impact with highway signage.NTSB CEN16LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPipistrel Virus · Englewood, COThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of contamination in the right fuel tank and fuel lines, which prevented fuel from flowing to the engine.NTSB CEN16LA064Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 305A · Sulphur, LAThe loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing to a wet field.NTSB WPR16LA021Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Sedro-Woolley, WAThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of naphthenate fuel contamination, which blocked the fuel flow through the start pump.NTSB ERA16LA018Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Campobello, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination.NTSB CEN15LA431Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEdward M Van Morlan Rans S-12 · Gardner, KSThe pilot's inadequate airspeed control and the airplane’s exceedance of its critical angle-of-attack during the forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by…NTSB CEN15LA436Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech C35 · Belen, NMThe total loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel system.NTSB CEN15LA423Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Woodville, TXThe loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel tanks and the operator’s inadequate inspection of the fuel supply truck that did not detect water…NTSB ERA15LA301Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Kissimmee, FLThe student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.NTSB ERA15CA295Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportStol JA30 Superstol · West Union, SCA loss of engine power while maneuvering due to water contamination in the fuel.NTSB ERA15LA265Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8A · Mount Dora, FLExcessive 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 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 ERA15CA256Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 170 · Raymond, MSThe flight instructor's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.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 CEN15LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT 502B · Dighton, KSThe pilot's failure to follow the Preflight checklist and his inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect the water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.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 CEN15LA205Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPitts Model 12 · Burneyville, OKThe partial loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system.NTSB WPR15LA146Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hilo, HIWater contamination in the fuel system due to the flight instructor’s and pilot receiving instruction’s failure to drain all the water from the system during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB GAA15CA020Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 150 · Flushing, MILoss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight.NTSB CEN15LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportErcoupe 415 C · St Jacob, ILThe loss of engine power during the go-around due to fuel contamination.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 WPR15LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportScottish Bulldog - 120 121 · Hayward, CAA 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 WPR14LA371Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAyres S2R T34 · Buckeye, AZA partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel.NTSB CEN14LA390Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Bennet, NEA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the fuel storage tank.NTSB CEN14CA391Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportContinental Copters Tomcat MK5A · Osage, MNThe total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter without resolving the fuel…NTSB CEN14FA337Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Harrison, ARThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during initial climb because he failed to correctly compensate for the loss of power in the left engine. Contributing to the accident was water contamination in the fuel and the lack of an adequate 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 CEN14LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 414A · Ashland, MOThe in-flight failure of both engines due to water contamination.NTSB WPR14LA099Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · San Jose, CAThe 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 ANC14CA014Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 170 - B · Nome, AKThe pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.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 CEN13LA487Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Albers, ILFuel contamination, which resulted in the loss of engine power.NTSB CEN13CA481Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSuper 18 S18-STD · Humboldt, SDThe pilot's inadvertent addition of water into the fuel system and his improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.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 CEN13LA417Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-125 · Mapleton, MNThe total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing to unsuitable terrain.NTSB CEN13LA396Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Lake Ozark, MOThe improper rebuild and maintenance of the helicopter and inadequate subsequent inspections, which resulted in undetected fuel contamination and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight.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 CEN13LA354Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Carrizo Springs, TXThe pilot’s failure to identify the water contamination of the fuel system during his preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the airplane’s initial climb.