# Wrong fuel

- Type: NTSB defining event
- NTSB code: 194
- CICTT category: Fuel
- Defining event in: 6 cases
- In the sequence of: 9 cases
- Fatal cases: 0
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/194/cases.md
- Cases with it anywhere in the sequence: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/194/sequence.md
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/194

## Cases per year (defining / in the sequence)

- 2009: 1 / 1
- 2012: 1 / 1
- 2015: 1 / 2
- 2016: 0 / 1
- 2020: 1 / 1
- 2021: 1 / 1
- 2023: 0 / 1
- 2026: 1 / 1

## Phase of flight

- Prior to flight: 5 cases
- Initial climb: 1 cases

## In the probable cause of these cases

- [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 5 cases
- [Lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [Equip certification/testing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04012015) (Organizational issues): 1 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Task performance, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Complacency](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021020) (Personnel issues): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c): 2 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 1 cases
- [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b): 1 cases
- [Beech 58P](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58p): 1 cases
- [Aero Commander 500 S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-s): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA314), Aug 21, 2026: Cessna 421 (N28RH), Fulton, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The misfuelling of the airplane by the refueler. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to verify that the airplane had been properly fueled prior to departing on the accident flight.
- [NTSB WPR21LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA342), Sep 13, 2021: Beech 58 (N162DF), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ANC20LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA050), May 29, 2020: Rockwell 500 (N909AK), Aniak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the use of improper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and ground personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel.
- [NTSB CEN15LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA199), Apr 17, 2015: Cessna 421B (N421PK), Diboll, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to the use of an improper fuel type. Contributing to the accident were the servicing of the airplane with the improper fuel, noncompliance with an airworthiness…
- [NTSB ANC12CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA082), Jul 31, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N74496), Wainwright, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of ground personnel to ensure the helicopter was serviced with the proper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor the fueling process.
- [NTSB CEN09LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA145), Jan 30, 2009: Cessna 421C (N345JB), Wichita, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of line personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of a Supplemental Type…

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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