NTSB investigations

9 cases where the sequence of events included Wrong fuel.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

20092026

NTSB investigations per year, 2009–2026: 9 cases
2009	1
2012	1
2015	2
2016	1
2020	1
2021	1
2023	1
2026	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with 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."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '194' 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

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\" = '194' 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" = '194' 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 ERA26LA314Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421 · Fulton, KYThe 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.Aug 21, 2026 · N28RH · Substantial damage NTSB ERA23FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMiller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NCThe airplane owner/builder’s inappropriate use of a lower grade fuel than that required by the airplane and engine operations manual, which resulted in engine detonation and the degradation and eventual obliteration of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinder spark plug…Apr 11, 2023 · N543GM · Destroyed NTSB WPR21LA342Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 58 · Palo Alto, CAThe fuelers addition of the incorrect fuel to the fuel tanks which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Sep 13, 2021 · N162DF · Substantial damage NTSB ANC20LA050Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRockwell 500 · Aniak, AKA 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.May 29, 2020 · N909AK · Substantial damage NTSB ERA17FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCulver PQ 14A · Hickory, NCThe loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of automobile gasoline, which increased the likelihood of carburetor icing.Oct 1, 2016 · N4648V · Destroyed NTSB ERA15LA205Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJerome D Fischer RV-7 · Bartow, GAThe pilot's use of the improper fuel grade for the engine, which resulted in detonation, engine damage, and loss of engine power.May 5, 2015 · N364SJ · Substantial damage NTSB CEN15LA199Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421B · Diboll, TXThe 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 directive, and the fuel nozzle installed on the fueling truck.Apr 17, 2015 · N421PK · Substantial damage NTSB ANC12CA082Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Wainwright, AKThe 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.Jul 31, 2012 · N74496 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN09LA145Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Wichita, KSThe 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 Certificate (STC) which allowed an improper fuel filler…Jan 30, 2009 · N345JB · Substantial damage