NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG

31 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, where the defining event was Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG per year, 2008–2026: 31 cases
20081
20091
20103
20112
20121
20131
20143
20152
20165
20171
20182
20191
20223
20234
20241

Latest 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('99999')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '340'))
  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.

NTSB CEN24LA185Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTitan T51 · Novi, MIA failure of the electrical system, resulting in a loss of fuel injection and subsequent loss of engine power.May 12, 2024 · N260Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeauchamp Norm Kitfox · Eloy, AZThe separation of a propeller blade during the initial climb due to insufficient blade retention forces. Contributing to the accident was the propeller blade retention design, manufacturing defects that prevented the propeller from achieving adequate grip…Dec 8, 2023 · N66180 · DestroyedNTSB ERA24LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell Andy Skyraider II · Limington, METhe failure of the fuel pump to adequately supply fuel to the engine due to significant corrosion.Nov 16, 2023 · N90AB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA352Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWayne Toddun Sling 4 TSI · San Pedro, CAA total loss of engine power due to a failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve from overheating and excessive wear.Sep 25, 2023 · N135WT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA327Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV10 · Chouteau, OKThe total loss of engine power as a result of a failed positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve and a subsequent impact with terrain.Jul 21, 2023 · N730WL · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA073Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportChilds Michael A Rotorway Exec 162-F · Titusville, FLA failure of the No. 4 exhaust valve spring retainer, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.Nov 27, 2022 · N8006A · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA438Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportShirey David A Fisher Celebrity · Haskell, OKThe inflight fire for reasons that could not be determined.Sep 30, 2022 · N812TD · DestroyedNTSB ERA22LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWingren Norman Escapade · Brasstown, NCThe failure of the engine gearbox drive flange, which resulted in a nose gear collapse during the subsequent precautionary landing in tall grass.May 9, 2022 · N86RD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA228Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPietenpol BIG Piet · Gainesboro, TNSeparation of the spinner cap for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, which resulted in contact and subsequent separation of the wooden propeller blade tip.Jul 16, 2019 · N973BP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Air Racing Thunder Mustang · Reno, NVThe pilot's failure to properly secure the engine coolant pump pulley during recent maintenance, which resulted in a loss of the engine's lubrication, cooling, and propeller control systems, and a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over.…May 2, 2018 · N352BT · Substantial damageNTSB DCA18IA092Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 777 222 · Honolulu, HIthe fracture of a fan blade due to P&W's continued classification of the TAI inspection process as a new and emerging technology that permitted them to continue accomplishing the inspection without having to develop a formal, defined initial and recurrent…Feb 13, 2018 · N773UA · Minor damageNTSB WPR17LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBob Frederick Titan T-51 · Goodyear, AZFailure of the propeller speed reduction gearbox input drive gear during the airplane’s initial climb for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive damage.Jun 4, 2017 · N51FB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 76 · Dunnellon, FLAn inadequate 100-hour maintenance inspection that failed to detect and correct loose nuts on a single-drive dual magneto, which led to the subsequent separation of the magneto from the engine during initial climb and the total loss of engine power.Dec 30, 2016 · N6627U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Shoreham, NYA fatigue crack of the crankshaft at the No. 4 main bearing journal.Dec 11, 2016 · N69286 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC17LA006Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Bethel, AKA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from an oil cooler leak at a fractured brazed seam.Nov 12, 2016 · N9084J · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA302Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSonex Waiex · Fond du Lac, WIA partial loss of engine for reasons that could not be determined during an examination of the engine.Aug 3, 2016 · N12YX · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDG Flugzeugbau DG 800B · Clements, CAThe motorglider pilot's decision to perform an in-flight engine start with insufficient altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing and collision with trees after the engine did not start. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction by the…Apr 25, 2016 · N800YG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWoodrow Larry W Sonex · Morganton, NCThe pilot/owner’s inadequate maintenance inspection following a propeller strike, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight propeller separation due to propagation of fatigue cracks in the crankshaft.Nov 15, 2015 · N7035Z · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15CA155Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGaddis Michael Exec 162 F · Plymouth, INThe failure of the helicopter's main drive belt resulting in the pilot performing a forced landing, during which the helicopter's fuselage was substantially damage.Feb 26, 2015 · N123XZ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA028Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHuebbe Sonex HB · Plainview, ILThe loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.Oct 26, 2014 · N244HB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA380Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDantonio 404 · Wichita Falls, TXThe separation of a spark plug wire resulting in a loss of engine power during climb out and a subsequent forced landing on a field containing trees.Jul 14, 2014 · N482FD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA130Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVictor M Cordero RV-9A · Apopka, FLThe failure of the propeller spline shaft, the drive disk adapter, and the propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU) input spline due to a lack of inspection and lubrication, which resulted in a total loss of propeller drive and a subsequent forced landing.…Feb 23, 2014 · N19VC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13LA346Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRogers T-51 Mustang KIT · St Francis, KSForeign debris in the propeller governor, which led to excessive wear in the governor and its subsequent in-flight failure.Jun 11, 2013 · N548RR · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12CA597Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBordelon Bruce Kitfox IV · Castlerock, MNPropeller system failure during a go-around maneuver resulting in a forced landing. Contributing to the severity of damage to the airplane was the postimpact fire.Jul 31, 2012 · N396BK · DestroyedNTSB CEN11LA566Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAir Tractor AT-400 · Nelson, NEFailure of the fuel control unit's spool cap bearing for reasons that could not be determined during extensive postaccident examination, and the pilot’s decision to shut the engine down without sufficient altitude and distance to reach the runway.Aug 11, 2011 · N3659N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA290Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChristen Industries Pitts S-1T · Alkali Lake, ORThe loss of engine oil during cruise flight due to the failure of the front bearing oil seal.Jun 26, 2011 · N77MN · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA362Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Rowley, MAThe failure of the power turbine governor internal driveshaft bearings, resulting in the failure of the governor.Jul 15, 2010 · N802JB · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10TA261Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 407 · Abingdon, VAThe improper repair of an engine component by a repair facility, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the repair facility to recognize that an improper repair had been accomplished, which allowed…May 11, 2010 · N31VA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA229Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDalin Ronald K T-51 Mustang · Lakeland, FLThe builder’s use of inadequate material for the exhaust manifold adapters resulting in heat damage and chafing of the crankshaft synchronizer and timing wires that rendered an inoperative ignition system and loss of engine power.Apr 14, 2010 · N551RD · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09LA477Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVollenweider R/Hurst R F Vans RV-9A · Marianna, FLFailure of the propeller speed reduction gearbox for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to disregard the manufacturer's mandate to replace the gearbox, the manufacturer's failure to provide owners with technical…Aug 23, 2009 · N362TS · Substantial damageNTSB SEA08GA194Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportLockheed P2V-7 · Reno, NVThe failure of the flight crew to maintain airspeed above in-flight minimum control speed (Vmca) after losing power in the left jet engine during initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the crew's inadequate cockpit resource management…Sep 2, 2008 · N4235T · Destroyed