NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG
113 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, where the defining event was Loss of engine power (total). 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
| 2008 | 15 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 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.\"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\" = '341'))
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 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" = '341'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 WPR26LA331Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openFilip Richard/Fakowee Avia Indus Thrp T211 SP E · Benson, AZNTSB ERA26LA303Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportMcfarland Larry C Zenith 601 HDS · Ripley Landing, WVOn August 15, 2026, about 1300 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith 601 HDS airplane, N601EZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ripley Landing, West Virginia. The private pilot was seriously injured.…NTSB ERA26LA231Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportOlson/Williams Sonex · Jaffrey, NHOn June 5, 2026, at 1100 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sonex airplane, N28YD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The private pilot was seriously injured. The flight was conducted…NTSB WPR26LA072Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith 750 · Yacolt, WAA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN26LA060Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportSonerai II · Cresson, TXOn December 12, 2025, about 1431 central standard time, a Sonerai II airplane, registration N28MD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cresson, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA26LA055Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPerry William Lancair IV P · Savannah, GAOn November 13, 2025, at 1949 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair IV-P, N163BR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Savannah, Georgia. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as…NTSB GAA25WA258Occurrence · No injuriesClass 4 · ForeignSukhoi SU31 · Lvivuk, UkraineNTSB ANC25LA091Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportVu Holdings LLC/DBA Vanilla UN VA 001 · Ninilchik, AKOn August 20, 2025, at about 0632 Alaska daylight time, a Platform Aerospace VA 001 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), N246VU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on a beachside cliff near Ninilchik, Alaska. The aircraft was unmanned. The…NTSB WPR25LA244Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportNorth American T-28C · West Wendover, NVOn August 07, 2025, at 1532 Pacific daylight time, a North American T-28C, N9748Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Wendover, Utah. The pilot and the passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title…NTSB CEN25LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Stol CH750 · Byron, ILThe pilot inadvertently moved the ignition key to the off position and broke the key, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.NTSB WPR25LA064Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmazon.Com Services MK30 · Pendleton, ORThe incorrect altitude indication by test software during landing.NTSB WPR25LA063Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmazon.Com Services MK30 · Pendleton, ORAn improper altitude indication from a recent software update, which resulted in a loss of engine power in flight.NTSB ERA25LA064Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAMS Flight D O O Carat A · Centralhatchee, GAMaintenance personnel’s failure to comply with the engine manufacturer’s guidance, which resulted in improper valvetrain clearances, unseating of the intake valve keepers, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA24LA258Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportClapp Saberwing · Valdosta, GAThe total loss of engine power due to the shearing of the woodruff key that indexed the crankshaft gear and hub assembly to the crankshaft, which resulted in the gear and hub rotating from their indexed position and caused the crankshaft-to-camshaft timing to…NTSB ERA24LA195Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportReddick Jonathan L Zodiac 601XLB · Dunbar, PAA total loss of engine power as a result of an improperly fabricated fuel-air mixture cable bracket. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly the airplane with a known mechanical engine issue, and the presence of another airplane that was back taxiing on…NTSB ERA24FA160Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportArthur B Canning Merlin Lite · Mulberry, FLThe pilot/builder’s modifications of the motorglider’s engine, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel air mixture, preignition, piston failure, and a subsequent total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing to the outcome was the…NTSB ERA24LA043Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair IV · Perry, FLA rapid throttle advancement after a period of idling, which resulted in a flooded engine and total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN23FA410Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSonex Sonex · Dowagiac, MIThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the ignition distributor rotor.NTSB ERA22LA270Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBurrill Steven E A Plane · Middleboro, MAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN22LA089Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair IV · Iron Mountain, MIThe total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR22LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair ES · Fall Creek, ORTotal loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the camshaft gear.NTSB CEN21LA402Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMurphy Renegade II · Sheridan, ILA total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a piston seizure.NTSB CEN21LA309Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportTitan T-51D · Ashtabula, OHThe tripped engine control computer circuit breaker caused by an excessive electrical load on the system, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power during the initial climb.NTSB CEN21LA092Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSonex Tailwheel · Burleson, TXA total loss of engine power due to engine seizure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot decision not to orbit the airport, as originally planned.NTSB ERA20LA324Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV 8 · Hilliard, FLA total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB CEN20LA360Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180 · St Louis, MOA total loss of engine power due to improper maintenance of the mixture control cable and attachment hardware, which led to a forced landing into a congested area.NTSB WPR20LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV 6 · Pima, AZA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA20LA045Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Wrightsville, GAA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in an forced off-airport landing.NTSB WPR20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBede BD5 · Camarillo, CAThe No. 4 connecting rod’s bearing shift and separation of the No. 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.NTSB ERA19LA139Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMarlow Bearhawk · Sevierville, TNAbnormal combustion in the No. 1 cylinder for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, followed by the activation of the ignition system circuit breaker, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR19FA091Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell UH1B · Forks, WAA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the gas generator sealing disk as a result of the operator’s exceedance of the sealing disk life limits at too low an altitude for the pilot to accomplish a successful autorotation which resulted in the…NTSB WPR19LA029Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBKF Backcountry Supercub · Casper, WYThe seizure of two bearings in the reduction gearbox, resulting in the total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was a high descent rate which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA19LA018Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJabiru 250 · Daytona Beach Shores, FLA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR18LA233Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBlue Oak CCK-1865 · Deadwood, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's failure to ensure that the left-wing fuel cap was secure before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor fuel levels while in flight.NTSB CEN18LA239Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSibila MH-1 · Beach City, OHThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN18LA237Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportZenith Stol CH701 · Maple Lake, MNThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA18LA083Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGregory Newman Sonex Trainer · Carrabelle, FLA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered. Also causal was the pilot's decision to conduct a low-altitude turn following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's…NTSB WPR18LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVanderark RV-10 · Sun Lakes, AZThe fatigue fractures of the upper and lower alternator attachment bolts, which decreased the common drive belt tension and resulted in the subsequent in-flight separation of an alternator drive belt, the overheating of the engine, and the subsequent total…NTSB ERA17LA340Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaco UPF 7 · Ocklawaha, FLA failure of both magnetos due to multiple deficiencies, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN17LA285Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHillard Charlie R Hawker FB60 · Breckenridge, TXA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination and testing did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR17LA153Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportClark James T Vans RV8 · Spokane, WAAn inflight engine fire for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which melted the air filter element and obstructed the engine's air intakes, resulting in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN17LA228Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThompson Angel Hawk II · Homer, LAA total loss of engine power due to the engine’s unresolved high operating temperatures, which resulted in failure of the distributor rotor and drive shaft, and the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during the subsequent forced landing, which resulted in…NTSB CEN17LA149Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAero Adventure Aventura UL · Garden Ridge, TXThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN17LA117Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJude Mike C Side Winder · Paynesville, MNThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to ensure that there was sufficient coolant in the engine reservoir, which resulted in the engine getting too hot and the engine control module shutting down the engine.NTSB CEN17LA092Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportZenith CH750 Stol · Jennings, LAA failure of the right fuel tank to supply fuel to the engine for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB ANC17LA008Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirborne Extreme SQ-12 · Palmer, AKThe fuel injector manufacturer's inappropriate guidance to use a 5-ampere circuit breaker in place of the required 10-ampere circuit breaker on the fuel injector circuit, which resulted in the circuit breaker opening, a loss of electrical power to the…NTSB WPR16LA149Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwartz Gene Titan T 51 Mustang · Lancaster, CAA total loss of engine power due to the separation of a flywheel magnet, which impacted the attachment bracket for the primary and secondary ignition and disrupted the timing of the ignition system, rendering it inoperative.NTSB WPR16LA129Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBurkes BR-1 · Brigham City, UTA loss of engine power as a result of a failure of the primary and backup ignition system.NTSB WPR16LA050Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Onex · Fresno, CAThe pilot/builder's failure to properly align the Force One Main Bearing, which resulted in a blockage of the oil transfer hole and culminated with a total engine power loss. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to arrest the bank and sink…NTSB WPR16LA011Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChristopher Tom Kitfox 5 · Battle Ground, WAThe total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.