# NTSB investigations, 2015: Off-field or emergency landing

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 5 · 206 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN16LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA082.md): Beech V35B · Tahlequah, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 2015 · N4523A · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff due to an inadequately tightened fuel line. Also causal was the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear once the airplane was in a position to safely land on the runway.
- [NTSB GAA16CA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA099.md): Davis Michael J MD Special · Wallace, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 21, 2015 · N141MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA076.md): Porrata Luis G Rans S 12XL · Guanica, PR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2015 · N124LP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/owner's failure to maintain the engine in accordance with manufacturer guidance, which resulted in the undetected corrosion of the power takeoff bearing, subsequent bearing failure, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA16LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA071.md): Piper PA-32 · Brunswick, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2015 · N8675N · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque a No. 4 cylinder hold-down nut during engine overhaul, which resulted in the loosening of the nut and the subsequent failure of the studs and through bolts and separation of the cylinder.
- [NTSB WPR16LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA039.md): Mooney M20E · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2015 · N5863Q · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the takeoff with observed engine deficiencies.
- [NTSB ERA16LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA066.md): Raytheon A36 · Fayetteville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2015 · N3241N · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's application of an unapproved sealant to the engine case halves during engine overhaul, contrary to manufacturer's instructions, which resulted in lubrication restriction due to a bearing shift and the subsequent internal failure of the…
- [NTSB WPR16IA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16IA044.md): Cessna LC41-550FG · Seal Beach, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2015 · N932AC · Minor damage
  > Improper maintenance performed on the left magneto which led to a loss of engine power. Contributing to the incident was the pilot's failure to check the magnetos in flight in compliance with manufacturers guidance regarding rough running engine. The pilot's…
- [NTSB ERA16LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA062.md): Beech D35 · Vine Grove, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2015 · N2991B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel selector was properly positioned before takeoff, which resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA16LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA061.md): Piper PA-24 · Millville, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2015 · N88F · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB ERA16LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA053.md): Piper PA-32 · Opa Locka, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2015 · N5568J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, which resulted in the escape of exhaust gases into the engine compartment and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA16CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA072.md): Skaggs Ronnie Lynn Rans S6S · Oldtown, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 27, 2015 · N531VS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to visually inspect the fuel level during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent off-field landing and impacted terrain.
- [NTSB WPR16LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA033.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 25, 2015 · N7PM · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a separation of the mixture control cable clamp, which was either not installed or secured correctly during maintenance.
- [NTSB ERA16LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA051.md): Piper PA28 · Lawrenceville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2015 · N3971R · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN16LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA064.md): Cessna 305A · Sulphur, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2015 · N5312G · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing to a wet field.
- [NTSB ERA16LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA046.md): Mooney M20 · Fort Meade, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2015 · N5512Q · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR16LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA030.md): Cessna T210N · La Verne, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2015 · N91HC · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN16LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA047.md): Eurocopter EC120B · Goshen, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2015 · N88HA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the Thomas coupling at the interface with the main gear box tail rotor output shaft, which resulted in the helicopter's loss of tail rotor control.
- [NTSB ERA16LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA041.md): Woodrow Larry W Sonex · Morganton, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2015 · N7035Z · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA16LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA040.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Jefferson, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2015 · N334CM · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident test run of the engine.
- [NTSB CEN16LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA033.md): Cessna 120 · Gonzales, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2015 · N2942N · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the carburetor during recent maintenance, including the omission of a required cotter pin, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR16LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA021.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Sedro-Woolley, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2015 · N510PA · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN16LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA026.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Fayetteville, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2015 · N857SW · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the oil cooler cross fitting, which resulted in engine oil starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA16LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA027.md): Cessna 150M · Key Biscayne, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2015 · N171RD · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the No. 1 cylinder intake valve, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA16LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA026.md): Piper PA31 · Weston, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2015 · N55GK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's feathering of the incorrect propeller following a total loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s failure to reinstall the flapper valve in the right main fuel tank. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB ERA16LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA022.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Bluemont, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2015 · N43249 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the No. 5 connecting rod for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB ERA16LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA019.md): Beech 23 · Humboldt, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2015 · N2339J · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to low No. 2 cylinder compression and an inoperative right magneto.
- [NTSB ERA16LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA018.md): Cessna 172 · Campobello, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2015 · N6636A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination.
- [NTSB CEN16LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA015.md): Bobby Martin Autogyro MTO Sport · Wallisville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2015 · N3232Z · Substantial damage
  > Fracture of the pusher propeller blade due to impact damage from an unknown object while in flight, which resulted in a severe vibration and a loss of thrust.
- [NTSB GAA16CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA015.md): Maule M 7-260C · Grace, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 15, 2015 · N288BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB ERA16LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA016.md): Titan Tornado · Mitchells, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 15, 2015 · N4070F · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fatigue cracking and separation of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve stem.
- [NTSB WPR16LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA011.md): Christopher Tom Kitfox 5 · Battle Ground, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2015 · N533RC · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR16LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA008.md): Cessna T210K · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2015 · N8273M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management due to distraction and self-induced pressure, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to conduct the descent checklist, which…
- [NTSB ERA16CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA011.md): Piper PA-32RT-300T · Salisbury, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 13, 2015 · N300KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent switching of the fuel selector to the "off" position on final approach, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN16LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA018.md): Diamond DA20-C1 · Waskom, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2015 · N165DC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the airplane without the owner’s permission and his lack of preflight planning, which resulted a total loss of engine power due fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA009.md): Cessna 172N · Miami Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 2015 · N733VB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean after the ditching.
- [NTSB GAA16CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA020.md): Beech A36 · Jasper, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2015 · N4151Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and ditching the airplane in a lake.
- [NTSB ERA15LA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA377.md): Piper PA 28RT-201T · Dawson Springs, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2015 · N2175K · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of a crankshaft counterweight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight.
- [NTSB CEN15LA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA430.md): Cessna 182G · Glenwood Springs, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2015 · N3147S · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat, which resulted in a forced landing on rough/uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15LA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA436.md): Beech C35 · Belen, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2015 · N1990D · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel system.
- [NTSB GAA15LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA296.md): Bell 206 · Ozark, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N49660 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering, which resulted in the helicopter's skid impacting terrain, subsequent abnormal airframe vibrations, and a hard landing during the subsequent hovering autorotation.
- [NTSB ERA15LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA375.md): Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2CT · Blacksburg, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N710JC · Substantial damage
  > A loss of thermal lift during a motor glider flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines during the off-airport landing attempt.
- [NTSB CEN15LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA423.md): Bell 206B · Woodville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N648CA · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR15LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA266.md): Piper PA 28 · Elko, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2015 · N56897 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to sufficiently lean the engine’s fuel-to-air mixture for the given density altitude, which resulted in reduced engine power output and the airplane’s inability to climb.
- [NTSB CEN15LA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA421.md): Lerch RV6A · Deckerville, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2015 · N215DG · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight loss of engine oil after the oil filter separated from the engine adapter assembly because of an incorrect modification of the oil filter adapter assembly, which resulted in a precautionary landing in a field.
- [NTSB WPR15LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA262.md): Graves Bryon S Vans RV-7A · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2015 · N507RV · Substantial damage
  > Improper overhaul of the right magneto, which eliminated system redundancy, and resulted in a loss of engine power when the left magneto failed during aerobatic flight maneuvers.
- [NTSB ERA15LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA368.md): Cessna 150M · Mount Airy, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N714CW · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight fatigue failure of the No. 4 cylinder barrel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA15LA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA363.md): Cessna 172E · Gettysburg, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N3647S · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach speed during the forced landing, which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB ANC15LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA073.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N7162R · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom attachment point due to overstress loads imposed by a tail rotor blade imbalance as the result of impact with an undetermined object during low-level flight operations.
- [NTSB WPR15LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA261.md): Schweizer 269C · Forest Grove, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2015 · N290R · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN15LA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA407.md): Alon A2 · Laramie, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2015 · N6359V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in cruise flight while operating in an area conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power and an off-airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?year=2015&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```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 year(c."eventDate") = 2015
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '440' 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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence?year=2015

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