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DC power distribution system

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NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system

All 13 cases
Cases
13
In the probable cause
13 (100%)
Fatal cases
0
NTSB code
01022460

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01022460') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In the same cases

Defining events
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Other findings
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '01022460'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '01022460') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 13

NTSB CEN25LA401Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCubCrafters CCK-2000 · Thompsonville, MIA total loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition resulting from a fractured alternator ring terminal and the builder’s incorrect installation of the wire connecting to the alternator. Contributing to the total loss of engine power was the failure of the…Sep 7, 2025 · N40DT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA430Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAgusta AW139 · Houma, LAThe inflight loss of collective control of the helicopter due to thermal damage of a collective control torque tube that abraded with misrouted electrical wiring, which resulted in an electrical short and inflight fire. Contributing to the accident were the…Sep 24, 2022 · N811TA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA322Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRay E Roberts Kitfox V Vixen · Caldwell, IDThe partial loss of engine power due to a loose wire leading to the engine’s electronic control unit (ECU). Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too…Aug 26, 2022 · N52367 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA177Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith CH750 · Savannah, TNThe total loss of engine power due to a loss of all electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the inaccessible placement of the alternator circuit breaker and the construction of the airplane without a backup electrical source.May 16, 2019 · N750GZ · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17LA313Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCanion Michael W Zodiac 601XL · Grady, ARThe loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition resulting from a broken alternator wire.Jul 20, 2017 · N577M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA323Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150 · Dorado, PRA short circuit of unknown origin, which resulted in electrical arcing in the engine compartment and smoke in the cockpit, which necessitated a precautionary landing to a field.Aug 22, 2015 · N4057V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14CA420Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMooney M20K · Vero Beach, FLThe failure of the pilot and personnel from the fixed base operator to assure the correct ground power unit was utilized to provide external power, resulting in damage to the aircraft's electrical wiring and subsequent damage to structure adjacent to the…Aug 23, 2014 · N231MN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA389Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHoyle Fighter Escort Wings · Pueblo, COAn internal failure of one of the electrical system’s two batteries combined with the inadequate electrical system design, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Jun 23, 2012 · N2051P · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11LA502Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · South Deerfield, MAThe failure of the electrical system due to an alternator failure during flight in instrument meteorological conditions, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to use the approved checklist for the dual alternator system. Contributing to…Sep 23, 2011 · N210LE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09IA326Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportIniziative Sky Arrow · Marietta, GAAn electrical fire due to the lack of a positive locking mechanism for the fuse retainer in the main fuse block, which resulted in voltage fluctuations that caused thermal damage to the avionics cooling fan. Contributing to the incident was the student…Jun 8, 2009 · N445SA · No damage
See all 13 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01022460'))
  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.