# Fuel system

- Type: NTSB finding section
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › Fuel system
- NTSB code: 010228
- Cases: 735
- In the probable cause: 673
- Fatal cases: 115
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010228/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010228/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010228

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 57 / 65
- 2009: 53 / 55
- 2010: 36 / 41
- 2011: 52 / 55
- 2012: 47 / 49
- 2013: 33 / 33
- 2014: 31 / 35
- 2015: 42 / 46
- 2016: 38 / 42
- 2017: 35 / 42
- 2018: 28 / 31
- 2019: 30 / 32
- 2020: 35 / 37
- 2021: 26 / 32
- 2022: 32 / 35
- 2023: 44 / 48
- 2024: 37 / 40
- 2025: 11 / 11
- 2026: 6 / 6

## Findings

- [Fuel system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): 181 cases, 165 in the probable cause
- [Fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): 177 cases, 169 in the probable cause
- [Fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): 141 cases, 128 in the probable cause
- [Fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): 71 cases, 65 in the probable cause
- [Fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): 60 cases, 55 in the probable cause
- [Fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): 52 cases, 48 in the probable cause
- [Fuel quantity indicator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022841): 35 cases, 30 in the probable cause
- [Fuel indication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022840): 30 cases, 22 in the probable cause
- [Fuel pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022844): 16 cases, 13 in the probable cause
- [Fuel quantity sensor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022842): 10 cases, 9 in the probable cause
- [Fuel transfer valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022824): 7 cases, 7 in the probable cause
- [Fuel sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022897): 5 cases, 5 in the probable cause
- [Fuel temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022843): 4 cases, 3 in the probable cause

## Defining events in these cases

- [Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191): 218 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 187 cases
- [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 62 cases
- [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 58 cases
- [Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193): 45 cases
- [Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190): 33 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 30 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 23 cases
- [Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150): 21 cases
- [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 11 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 11 cases
- [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 11 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 9 cases
- [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 8 cases
- [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p): 7 cases
- [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 6 cases
- [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg): 6 cases
- [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300): 5 cases
- [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235): 5 cases
- [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c): 5 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 297 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 101 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 65 cases
- [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 64 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 54 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 46 cases
- [Fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030) (Personnel issues): 46 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 36 cases
- [Use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030) (Personnel issues): 35 cases
- [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 30 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA280), Jul 24, 2026: Harmon Rocket II (C-FCPG), Glasgow, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent selection of the fuel selector valve to the OFF position resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and subsequent forced landing to a field.
- [NTSB WPR26LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA240), Jun 27, 2026: Bellanca 17-30A (N501CR), Santa Paula, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN26LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA221), May 20, 2026: Rockwell International S-2R (N4990X), Gause, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the separated wing fuel tank screen and sealant debris in the fuel tank.
- [NTSB ERA26LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA201), May 9, 2026: Sky Ranger SKY Ranger 1 (N8092S), Front Royal, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in him taking off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ERA26LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA181), Apr 16, 2026: Aeroprakt Mfg SP Z O O A32 (N993CW), Lexington, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing to rough terrain.
- [NTSB WPR26LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA081), Jan 14, 2026: Cessna 172E (N7783U), Kingman, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to use a pre-takeoff checklist, which resulted in the fuel selector being in the off position, and subsequent loss of engine power during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN26LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA084), Dec 26, 2025: Cessna 172 (N172BX), Taylor, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination.
- [NTSB CEN25LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA393), Sep 25, 2025: Floyd G Halderman JR RV-6 (N851FH), Cambridge, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s continued operation of the faulty fuel selector valve which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the degraded operation of the fuel…
- [NTSB CEN25LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA298), Jul 31, 2025: Bell 47G (N102SH), Assumption, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from attitude-inducing unporting of the fuel.
- [NTSB CEN25LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA199), Jun 8, 2025: Cessna 182P (N7376N), Mineral Wells, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel tank selection prior to takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the…

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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