NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system
- Cases
- 141
- In the probable cause
- 128 (91%)
- Fatal cases
- 28
- NTSB code
- 01022820
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
| 2008 | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Where
Open the mapQuery 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\", '01022820') 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.
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", '01022820') AND c."eventDate" >= DATE '2000-01-01' GROUP BY 1 ORDER BY 1
Run 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.
In the same cases
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\", '01022820'))
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\", '01022820') 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.
WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with("findingCode", '01022820'))
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", '01022820') 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 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.
Newest cases · 141
NTSB CEN25LA298Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G · Assumption, MNA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from attitude-inducing unporting of the fuel.NTSB WPR25FA146Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 177RG · Grass Valley, CAAn improperly tightened B-nut fitting at the fuel flow divider, which resulted in a fuel leak and loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect and correct the discrepancy.NTSB CEN25LA165Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna T206 · Natchez, MSMaintenance personnel’s improper maintenance, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a loose fuel line B-nut. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate 100-hour inspection performed after the recent maintenance.NTSB CEN25LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Addison, TXA partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to the partial blockage of the fuel diaphragm metering stem and the No. 1 cylinder fuel injector nozzle. Contributing to the accident was maintenance that allowed the introduction of debris that resulted in…NTSB ERA25LA041Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAnderson Kitfox 4 · New Castle, PAA partial loss of engine power due to a split fuel line that resulted in a fuel leak and reduced fuel supply to the aft carburetor.NTSB ERA25LA030Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportZenith Zodiac 601 HDS · Altoona, PAThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a deteriorated gascolator gasket. Contributing was the failure of the mechanic to replace the gasket during the most recent condition inspection.NTSB CEN24LA337Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · East Troy, WIThe pilot/mechanic’s improper torquing of the fuel hose fitting while replacing the fuel pump, which allowed air to enter the fuel system and resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/mechanic’s…NTSB ERA24LA331Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAero Commander 200 · Valdosta, GAAn insect nest in the right main fuel tank’s vent line, which resulted in an inaccurate fuel level reading, fuel starvation, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN24LA272Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAir Tractor AT-602 · Oakland, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain coordinated flight during aerial-application operations, which resulted in fuel migration between the interconnected wing fuel tanks, and his failure to adequately monitor fuel levels during the flight which resulted in a loss…NTSB ERA24LA302Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Myerstown, PAThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure a B-nut on the No. 5 cylinder fuel injector line, resulting in a fuel leak and engine fire.
See all 141 casesQuery 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\", '01022820')) 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01022820')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run 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.