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Fuel filter-strainer

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NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system

All 52 cases48 in the probable cause
Cases
52
In the probable cause
48 (92%)
Fatal cases
8
NTSB code
01022821

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\", '01022821') 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\", '01022821'))
  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\", '01022821') 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 · 52

NTSB CEN26LA221Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRockwell International S-2R · Gause, TXThe 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.May 20, 2026 · N4990X · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA308Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech B-60 · Vienna Center, OHThe pilot’s loss of airplane control during a single-engine go-around. Also contributing to the accident was fuel system contamination, which resulted in detonation and a total loss of left engine power.Jul 19, 2024 · N23553 · DestroyedNTSB CEN24LA268Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Arcola, TXLoss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the fuel system gascolator strainer bowl following an annual inspection.Jul 16, 2024 · N1941V · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA078Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRhodes Steven D SR3500 · Nenana, AKA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was the owner/builder’s inadequate maintenance.Sep 17, 2023 · N907W · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA325Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLong Charles Jackson Avid Flyer · Wetumpka, ALA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion because of a leaking fuel drain valve.Aug 3, 2023 · N3HH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA220Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nephi, UTA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance.Jun 8, 2023 · N7318Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA262Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBurton Searey · Sherrills Ford, NCThe pilot’s failure to configure the amphibious airplane’s landing gear before conducting a forced landing to a lake after a loss of engine power. Also causal was the occluded gascolator and the pilot’s lack of knowledge about the airplane’s fuel system,…May 31, 2023 · N2440S · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · West Jordan, UTLoss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the fuel system gascolator strainer bowl.May 29, 2023 · N456Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA173Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 310D · Ennis, TXThe partial loss of right engine power due to reduced fuel flow as a result of the contamination of the fuel screen.May 6, 2023 · N6798T · DestroyedNTSB CEN23LA166Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportProtech PT2 · Columbia, MSThe pilot’s lack of proper maintenance, which allowed the fuel filters to become obstructed, leading to fuel starvation and a subsequent engine power loss.Apr 25, 2023 · N44048 · Substantial damage
See all 52 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\", '01022821'))
  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.