# Fuel filter-strainer - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010228) › Fuel filter-strainer - NTSB code: 01022821 - Cases: 52 - In the probable cause: 48 - Fatal cases: 8 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 4 / 4 - 2009: 6 / 6 - 2010: 2 / 3 - 2011: 3 / 3 - 2012: 5 / 5 - 2013: 1 / 1 - 2014: 3 / 3 - 2015: 1 / 1 - 2016: 3 / 3 - 2017: 1 / 1 - 2018: 0 / 1 - 2019: 1 / 1 - 2020: 4 / 4 - 2021: 0 / 2 - 2022: 3 / 3 - 2023: 8 / 8 - 2024: 2 / 2 - 2026: 1 / 1 ## Defining events in these cases - [Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191): 18 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 13 cases - [Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193): 6 cases - [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 3 cases - [Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190): 3 cases - [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 2 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 2 cases - [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 1 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200): 2 cases - [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181): 2 cases - [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2): 1 cases - [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r): 1 cases - [Raytheon B36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/raytheon-b36tc): 1 cases - [Piper PA-32S-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32s-300): 1 cases - [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 1 cases - [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250): 1 cases - [Piper PA-23-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-150): 1 cases - [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 18 cases - [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 8 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 7 cases - [Fuel system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800) (Aircraft): 7 cases - [Maintenance, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000) (Personnel issues): 5 cases - [Scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520) (Personnel issues): 4 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 3 cases - [Repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015) (Personnel issues): 3 cases - [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 3 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 3 cases ## Newest cases - [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 ERA24FA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA308), Jul 19, 2024: Beech B-60 (N23553), Vienna Center, OH, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The 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… - [NTSB CEN24LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA268), Jul 16, 2024: Piper PA-28-181 (N1941V), Arcola, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss 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. - [NTSB ANC23LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA078), Sep 17, 2023: Rhodes Steven D SR3500 (N907W), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was the owner/builder’s inadequate maintenance. - [NTSB ERA23LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA325), Aug 3, 2023: Long Charles Jackson Avid Flyer (N3HH), Wetumpka, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion because of a leaking fuel drain valve. - [NTSB WPR23LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA220), Jun 8, 2023: Piper PA-30 (N7318Y), Nephi, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance. - [NTSB ERA23LA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA262), May 31, 2023: Burton Searey (N2440S), Sherrills Ford, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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… - [NTSB WPR23LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA203), May 29, 2023: Piper PA-28-181 (N456Y), West Jordan, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the fuel system gascolator strainer bowl. - [NTSB CEN23FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA173), May 6, 2023: Cessna 310D (N6798T), Ennis, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The partial loss of right engine power due to reduced fuel flow as a result of the contamination of the fuel screen. - [NTSB CEN23LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA166), Apr 25, 2023: Protech PT2 (N44048), Columbia, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s lack of proper maintenance, which allowed the fuel filters to become obstructed, leading to fuel starvation and a subsequent engine power loss. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.