# NTSB investigations: Fuel control/carburetor

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 4 · 195 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA211.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Montevideo, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 1, 2026 · N15291 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power on approach due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB ERA26LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA151.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Block Island, RI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2026 · N7081H · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to ensure that the throttle cable was properly secured to the carburetor, which resulted an inflight separation of the throttle cable and the pilots’ inability to control the engine.
- [NTSB ERA26LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA105.md): Piper J3C · Brimfield, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 1, 2026 · N5930V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during descent in cold temperatures, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR26LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA056.md): Rotorway Exec · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2025 · C-GBZD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper securing hardware installation, which resulted in a loss of throttle control and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ANC25LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA112.md): Cessna 172 · Yakataga, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2025 · N4282F · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in meteorological conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor icing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA189.md): Champion 7GCBC · Weyers Cave, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2025 · N9117L · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power on approach due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB ANC25LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA025.md): Cessna 172A · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2025 · N7274T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate the flight despite identifying a malfunction in the carburetor heat system during the pre-takeoff engine run-up, which led to a partial loss of engine power during climb out. Contributing to the accident was maintenance…
- [NTSB ERA25LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA062.md): Alexander S Rolinski BOT Journey · Ocean Isle Beach, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 27, 2024 · N814B · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to identify and remediate a buildup of oxides in one of the engine’s carburetors, which resulted in the seizure of the carburetor’s piston slide and a subsequent total loss of engine power during initial climb.
- [NTSB ERA25LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA047.md): Boeing A75N1(PT17) · Huntington, WV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 18, 2024 · N55464 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while operating the engine at low power and in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB WPR25LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA040.md): Cessna 172I · Mayer, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2024 · N8390L · Substantial damage
  > The accumulation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA043.md): Cessna 310K · Alcoa, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 9, 2024 · N143MG · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the left engine throttle control shaft bushing during taxi, resulting in a full asymmetric power condition and a taxiway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA24LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA380.md): Piper PA32 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2024 · N6FT · Substantial damage
  > The undetected worn internal parts of the on-condition carburetor, which restricted movement of the float, resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot’s delayed reduction of the throttle when performing a forced…
- [NTSB ANC24FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA092.md): Jon Bergstedt JP Flyer · Wasilla, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 14, 2024 · N1202Y · Destroyed
  > The installation of an improperly sized fuel line that did not allow for adequate fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN24LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA350.md): Cessna 172 · Englewood, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2024 · N20747 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to fuel-oil contamination of the fuel injection servo.
- [NTSB CEN24LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA313.md): Grumman G164 · Dyess, AR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2024 · N6569 · Substantial damage
  > The improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR24LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA241.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Herriman, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N6960 · Substantial damage
  > A hard landing following a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper idle setting of the helicopter’s engine. Contributing to the loss of engine power was the instructor’s reduction of engine power past that recommended by…
- [NTSB CEN24LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA242.md): Cessna 310R · Duluth, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2024 · N5080J · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the left engine induction coupling during takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of left engine power and an uncommanded left yaw/roll due to asymmetrical thrust and increased drag, from which the pilot had insufficient altitude to recover…
- [NTSB ERA24LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA257.md): Piper PA28 · Zephyrhills, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2024 · N15363 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel contamination that resulted from corrosion and loose corrosion debris in the carburetor, which restricted fuel flow to the engine.
- [NTSB ERA24LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA203.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Louisburg, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2024 · N7535Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot under instruction’s inadvertent use of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN24LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA158.md): Jacobson SE5A Replica · Luther, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2024 · N124BM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in fuel starvation during the initial climb, a loss of engine power, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA137.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Port Lavaca, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N280WR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper manual engine mixture management which resulted in a loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s improper setting of the idle mixture adjustment and the pilot’s decision to take off with a known mechanical deficiency.
- [NTSB WPR24LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA093.md): Bell 47G-3B-1 · Garey, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 23, 2024 · N2618W · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the loosening of the B-nut, a loss of engine power at a low altitude, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA080.md): Swanson R/Swanson S RV-6 · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 30, 2024 · N30AK · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a separated fuel line and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's medical condition and the effects of multiple impairing substances.
- [NTSB ERA24LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA016.md): Cessna 172L · Richmond, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2023 · N7716G · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to a restriction of fuel flow as a result of a fractured float bracket in the carburetor.
- [NTSB WPR23FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA299.md): Czech Sport SportCruiser · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 2, 2023 · N384SC · Destroyed
  > The misalignment of the carburetor piston slides, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an emergency landing, leading to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA367.md): Cessna 172B · San Angelo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7509X · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to loose bolts holding the carburetor throttle body to the fuel bowl.
- [NTSB CEN23LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA165.md): Pipistrel Lsa Sinus · Kingsford, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 13, 2023 · N413EK · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the left carburetor bowl cover, which resulted in an engine fire before takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA23FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA067.md): Piper PA-30 · Winston-Salem, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 19, 2022 · N7295Y · Substantial damage
  > Contamination and/or misalignment of the regulator section of the right engine’s fuel servo, which resulted in excessive idle fuel flow and a total loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to land immediately on the nearest runway at the…
- [NTSB WPR22LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA293.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Circle, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 7, 2022 · N36542 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat.
- [NTSB ERA22FA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA351.md): Smith Aerostar 600 · South Haven Charter Township, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 2, 2022 · N9784Q · Destroyed
  > A loss of power to the left engine due to contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to properly configure the airplane for flight with one engine inoperative.
- [NTSB WPR22LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA287.md): Cessna 177RG · Livermore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2022 · N2591V · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to an inadequately maintained fuel injection servo.
- [NTSB WPR22FA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA265.md): North American T-28B · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2022 · N787AS · Substantial damage
  > A loss of power due to an unmaintained carburetor diaphragm and inoperative electric fuel pump that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.
- [NTSB ERA22LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA323.md): Allan G Pixley Thatcher CX4 · Baker, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2022 · N347CX · Substantial damage
  > The improper engine idle setting, which resulted in a total loss of engine power when the pilot reduced the throttle to idle to initiate a descent.
- [NTSB CEN22LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA233.md): Beech A36 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 4, 2022 · N9087S · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to a leak in the fuel control assembly. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance of the fuel control assembly.
- [NTSB WPR22LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA089.md): Blake D Barrymore Just Acft Superstol · Ketchum, ID · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 30, 2022 · N8794G · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB WPR22LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA046.md): Vans RV10 · Hurricane, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 22, 2021 · N54CT · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to a loose fuel line at the fuel servo outlet port.
- [NTSB CEN22LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA027.md): Bellanca 7ECA · La Porte, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 30, 2021 · N86612 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the carburetor float assembly.
- [NTSB ERA21LA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA391.md): Boeing E75 · Nicholson, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2021 · N1654M · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of damaged internal carburetor mixture control components.
- [NTSB CEN21LA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA386.md): Acro Sport II · Fishers, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2021 · N169BF · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of leaking fuel from a loose fuel inlet fitting to the fuel control unit.
- [NTSB CEN21LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA338.md): Aeronca 7AC · Harrah, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2021 · N83365 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without a carburetor heat control in atmospheric conditions conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN21LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA222.md): Flight Design Ctls · Racine, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 18, 2021 · N521CT · Destroyed
  > The fatigue failure of the carburetor throttle control cable, which resulted in a partial loss of engine control.
- [NTSB CEN21LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA211.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Spring, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 6, 2021 · N54MC · Substantial damage
  > An engine fire that resulted from a fuel leak into the carburetor air box due to the electric fuel pump over-pressurizing the carburetor needle/seat assembly. Contributing to the severity of the fire was the flight instructor’s failure to turn off the…
- [NTSB WPR21LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA172.md): Michael J Robbins Searey · Friday Harbor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 22, 2021 · N888MJ · Substantial damage
  > Partial loss of engine power due to the detachment of the throttle cable from the carburetor arm, as a result of the pilot’s inadequate maintenance which resulted in an off-airport landing and impact with vegetation.
- [NTSB WPR21LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA161.md): Rans S12 · Colville, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2021 · N707PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid powerlines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper…
- [NTSB CEN21LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA175.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Augusta, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2021 · N7274F · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate maintenance at the time the carburetor was replaced, which resulted in the improperly installed throttle cable and a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual inspection that failed to detect the improper…
- [NTSB WPR21LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA119.md): Mooney M20E · Livermore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 24, 2021 · N3254F · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of corrosion and rust in the fuel injection servo.
- [NTSB ERA21LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA103.md): TL Ultralight Sro Stingsport · Hollywood, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 15, 2021 · N404N · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate maintenance and inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot's mismanagement of the emergency approach and landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB WPR21LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA008.md): Cessna 180 · Princeton, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2020 · N8678X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to enrichen the mixture, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA20LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA320.md): Stinson 108 · Newport, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 17, 2020 · N336C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a disconnected carburetor mixture control cable which allowed the carburetor mixture lever to migrate to the cut-off position during flight.
- [NTSB CEN20LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA360.md): Cessna 180 · St Louis, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 22, 2020 · N7620A · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to improper maintenance of the mixture control cable and attachment hardware, which led to a forced landing into a congested area.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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", '01057322'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases

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