NTSB investigations
38 cases where NTSB found Spark plugs/igniters.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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\", '01057421')) 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", '01057421')) 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.
NTSB ERA25LA052Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Chattanooga, TNA partial loss of engine power due to a fouled spark plug in engine’s the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing was the flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around following an unsuccessful landing approach in IMC, which…NTSB ERA24LA230Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-151 · Hope Mills, NCA loss of engine performance due to carbon fouling of three spark plugs that, when combined with the airplane’s high gross weight condition, resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ANC24LA025Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Talkeetna, AKA degraded ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the ignition system.NTSB CEN23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPietenpol Aircamper · Gardner, KSA loss of engine power due to lead fouling of a spark plug.NTSB ERA23LA225Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20K · Hillsborough Township, NJThe partial loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s failure to ensure that the ignition harnesses were properly secured and the pilot’s inappropriate pitch control inputs, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and…NTSB ERA23FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMiller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NCThe airplane owner/builder’s inappropriate use of a lower grade fuel than that required by the airplane and engine operations manual, which resulted in engine detonation and the degradation and eventual obliteration of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinder spark plug…NTSB ERA23LA120Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMooney M20C · Calhoun, GAA partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to an improperly installed spark plug.NTSB CEN22LA334Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVan's RV-10 · Beaver Dam, WIThe improperly secured spark plug boot that resulted in smoke in the cockpit and a subsequent off-airport landing.NTSB WPR21LA316Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 77 · Stanley, NMA loss of engine performance due to lead fouling of the lower spark plugs, which resulted in an off airport forced landing.NTSB ANC21LA068Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108-1 · Sterling, AKInsufficient available power as a result of low compression in three engine cylinders. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff with a slight quartering tailwind.NTSB WPR21LA171Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportConsolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200 · Twentynine Palms, CAA partial loss of engine power due to inadequate ignition from cracked spark plugs and a failed magneto.NTSB ERA21LA052Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FLThe pilot/owner’s failure to properly reinstall the number 1 cylinder spark plug, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb. Contributing was the pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted…NTSB WPR21LA071Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCo Z Cozy · Compton, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to an improperly installed sparkplug.NTSB WPR20LA191Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280 · Hayden, IDThe total loss of power while maneuvering at low altitude due to the detonation of two engine cylinders and damaged spark plugs.NTSB WPR20FA077Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportStinson V77 · Auburn, CAA total loss of engine power due to a combination of mechanical engine anomalies. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance that failed to identify the engine anomalies.NTSB WPR19LA233Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Livermore, CAA partial loss of engine power due to fouled spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent loss of control during the initial climb.NTSB CEN17LA328Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Gonzales, LAA partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance, including worn spark plugs and a leaking fuel hose fitting.NTSB CEN17LA021Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportZenith CH-750 · Morristown, MNA total loss of engine power due to fuel vapor lock. Contributing to the loss of engine power were the corrosion of the spark plugs and the spacing of the electrode gaps.NTSB CEN16LA243Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportChallenger II CW · Marysville, OHA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA15LA311Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportThomas A Siminski Zenith CH 750 · Allentown, PAA partial loss of engine power due to the No. 1 spark plug being liberated from the cylinder head due to the stripped threads in the cylinder head. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt to return to the airport while at a low…NTSB CEN14LA371Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAir Command 532 · Petersburg, MIThe noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane following a total loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug.NTSB ERA14LA253Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C - 65 · Hopkinsville, KYThe failure of the pilot to identify poor engine performance during the engine run-up before takeoff. Also causal to the accident was the mistimed right magneto and the poor condition of the spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder.NTSB WPR14LA180Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · El Monte, CAA partial loss of engine power during climbout due to a malfunctioning magneto and spark plugs.NTSB ERA14FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWilliams Christopher T Sonex · Wellington, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB WPR14CA058Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportQuad City Ultralight Acft Challenger II · Kalispell, MTA loss of engine power due to the spark plug coming out of the cylinder head.NTSB CEN13LA460Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSnyder Todd W Titan Tornado 1 · Wild Rose, WIThe improperly secured spark plug, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN12LA577Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportJones Kitfox III · Rockford, ILThe pilot's improper installation of a spark plug, which led to a partial loss of engine power after takeoff and the resultant forced landing.NTSB CEN12LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Princeton, MNThe inadequate installation of the threaded insert in the No. 2 cylinder spark plug hole by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb.NTSB ERA11CA355Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDotson William P Sngl Seat Hawk Arrow · Carthage, NCA partial loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper installation of the engine’s No. 1 cylinder spark plugs.NTSB WPR10LA465Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Visalia, CAA partial loss of engine power during takeoff, which resulted from the failure of the spark plug retention mechanism.NTSB CEN10LA498Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFreeman Super Koala · Traverse City, MIA loss of engine power due to the improper torquing of the number one cylinder's spark plug as a result of inadequate maintenance.NTSB ERA10LA437Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Williamstown, NJThe partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to weak spark plugs on the No. 1 cylinder.NTSB WPR10LA341Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRonald V White CH701 · Pima, AZA total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a spark plug failure.NTSB ERA10LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Moore, SCThe certificated mechanic's improper installation of a helicoil, which resulted in the separation of a sparkplug and the helicoil and led to a partial loss of engine power.NTSB WPR09LA205Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Carlsbad, CAA partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to carbon fouling of a spark plug.NTSB WPR09CA091Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSiemer James H Earthstar · Santa Ynez, CAA partial loss of engine power due to the rear cylinder's spark plug coming out of the cylinder head.NTSB CHI08LA166Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHelton Lark 95 · West Carrollton, OHThe improper installation of spark plugs during the annual inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain during the forced landing.NTSB CHI08CA114Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBardouche Quad City Ultralight · Pulaski, WIThe loss of engine power during cruise due to the separation of the spark plug because of the loose threads. Contributing to the accident was trees.