# Fatal NTSB investigations: Spark plugs/igniters

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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA23FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA188.md): Miller Glenn F RV-12 · Climax, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 11, 2023 · N543GM · Destroyed
  > The 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 ERA21LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA052.md): Lancair Legacy FG · Hollywood, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 23, 2020 · N3UH · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR20LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA191.md): Enstrom 280 · Hayden, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 24, 2020 · N280MM · Destroyed
  > The total loss of power while maneuvering at low altitude due to the detonation of two engine cylinders and damaged spark plugs.
- [NTSB WPR20FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA077.md): Stinson V77 · Auburn, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 24, 2020 · N50249 · Destroyed
  > A 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 CEN14LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA371.md): Air Command 532 · Petersburg, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2014 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane following a total loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug.
- [NTSB ERA14FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA123.md): Williams Christopher T Sonex · Wellington, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2014 · N732SX · Destroyed
  > The 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 CHI08LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA166.md): Helton Lark 95 · West Carrollton, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2008 · N86657 · Destroyed
  > The 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.

## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND 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
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases?fatal=1

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