# NTSB investigations: Recip engine power section 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 5 · 233 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA25LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA141.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2025 · N3055B · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power was due to a fracture of the crankshaft at the No. 3 main journal, which originated from a preexisting, thermally induced crack that had gone undetected by maintenance personnel during an inspection performed as part of the… - [NTSB ERA24LA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA388.md): Cessna 172K · Spartanburg, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2024 · N7037G · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to follow the engine manufacturer’s maintenance guidance, which resulted in the assembly of the engine with an obstructed oil passage, a subsequent lack of lubrication to the front main bearing, and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR24LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA261.md): Aeronca 11AC · Winchester, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2024 · N86270 · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft. - [NTSB WPR24LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA240.md): Cessna 182B · Soldier, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N2617G · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power resulting from the failure of the No. 1 piston and the No. 2 piston connecting rod due to detonation. - [NTSB WPR24LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA159.md): Nanchang China CJ-6A · Peoria, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 21, 2024 · N4182C · Substantial damage > The partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the improper installation of the master connecting rod main bushing set screws, which backed off and allowed the main bushing to shift, resulting in scoring damage on the crankshaft that led to the… - [NTSB ERA24LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA159.md): Dta Voyager II 912S · Clermont, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 30, 2024 · N20330 · Substantial damage > Lack of lubrication of the No. 4 connecting rod bearing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN24LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA140.md): Cessna T210 · San Saba, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2024 · N498TB · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to multiple connecting rod failures from oil starvation. - [NTSB ERA24LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Winokur, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N469GB · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the unseating and subsequent failure of the No. 4 piston connection rod bushing. - [NTSB WPR24FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA103.md): Cirrus Design SR22T · Bellevue, WA · Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2024 · N927CS · Minor damage > A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft. - [NTSB WPR24LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA084.md): Cessna 172P · Goodyear, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 10, 2024 · N52436 · Substantial damage > Bearing degradation that increased clearances between the bearing and crankshaft journal surfaces, resulting in fatigue cracks and the subsequent failure of the No. 3 connecting rod and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the… - [NTSB ERA24LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA095.md): Cessna 210D · Paris, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 22, 2024 · N3857Y · Substantial damage > The disruption of torque to the No 4 connecting rod journals, which resulted in a spun bearing and the subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR24LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA076.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Colorado City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 13, 2024 · N2886X · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 piston pin plug, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent failure of the No. 3 connecting rod. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate engine inspections by maintenance personnel. - [NTSB WPR24FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA054.md): Beech A36 · Topock, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 10, 2023 · N4171S · Substantial damage > The failure of the No. 4 connecting rod due to oil starvation, which resulted in a loss of engine power, inflight fire, and a subsequent off-airport emergency landing on rough desert terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a… - [NTSB CEN24FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA057.md): Beech A23-24 · Oklahoma City, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 10, 2023 · N6945Q · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power due to multiple connecting rod failures from oil starvation associated with an extensive before takeoff oil system leak, the source of which could not be identified due to postaccident fire damage. - [NTSB ERA23LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA361.md): Beech V35 · Rutledge, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2023 · N5431U · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of a retaining circlip in one of the No. 2 crankshaft cheek counterweights, which resulted in liberation of the counterweight. - [NTSB ERA23LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA341.md): Piper PA28 · Preston, CT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2023 · N7463W · Substantial damage > A failure of the No. 2 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA23LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA331.md): Cessna 175 · Wetumpka, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 11, 2023 · N7117M · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to the separation of the No. 3 connecting rod from the crankshaft. - [NTSB ERA23LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA310.md): Piper PA-28-140 · New London, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 24, 2023 · N98134 · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to the No. 4 cylinder’s stuck exhaust valve. - [NTSB WPR23FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA275.md): Cessna T310R · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 18, 2023 · N5251C · Substantial damage > A total loss of left engine power as a result of improper installation of the aft-facing crankshaft counterweight retaining rings. Also causal was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following the loss of left engine power, which resulted in the… - [NTSB ANC23LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA053.md): Aeronca 7DC · Ninilchik, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2023 · N83391 · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to a shift of a crankshaft main bearing, which resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent overheating and failure of the engine crankshaft. - [NTSB WPR23LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA184.md): Rans S-21 · Creswell, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 10, 2023 · N468MM · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power caused by fatigue cracking and fracture of the crankshaft due to severe wear of the bearings. - [NTSB WPR23LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA160.md): Remos Remos GX · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 18, 2023 · N21GX · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power caused by fatigue cracking and fracture of the crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the airplane. - [NTSB CEN23LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA149.md): Cessna 182Q · Gardner, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 7, 2023 · N982NC · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 6 connecting rod as a result of detonation. - [NTSB ERA23LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA146.md): Hughes 269A · Titusville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2023 · N8911F · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during an autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rotor blade strike of the tail boom. - [NTSB WPR23LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA094.md): Piper PA28R · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 19, 2023 · N57355 · Substantial damage > A failure of the No. 2 piston connecting rod bearing due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA23LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA112.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Middlefield, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 18, 2023 · N101MA · Substantial damage > A runway overrun during a precautionary landing following a total loss of right engine power due to detonation and subsequent oil starvation. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to lower the flaps and the excessive airspeed at touchdown. - [NTSB WPR23FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA073.md): Cessna 150A · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 22, 2022 · N7032X · Substantial damage > A failure of the No. 1 piston connecting rod bearing journal due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN23LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA062.md): Mooney M20K · Addison, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2022 · N231GZ · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of the engine’s camshaft gear teeth which resulted in a loss of all engine power. Contributing to the accident was the non-compliance with the engine manufacturer’s recommended service bulletin. - [NTSB ERA23LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA086.md): Beech A36 · Covington, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2022 · N900AW · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of engine operation with low oil pressure. Contributing to the accident was the failure of two separate maintenance facilities to comply with guidance from the engine manufacturer to disassemble… - [NTSB ERA23FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA025.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Brentwood, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 18, 2022 · N600JG · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power due to the catastrophic failure of the crankshaft resulting from the improper installation of the crankshaft for this application. - [NTSB ERA22LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA411.md): Cessna 172 · Clearfield, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2022 · N9619H · Substantial damage > A sudden partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an off-airport landing. - [NTSB WPR22LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA263.md): Zenith CH701 · Bothell, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2022 · N8787G · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the engine’s flywheel screws that were likely overloaded when the engine was involved in a previous accident. - [NTSB ERA22LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA317.md): Cessna T210F · Monticello, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 15, 2022 · N6195R · Destroyed > Maintenance personnel’s improper torque of the engine through-bolts during maintenance, which resulted in a bearing shift, oil starvation, and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN22LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA227.md): Piper PA-28RT-201T · Morgan, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 29, 2022 · N2148J · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to a corrosion-related fatigue crack of the No. 3 cylinder barrel. - [NTSB ERA22LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA172.md): Piper PA-28 · Melbourne, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 29, 2022 · N5067W · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the No. 3 crankshaft journal bearing. - [NTSB ERA22FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA126.md): Beech 58 · Lexington, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 16, 2022 · N58LF · Destroyed > Inadequate maintenance, which led to a partial loss of both right and left engine power during takeoff, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering with one engine at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s… - [NTSB ERA22LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA104.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Edisto Island, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 11, 2022 · N475RT · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft counterweight retaining ring and the No. 6 connecting rod. - [NTSB ERA22LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA097.md): Cessna 207 · Marathon, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 29, 2021 · N1596U · Minor damage > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 bearing, which resulted in the No. 2 connecting rod failing due to fatigue, high heat, and stress. - [NTSB ERA22LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA045.md): Cessna 172 · Decatur, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 4, 2021 · N172XX · Substantial damage > Oil exhaustion due to an oil leak that resulted in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA22LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA011.md): Flight Design Ctls · Greenville, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N121YT · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power resulting from the in-flight disconnection of oil hoses from the oil thermostat. - [NTSB WPR21FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA340.md): Cessna 177RG · Lake Havasu City, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 12, 2021 · N2085Q · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power during the airplane's initial climb due to wear of internal engine components, which prevented the engine from developing full-rated power and resulted in a loss of altitude. - [NTSB CEN21LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA402.md): Murphy Renegade II · Sheridan, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 5, 2021 · N490DJ · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a piston seizure. - [NTSB WPR21FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA272.md): Mooney M20J · Dinsmore, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2021 · N4474H · Destroyed > The airplane’s degraded engine performance due to wear to the intake cam lobes, which diminished the airplane’s takeoff and climb performance, resulting in a subsequent collision with trees. - [NTSB CEN21FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA304.md): Focke-Wulf FWP-149D · Killeen, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 4, 2021 · N9145 · Destroyed > The total loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure of a crankshaft counterweight mounting lobe, which resulted in a counterweight separation and catastrophic secondary damage to the engine drivetrain. Contributing to the accident was the mislabeled… - [NTSB CEN21LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA264.md): Boeing B75N1 · Elwood, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 13, 2021 · N777JG · Substantial damage > The failure of the engine master rod, resulting in a total loss of engine power and a forced landing. - [NTSB ERA21LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA222.md): Mooney M20K · Dawson, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2021 · N9514R · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the No. 4 connecting rod bolt nut with a cotter pin, resulting in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN21LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA221.md): Beech A36 · Pinckneyville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2021 · N1875W · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The reason for the oil starvation could not be determined based on available evidence. - [NTSB ERA21LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA188.md): Cessna A188 · Dover, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2021 · N731TB · Substantial damage > A total loss of engine power due to a shift of a crankshaft main bearing, which resulted in a lack of lubrication and subsequent overheating and failure of the engine crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the hard touchdown during the forced landing. - [NTSB ERA21LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA109.md): Plante Challenger II · Minneola, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 21, 2021 · N4469Z · Substantial damage > Failure of the engine/propeller drive belt. - [NTSB CEN21LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA073.md): Bellanca 17-30A · Arden Hills, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 3, 2020 · N28067 · Substantial damage > Incorrect connecting rod installation, which resulted in the failure of the nos. 5 and 6 connecting rods and subsequent total loss of engine power. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/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", '01058520')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases --- 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.