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NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating)

All 42 cases
Cases
42
In the probable cause
42 (100%)
Fatal cases
3
NTSB code
01058540

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01058540') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In the same cases

Defining events
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Other findings
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '01058540'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '01058540') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 42

NTSB ERA25LA215Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32-300 · Branford, CTMaintenance personnel's improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft gear bolt during major overhaul, which resulted in the crankshaft gear disengaging from the accessory gears which led to a total loss of engine power.Jun 1, 2025 · N2242Z · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA141Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCozy Mark IV · Gonzales, TXMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly torque the crankshaft idler gear hardware according to the engine manufacturer’s service instructions, which resulted in separation of the crankshaft idler gear’s fasteners and disengagement of the camshaft,…Mar 25, 2024 · N20MN · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA267Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 421 · Rockport, TXThe failure of the left engine starter adapter gear, which resulted in catastrophic damage to other engine components, and the subsequent loss of engine power.Jun 24, 2023 · N123SM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA215Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3C-65 · Belfair, WAThe total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft accessory drive gear.Jun 4, 2023 · N77583 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA005Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-22-160 · Kenai, AKImproper installation of the crankshaft drive gear by maintenance personnel, who failed to install all required hardware, resulting in an in-flight engine failure.Oct 27, 2022 · N8119D · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23LA037Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Spartanburg, SCA partial separation of the crankshaft gear/bolt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.Oct 23, 2022 · N8580N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA314Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33A · Wilder, IDCatastrophic engine failure during the initial climb due to an incorrectly installed crankshaft counterweight retaining ring.Aug 21, 2022 · N4133S · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA333Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Batesburg, SCThe fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear, resulting in a total loss of engine power.Jul 23, 2022 · N6020M · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA193Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-8 · Galice, ORThe in-flight failure of the crankshaft gear’s alignment dowel as a result of the retaining bolt not being installed, which lead to a total loss of engine power.May 31, 2022 · N298DM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair ES · Fall Creek, ORTotal loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the camshaft gear.Oct 15, 2021 · N511ZZ · Substantial damage
See all 42 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\", '01058540'))
  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.