NTSB investigations
42 cases where NTSB found Recip eng rear section.
Cases per year
| 2009 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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\", '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.
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
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 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.NTSB 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,…NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR22LA314Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech F33A · Wilder, IDCatastrophic engine failure during the initial climb due to an incorrectly installed crankshaft counterweight retaining ring.NTSB ERA22LA333Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportStinson 108 · Batesburg, SCThe fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear, resulting in a total loss of engine power.NTSB 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.NTSB WPR22LA019Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportLancair ES · Fall Creek, ORTotal loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the camshaft gear.NTSB ERA21LA388Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Port Orange, FLThe separation of the nut from the stud and the fracture of the bolt that secured the crankshaft idler gear to the engine crankcase, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the inability of the left crankshaft idler gear assembly to drive of the…NTSB WPR20LA239Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV7 · Henefer, UTThe total loss of engine power due to the separation of the idler gear shaft bolts as a result of improper installation, which allowed for the idler gear to become disengaged.NTSB ERA20LA195Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA24 · South Boston, VAThe powerplant mechanic’s failure to properly affix the engine crankshaft gear lockplate during overhaul, resulting in a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA19LA273Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Sardis, GAFatigue failure of the fasteners on the engine crankshaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB ANC18LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bettles, AKMaintenance personnel's application of insufficient preload on the attachment hardware for the idler gear shaft during engine overhaul, which resulted in the dismounting of the idler gear shaft assembly due to wear and deformation and the subsequent total…NTSB WPR18FA131Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Air Racing Thunder Mustang · Reno, NVThe pilot's failure to properly secure the engine coolant pump pulley during recent maintenance, which resulted in a loss of the engine's lubrication, cooling, and propeller control systems, and a forced landing, during which the airplane nosed over.…NTSB CEN18LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Midland, TXThe improper installation of the generator by unknown personnel, which resulted in a loss of oil and subsequent engine failure.NTSB ERA17LA275Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper J3C · Salisbury, CTAn improper replacement of the crankshaft by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a failure of the crankshaft gear and total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR17IA173Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · IncidentFinal reportColumbia Aircraft Mfg LC41 550FG · Chandler, AZThe over-tensioning of the accessory belt, which resulted in damage to the starter adapter and subsequent loss of oil that led to oil starvation and catastrophic engine failure.NTSB WPR17LA176Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Seattle, WAThe total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt.NTSB ERA17LA203Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Suffolk, NYA loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt due to improper installation, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear alignment dowel and led to the rotation of the crankshaft gear and a subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB WPR17LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPaul R Seipt Sonex · Garfield, WAThe pilot’s improper torque of screws that attached the flywheel mounting flange to the crankshaft during engine assembly, which resulted in heavy vibrations and the subsequent in-flight loss of the propeller.NTSB ERA17LA116Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Chatham, NJMaintenance 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 of the engine and a subsequent loss of power.NTSB CEN17LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 17 30 · Kidron, OHMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the vacuum pump, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.NTSB WPR15FA268Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 150F · Port Townsend, WAThe loss of engine power due to the mechanic's inadequate tightening of the crankshaft gear retaining bolts during an engine overhaul, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and the crankshaft gear dowel pin that allowed the crankshaft gear to…NTSB CEN15LA383Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Harvey, NDThe partial loss of engine power due to a failed magneto and two cylinders with low compression. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s decision to operate the airplane with an ongoing engine issue.NTSB CEN15LA297Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Galveston, TXThe loss of engine power due to a failure of a crankshaft idler gear shaft.NTSB WPR15LA020Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWinston W Walker Thunder Mustang · Globe, AZThe separation of the main crank drive pulley from the engine’s accessory section due to three of its securing bolts backing out of their holes, which subsequently resulted in two accessory belts becoming unsecure, both crank sensor plugs becoming dislodged,…NTSB CEN14LA449Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · New Orleans, LAThe in-flight fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear retaining bolt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident were the pilot/owner’s failure to maintain the airplane in accordance with an airworthiness directive following a…NTSB ERA14LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172R · Jackson, TNA total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the lower vacuum pump.NTSB ERA13LA174Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Panama City, FLA loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt, resulting in rotation of the crankshaft gear and a subsequent total loss of engine power. The root cause for the loss of preload could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the…NTSB ERA12LA574Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 150G · Corinth, MSThe improper torque application on the crankshaft gear bolt by maintenance personnel during an engine overhaul, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the locking tab washer and gear alignment dowel and subsequent engine stoppage. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA12LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Pensacola, FLA total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the crankshaft gear bolt or lockplate by maintenance personnel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB CEN12TA122Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172P · Conroe, TXFailure of the rear crankshaft gear dowel pin due to improper installation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA12IA158Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR20 · Jacksonville, FLThe failure of a crankshaft gear tooth due to fatigue, which resulted in the loss of several additional gear teeth and a subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA11FA391Accident · 7 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 421C · Demopolis, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a…NTSB CEN11LA441Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Flippin, ARThe loss of engine power due to improper maintenance and resultant oil starvation.NTSB WPR11LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · San Luis Obispo, CAThe loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of one attachment bolt for the left idler gear shaft, which resulted from an insufficient preload on both attachment bolts.NTSB CEN10FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech B36TC · Dayton, OHThe complete loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 1 main bearing, and the secondary failure of a crankcase through-bolt and the fuel pump drive coupling. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt a return to the airport for a…NTSB ERA09LA490Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bainbridge, GAA total loss of engine power due to the loss of camshaft timing as a result of the displacement of the idler gear assembly.NTSB CEN09CA531Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportFisher Michael H T-BIRD II · Dundee, OHA total loss of engine power due to the failure of the outer crankshaft seal.NTSB WPR09LA382Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportStinson 108-2 · Salt Lake City, UTA total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the crankshaft gear.