# Water

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Fluids/misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0107) › [Fluids](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010710) › Water
- NTSB code: 01071030
- Cases: 13
- In the probable cause: 12
- Fatal cases: 5
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071030/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071030/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071030

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2010: 2 / 2
- 2011: 2 / 2
- 2012: 1 / 1
- 2013: 3 / 3
- 2018: 1 / 1
- 2019: 1 / 1
- 2022: 1 / 2
- 2025: 1 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193): 10 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 1 cases
- [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 1 cases
- [Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 1 cases
- [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f): 1 cases
- [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c): 1 cases
- [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l): 1 cases
- [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h): 1 cases
- [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g): 1 cases
- [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d): 1 cases
- [Boeing 767-332](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-767-332): 1 cases
- [Beech 200](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-200): 1 cases
- [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 6 cases
- [Preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 4 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 3 cases
- [Incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010) (Personnel issues): 2 cases
- [High density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Low temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031010) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Water/moisture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022057) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 1 cases
- [Planning/preparation, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000) (Personnel issues): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA084), Dec 26, 2025: Cessna 172 (N172BX), Taylor, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination.
- [NTSB DCA22LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22LA179), Jul 7, 2022: Boeing 767-332 (N181DN), New York, NY, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The failure of maintenance personnel to close the drain mast heater circuit breakers which resulted in the formation of ice in the forward drain mast, an improper flow of wastewater into the main…
- [NTSB WPR22LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA076), Jan 9, 2022: Cessna 172H (N8056L), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to remove all water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on takeoff. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB CEN19FA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA325), Sep 21, 2019: Cessna A185 (C-GOZJ), Conroe, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water, and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted return to the airport shortly after takeoff, which…
- [NTSB CEN18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA113), Mar 2, 2018: Aero Commander 100-180 (N3733X), Deport, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner's inadequate maintenance of the fuel caps.
- [NTSB ERA14LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA051), Nov 28, 2013: Cessna 210L (N777BK), Montrose, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to check the fuel tanks for contaminants after fueling, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to water contamination.
- [NTSB WPR13FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA281), Jun 22, 2013: Piper PA-30 (N830SS), Idaho Falls, ID, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB WPR13FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA141), Mar 9, 2013: Maule M5 (N17PR), Woodinville, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN12CA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA469), Jul 22, 2012: Purtee Kevin M Pietenpol Aircamper (N899KP), Broadhead, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during takeoff, and his decision to initiate a turn…
- [NTSB WPR11FA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA331), Jul 17, 2011: Mooney M20F (N3534X), Winslow, AZ, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

---
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.