# Preflight inspection - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02) › [Task performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0206) › [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/020615) › Preflight inspection - NTSB code: 02061510 - Cases: 551 - In the probable cause: 519 - Fatal cases: 67 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 40 / 41 - 2009: 32 / 33 - 2010: 44 / 46 - 2011: 33 / 34 - 2012: 37 / 38 - 2013: 22 / 22 - 2014: 36 / 37 - 2015: 25 / 26 - 2016: 22 / 23 - 2017: 24 / 30 - 2018: 17 / 18 - 2019: 20 / 21 - 2020: 26 / 29 - 2021: 26 / 29 - 2022: 30 / 32 - 2023: 30 / 31 - 2024: 23 / 28 - 2025: 25 / 26 - 2026: 7 / 7 ## Defining events in these cases - [Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192): 126 cases - [Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193): 98 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 68 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 50 cases - [Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191): 42 cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 19 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 18 cases - [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 18 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 13 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 12 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 14 cases - [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 7 cases - [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 6 cases - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 5 cases - [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 5 cases - [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c): 5 cases - [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 5 cases - [Socata TBM 700](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tbm-700): 4 cases - [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 4 cases - [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300): 4 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010) (Aircraft): 292 cases - [Fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030) (Personnel issues): 83 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 60 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 60 cases - [Rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015) (Environmental issues): 25 cases - [Use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030) (Personnel issues): 25 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 24 cases - [Forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035) (Personnel issues): 23 cases - [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 21 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 20 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB WPR26LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA229), Jun 23, 2026: Ryan Navion (N4583K), Bismarck, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to remove the maintenance spacer before takeoff, which resulted in restricted flight control movement and a loss of control. - [NTSB CEN26LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA215), May 31, 2026: Eaa Acro Sport II (N23RA), Sheridan, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB WPR26LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA203), May 23, 2026: Pzl-Swidnik PW-5 (N157AJ), Soap Lake, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure the proper preflight assembly of the glider's wing attachment system, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure during flight. - [NTSB ERA26LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA201), May 9, 2026: Sky Ranger SKY Ranger 1 (N8092S), Front Royal, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in him taking off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, and the subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB WPR26LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA173), Apr 18, 2026: Pipistrel Alpha Trainer (N143AW), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ERA26LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA130), Feb 27, 2026: Textron 680A (N519QS), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the blast fence during taxi to the runway for departure, and their inadequate inspection of the airplane after it contacted the blast… - [NTSB WPR26LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA089), Jan 22, 2026: Piper PA-23 (N1210P), Newkirk, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain. - [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 WPR26LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA065), Dec 20, 2025: Cessna 150F (N8155S), Temecula, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ANC26LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA007), Nov 24, 2025: Danchini Aero Danchini Cub (N794AK), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, and inadequate inflight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and subsequent forced landing. 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.