# Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-235 series

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 8 · 356 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA051.md): American AA-1A · High Rolls, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Nov 26, 2025 · N9439L · Destroyed
  > On November 26, 2025, about 1145 mountain standard time, an American Aviation AA-1A airplane, N9439L was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR25FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA233.md): Cessna 152 · Hornell, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 1, 2025 · N6125B · Destroyed
  > On August 1, 2025, about 1859 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6125B was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hornell, New York. The student pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB ERA25FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA283.md): Piper J5C · Rochester, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 1, 2025 · N28151 · Substantial damage
  > On August 1, 2025, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper J5C, NC 28151, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rochester, New York. The passenger was fatally injured, and the pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB WPR25FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA145.md): Champion 7ECA · Cottonwood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2025 · N6310N · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s delayed response to an improper landing approach and runway overshoot, which resulted in an impact with an airport perimeter fence and trees.
- [NTSB CEN23FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA155.md): Junior Ace · Mammoth Springs, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 13, 2023 · N5545 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.
- [NTSB ANC23FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA004.md): Piper PA-18 · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2022 · N7123K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a cable.
- [NTSB WPR22FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA309.md): Cessna 152 · Watsonville, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 18, 2022 · N49931 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.
- [NTSB ANC22FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA066.md): Piper PA-12 · Arctic Village, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2022 · N3937M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart in turbulent and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA198.md): Beech 77 · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2022 · N18244 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cinderblock wall while performing a go-around.
- [NTSB CEN22FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA214.md): Cessna 152 · Wauwatosa, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 26, 2022 · N4978B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall from which the student pilot could not recover.
- [NTSB CEN22FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA203.md): American AA-1A · Cleburne, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2022 · N6409L · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to operate the airplane after consuming alcohol, which led to an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and a subsequent loss of control at a low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA22FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA153.md): American AA-1 · Bay Minette, AL · Incident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 11, 2022 · N5774L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during taxi, which resulted in a taxiway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the incident were the low visibility conditions that existed at the airport around the time of the incident.
- [NTSB WPR22LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA061.md): Moul Willis RV-3 · Bermuda Dunes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 11, 2021 · N9YY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN21FA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA380.md): Piper J3C-65 · Adrian, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 22, 2021 · N70643 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA274.md): Cessna 152 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 29, 2021 · N25513 · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the landing approach.
- [NTSB CEN21FA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA290.md): American AA-1A · Cleburne, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 24, 2021 · N9261L · Destroyed
  > The canopy moving fully open during flight, which resulted in the pilot’s distraction and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR21FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA232.md): Kitfox Series 6 · Likely, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 20, 2021 · N617Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s poor decision making in attempting a takeoff from a field with high vegetation and a high-density altitude, which resulted in decreased takeoff performance and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA204.md): Piper J3C-65 · Slaughter, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2021 · N26783 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN21LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA070.md): Piper PA38 · Franklin, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 30, 2020 · N9879T · Destroyed
  > The impairment of both pilots from carbon monoxide exposure due to a degraded muffler. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection, which failed to detect the degraded muffler.
- [NTSB WPR21FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA044.md): Piper PA38 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 10, 2020 · N6380A · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR21FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA025.md): Lancair 235 · Cordes Lakes, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 24, 2020 · N25NL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin and a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of aerobatic experience in the accident…
- [NTSB WPR19FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA095.md): North American T28 · Compton, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N5440F · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The failure of the T-28 pilot to see and avoid the Cessna while landing with reduced visibility due to sun glare, which resulted in a collision on the runway. Contributing to the accident was his failure to use the airport's common traffic advisory frequency…
- [NTSB ANC18FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA071.md): Piper PA-12-150 · Healy, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2018 · N7511H · Substantial damage
  > An impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN18FA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA277.md): Cessna 152 · Fort Rice, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 17, 2018 · N24515 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power, an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB WPR18FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA075.md): Cessna 152 · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2018 · N93316 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR18FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA035.md): Cessna 152 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2017 · N24987 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness shortly after takeoff over a sparsely lit area in dark night conditions, which resulted in a rapid descent to ground impact.
- [NTSB ERA17FA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA299.md): Grumman AA1 · Portland, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2017 · N8866L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA17FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA231.md): Cessna 152 · Homestead, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N49453 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in night conditions over an area devoid of ground reference lights.
- [NTSB ERA17FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA148.md): Piper PA 12 · Sanford, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2017 · N3280M · Destroyed
  > The incorrect rigging of the elevator control cables, which resulted in a reversal of elevator control inputs applied by the pilot during the takeoff, an excessive nose-high pitch, and subsequent aerodynamic stall after takeoff. Also causal was the inadequate…
- [NTSB ERA17FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA112.md): Piper PA38 · East Haven, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2017 · N2452C · Destroyed
  > The failure of the fuel selector valve in a position that restricted fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the operator's failure to effectively detect and resolve the…
- [NTSB CEN16FA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA346.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Moss Hill, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2016 · N787MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control attempting to recover from a low-level aerobatic maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the low-level maneuver which significantly reduced any margin for error.
- [NTSB ANC16FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16FA057.md): Champion 7ECA · Chugiak, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2016 · N9541S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep low-altitude turn following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at too low…
- [NTSB CEN16FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA220.md): Piper PA-38-112 · Madison, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2016 · N2412D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff and the subsequent collision with transmission line structures.
- [NTSB WPR16FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA124.md): Grumman American Avn. AA 1B · Hawthorne, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 2016 · N4SU · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to land the airplane on the remaining runway when a sufficient rate of climb could not be attained. Contributing to the accident was a reduction of available engine power due to severe camshaft lobe wear.
- [NTSB CEN16FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA087.md): Piper PA 22-108 · Garden City, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2016 · N4751Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a low altitude flight.
- [NTSB ERA16FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA005.md): Piper PA 38-112 · Jasper, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2015 · N4313E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to accurately determine the airplane's fuel state, subsequent fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate oversight of the student…
- [NTSB WPR16FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA002.md): Cessna 152 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2015 · N6449M · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilots to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.
- [NTSB CEN15FA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA362.md): Zenair CH 2000 · McAllen, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2015 · N26ZA · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's loss of airplane control while departing in gusting wind conditions that were conducive to low-level wind shear.
- [NTSB CEN15FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA189.md): Cessna 152 · Batesville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 2015 · N65463 · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…
- [NTSB ERA15FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA099.md): Cessna 152 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2015 · N757ZM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in night, instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the outcome was the radar controller's failure to…
- [NTSB ANC14FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14FA050.md): Piper PA 12 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2014 · N3512M · Substantial damage
  > The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator control cables, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the misrigging.
- [NTSB WPR14FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA239.md): American AA-1A · El Mirage, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2014 · N9454L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while intentionally maneuvering close to the ground, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack in a steep bank and entering an accelerated stall.
- [NTSB ERA14FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA260.md): Grumman American Avn. AA1B · Chester, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 23, 2014 · N8890L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate inflight fuel monitoring, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the loose fuel cap, which allowed fuel to syphon out in flight.
- [NTSB CEN14FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA057.md): Cessna 152 · Spring, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2013 · N555UF · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ANC13FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13FA090.md): Champion 7ECA · Sutton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2013 · N9624S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of marijuana, which likely degraded his psychomotor…
- [NTSB WPR13FA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA388.md): American AA-1A · Desert Center, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2013 · N61VT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and a loss of airplane control at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN13FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA214.md): Cessna 152 · Hawley, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2013 · N5367B · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to conduct a flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR13FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA118.md): Cessna 152 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2013 · N89059 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to his preexisting cardiac disease, which resulted in his degraded or complete loss of ability to control the airplane.
- [NTSB CEN13FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA060.md): Grumman American Avn. AA-1B · Burlington, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2012 · N6273L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin.
- [NTSB WPR13FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA041.md): American AA-1 · Morgan, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2012 · N5642L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in frost remaining on the airplane's surfaces and led to its inability to produce enough lift to clear rising terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41505&fatal=1&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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41505'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41505&fatal=1

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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.
