# Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-320 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 3 · 126 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN26FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA064.md): Piper PA-30 · West Chicago, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 17, 2025 · N8693Y · Substantial damage > On December 17, 2025, about 1349 central standard time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N8693Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Chicago, Illinois. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB CEN23FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA284.md): Piper PA-30 · Sherman, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2023 · N4743M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA23FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA274.md): Piper PA-30 · Claxton, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N7240Y · Substantial damage > The flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power. - [NTSB ERA23FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA270.md): Piper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. - [NTSB ERA23FA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA260.md): Vans RV6 · Colonial Beach, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 7, 2023 · N835BC · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB ERA23FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA067.md): Piper PA-30 · Winston-Salem, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 19, 2022 · N7295Y · Substantial damage > Contamination and/or misalignment of the regulator section of the right engine’s fuel servo, which resulted in excessive idle fuel flow and a total loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to land immediately on the nearest runway at the… - [NTSB CEN22FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA145.md): Piper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 17, 2022 · N8357Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ERA22FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA047.md): Piper PA30 · Rock Hill, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 5, 2021 · N8924Y · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while troubleshooting a landing gear indication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. - [NTSB CEN20LA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA399.md): Vans RV9 · Zeeland, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2020 · N94KJ · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a visual approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience at night. - [NTSB ERA19FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA170.md): Piper PA 30 · Naples, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N7650Y · Destroyed > Incapacitation of the pilot due to a birdstrike through the windshield in front of the pilot's position, while on approach to land. - [NTSB CEN19FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA035.md): Piper PA 30 · Marion, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2018 · N7751Y · Destroyed > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following a loss of the left engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left… - [NTSB WPR18FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA237.md): Champion 7KCAB · Descanso, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,… - [NTSB CEN17FA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA297.md): Piper PA30 · Topeka, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2017 · N22HW · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot and flight instructor to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. - [NTSB WPR17FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA108.md): Piper PA 30 · Haines, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2017 · N7376Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to turn toward the inoperative engine after conducting a low-level pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform the flight and the engine… - [NTSB CEN17FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA169.md): Champion 7KCAB · Collinston, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 2017 · N1899G · Destroyed > The failure of the flight instructor and the commercial pilot to maintain adequate clearance from a power line during an aerial application training flight. - [NTSB CEN16FA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA276.md): Piper PA 30 · Plainfield, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2016 · N7409Y · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an en route climb near convective activity, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, an uncontrolled descent, and a subsequent in-flight breakup due to an exceedance of the airplane's design load… - [NTSB CEN16FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA014.md): Zidek Vans RV-4 · Cortland, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 17, 2015 · N999ZF · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to intentionally maneuver at a low altitude and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the climbing right turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB ERA15FA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA378.md): Piper PA 30 · St. Petersburg, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 2015 · N21ND · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain single-engine minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of right engine power during initial climb. Also causal was the loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the… - [NTSB WPR15FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA081.md): Gibbs Lancair 320 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2015 · N7ZL · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to take off despite low fuel alerts, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which… - [NTSB CEN15LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA059.md): Ross H/Herriott M Vans Aircraft RV 3 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2014 · N625ZH · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain adequate familiarization in the accident airplane type before the accident. - [NTSB ERA14FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA077.md): Piper PA-30 · Biglerville, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2013 · N8372Y · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control. - [NTSB CEN13FA432](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA432.md): Piper PA-30 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2013 · N8306Y · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after a loss of left engine power due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a proper preflight that could have detected water accumulation in the fuel system before takeoff. - [NTSB CEN13FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA420.md): Champion 7KCAB · Oak Ridge, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2013 · N2978G · Substantial damage > The private pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing agricultural operations turns low to the ground, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the private pilot’s impairment due to his… - [NTSB WPR13FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA281.md): Piper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2013 · N830SS · Substantial damage > 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 pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane. - [NTSB CEN13WA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13WA301.md): Piper PA-39 · Wolfsbehringen, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 27, 2013 · N8977Y · Substantial damage - [NTSB CEN12LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA209.md): Walling Vans RV-3 · Larchwood, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 2012 · N34WC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing. - [NTSB CEN11FA434](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA434.md): Schaffer Gary W Lancair · Yukon, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2011 · N358MA · Substantial damage > The pilot's use of an excessive bank angle while in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane and the pilot’s distracted attention to the rough running… - [NTSB ERA11FA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA348.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Guntersville, AL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 2011 · N1803T · Substantial damage > The pilot's excessive pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to comply with weight and balance limitations. - [NTSB WPR10FA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA217.md): Piper PA-30 · Merced, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2010 · N847DE · Substantial damage > Pilot incapacitation due to the combined effect of multiple unreported medical conditions. - [NTSB CEN10FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA122.md): Piper PA-30 · Amarillo, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2010 · N8501Y · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to detect water contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the worn and loose fuel caps, which allowed water to enter the fuel tanks. - [NTSB CEN10FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA070.md): Piper PA-30 · Port Mansfield, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2009 · N7781Y · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the water while on approach (VFR) to land. - [NTSB ERA10FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA088.md): Piper PA-30 · Raneille, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 2009 · N8923Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper decision to attempt visual flight into deteriorating night weather conditions, and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN09LA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA512.md): Hooper James A Bushby MUS · Gladwin, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2009 · N37JD · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB ERA09LA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA398.md): Barber John A Glasair · Switzerland, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2009 · N132JB · Destroyed > A loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers at altitudes lower than those recommended by the kit manufacturer, resulting in insufficient terrain clearance to conduct a… - [NTSB ERA09WA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09WA291.md): Piper PA-30 · Port Sudan, Sudan · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 10, 2009 · N502TC · Destroyed > On May 10, 2009, at 0530 universal coordinated time (0830 local time), a Piper PA-30, N502TC, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain about 26 nautical miles northwest of Port Sudan, Sudan. The two Yemani pilots onboard were fatally injured. The… - [NTSB ERA09LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA147.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Moscow, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 31, 2009 · N31254 · Substantial damage > The pilot's initiation of a low altitude maneuver followed by an uncontrolled descent into terrain. - [NTSB ERA09FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA027.md): Piper PA-30 · Selmer, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2008 · N7510Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to avoid terrain during night instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB NYC08FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA054.md): Piper PA-30 · Parkland, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2007 · N766CC · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were the erroneous readouts from the Cessna's altitude encoder. - [NTSB DEN07WA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07WA147.md): Piper PA-39 · Vannes, France · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 25, 2007 · N13PF · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA07FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07FA117.md): Piper PA-30 · Nichols, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2007 · N387RP · Substantial damage > Failure of the flight crew to maintain minimal controllable airspeed following a total loss of power in the right engine. - [NTSB NYC07FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA091.md): Piper PA-30 · Trappe, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2007 · N555EM · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the thunderstorm. - [NTSB DEN07WA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07WA028.md): Yoakley Glasair · Rieden, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 26, 2006 · N79KD · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN06FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06FA107.md): American Champion 7KCAB · Winter Park, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2006 · N5232X · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's performance of a low altitude flight maneuver, an inadvertent stall/spin, and… - [NTSB ATL06LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA079.md): Taylor Skybolt · Sharpsburg, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 2006 · N78BJ · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control while conducting aerobatic flight. Factors in the accident were the pilot's ostentatious display, and lack of recent and total experience in type of operation. - [NTSB LAX06FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA089.md): Piper PA-30 · Visalia, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2006 · N7291Y · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's impairment due to his prolonged use of a highly sedating over-the-counter sleep aid… - [NTSB DFW06FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06FA037.md): Piper PA-30 · Raymond, MS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2005 · N7315Y · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power to the right engine and the prevailing gusty wind conditions. - [NTSB CHI05FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA189.md): Piper PA-30 · Aurora, MO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 2005 · N7868Y · Substantial damage > The pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin at a low altitude. A factor to the accident was the pilot operating the airplane over its certified maximum gross weight. - [NTSB ATL05FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05FA043.md): Piper PA-30 · Charleston, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 2005 · N7654Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight and mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB DFW05FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA015.md): Piper PA-30 · Boise City, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2004 · N7415Y · Substantial damage > The pilot's incapacitation (cardiovascular) resulting in a loss of aircraft control. - [NTSB DEN04FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04FA074.md): Piper PA-30 · Evanston, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 2004 · N7460Y · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors include snow, low ceiling, icing conditions, and the dark night. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41509&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 ('41509')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41509&fatal=1 --- 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.