# Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540 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 6 · 276 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26FA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA271.md): Smith Aerostar 601 · Lake Clear, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 14, 2026 · N800AA · Destroyed
  > On July 13, 2026, about 2236 eastern daylight time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, N800AA was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake Clear, New York. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB CEN26FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA147.md): Experimental Homebuilt Airshark · Statesboro, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 25, 2026 · N220AS · Substantial damage
  > On March 25, 2026, about 1453 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt Airshark airplane, N220AS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Statesboro, Georgia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR26FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA097.md): Socata TB21 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Feb 5, 2026 · N967WM · Destroyed
  > On February 4, 2026, about 1950 mountain standard time, a Socata TB21, N967WM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…
- [NTSB WPR26LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA020.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Condon, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Oct 17, 2025 · N2345R · Substantial damage
  > On October 17, 2025, about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N2345R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Condon, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB WPR25FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA147.md): Paul Berkovitz Vans RV-10 · Simi Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 3, 2025 · N626PB · Destroyed
  > On May 3, 2025, about 1350 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van’s RV-10, N626PB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Simi Valley, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB GAA24WA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA285.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Nassau, Bahamas · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Sep 12, 2024 · N555MH · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA24FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA176.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB CEN23FA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA285.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Burlington, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2023 · N100PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23FA045.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N1132Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.
- [NTSB GAA23WA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA165.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Stella Maris, Bahamas · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Jun 9, 2023 · N9253M · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN23FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA201.md): Cessna 182T · Grand Isle, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 24, 2023 · N577TZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with the ocean.
- [NTSB WPR23FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA137.md): Cessna 182S · Alcova, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 21, 2023 · N314FR · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN23FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA125.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.
- [NTSB ERA23FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA108.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.
- [NTSB GAA22WA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, Ireland · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 11, 2022 · N999RL · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA22FA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA368.md): Piper PA32 · Metz, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2022 · N720RP · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s intentional visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions based on latent weather information, which resulted in the airplane entering extreme precipitation, a loss of aircraft control, and in-flight break-up.
- [NTSB CEN22FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA113.md): Cessna 182T · Heath, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 1, 2022 · N716MC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after takeoff, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA096.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 29, 2021 · N544SC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA090.md): Aerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Auburndale, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 17, 2021 · N1402C · Destroyed
  > A bird strike, which resulted in a loss of control while flying at low altitude over a lake.
- [NTSB WPR22FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA044.md): Jahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 21, 2021 · N291KT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA401.md): Piper PA32 · Kokomo, IN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2020 · N8213X · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole and the subsequent collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA135.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Hemet, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2020 · N6521Y · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly inspect and replace damaged aileron control cables, which resulted in fatigue separation of the aileron control cable and loss of control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB CEN20FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA070.md): Piper PA60 · Springfield, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 28, 2020 · N6071R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance during the instrument approach.
- [NTSB WPR20FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA013.md): Robinson R44 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 23, 2019 · N225JM · Substantial damage
  > An undetermined inflight event that resulted in the pilot performing an autorotation to uneven terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of impact damage.
- [NTSB ERA20FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA014.md): Piper PA32 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 20, 2019 · N534Z · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a safe glidepath during final approach to the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of recent instrument flight experience.
- [NTSB CEN20LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA021.md): Piper PA23 · (Gulf of Mexico) · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N778PA · Destroyed
  > The airplane’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN20FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA002.md): Piper Aerostar 602P · Kokomo, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2019 · N326CW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a dual engine power loss caused by the line service technician fueling the airplane with the wrong fuel, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.…
- [NTSB WPR19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA188.md): Robinson R44 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA178.md): Maule M7-235B · Sunriver, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 22, 2019 · N118G · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the separation of baffling in both mufflers. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the landing gear on the float-equipped airplane before performing a forced landing to the river.
- [NTSB WPR19FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA148.md): Robinson R44 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which…
- [NTSB ERA19FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA113.md): Cessna 182 · Louisburg, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 2019 · N26617 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control following takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA093.md): Piper PA32RT · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2019 · N3016L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN19FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA004.md): Piper PA32RT · Poolville, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N221MC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation and the exceedance of the structural capabilities of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in instrument conditions.
- [NTSB WPR18FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA253.md): Commander 114 · Jean, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Sep 6, 2018 · N6064C · Destroyed
  > The pilot failed to maintain adequate speed while maneuvering at a low attitude during night and entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.
- [NTSB ERA18FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA197.md): Piper PA32R · Lincolnton, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…
- [NTSB ERA18FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA187.md): Robinson R44 · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2018 · N616HS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA18LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA184.md): Swearingen SX300 · Daytona Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2018 · N42SX · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall and hard landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse, loss of directional control, and…
- [NTSB WPR18FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA084.md): Cessna 182T · Santee, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2018 · N3525T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA18FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA016.md): Piper PA 32 · Morrison, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2017 · N47831 · Destroyed
  > The pilots' loss of control during a missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR17FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA185.md): Rich Wheeler Express CT · Madras, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 2017 · N246TM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern for landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, a subsequent aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.
- [NTSB CEN17FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA287.md): Aerofab Lake LA 4 250 · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2017 · N1400P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind in unfavorable water conditions, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and the pilot losing control.
- [NTSB WPR17FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA161.md): Applegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2017 · N331ST · Substantial damage
  > A fatigue failure of the left aileron control rod end during aerobatic flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane.
- [NTSB WPR17FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA105.md): Socata TB 20 Trinidad · Sierraville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 2017 · N28070 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB WPR17LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA054.md): Johnson Harmon Rocket · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 17, 2017 · N275JS · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of a failure of internal components of the fuel servo.
- [NTSB CEN17FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA075.md): Fields Steen Skybolt · Era, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2017 · N94RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control while conducting aerobatic flight maneuvers with insufficient altitude to recover.
- [NTSB ERA17WA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17WA090.md): Aerofab Lake LA 250 · Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 17, 2016 · N724ST · Substantial damage
  > On October 17, 2016, about 2200 coordinated universal time, an AeroFab, Inc. Lake-250, N724ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ocean while on approach to Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The pilot…
- [NTSB CEN16FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA261.md): Piper PA 32R-300 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2016 · N32KK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at…
- [NTSB CEN16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…
- [NTSB ERA16FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA001.md): Piper PA32R · Westminster, SC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2015 · N782TM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41530&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 ('41530', '41585'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41530&fatal=1

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